Outdoor Activities for Toddlers: 35 Simple Activities to Do Outside

When the weather is nice, no one wants to be cooped up indoors. Spending time outside with toddlers can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be with this list of outdoor activities for toddlers!

There are plenty of simple, fun, and budget-friendly outdoor activities for toddlers that you can do right in your own backyard or in your local park. From water play to nature scavenger hunts, these outdoor activities for toddlers are easy to set up and will keep your little one entertained and engaged.

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Grab your sunscreen and get ready to make some memories in the great outdoors with this list of 35 fun and easy outdoor activities for toddlers!

This is one of the most popular outdoor kids toys for a reason! Toddlers think they’re just splashing in water having a grand old time but the’yre actually learning, too! Water tables are so fun that you may even get some solid independent play time while you sit and get to actually enjoy being outside

A sure fire hack to increase the independent play is getting a water dispenser and attaching it to the top of your water table to create a continuous fountain. No more having to get up to add water over and over to the places your little ones can’t reach!

Living in Florida, our yard is full of all kinds of critters so critter watching has quickly become one of our favorite outdoor activities for toddlers. We have lizards, bugs, bees, birds, squirrels, and even the occasional stray kitty cat.

Sometimes we make finding them an adventure game and other times we just sit and point out what we see. It’s a great way to teach toddlers (and us) to slow down and take in the world around them.

Scavenger hunts have endless possibilities and are wildly entertaining for all ages. You can do a scavenger hunt just about anywhere with nearly any theme. Do one for nature items, a specific color, or just every day items.

You can do scavenger hunts with your kiddos or let them build some independence and roam on their on, while still closely supervised of course!

Pro Tip – For toddlers, it can be helpful to use lists with pictures instead of words and limit the items you’re hunting. Even just going down to one item like leaves and letting them see how many they can collect can be a fun way to start out.

Playing with chalk is a cheap, creative way to have endless fun.

There are so many fun things to do with chalk from just letting imaginations run wild with free drawing, making “stained glass” sidewalk art with masking tape to color in, to drawings letters and shapes for learning.

Pro Tip – Easy grip chalk sets like this one are a great place to start with toddlers plus it keeps their hands clean!

If you already have chalk, go ahead and make a hopscotch! This is a fun game even young toddlers can do just by walking into each box.

Hopscotch is a great way to practice motor skills like jumping and balancing while also learning numbers. Let your little one get their wiggles out while they learn!

For days where you just want to be a little adventurous, try going somewhere or doing something new. Try a new trail or park, go to a beach (or whatever outdoor water space is in your area), try a splash pad, or have an outdoor picnic.

Need to stay at home? Build a fort or tent in your backyard and eat a picnic lunch or snack in it. The goal is do something new or out of the ordinary and make it a fun, special experience.

This has been a treasured outdoor activity for toddlers since the dawn of time. Whether you have a full on mud kitchen (yes those are a thing and they’re beyond cool) or simply bring out a couple kitchen utensils, it’s sure to be worth the mess for the joy and learning experience your little one will have.

Pro Tip – Make sure your toddler is in something they can get dirty (swimsuits work great) and have water and a towel ready for clean up!

I am all about activities that get energy out while also teaching important skills, and a stop and go game like the classic Red Light, Green Light is one of the best.

Playing games like this outside is great because there’s more space to play and move. Your toddler will have a blast playing all while learning the all important skill of “stopping.”

Trust me, if you haven’t needed your child to totally know what STOP means yet, you will at some point and be thankful you played this game.

Beautiful day out? Bust out the bathing suits (or birthday suits for some toddlers) and a hose for a water day! My babe loves simply playing in the hose, so no need to get fancy if you don’t want to.

If you do want to up your game to a sprinkler, there are so many options from the turtle version of Crazy Daisy (come on, it can’t be just me who remmebers that!) to DIY with pool noodles and PVC pipes.

No matter the method, your toddler will love a water day. Just make sure you prepare ahead and have towels nearby!

Stimulate your little one’s imagination but introducing them to cloud watching. Park yourself in the grass (lying down if you’re lucky) and watch the clouds in the sky. You can have a nice time just watching the clouds or you can talk about what shapes or animals you see.

This is a great outdoor activity for a cloudier day or when everyone maybe just needs a calm down. It’s also an awesome game to teach if you do a lot of road trips and your little one can (one day) entertain themselves by watching clouds out the window.

There’s a reason “ball” is in the top 10 words littles usually say first. Soccer ball, basketball, wiffle ball, kickball, or big bouncy ball – the kind of ball doesn’t matter! Playing ball is the best outdoor activity for toddlers.

I usually suggest starting with a softer, textured ball first so your little one can easily grip it and play without hurting anything. Whether you’re throwing, kicking, bouncing, just get out there and play ball!

Outdoor activities for toddlers don’t have to be just for littles. There’s so much value in getting kids involved in everyday activities from a young age, so why not do that with gardening or tending to plants!

This was actually one of the first “chores” my toddler learned just by watching me water the backyard plants. One day she just picked up the watering can and walked over to the plant mimicking me! Now, it’s a regular activity we love doing together and she’s learning so much in the process.

Pro Tip – Get your babe a toddler sized watering can that’s all their own. It’ll be adorable, way easier (and less messy) for them to use, and lets you still have yours for you to use.

Toy rescue (also called treasure hunt) has endless possibilities and endless fun, especially when you can get messy outside! Rescue toys stuck in an ice block, from mud with a washing station, from squelchy jello, or whatever you (or your little) want! With so many creative twists on this activity, this outdoor activity for toddlers is sure to keep them entertained.

Pro Tip – Get a collapsible kiddie pool to help contain the fun (and the mess). Then when you’re done, just rinse off and fold it back up to store until next time. Or transition right into some water play in the pool for a bonus activity!

Every toddler I have ever met is mesmerized by bubbles, and honestly who could blame them! There are so many fun ways to play with bubbles from traditional bubble wands to automatic bubble toys. You can pop the bubbles, blow different sized bubbles, name all the colors in a bubble, or simply sit and watch them. The possibilities are endless!

Pro Tip – Get a bubble machine (like this one that my family uses constantly) and let your little one play while you sip on your coffee or favorite summer concotion in peace! The bubbles make a nice ambiance, too.

I’ll say it again – toddlers don’t need fancy! I can almost guarantee your little one will love “painting” just with water on a fence, driveway, sidewalk, or any other outdoor surface that darkens when it gets wet.

Just the simple change in color from light to dark will be satisfying enough to them!

Give them a small water container and a clean paint brush and set them loose. Bonus for you, the clean up is basically non-existent because everything goes back to normal once the water dries!

Want a more colorful painting experience? Lay out an old (or new but cheap) plastic shower curtain with some finger paints for a supersized canvas.

The clear liners tend to work best but feel free to get creative! If you have a clothesline or can rig something similar, you can hang it vertically or just lay it out on the ground. Then get out your non-toxic washable finger paints and paint brushes if you want them and start creating!

Pro Tip – I highly suggest putting your toddler in a bathing suit or swim diaper so the paint doesn’t mess up their clothes. Then once the activity is over, you can rinse your babe and their canvas clean easily with a hose. It’s literally a rinse and repeat activity.

Got some different sized pitchers, Tupperware, and cups your toddler can play with? Fill them with water, put them in a shallow bin or kiddie pool and let your little one have a blast!

While you can absolutely do this with kitchen items you already have, my toddler loves when I add nesting drizzle cups to the mix.

Pouring is something they see us doing all the time, so they’ll love the chance to try it themselves. Plus playing in water is always a good time!

Need to get some energy out with some big muscle movement? Try making an obstacle course for your toddler to do.

This can be as simple as moving backyard toys around or as elaborate as wood construction and obstacle course toys.

Toddlers love to practice their gross motor skills and master new things, so tap into this natural instinct by giving them things to climb over and under, jump across, balance on, and run though! And of course, please always do this activity with close adult supervision!

If you have a riding toy that’s been collecting dust, it’s time to bust it out! It could be a trike, a bike, a scooter, a push car, a wagon, an electronic car, or anything else you have with wheels.

Go for a spin in your driveway, backyard, neighborhood, park, or local, empty (and safe) parking lot. Riding toys are a super fun activity that is sure to get your toddler’s energy out. And remember, safety first with a helmet!

Pro Tip – Getting a convertible push trike will be the best bang for your buck! Having something that will grow with your toddler from push trike, pedal trike, balance bike, then bike makes it so you only buy and store one toy. It’s a game changer, I promise!

Making a painted rock garden with your toddler is a great outdoor activity to get creative in nature. All you really need are some cool rocks, but adding your toddler’s colorful creativity with some non-toxic washable paint is a great touch, too.

There are even rock garden kits for kids you can buy! Let your toddler paint or arrange the rocks in whatever design they want.

You can even turn this one activity into three by going on an adventure to hunt for rocks and then setting up a wash station to clean them off before you make your pretty garden!

This one may tire you out more than your toddler but it’s sure to get all kinds of happy shrieks and giggles from everyone.

If you don’t have other kids, take turns being “it” and chasing each other around. If do you have other kids, or a family-friendly pup who’s game, let them play with each other while you play referee.

You can also put whatever theme your toddler will know and love on it – superheroes, tickle monster, or whatever. Remember, kids don’t need fancy. They just need connection and fun!

This activity definitely requires some room, so I recommend finding a local green space or safe, empty parking lot if your yard space is limited or has a lot of trees.

Flying a kite is quite a fascinating experience for toddlers because they’re actually making something fly. It’s such a simple yet gratifying thing and unlike any other activity they usually get to do. So pick a windy day, grab yourself a kite, and get out there to watch your toddler’s eyes light up with wonder!

Bonus points if you turn this into a two-in-one activity and make your own kite to fly. There are lots of cool make-your-own-kite kits that would be so fun for toddlers to paint or color.

Crazy concept, I know.

But if you have a more laid back toddler or can find a rare moment when your loveable tornado is a bit more calm, this can be a great way to just enjoy some quiet time together outside. After nap is a great time to try this.

Sit in a chair or on a blanket and just watch what’s happening outside. Practice slowing down and being present by focusing on the things you see, what colors there are, and what sounds you hear.

In this fast paced world, teaching our kids (and let’s be real, ourselves) how to slow down can be such a great lesson.

This is a summer favorite of ours since it rains nearly every afternoon during the Florida summers.

Whether during the rain (but not during lightning, please!) or after it’s passed, get on some rain boots and clothes you don’t mind getting wet and get out there! Most littles love water, especially splashing around in it.

It may take your toddler a bit to warm up to the activity the first time but they’ll end up loving it, especially if you join in on the fun, too!

Wash the car, the dog, their bike, toys, whatever you want! This is such a fun way to turn something that could usually be a chore into a sensory activity for your toddler.

They will love playing in the bubbles and water! Plus, many of them will find the magic of making something that was super dirty clean again so satisfying.

If you’re feeling brave, this is another activity you could stretch into a two-for-one by having the first activity to make something dirty.

Got some cool Pinterest activities saved but haven’t tried them yet for fear of the mess? Do them outside!

Messy crafts like painting, playdoh, slime, sensory bins, and crafts are a great thing to do outside. Everyone gets some fresh air and you keep your house clean. It’s a win-win!

If you’re looking for some ideas, head on over to my Toddler & Kids Activities Pinterest board where I have a whole section dedicated to messy and outdoor activities.

We’ve all probably played this at one point or another in our childhood, so why not pass it along to our kids! This is a great low-key activity to do outside because there’s so much more to “spy.” It’s the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful day and bond with your little one.

This can be as simple as legitimately letting them dig in the dirt with whatever’s available or as fancy as setting up a sandbox or special digging area with tricked out digging tools.

One of the first childhood memories I have is digging in my parent’s backyard with sticks and rocks convinced I could get to the other side of the world. The apple clearly doesn’t fall too far from the tree because it’s something my daughter loves to do, too. It was one of the first independent play activities she really got involved in.

So, embrace the mess, set guidelines on where and how to dig if needed, and let your little one go to town! You may even get 10 minutes to actually sit and enjoy the outdoors while you watch them play.

If you’re feeling crafty, making your own bracelets out of things you find in nature is such a fun activity. All you need is some wide, clear packing tape and the great outdoors!

Start by wrapping the tape loosely around your wrist once with the sticky side facing away from your skin. When it’s the size you want, tape it to itself to create a bracelet. Then all you need to do is go exploring for your decorations!

Let your toddler’s creativity shine by allowing them to select anything they want to stick on their bracelet – leaves, flowers, grass, whatever they find. This is an activity your toddler may be able to do on their own, but it’s way more fun when you make one with them!

Kiddie pools have endless possibilities! Simply sit and splash. Go “fishing” for floating items. Do messy sensory activities. Make a water ball pit. Have a massive foam bubble bath. A kiddie pool is the perfect blank canvas for outdoor fun!

While good old fashioned splashing in the pool is always a good time, I usually vote for adding in some fun floating toys for fishing and a little net to catch them. Foam letters and numbers, balls from a ball pit, lots of pom poms (if your little won’t put them in their mouth), cut up sponges, or even actual electronic swimming fish are all super fun choices to level up your toddler’s kiddie pool experience.

Am I the only one thinking of the Lost Boys from Peter Pan singing “we’re following the leader, the leader, the leader”?

Follow the leader is perfect to play outside where there’s plenty of room to roam. You can tell your toddler to follow and copy what you do until or you can follow them around. After a few tries, they usually get the hang of it.

Toddlers love to imitate others and to feel important, so they’ll have a blast whether they’re leading or following! Lead each other all over your space making sure to incorporate fun movements like crawling, marching, or going under, over, and through things.

When kids are this young, anything is play to them! Everything is new and fun so they don’t consider chores to be a chore. They just want to be with you, be helpful, and be a part of something.

Find an outdoor chore they can help you with like picking up twigs or leaves, pulling weeds, or cleaning up. It’ll make their day and give you some help all while teaching life lessons!

There are so many different ways you can do this activity. For low-cost DIY, roll cardboard toilet paper tubes in peanut butter (I’m sure other nut butters or similar substitutes would work just fine, too) and bird seed. Then, run a string through the middle, and hang them up like a Christmas ornament in a tree when you can watch.

If you want a more permanent bird feeder or want to get a little craftier, there are so many options on Amazon for DIY bird feeder kits for kids that you can build and paint. Once you’ve done this activity, you’ve got a second bird watching activity built right in, too!

This one requires a little prep but is worth it!

Get yourself an ice cube tray you don’t care about getting stained, some food coloring, some tin foil, and some popsicle sticks.

Fill your ice cube tray with water, put a drop of food coloring in each (feel free to mix and match to make your own colors), cover the tray in tinfoil, and poke a popsicle stick in each one of the cubes.

The tin foil will help them stay upright so make sure it’s extra tight and doesn’t slip. You can add a rubber band around the outside of the tray to hold the tin foil in place if needed.

Once the “paint” is frozen, bring it and some big white paper outside and get to painting! As the ice melts, it makes a really cool watercolor effect.

So often we think we need to provide a structured activity for our kids, but sometimes the best outdoor activities for toddlers are unstructured. They need free play to let their imagination and independence reign free.

Toddlers love to explore and get into everything, so why not go with that natural instinct in the great outdoors.

Find a safe area, whether your yard or some other location, and let your child lead with where they want to go and what they want to do. Obviously make sure this is with close supervision, especially if your little one is still in a “everything in the mouth” stage! This one is so simple but so powerful.

Getting outside can sometimes be the same as hitting a parenting “reset” button. Everyone feels better in the fresh air on a beautiful day. This list of outdoor activities for toddlers should give you some ideas for how to do just that.

Don’t be afraid to get out there and do some outdoor activities with your toddler. It won’t always go as planned, in fact it likely won’t, but sometimes that ends up being the best part.

I hope these outdoor activities for toddlers help you get outside and have some fun with your toddler!

If you’re looking for more toddler friendly activities, check out the post on Montessori Toys and Activities for One Years that can be adapted for any age toddler!