10 Entertaining Summer Activities
Summer activities for toddlers don’t need to be complicated, expensive, or over the top.
In fact, the simplest joys- bare feet in the grass, jumping in puddles after the rain, sticky hands from popsicles are often the memories they will remember the most.
But as every momma knows, toddlers come with endless energy (and meltdowns), which can leave you searching for new ideas. The good news?? You don’t need fancy ideas, but just a handful of simple, engaging activities that can turn ordinary days into memory-making ones.
This post is all about fun and easy summer activities for toddlers to keep them entertained. 20 tired and true ideas that will help you keep little ones entertained, engaged, and busy all summer long.
Run Through the Sprinkler
This wholesome classic activity cools your toddler down, gets their wiggles out, and will create sweet, carefree childhood memories you and your kids will treasure. Nothing says summer like the sound of giggles through a backyard sprinkler.
2. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Toddlers love to explore, and a scavenger hunt can make every walk an adventure. Keep it simple, look for leaves, sticks, rocks, flowers, etc. Bring along a basket for collecting treasures and let adventure begin!
Taking a walk with the kids
3. Draw with Chalk
Sidewalk chalk is one of the easiest summer activities for toddlers. They can practice letters, shapes, draw, and make games. Total bonus: it’s great for developing fine motor skills while keeping them busy outdoors!
Child coloring with Chalk
4. Visit the Library
Libraries are a hidden gem for summer fun. Many offer toddler story times, play spaces, and summer reading programs. Plus, it’s free, air-conditioned and full of new books to spark their little imaginations!
5. Explore a New Park
This summer you should go to a different park each week and figure out which is your favorite park. Parks are a wonderful way to get energy out, and get some fresh air at the same time. Another idea is during the summer go to different elementary school playgrounds.
A beautiful park
6. Pick Wildflowers
Take a walk and pick wildflowers together. Your toddler will love to search for the blooms. To add this memory go home and arrange them in a vase. It’s simple, calming, and helps see the beautiful world God made for us.
Lake Smelling a Flower
7. Create a Pouring Station
Though this activity sounds quite unusual I have always found it to be a hit. Kids love to pour and dump when given the chance. Set up where the kids can pour water from one container to another. Try to spice it up by seeing how many scoops from one container to fill up a second container.
A baby pouring water beads
8. Blow Bubbles
Bubbles are sure a entertaining and straightforward activity. It is also super inexpensive, you can find them at pretty much any store. See how big you can get the bubbles, or how small. Or just chase them around and pop them!
Bubbles
9. Have a Picnic
Turn snack time into an adventure by eating outside. Spread a blanket in the yard, pack a lunch for the park. Toddlers love the novelty of a meal in a new place.
10. Build a Cardboard Fort
A stack of cardboard boxes can become castles, tunnels, spaceships, houses, and more with a little imagination. Toddlers will love climbing in and out, decorating with crayons/paint, and turning into something magical.
Little girl painting cardboard
Final thoughts
Summer does not need to be packed with big plans to be meaningful. With a few simple summer activities for toddlers you can turn ordinary days into core memories.
From sprinklers to story times, bubbles in the backyard, picnics in the park-the little things really are the big moments.
So take a deep breath, soak in the sunshine, and enjoy this fleeting season of sticky hands, giggles, and the pitter patter of tiny feet running wild. These are the days you’ll look back on and miss.
This post was all about the best summer activities for kids!