63+ Outdoor Activities for Toddlers + Best Products

Backyard activities for toddlers are the best way to encourage physical activity, foster cognitive development, and promote social interaction while enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you have a small backyard or a spacious outdoor space, there are so many creative ways to keep young children entertained and help them develop fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and more.

63 Backyard Activities for Toddlers

Physical Activities

Obstacle Course: Use items like hula hoops, cones, and ropes to create an exciting course that enhances gross motor skills and whole body movements.
Balance Bike Riding: A great way to develop physical skills and coordination.
Jumping on a Trampoline: This activity supports physical development and is so much fun.
Soccer Ball Games: Encourage hand-eye coordination and social interaction with simple games like kicking and passing.
Hula Hoops Fun: Toddlers can twirl them, use them as targets, or jump in and out to improve physical activity.

Water Play Activities

Kiddie Pool Splash Time: A fun outdoor activity for a hot day that’s perfect for younger children.
Water Balloon Fight: A classic game that’s a fantastic way to cool off and enjoy sensory play.
Spray Bottle Art: Fill spray bottles with water and let kids spray colored paper for a new way to create art.
Splash Pad Fun: Set up a DIY splash pad for water play that keeps little kids cool and happy.
Fishing for Bath Toys in the Pool: Use nets to "catch" floating toys to build hand-eye coordination.

Nature and Sensory Activities

Nature Scavenger Hunt: Use Nature Scavenger Hunt Games or boards like Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt Boardsn to explore the natural environment.
Mud Pies: Let kids play with dirt, water, and natural materials for a fun sensory experience.
Planting Flowers: Use Galvanized Planter Garden Boxes and Bee-Friendly Seed Packets to teach about the natural world.
Painting Rocks: Decorate rocks with safe paints for a creative way to enjoy the outdoor space.
DIY Bird Feeder: Craft feeders with peanut butter, birdseed, and pinecones to attract birds and spark curiosity.

Creative and Imaginative Play

Pretend Camping: Set up a Pretend Camping Kit for pretend play adventures in the great outdoors.
Treasure Hunt: Hide small objects for toddlers to find with clues and maps.
Giant Outdoor Chess Set: Use a Giant Outdoor Chess Set to engage older children and toddlers alike.
Picnic on a Blanket: Lay out a picnic blanket with snacks and enjoy some fresh air.
Bug Catching Adventure: Use a Bug Catcher Kit to catch bugs and learn about nature.

Classic and Interactive Games

Giant Tic Tac Toe: With the Giant Tic Tac Toe Outdoor Game, kids can enjoy an engaging game that fosters communication skills.
Sidewalk Chalk Art: Use chalk to draw hopscotch or doodles, which promotes fine motor skills and creativity.
Giant 4 in a Row: Try the Giant 4 in A Row for a fun way to engage toddlers and older children.
Nature Hunt Bingo: Create bingo cards with natural items like leaves and sticks for kids to find.
Freeze Tag: A good outdoor activity for toddlers and older children to burn off energy.

More Physical Activities

Balance Stepping Stones: Use Balance Stepping Stones to create paths that encourage whole body movements and build gross motor skills.
Hopscotch with Sidewalk Chalk: Teach toddlers this classic game while helping develop physical skills.
DIY Mini Golf: Set up a mini golf course using household items like plastic cups and cardboard tubes.
Ring Toss: Use hula hoops or rings for a simple activity that helps toddlers with hand-eye coordination.
Jump Rope Practice: A good outdoor activity for toddlers to practice rhythm and movement.

More Water Play Activities

Floating Plastic Toys: Fill a kiddie pool with water and let toddlers play with floating plastic toys or bath toys.
DIY Splash Pad: Create a small splash zone using a tarp, a hose, and sprinklers for some water play on a hot day.
Watering Plants: Give toddlers small watering cans to help them care for plants, a great way to teach about the natural world.
Ice Cube Excavation: Freeze small toys in ice and let toddlers “excavate” them with tools like scoopers or droppers for a fun sensory play activity.
DIY Car Wash for Toys: Set up a car wash station where toddlers can clean their ride-on cars or trucks using sponges, water, and soap.

More Nature and Sensory Activities

Nature Walk with Binoculars: Use Personalized Toddler Gift Binoculars for a fun nature hunt. Spot birds, leaves, or insects!
DIY Mud Kitchen: Let toddlers create mud pies in an area of the yard with bowls, spoons, and dirt for a sensory experience.
Leaf Rubbing Art: Collect leaves and use crayons to create art by rubbing over their textures.
Stick and Rock Painting: A creative way to combine art with natural materials like sticks and stones.
Build a Bug Hotel: Use old boxes, twigs, and leaves to create a safe spot for insects. A great way to learn about the natural environment.

More Creative and Imaginative Play

Pretend Fire Station: Use a hose or spray bottles and let toddlers "put out fires" around the yard.
DIY Pirate Ship Adventure: Use a large box or small pool to create a pirate ship and go on a treasure hunt.
Outdoor Bakery: Pretend to bake cakes or muffins using mud, sand, and water.
Backyard Farmer’s Market: Set up toy fruits and vegetables for toddlers to “buy and sell.”
Picnic Setup: Lay out a picnic blanket with pretend food for pretend play.

More Classic and Interactive Games

Red Light, Green Light: Teach toddlers this fun, simple game to build listening skills and gross motor skills.
Duck Duck Goose: A good idea for groups to build social skills and physical development.
Hide and Seek: Use the entire yard for a fun game that encourages exploration and movement.
Tug of War: Use a soft rope for this fun way to encourage teamwork and whole body movements.
Bean Bag Toss: Create a target board or use buckets for toddlers to aim bean bags at.

More Sensory and STEM Activities

DIY Volcano: Use baking soda and vinegar to create a bubbling volcano for younger children to enjoy.
Bubble Science: Experiment with different shapes of bubble wands using plastic storage containers or pipe cleaners.
Magnet Hunt: Hide magnetic objects in the yard and let toddlers use magnets to find them.
Sensory Sand Play: Fill bins with colored sand and let kids dig with tongs and scoopers.
Wind Chime Making: Craft wind chimes with beads, string, and sticks for an interactive sensory experience.

More Water-Based Games

Water Gun Target Practice: Let toddlers practice aiming with water guns and paper targets.
DIY Water Obstacle Course: Incorporate sprinklers, buckets, and wet stepping stones for a fun outdoor activity.
Ice Painting: Freeze paint in an ice tray and let toddlers “paint” as the ice melts.
DIY Small Pool Fishing: Use a small pool and toy fishing rods to catch toy fish.
Water Relay Race: Use cups to transfer water from one container to another in a timed game.

More Group Activities

Giant Tumble Tower Game: Try a Giant Tumble Tower for a fun group game.
Outdoor Storytime: Bring books outside and create a cozy reading nook on a picnic blanket.
Dance Party in the Yard: Play music and encourage toddlers to dance, helping with gross motor skills and social interaction.

Backyard Must-Haves for Toddlers

Here’s a curated list of products to make your backyard the ultimate playground for young children:

Why Backyard Play is Important

Backyard activities encourage overall development by promoting physical skills, cognitive development, and social skills. Exploring the natural environment and engaging in free play helps children develop confidence, creativity, and an appreciation for the natural world.

Your own backyard is a great place for fun outdoor activities that foster young children’s growth and enjoyment. With these 63 engaging activities, your toddler will have endless opportunities to explore, learn, and play in the great outdoors. Add in a few backyard must-haves, and you’re all set for the most fun outdoor activities your little ones will love!