Get ready to make the most out of summer with your little ones! This list is packed with over 50 fun and engaging activities specifically tailored for toddlers and preschoolers. Whether you’re exploring nature, getting creative with crafts, diving into sensory play, or conducting simple science experiments, there’s something here for every curious mind.
One of the best parts about summer activities with toddlers and preschoolers is that you can take the mess outdoors! This means you can embrace all those messy art projects and sensory play ideas without worrying about cleanup indoors. Plus, spending time outside is great for your child’s development and overall well-being.
The activities on this list are not only entertaining but also educational. Toddlers and preschoolers thrive on repetition, so don’t be afraid to repeat activities throughout the summer. It’s a fantastic way for them to learn and explore new concepts while also giving you some much-needed time to relax.
So, whether you’re looking for outdoor art projects or simple science experiments, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to keep your little ones entertained and engaged all summer long.
Summer Sensory Activities for Toddlers
Here are some fun summertime activities for toddlers that engage their senses and creativity:
Edible Sludge
If you’re okay with a little mess, this activity is perfect. It’s a hands-on sensory experience that toddlers will love, and the best part is, it’s safe to eat!
Clean the Cars
This outdoor activity is simple yet enjoyable for kids. They can have fun cleaning toy cars or even real ones, and it’s a great way for them to feel accomplished.
Outdoor Window Painting
Let your little ones unleash their creativity with this gross motor activity. Painting on windows provides a unique canvas and keeps them engaged in a new way.
Engineering with Mud Bricks
This STEM activity combines creativity with messy fun. Using mud to build bricks allows toddlers to explore engineering concepts while getting their hands dirty.
Pudding Painting
Let your toddler explore their artistic side by “painting” with pudding. It’s messy, but they’ll have a blast. You can also add kitchen tools to make it even more fun.
Bubble Foam
With just two ingredients and a quick prep time, you can create hours of entertainment with bubble foam. It’s simple, easy, and sure to keep your toddler engaged.
Taste-Safe Foam
This foam is made using the liquid from a can of chickpeas, creating a safe and fun sensory experience for your little ones. While it may not taste great, it’s harmless if they decide to sneak a taste.
8. DIY Mud Kitchen
If you don’t have space for a full mud kitchen, try making a smaller, temporary version. It’s a great way for toddlers to explore sensory play and get their hands dirty without a lot of space.
9. Chocolate Oobleck
This is a super fun and safe activity that uses just three ingredients. Oobleck itself is already a hit, but adding chocolate flavor takes it to the next level of enjoyment.
10. Outdoor Science Bin
Using baking soda and vinegar, you can create a simple yet fascinating science experiment that will keep kids engaged for hours. It’s a great way to incorporate learning into playtime.
11. Lemon Sensory Bin
Transform a regular water sensory bin into a refreshing and aromatic experience by adding lemons. The scent will make the activity even more enjoyable for toddlers.
12. Animal World
Turn a sand table into a mini habitat for toy animals by replacing the sand with dirt. It’s a creative way to spark imaginative play and exploration.
Outdoor Art Activities for Toddlers
Here are some fun outdoor art activities you can do with toddlers:
Paint Popsicles
Freeze colored water in small cups to create paint popsicles. It’s a fun sensory activity for kids, and the frozen paint is easy to handle.
Outdoor Name Art
Make your child’s name into a giant art piece outdoors. It’s a fun way to introduce letters and names to toddlers. Busy Toddler has some great ideas for this activity.
Graffiti Art
Use squirt bottles filled with paint and water to create a large outdoor mural. This activity not only encourages creativity but also helps develop hand muscles. Check out Playground and Park Bench for inspiration.
Giant Window Art
Let your child paint on a window for a unique art experience. It’s a refreshing change from traditional paper-based art activities.
Make Your Own Paintbrushes
Go on a nature hunt to find materials like twigs, leaves, or feathers to create unique paintbrushes. Then, experiment with painting using these non-traditional tools.
Splatter Paint
This messy yet enjoyable activity is perfect for summer. Let your toddlers have fun splattering paint onto paper, creating unique and colorful designs. It’s a great activity for playdates with friends.
Fly Swatter Painting
Toddlers love the excitement of using fly swatters to slap paint onto paper. It’s a simple yet entertaining way to create art and allows them to explore different painting techniques.
Painted Box Cake
If you have cardboard boxes lying around, turn them into a life-sized canvas for your kids to paint on. They’ll love decorating their “cake” with paint, and the possibilities for creativity are endless.
Chalk Ice
Mix chalk and water, then freeze it to create a unique material for painting and chalk art. It adds a fun twist to traditional art activities.
Outdoor Toy Paint
Kids love this activity where they use toys to paint outside. It’s a favorite among toddlers and can provide hours of entertainment.
Fizzy Sidewalk Paint
This activity combines baking soda and vinegar to create a fizzy reaction that kids adore. It’s a fun and interactive way to paint on sidewalks and driveways.
Ice Painting
Instead of throwing out old ice from a cooler, use it for painting. Simply add washable paint to a bin of ice for an art, science, and sensory experience all in one.
Painting With Flowers
Explore different flowers and create unique art pieces while enjoying nature. It’s a great way for toddlers to engage with their surroundings and get creative.
Squirt Paint
Dilute paint with water and put it in condiment bottles for a messy and memorable art experience. This activity is sure to be a hit with toddlers and their friends.
Water Play Activities for Toddlers
Water play activities for toddlers can provide a fun and educational way to keep them entertained, especially during hot summer days. Here are some ideas to try out:
Pom Pom Water Play
Toddlers can enjoy playing with pom pom balls in a bin filled with water. It’s a great way to keep them entertained during the summer, but make sure to supervise them closely.
Outdoor Dish Washing Station
Create a small dishwashing station for toddlers with bubbles and water. They can splash around and pretend to wash dishes, keeping them engaged and cool on hot days.
Pouring Station
Set up a pouring station where toddlers can pour water from one container to another. It’s a simple yet enjoyable activity that can keep them occupied for hours.
Nature Soup
Encourage toddlers to explore nature by creating sensory soup. They can gather items from the yard and mix them with water to create their own concoctions. You can even freeze their creations for added fun.
Ice Table
Create a sensory experience by filling a table or large container with water and adding ice cubes. This activity can help toddlers explore different textures and temperatures while keeping cool.
Colorful Ice Cube STEM Melting
Colored ice cubes can add an extra element of fun to water play. Toddlers can watch as the ice cubes melt and mix colors, providing a simple introduction to science concepts like melting and color mixing.
Ice Sensory Bin
Repurpose leftover ice from camping trips or cookouts by turning it into a sensory bin. Toddlers can explore the ice with their hands and watch as it melts into water, creating a refreshing play experience.
Ice Boat Racing
Engage toddlers in an outdoor activity by making simple ice boats and racing them in a water-filled container. This activity introduces the concept of liquids and solids while providing a fun sensory experience.
Bubble Foam Water Table
This activity involves playing with bubble foam, which can be done indoors or outdoors. It’s a clean yet messy activity that toddlers love, especially when jumbo-sized for outdoor play.
Metallic Water Table
This activity not only provides fun and engagement for kids but also offers a visually stunning experience. Swirling paint in the water adds to the excitement, and it’s safe for little hands as it won’t stain.
Ice Smash
Using leftover ice cubes and toy hammers, toddlers can enjoy smashing ice while wearing eye protection. It’s a simple yet entertaining activity, perfect for hot summer days.
LEGO Pool
Transform a regular LEGO bath into a LEGO pool for some extra fun. This activity is great for keeping toddlers entertained, especially when traditional options like kiddie pools start to lose their appeal towards the end of summer.
Quick and Easy Summer Activities for Toddlers
Looking for some quick and easy summer activities to keep your toddlers entertained? Check out these ideas:
Making Ice Cream
Gather some ingredients and let your toddler help you make homemade ice cream. It’s a classic summer activity that creates lasting memories.
Giant Bubbles
Whip up a batch of giant bubbles using a special recipe for endless fun in the sun. Your toddler will love chasing and popping these massive bubbles.
Muddy Trucks and Car Wash
Transform your kiddie pool into a muddy play area by adding some dirt and toy trucks. Afterward, turn it into a DIY car wash by washing the trucks with soapy water.
Hammering Watermelons
Grab a watermelon and some clean golf tees for a unique and entertaining activity. Let your toddler use a hammer to tap the golf tees into the watermelon, creating a fun and edible masterpiece.
Sponge Targets
This activity is a blast for kids of all ages. Simply set up some targets using sponges and let your toddlers toss them around. It’s a hit with my kids, and I’m sure yours will love it too!
Water Bottle Fun
Get creative with empty water bottles! There are tons of ways to repurpose them for outdoor fun. Whether it’s playing I-Spy or creating a mini bowling alley, these activities are sure to keep your little ones engaged.
Nature Cutting Tray
Bring the outdoors inside with a nature cutting tray. It’s a fantastic way to introduce your toddlers to different textures and shapes while also honing their fine motor skills.
Racing Cars
Who knew a gutter could be so versatile? Head to your local hardware store and grab one to set up a makeshift racetrack for toy cars. It’s a simple yet exciting activity that will keep your toddlers entertained for hours.
Outside Sticky Wall
Create a sticky wall outdoors using contact paper or adhesive tape. Let your curious toddler explore nature up close while sticking items like leaves, flowers, and feathers onto the wall.
Bubble Snake Blower
Make simple bubble blowers using empty plastic bottles and socks. Dip the sock end into bubble solution and blow to create long bubble snakes. It’s a quick and entertaining activity for all ages.
Outdoor Road
Use painter’s tape to create a road on your driveway or sidewalk. Add toy cars and let your toddler drive around, exploring the outdoor environment in a fun way.
Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands
Make bubble wands using pipe cleaners twisted into various shapes. Dip them into bubble solution and watch as your toddler creates colorful bubbles. It’s a surefire hit with kids of all ages.
These activities are not only fun but also educational, providing opportunities for sensory exploration, problem-solving, and creativity. So grab some supplies and get ready for some summer fun with your little ones!
