Outdoor Games and Activities for Toddlers

It's a beautiful day and your toddler or preschooler is begging to go outside. While sometimes it's pretty easy to entertain a little one in your own backyard since they love to just run, sometimes they need a little direction for fun ideas. Here are a few ideas taken from our own backyard, and things we've done in the past together as a family.

Walk to Park
The walk alone is enough to keep them busy, plus it's great exercise for you. When you there, of course they'll even have more to do. It's a great time for you to relax a bit and enjoy the day, keeping an eye on them while they bounce from one activity to the other on the playground. You might also want to check out nature trails and other sights if your local park has things like this.

Play Frisbee
If you have a small backyard, you might need to go to the park to do this. However, if your yard is big enough this is a simple activity you can do at home. It's great exercise for both of you, and it teaches them a new skill. You might just be getting them ready for other sports when they get older!

Baseball/T-ball
Another possible at home activity if your yard is big enough. All you really need is some cheap baseball equipment (plastic ball, plastic bat) for younger children. They can be picked up in the early spring at dollar stores. Since they are little and still learning, you don't need expensive equipment. The plastic stuff will do just fine.

Walk around neighborhood
There's many interesting things to do while walking around the neighborhood. You can count the animals and birds you see, count certain colored cars or house, or any number of fun games. We like to pick up things like interesting flowers, pine cones from a house that has a pine tree in their front yard, and interesting looking rocks. It's amazing what you can find within a block or two of your house.

Pool Time
If it's a nice enough day, you can either fill up the kiddie pool in the backyard, or head to the local public pool. Water has the power to entertain a kid for HOURS, and we aren't sure why. Either way it's sure to please the kids on a hot day!

These are just a few very simple ideas to get you started. Once you get out to play, try making up new games and activities that are special to you both.