It is so important for toddlers to spend time outside. Not only is the fresh air and even the dirt important to keep them healthy, there are many things outside that they can’t do inside. Walking on uneven, outdoor ground helps with gross motor skills and simply having more room to move is great! But sometimes it is hard to know what to do with a toddler outside. So, I have a list of simple and cheap things to do outside with toddlers. These aren’t revolutionary ideas, but are ideas that have much more merit than just being playtime.

Blowing Bubbles

Blow bubbles and encourage toddlers to chase them. Bubbles can be so magical for a child and they will love watching you try to blow big bubbles or multiple bubbles. Have your child try to blow bubbles too. They will have to try to use their mouth in a new and interesting way. It might be difficult for them at first, but they will eventually get it!

Chalk Pictures

Chalk can be messy, but is fun for all ages. Not only does a child tap into their creativity to make pictures (not right away of course!), a child also exercises gross motor skills to make large pictures. You could also practice colors, numbers, shapes, letters, and more with chalk. I like to draw a hopscotch board and see if Mac will imitate me jumping on the squares.

Nature Walks

This seems like a no brainer, but I don’t mean a walk to the park where you put your child in a stroller and they passively ride along. I mean letting your child walk and determine the (slow) pace. Remember, a toddler hasn’t experienced life like you have. Things that are mundane to you are new and exciting to a toddler. Pine cones, rocks, grass, dandelions, toddlers will want to touch everything. And you should let them! It is okay for them to get dirty. Children are washable.

Water

I have a kiddie pool I blow up in the summer time, but you don’t even need something large. Even a small plastic tub with water in it will fascinate a toddler. Water is endlessly fun, but also something that toddlers don’t necessarily have much access to. Sometimes I will give Mac a tub of water with some toys in it. You could put in ping-pong balls and encourage your child to use a ladle or other large spoon to scoop them up. That will help with their gross motor and hand eye coordination.

Outdoor Exploring

We live in a townhouse, so we don’t have a yard. One of my favorite things to do with Mac is to bring her to a park that has a large field and let her explore. Just a couple of days ago, Andrew and I took Mac to a park and we sat and talked while she walked all over the place picking dandelions and examining sticks. She spent a good 30 minutes on her own exploring, only occasionally coming over to us for approval or input.

There are so many other things to do outside. What do you do outside with your toddler that doesn’t cost much money?