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There are many indoor play ideas you can do with your toddlers and preschoolers as outdoor activities.
When spring arrives and the weather invites us outside, take advantage and engage in some favorite indoor play as outdoor activities.
All of these outdoor activities are great for the patio, deck, driveway or on a picnic blanket on the grass.
Just because you are spending more time outside, does not mean you need to spend a lot of money on specific outdoor toys. There are many indoor toys and activities that are fun to do and play with outside.
The change of scenery, nature sounds and fresh air is wonderful for your little ones and you, too! So let’s head outside and enjoy it 😊
Read books or magazines together on a blanket. Find a nice shady place in your backyard or patio, lay out a large blanket and start reading. You could even set up a camping tent with pillows inside and invite your little ones to read books this way.
Tape down a large piece of paper or even a cardboard box and color, draw or paint all over it. Draw large pictures on it with black marker or draw your child’s name in large bubble letters. Then let kids bring the pictures to life with color by painting or coloring with markers. Or just leave as a blank slate and let kids draw, color with markers or paint to their hearts’ content. There is less mess to clean up when painting outside!
Build with blocks and plastic food containers. Grab some mega blocks, wooden blocks or duplos and build outside! Start saving plastic food containers. Clean them out and take them outside for some building fun. Just store everything in a plastic storage bin when finished. This keeps them clean and dry!
Set up a pretend play kitchen using a plastic storage bin and some play food, dishes, pots & pans and utensils. Then invite your toddler and preschooler to cook and serve a meal. If the dishes and food get dirty, turn it into a fun water play activity! Fill a plastic bin with water and another with soapy water. Let your kids wash the dishes and food. Then rinse in the bin of clean water.
Sit at a picnic table and color pictures. You can print free coloring pages of your child’s favorite characters or activities. I recommend taping the pictures down using painter’s tape so they don’t blow away. Another option is using a clipboard as a work surface. Bring out a coloring book and color outside instead of inside. Enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon tea while your little ones color away!
Engage in pretend play as an outdoor activity. Push baby dolls or stuffed animals in a stroller or pull in a small wagon around the yard. Cook baby doll a meal with the play food and kitchen dishes. Put baby doll or stuffed animal to sleep on a patio chair or couch.
Set up a sensory bin filled with rice, dried beans or dried pasta outside. Let them fill plastic containers, scoop with spoons from the kitchen and pour into bowls and cups as long as they want. Since you are outside, engage your toddler and preschooler in some fun and easy water play! A sensory bin filled with water will keep your little ones playing for a long time. Also, playing with sensory bins outside means less mess to clean up inside.
Have a dance party with your toddler and preschooler. Bring out a Bluetooth speaker and play some favorite songs. Dance your hearts away! Or just play music in the background while they play, color and paint.
Do fun animal movements outside. Grab a set of these free animal action cards and have fun moving like the different animals. It’s always a good time when you pretend to stomp like an elephant and hop like a kangaroo.
Play board games or put together puzzles. Lay out a large picnic blanket or sit at a table together. The wooden puzzles are great ones to put together outside because the pieces are large and won’t blow away.
Eat snacks and meals outside! My little ones love when we have a picnic lunch during the day. Make some sandwiches or set out some finger foods on a platter. Cut up fruits, veggies, cheese and crackers for a quick and healthy lunch option 😉
These outdoor activities will keep your little ones occupied when you need something new and different to do. If it is a nice day, just bring the coloring, puzzles, games, books and snacks outside to enjoy. The change of scenery, fresh air, and sounds of nature will lead to a positive mood and instantly transform your little one’s attitude if it has been a challenging day.
