Toddler Summer Activities Wish List

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Need some fun ideas that are inexpensive or free to do with your toddler this summer?  These toddler summer activities will have you creating memories with your child that will last a life time.

Do you want to create some amazing summer memories with your little one?  I need things to do in the summer that my twins and older child can do, since he will be out of school for the summer soon.  Also, the whole family can do most of these ideas together, too!  Sometimes, it can be hard to find things that we can all enjoy together since there is almost an eight-year age gap between my kids.  That’s where I came up with this list of toddler summer activities that the whole family can do together.

Instead of going off and doing separate things, these summer wish list activities will help foster family bonding!

Most of these activities I have done with my 9-year-old son- starting when he was little, that we still do every summer now.

They are now traditions we do every summer.  I still remember doing these traditions with him when he was little, and realized all of them were mostly free, or inexpensive – all of these are things he still remembers doing to this day.  It brings back wonderful memories, too!

To me, the best toddler summer activities create lasting memories. These activities focus on spending time together with your toddler and family.

Summer is a fun time to be outdoors for us because the weather is nice and not rainy!  We get to do things we typically can’t do in bad weather.

Every summer we look forward to going to the beach – just a day trip that is about a 2 hour drive each way.  The drive is half the fun!  We look forward to trying new parks and bringing just a ball to play with.  I love simple things where you actually have to interact with each other and put down the electronics!

My twins are finally at an age where they can go to a park and play for a while and go out for frozen yogurt.  So we will be hopefully doing all of these ideas on the list this summer.  I can’t wait to get started making some awesome summer memories!

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I hope this toddler summer activity wish list will give you inspiration for creating your own memories with your child!

• Go Berry Picking – Strawberries and Blueberries are our Favorites

  This is a good activity if it’s not too hot outside, or go in the morning.  A lot of the berries will get eaten during this activity if you go with a toddler, but it’s a good experience so they can start learning where their food comes from, and is fun, too!  Usually, berries are cheaper this way, and fresher!  Make sure to bring sunscreen and a sun hat!

•  Explore New Parks or go to Your Favorite Parks

  • I like to find parks we haven’t explored yet.  Some are close to us and some we travel a little way to.  Going to different elementary school playgrounds is easy and there are a lot nearby.  We just like to bring a ball and snacks/water with us and stay a while.

• Splash Pad Park

  • Find a splash pad park in your area.  We only have a couple near us, but they are so fun and my twins will finally be old enough this summer for one!  You’ll want water shoes for this with good grips!  Supervise your child closely and always keep an eye on them since it involves water.

• Wildlife Park – Walk

  • You can easily look up online what Wildlife parks are in your area.  We have one about 15 minutes away that has turtles, blue herrings, muskrats, and ducks.  We always find lots of other wildlife and bugs there, too.  It’s a relaxing walk and the boys really love it.  It’s mostly shaded too.  We like to go in the mornings before it gets too hot out.

• Go to the Library/Storytime on Really Hot Days – Check out some books

  • We have toddler storytime at our library a few days a week.   It’s nice to do when it’s hot outside and you need to get out of the house.  My 9-year-old checks out books to read in the summer.

• Day Trip to the Beach or Lake

  • We go to the beach at least once every summer, sometimes more.  We only go for a day trip, since we are only a couple of hours away, and it is more cost effective that way.  We bring snacks in the car and some good music.  Bring some shovels and buckets for this trip!  If you go near the water just make sure you are always in arms reach of your child.  We only play in the sand for now, and don’t go near the water.

• Day Trip to a State Park

  • Look up what state parks are in your area.  We went to one last summer about an hour away and it was so much fun!  They had apple picking, trails, and lots of open areas to play and run!

• Play with Squirt Guns/Water toys/Kiddie Pool/Sprinkler

  • We are always playing with some kind of water in the summer.  We used our sprinkler a lot last summer.  This summer we are getting a kiddie pool.  My boys love the water.  Swim diapers are a must-have for this.  Just make sure to always supervise closely when your child is anywhere near water.  Always be within arms reach of your child near a swimming pool or other pools of water.  Make sure to also empty the water when they are done playing.  If you have a pool at your home or other water nearby, make sure to use locks, alarms, and always know where your child is.  Here is a link about water safety for kids.

• Go on an Easy Hike

  • We have a lot of trails near us.  Look up what you have in your area.  I like to find trails where I can push my double stroller because they get tired of walking.  I have this stroller and it’s so easy to push on trails and just in general.
  • Trails can be short and simple, your toddler won’t know the difference.  Plus it’s safer to go on trails with no cliffs/steep hills with younger kids.

• Go to the Zoo or Another Fun Theme Park

  • We usually plan to go to the zoo at least once during the summer.  The zoo can get expensive if you don’t have a membership.  The twins are free at this age so it’s not that expensive yet.
  • We also like to go to a theme park (Enchanted Forest) once during the summer.  This one is a little pricey compared to everything else on this list (but still affordable).  But we have been going since my 9-year-old was two years old and I’m continuing the tradition.  It’s a fun activity to look forward to and there are a lot of things to do there with little kids and my 9-year-old.

• Go out for Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream on a Hot Day

  • This is a fun treat and a nice way to surprise your child.  We like to go out to frozen yogurt on a hot day, or buy our own and bring it home and have an ice cream party.  Make banana splits, sundaes, slushies, etc. We don’t do it often, so it’s more of a special treat when we do this activity.

• Have a Summer Get-Together with Friends or Family and have BBQ, Outdoor Toys, Sand Box, Etc.

  • Invite friends or family over for a summer get together with some fun toddler and kid activities.  Make lemonade, popsicles, bbq some good food, play with outdoor toys and have fun!

• Water Table or do Outdoor Water/Ice Sensory Bins

  • This is a good way to cool off and entertain your toddler.  I’ve had my water table similar to this one for 8 years!  They last and are a good investment.  You can also just buy a clear storage tub and fill with water and toys.  Here is a fun summer water bin activity.  Your older child can wash some of their toys with this activity to get them involved.

• Go to the Farmer’s Market

  • We usually just walk around the farmer’s market and sometimes buy fresh produce.  My twins love this!

• Visit a Fish Hatchery

  • See if you have a fish hatchery in your area.  We like to go see the sturgeons.  We do this a couple of times in the summer – it’s a great summer memory.

• Set up a Tent Outside to Play In – Plus keeps them shady and older kids can have a camp out

  • Set up a tent and let your kids play in it.  You can even add blankets and pillows!  My older kids like to have a camp out in the backyard (since we aren’t doing camping anytime soon with the twins).  You could even make s’mores and get flashlights out once it starts getting dark!

• Make Homemade Popsicles or Buy Some Really Yummy Ones

  • Homemade popsicles are a good way to cool off in the heat!  Make your own recipe from a smoothie to make it healthy (I like this mold for my toddler’s popsicles). Or buy some store bought popsicles.

I hope this summer wish list has given you inspiration and ideas to do with your little one!  Making summer memories doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

TIPS

Bring a snack/lunch and lots of water on your outings  – saves money and keeps you from eating out.

I bring my Toddler Car Kit with me in the summer since we are out and about a lot.  This includes things like diapers, wipes, sunscreen and sun hats, and other items we need when we’re out.

Go at an optimal time for your toddler – For us that’s mornings.

Remember to always supervise your child will all of these activities.  The summer can get hot so make sure to go in somewhere cool if it’s too hot outside and drink lots of fluids!

What are your favorite Toddler Summer Activities you do with your family?