Easy Outdoor Adventures with Your Toddler This Summer
Hi Mamas! Can you believe we’re already halfway through July? I don’t know about you, but this summer is flying by. Here in Massachusetts, we’ve had so much rain this spring and summer that it feels like the only outdoor play we’ve managed has been in rainboots and puddles. And while playing in the rain definitely has its moments, I’m so thankful the sun is finally showing up again on the weekends.
Apparently, we broke a record this year with rain falling on 13 weekends in a row. No wonder we’ve all felt cooped up! Now that the sunshine has decided to stick around, I’ve been trying to come up with simple, fun, and affordable outdoor toddler activities that we can enjoy every day. If you’re looking for my full list, check out my 50+ Outdoor Activities for Babies & Toddlers Guide here.
Soaking Up the Sensory Moments
My daughter isn’t walking yet, so our summer fun is still very much a low-to-the-ground and hands-on experience. She’s a total sensory baby, which makes outdoor play feel like one big science experiment every single day. She loves touching different textures, from soft grass to gritty sand to smooth stones, and I just love watching her tiny hands explore the world. Of course, sensory play usually comes with a mess, but the joy on her face is always worth it. It also comes with a bit of worry because my girl loves tasting everything she picks up! Doesn’t matter if it’s mud, rocks, grass, or slimy wet wood, she tries to put everything in her mouth. This little habit of hers keeps me on my toes.
Water Table Fun in the Backyard
One of the biggest hits this summer has been our water table. I added a little pump to keep the water flowing, and my daughter is obsessed. She splashes, scoops, dumps, and fills every single afternoon, and it's amazing how long this simple setup keeps her entertained.
She also loves putting random things into the water table, which of course, clogs the pump, but I’ll take the trade-off. She can spend a solid 20 to 30 minutes just splashing and experimenting before she moves on to something else. For a baby under two, that’s basically a marathon!
Balance Bikes and Baby Helmets
Even though she isn’t walking, she’s getting more stable on her feet and loves sitting on her little balance bike. It was a birthday gift and she loves it! When she’s not riding it, she’s crawling around pushing it across the lawn and through the house. She even likes wearing her helmet, which is both adorable and kind of surprising. Although, she is such a laid-back toddler that I shouldn’t be surprised. She doesn’t even give me any fuss when I put on her ear muffs while we’re moving the lawn!
Exploring the World One Crawl at a Time
This summer, my sweet pea has loved crawling around in the grass, trying to eat mulch, and putting every kind of leaf, flower, or rock she can find into her mouth. She’s also a big fan of lake swimming, especially when she can kick her legs and splash around.
She’s not walking, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to climb every chair and step she sees. Somehow, she has zero fear of falling off a couch but won’t take two steps on her own without plopping down because she doesn’t want to fall while standing alone. I don’t know how those two things can exist at the same time, but that’s toddlerhood for you!
The Joy of Hikes and Walks
We take daily walks in our neighborhood and try to go for hikes at least once a week. It’s one of my favorite ways to get fresh air, and it often doubles as nap time for my daughter. There’s just something peaceful about putting her in the carrier and heading into the woods or around the block in her stroller.
If you’re curious about hiking with a baby or toddler, I made a free hiking checklist just for you. It’s a helpful place to start if you’re new to it or just looking for a way to make your hikes go a little bit smoother.
Easy Backyard Setups
Most days, I set up shop at our patio table with my laptop while my daughter plays nearby. She loves her little outdoor blanket, a couple of board books, her Adirondack chair, and her water bottle. It doesn’t take much. She’ll happily explore the lawn for ages, digging around in the flower beds and sampling all the nature she can get her hands on.
We use natural mulch, not the dyed kind, which is a small mercy since she insists on taste-testing it regularly. I’m constantly redirecting her, but she always finds a new leaf or rock to explore.
Cousin Time: Toddler Adventures with My Niece
My 2.5-year-old niece joins us on Fridays and she adds a whole new level of excitement to outdoor play. She’s into bug hunting, cloud watching, digging in the dirt, and jumping from low rocks. She’ll kick a ball around for ages or make up games with sidewalk chalk.
We also do nature treasure hunts where we try to find things that match certain colors. It’s an easy, screen-free way to engage her curiosity. And of course, bubbles, sprinklers, and splash pads are summer staples, especially on humid days.
No-Fuss, Low-Cost Outdoor Fun
The beauty of all these activities is that most of them are either free or cost very little. If you’ve got a backyard, a local playground, or a nearby park, you’ve already got access to so many play opportunities.
That said, I know how hard it can be to actually get out the door. There are always excuses. The dishes need to be done. The bathroom needs cleaning. The laundry is piling up. Or maybe the last outing ended in tears and a full-blown toddler meltdown after just 10 minutes.
And yeah, all of that might be true. But even a short walk outside or a few minutes of splashing in a puddle can turn the whole day around. I’ve also found (at least most of the time) that getting outside in the fresh air can help stop or distract from a toddler meltdown. There’s something about the fresh air and sunshine that is great for the soul and for calming little ones all at the same time.
Rainy Days Can Still Be Play Days
I struggle with this one myself. But if it’s raining, don’t let that stop you from getting outside. Go puddle jumping, catch raindrops, or do a mini nature scavenger hunt to see which bugs and critters are out in the wet weather. Your toddler won’t care about the mess. And you might just enjoy it too. I find it’s easier to get outside in the rain if I dress both of us for it – rain boots, rain gear, and light wool base layers to help control the moisture are all great ways to prep before heading out into the rain. I also don’t aim for a full three hours outside on rain days. I give us a lot more grace and leeway on these days because I don’t want to sour my daughter on rainy days. So far, she has enjoyed the time we do spend outside in the rain, but it has taken us a few tries. She doesn’t always like the rain falling on her face and if she’s overstimulated before we even step outside, she has a harder time with the rain. And that’s ok! I just like to try and see what happens.
Exploring State and National Forests
One of the best ways to get outside and explore with your little ones is through your local state or national forests. We’ve been spending time in places that are a little quieter than the more popular National Parks lately and have found them to be just as enjoyable, if not more so because they’re usually less crowded.
There are only a couple of national forests in New England and they are the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire and the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. If you’re willing to go a little further and explore outside of New England, you can check out the Finger Lakes National Forest in New York. These places offer great hiking, fresh air, lakes, ponds, and rivers, and so many opportunities to introduce your toddler to nature.
Tips for Visiting These Parks
Since the pandemic, many of these spots have gotten busier, especially on weekends. If you’re planning to hike, go early in the day to make parking easier. Some areas require a day pass or entry fee, so it’s often worth buying a seasonal park pass if you plan on going regularly.
Discovering the Beauty of State Parks
In addition to state and national forests, state parks are something we’ve been exploring more recently, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many different types there are. From beaches and lighthouses to castles, rivers, and even ski areas, New England is packed with beautiful parks to visit with your littles.
Here are links to each New England state’s park websites so you can find one near you:
Side note: if you haven’t been to Acadia National Park in Maine yet, put it on your list. It’s stunning. Just book early if you're going during the fall, because leaf-peeping season gets busy fast.
Want More Ideas?
I’ve put together a free guide with a full list of simple and affordable toddler activities you can enjoy outdoors. It includes sensory ideas, water play, nature exploration, and more. Click here to grab your free activity guide. It's a great way to get inspired when you're feeling stuck or out of ideas.
Wrapping It All Up
I hope this post gave you some fun, simple, and realistic ideas to try with your little ones. Spending time outside doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, all it takes is a water bottle, a patch of grass, and a curious toddler.
Plus, the more time your kids spend outside, the less mess they make inside. Can I get an amen?
There are two quotes I keep in mind when I think about these fleeting moments with our littles. I don’t know who said them, but they’ve stuck with me. One is, “Their childhood is your motherhood.” The other is, “You’ll know your children as adults for most of your life, but for a short while, you’ll get to know them as kids.”
So why not make the most of that short while? Do something outside with your child that you love. Maybe they’ll love it too. These are the days that matter!