Summer Fun with Toddlers

Have you ever tried to keep a toddler occupied while you're outside doing yard work or relaxing? If so, I'm sure you've found that it is certainly quite the task. Most of the time, kids won't play with the expensive toys you spend a small fortune on, so here are some low-cost ideas on how to keep toddlers/ younger children occupied this summer:

Take out some sidewalk chalk. They may not be able to write words or draw much of anything- but they'll have a blast just writing on the sidewalk and making their own art. It won't be crayons on your walls, and the chalk will wash away with some water.

Bubbles!! What child doesn't like to chase bubbles as they drift up to the sky? Low cost, and no mess. Use some dish detergent and water, grab some straws and tape them together and you've got something that will keep them occupied for hours. If the child is to young to blow the bubbles, enlist an older sibling to help out.

Grab some plastic shovels and send them to dig up some treasure. Once they're done, help them cover up the holes in the ground and re-bury some treasure for the next time. Older children can even draw a treasure map to locate the treasure.

Under the watchful eye of a parent or other adult, get a small swimming pool and fill it with just enough water to coat the bottom. Take some waterproof toys and let them use it as a water table. If it gets warm enough, they can sit in it and play too. Never leave a child unsupervised around water of any depth.

Unravel that hose and cool them off. On a hot day, let them run through the sprinkler to cool off. You can kill 2 birds with 1 stone- and the water will help keep the grass from dying.

Pick some flowers and use them as the centerpiece on the kitchen table. Your child will be proud to see that their efforts are now being used as a decoration from the home.

Have a picnic in the yard. Bring out a blanket, some snacks and drinks. Throw on some shades and relax.

Of course, make sure that your children have plenty of high SPF sunblock on to prevent sunburns. Feel free to take part in the activities with your children, we're just big kids- right?