The bees are buzzing, the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining (some of the time!). Summer brings plenty of opportunities to play, explore and connect with your little one.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor summer activities for babies and toddlers or need something to do when rain keeps you inside, everyday play can support your child’s learning and development. Try these simple summer activities for babies and toddlers, rain or shine.
5 Things to Do on a Sunny Day
For babies:
Take a tour of the park.
Holding your baby in your arms or exploring together from the stroller, point out all the interesting things around you: Here’s the slide. Want to touch it? This is a rose. Let’s have a smell! Give your baby opportunities to safely touch, smell, hear and see the world around them. Even a simple walk can become a sensory activity for your baby.
Try tummy time outside.
Lay a towel or blanket on the grass in a shady spot and place your baby on their belly. Get down at their level, read a board book, sing a song or simply explore the world together from this new perspective. Be mindful of the temperature and how long your baby is outside, since babies are still developing their ability to regulate body temperature.
For toddlers:
Create outdoor art.
Big, messy art projects are even more fun outside. Spread an inexpensive shower curtain, liner or old newspapers on the ground and bring out washable paints. Toddlers can experiment with paintbrushes or even their hands and feet. Talk about the colors, shapes and patterns they create as they play.
Set up a toy wash.
Gather toy cars and trucks, washable dolls, child-safe cups and other waterproof toys. Fill a container with a small amount of water and offer sponges, brushes or dish rags for scrubbing. Stay within arm’s reach and supervise water play closely, even when only a small amount of water is being used. Empty the container as soon as you’re finished.
For babies and toddlers:
Have a picnic.
Lay a blanket or towel on the ground and enjoy a meal or snack together outside. Bring a few books, sing songs or lie back and watch the clouds. For babies, even feeling a breeze or watching leaves move can be a new sensory experience. Toddlers can point out what they see, hear and smell.
5 Things to Do on a Rainy Day
Rainy summer days offer just as many opportunities to play, learn and connect.
Read books about rain.
Visit your local library and look for stories about rain, clouds and summer weather. Try favorites like Umbrella by Taro Yashima, Rain by Peter Spier, Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, Rain, Rain, Go Away! by Caroline Jayne Church or Little Cloud by Eric Carle.
As you read, talk about what you see in the pictures, make rain sounds together or ask your toddler what they think will happen next.
Take a walk in the rain.
Put on rain boots and grab an umbrella, then see how your neighborhood changes when it rains. Listen to car tires moving over wet pavement, watch water drip from leaves and look for animals finding shelter. And, of course, let your toddler make a few big splashes in the puddles.
Build something together.
A cardboard box can spark all kinds of pretend play. A box big enough to sit in can become a boat, car or cozy reading spot. A larger box can transform into a store, barn or castle. Add simple materials from around the house, but let your toddler take the lead in deciding what to build and how you can join the fun.
Bake together.
Pull out a favorite recipe and give your toddler simple jobs like pouring, measuring and stirring. Cooking together gives toddlers a chance to practice fine motor skills, hear new words and explore early math concepts. Plus, you get to enjoy what you make together.
Video chat with someone you love.
Reach out to a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin or family friend for a virtual visit. Make video chats interactive with singing, dancing, finger plays, peek-a-boo or showing each other favorite toys. Even when loved ones are far away, little ones can continue building relationships through shared experiences.
Summer Car Safety: Never Leave a Child in a Hot Car
Summer adventures often mean more time in the car, making hot car safety for babies and toddlers especially important. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, and the inside of a vehicle can quickly become dangerous. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a short time or with the windows down.
Make it a habit to stop, look and lock: Check the entire vehicle, especially the back seat, every time you park. Keep your vehicle locked when you’re not using it and store keys and fobs out of children’s reach so they can’t climb inside on their own. Learn more about preventing hot car heatstroke from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
