2 Year Olds

15+ Easy & Fun Summer Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: 1 Year Olds, 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler, Summer This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Every child looks forward to the summertime, right? School is out and the outdoors is calling. Not to mention all the time spent with friends! However, summer can be a time of stress and anxiety for parents wondering what the heck we're going to do for the next ten weeks without overscheduling our kids! That is why I went in search of fun summer activities for toddlers & preschoolers! In other words, in order to alleviate some of that stress, put these activities in your back pocket.

In addition, many kids, especially young kids, lose their feel for the school environment, miss routine, and often have what is commonly called “the summer slide”. With older kids, there seem to be ample opportunities for learning with summer camps. The same can't be said for summer activities for toddlers. This post includes loads of fun summer ideas for toddlers and preschoolers to do at home and lots to do outside!

Fun Summer Activities for Toddlers

Engage with the Language Learning Outdoors

These summer activities for kids work those language skills. Consider bringing letters outside and inviting your toddler to label objects or seek out an object beginning with that letter's sound. For instance, your child can engage with objects outdoors by placing an “f” next to flowers, “g” on the grass, or “r” next to some rocks. This activity allows for a lot of variation and further language learning such as conversation using that vocabulary word or storytelling about the object.

Along the same line, go on a letter hunt with your child. Find objects that begin with a certain letter and place the letter next to the object. Once that letter to object matching is complete, have the child fetch the letters from the objects for additional movement and solidification of the language exercise. Similarly, we also love doing this Sound Bag activity. This activity gets kids bodies moving and their brains learning.

Outdoor Summer Activity for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Go on a Color Hunt

By far one of my sons' favorite activities when they were toddlers. This activity is a simple outdoor variation of the color tablets work in a Montessori setting. Pretty simple. Go outside and find colors. I recommend carrying paint cards (like the ones you find at Home Depot or in hardware stores) to truly match the colors.

Strengthen Fine Motor Skills with Nature Weaving

These summer activities for toddlers involve weaving with materials found in nature. Weaving is a fantastic practical life and art exercise. Furthermore, this activity strengthens your child’s hand-eye coordination and his manual dexterity. To engage in this activity, have your child gather leaves, flowers, and even rocks and then help your child weave their findings onto a string or ribbon. You can even use branches as the frame.

By doing this, you’re giving your child the opportunity to think creatively about what objects they can put into their woven creation. Not only will they have fun going on adventures finding different objects to put in their woven masterpiece, but they will also be intrigued because they can wear their creation after they’re done making it.

Build Clay Creations

These summer activities for preschoolers are recommended for you because they allow your child to use nature as a tool to think creatively. Kids can use their imagination to come up with objects to make using clay. For instance, they can create animals that they see outside from clay, like bugs, dogs, and birds. Or they can even make other objects that they see, like trees, flowers, or leaves out of clay.

Not only can your child use nature as an inspiration about what objects to create out of clay, but your child can also have the opportunity to actually make their clay masterpiece outdoors. They can bring a tray outside to mold the clay onto. After they make their clay masterpiece, let the object dry. After it’s done the drying, let them paint their creation, since this gives them the ability to think creatively with different colors.

Play Animal Call Hide and Seek

I discovered this game at a Forest School on Vashon Island. It is so simple and kids love it. Simply go outside and play hide and seek. However, there is a twist. Use various animal calls to locate the other players. This version of “hide and seek” is particularly amazing when you're in a forested area or if you're playing with younger kids who are still developing executive functioning and the ability to “find” things.

Water Play

What better time to explore water than during warmer summer months? Create a water sensory station with a variety of floating and non-floating objects. Add sand and twigs for a bit of texture. You could also go explore the beach if there is one nearby.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

This activity is THE best. I love Teaching Mama's Scavenger Hunts. Super creative and doable. Plus the visuals are exactly what toddlers need!

Ice Carving

I will never forget the summer I first introduce this activity to my sons. I froze fruit into an ice cube tray added a bit of extra watercolor and handed the frozen concoctions to my sons.

‘Oh look mama! Strawberries! Blueberries! Oh, it's cold. It's melting!'

They “picked” the ice with forks and watched the ice melt combining beautiful colors. This sensory activity gave fine motor skills a good workout and introduced science concepts such as melting, evaporation, and absorption. Yes, you can teach science to toddlers!

Open & Close Tray or Basket

This activity is a huge hit with young kids. Gather items, such as small boxes, tic tac containers, spice containers, small jars from the kitchen, tiny pouches for jewelry covering snaps, zippers, clips, and velcro, from around your house.

Texture Basket

You can add all sorts of “random” things around your home into this basket. Kids love to explore different textures. I've created many texture baskets over the years. The one in this picture included texture cards with various substances and materials adhered to the cards. The boys had a blast.

Nuts & Bolts Tray

This tray was so fun to put together. I went to the hardware store and gathered my materials. It kept my sons' fingers busy for hours.

Water Beads & Shaving Cream

Take the sensory play outside for this super fun and inexpensive activity. Water beads might just be the best invention ever. As the shaving cream changed texture it made for a new sensory experience and activity for the boys.

Cap & Bottle Matching

A variation of an Open & Close Tray, this work requires the child to match the top to its bottom mate. Then, placing the top onto the jar or container requires fine motor work.

Beach Activities for Toddlers

Curious about what you can do with a toddler at the beach? The opportunities are endless! Kids, especially toddlers, for the most part anyway, truly enjoy all aspects of the beach. Talk about sensory awesomeness. You have the sand on your feet, the rocky shore, and the water to explore. If you're on a beach on Cape Cod, for example, you have the chance to discover all the wonders found in tide pools at low tide.

A few ideas to add a little structure around the hands-on learning and exploring:

Let's find the craziest, coolest looking critter: we'd find a cool shell then toss it for cool rock or fish skeleton, etc
Crack the crab shell: from big to medium to small to tiny, many crab shells (that have long since left their owners) are delicate, fun to crack and smash
Hermit crab hunt: who can find the hermit crab carrying the most sea ‘stuff' on his shell?
Starfish, where are you? Go looking for starfish, sea anemones and more in tide pools and under rocks
Bucket List: collect all sorts of sea ‘stuff' to analyze later or to recreate a beach in a tub at home
Stick and Sand: the wet, hard sandy surface beach is great for drawing. So go find the perfect stick and let your imagination go wild. Draw shapes and designs to make a game (one of my favorites is a giant twirl maze) and/or write the ABCs or your child's name

More Summer Activities

12+ Creative & Inexpensive Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Outdoor Classroom, Outdoor Education Tagged With: 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Children are a bundle of energy! Toddlers in particular need to be outdoors in order to release energy and regulate. Getting outdoors for fresh air, learning, and moving bodies is critical to a child's development. I wrote a post years ago that outlines Outdoor Learning Rules to Teach our Kids. I still refer to this article when I need a bit of inspiration! You should do the same! Below we share some outdoor activities for toddlers to do.

Why is getting outdoors so important?

Getting outdoors is necessary for kids, especially young kids, for many reasons including:

Outdoor education & learning about nature
Gross motor skill development
Executive functioning skill development
Appropriate risk taking
Vitamin D

If you don't believe me then check out this research article on why kids need to get outdoors published by Harvard University!

Some of these outdoor activities are physical and some only require some creative flow. You can plan to do several of these toddler activities each day or just do one. It depends on how much you will have and the attention span of the toddler. Now I know it is not always easy to get outdoors on rainy or cold days but it is important. Check out this post Rainy Day Outdoor Tips & Tricks for a few ideas on getting outside in less ideal weather!

Many times children do not have a lot of physical outlets or toddler activities. At school they are told to sit down and do work, so that leaves little time for unwinding outdoors. Additionally, children are introduced to screen time on computers and tablets so their curiosity ends before they get the chance to become acquainted with their outdoors environment. Add some of these toddler activities to your child's agenda to promote a better lifestyle.

Going outside can be filled with learning activities for toddlers. Outdoor activities for toddlers can be contagiously fun, but it is ok because you can join in too! Be creative and add your own or add something different to the suggestions below.

Toddler Activities for the Outdoors

Yard Work

Do this series of outdoor activities for toddlers now before they become teenagers. Toddlers will not realize that yard work is actual work. Do not call this outdoor activity work. Get to sweeping the porch, raking leaves, digging in the dirt, and refilling bird feeders. This will not only help the toddler to become more independent, but will also lay the groundwork for being more responsible. Activities for toddlers at home can also include other outdoor facilities.

Play in the Sand

Get to the beach or create a sandbox in your yard. It is amazing what can come about from a plastic container and a scoop. The more props the better. Add some plastic molds and cups as well as dump trucks that can move around in the sand.

Be Artistic

Take the art project outside. Art is not just paint and paper, but you can also use chalk. It takes physical movement to use the sidewalk as the canvass. The toddler is no longer confined to a piece of paper and their imagination can soar on the sidewalk. You could take turn tracing each other's bodies. If your toddler prefers paper, then take the easel outdoors and become inspired by nature.

Have a Scavenger Hunt

This is going to provide hours of fun! Create a list of things that you have around the house, then hide these items around the yard and in the area. If your toddler is not reading yet, then draw a photo and help them to cross off each item as they find them. Many toddlers love this activity.

Blow Bubbles

Bubbles can be bought cheaply or you can make your own bubble solution. Take the activity outdoors and enjoy as your toddler will chase the bubbles and pop them. For toddlers that are able they can also blow the bubbles. See how long they can keep the bubble in the air. Keep moving and let the bubbles roam. This is another of those learning activities for toddlers because of the scientific learning with the solution and how it reacts to touch, the grass, or the wind.

Create a Fun Obstacle Course

You can use a lot of items around the house to create an obstacle course. This can include toys, boxes, chairs, and whatever the imagination can come up with. Crawl under the chairs, then roll on top of the blanket. Jump a few times and then run a few times around the tree. Add a whistle and create a reward of ribbon, coins, and construction paper. Its a great day for a fun obstacle course no matter who wins.

Play Red Light, Green Light

Do you remember playing this game? Instead of the toddler being escorted around in the car and seeing the lights you can now create activities for the toddler to do. For example, green light for anything that means go such as running. To stop running you say “Red light”. Toddlers can exert a lot of energy in this game.

Play Hide and Seek

Everyone has played some form of this game. Hide in places that are obvious. You can also make noises so the toddler will find you easily. This makes it fun and gets them comfortable with playing the game. You may need to count for your toddler or count slowly.

Bounce Balls

Have a seat on the ground and roll the ball to each other. Or, take turns throwing and kicking the ball. You can also add hula hoops and boxes to use as targets in order to throw the balls inside.

Take a Walk

Taking a wlak is a simple activity that does not require anything. This can be a good morning or evening routine. Taking a walk around the block can be refreshing and just the outing your toddler needs. There are many moments that are teachable in a simple walk. Nature is happening outdoors. If your little one does not walk well enough yet, then make the walk shorter and take along a walking toy.

Water Fun

The hot summers will warrant having the sprinklers on or to have a fun balloon fight. You can also buy a kiddie pool and enjoy this too. This is an activity that little ones seem to enjoy the most. Making this activity a regular part of the day or week will bring a lot of joy to your little one's day.

Fly a Kite

Its a windy day and its the perfect time to get outside and fly a kite. There are small kites and big ones that look like dragons. You can also sit with your toddler and make your own kite.

Balloons

No matter where you are balloons always seem to attract children. Buy some of your own and have fun blowing them up. Add some string and a sprinkle of imagination and the balloon can become anything.

Outdoor activities for toddlers at home does not have to be limited to indoors (although it is okay and often necessary to identify indoor activities for toddlers). Try your best to connect the indoor and outdoor classrooms for optimal learning. There are so many things to do while outdoors.

Just bring some imagination and a few props and you'll soon be in another make-believe world. The point is to get outdoors and get your toddler active. You may discover some new activities on your own that you can start doing together. I hope you enjoyed these outdoor activities for toddlers!

The Best & Easiest Montessori Activities for 2 Year Olds

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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If you're a parent who has embraced the Montessori Method to educate your children, then you already know how important it is to provide a learning environment that encourages the healthy development of your child in every area of life. Each activity should work to promote the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth of the child. This post includes the best Montessori activities for 2-year-olds.

Developmental Milestones of a 2 Year Old

There is so much going on in a child's brain at 2 years old. She is soaking (literally) up the world around her like a sponge and is gaining dozens of new vocabulary every day. Multi-sensory activities are the way to go working to solidify and strengthen all those neuron pathways.

The CDC gives this list of developmental milestones of a 2 year old. This list is not exhaustive and doesn't apply to every single child. In other words, every child's developmental path will differ from the next child's development. With that said, if you are concerned at all, talk to your pediatrician. There are lots of options to intervene if there are obstacles facing your child.

Social and Emotional

Copies others, especially adults and older children
Gets excited when with other children
Shows more and more independence
Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)
Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games

Language/Communication

Points to things or pictures when they are named
Knows names of familiar people and body parts
Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
Follows simple instructions
Repeats words overheard in conversation
Points to things in a book

Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
Begins to sort shapes and colors
Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
Plays simple make-believe games
Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
Might use one hand more than the other
Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”
Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog

Movement/Physical Development

Stands on tiptoe
Kicks a ball
Begins to run
Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
Walks up and down stairs holding on
Throws ball overhand
Makes or copies straight lines and circles

Activities for 2-Year-Olds

As many of you know, toddlers learn best through experiences that utilize all of their senses. Below are a few examples of activities inspired by the Montessori Method that you may choose for your own 2-year-old child or other children of this age who you are teaching.

One to One Matching Activities

These types of games are very good at helping toddlers create a good sense of order. Place animal flashcards on the floor, and provide the child with a basket of figurines that represent each animal depicted on the cards. Allow the child to place each figurine onto the appropriate card. Another idea is to introduce a basket of socks in various colors and designs, and have the child match the socks appropriately. You can also introduce math one to one correspondence with 2-year-olds. Simply use card counters and have the child match objects based on the number on the card. You can match object to object, object to image, and so on. There are so many variations.

Pouring and Chopping

2-year-old children are ripe for developing their fine motor skills. 2 year old are drawn to fine motor challenges and it is fun! Start by placing a plastic cloth on the table for easy cleanup. Offer the child a light-weight pitcher of water and a sturdy cup, and the child can practice pouring water into the cup without spilling. You may also provide a plastic knife and a banana or other soft foods for practice at cutting slices. Early practical life activities work well for 2-year-olds.

Early Literacy

Print out coloring pages of the alphabet, and your child will be on the path to reading. Identify the letter, talk about words that begin with that letter, and allow the child to color the letter. If coloring is not a good option, then the letter may also be filled in with play-dough or watercolors. Always emphasize the sound, not the name of the letter. Introduce a salt or sand tray, too, if you feel the child is ready for the work. It is an ideal Montessori work for a toddler classroom.

Sensory Input

Activities that address the senses simultaneously are extremely important for toddlers. For example, take aim at your child's sense of touch with a cloth bag and five different items. This activity is called a Mystery Bag. You may pick objects such as toys, spoons, books, and blocks. Show each item to the child before placing them in the bag. With eyes closed, the child may reach into the bag to touch and identify each object.

I hope you found these ideas helpful.

Marnie