Infant & Toddler

The First Steps to Montessori at Home for Infants

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Montessori in the Home Tagged With: Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

The Montessori approach is child-led and self-paced. Teachers do not play the role of an instructor, rather they are a guide. A Montessori teacher offers knowledge as it applies to the child's pace and demonstrates leadership. They create an enriched and nurturing environment that fosters the child's natural growth.

Take this approach as you develop a Montessori infant room that suits your child's individual growth. Your goal is to follow as a guide in your infant's growth, not to lead. Provide them with the proper Montessori infant environment and observe your child develop.

What is a Montessori Infant?

A Montessori infant should have freedom, support, space to ask questions, investigate their environment, and make connections about the world through play.

A Montessori Infant Is:

Confident
Independent
Curious
Excited to learn
Self-directed
Calm
Comfortable in their environment
Feels safe and secure

As you consider how to create this tranquil space, ask yourself some questions about each element you want to incorporate, including:

Will this encourage a natural opportunity for growth?

Is this going to foster Montessori learning for infants?

Are these toys going to inspire creativity and curiosity?

How do you Raise a Montessori Child?

Your child's space should be Montessori friendly. This approach can extend to any part of the home as well. Here you can see how to develop a Montessori bathroom!

As your child develops, space will evolve with them.

Montessori Infant Room

Think simple, minimal, and calming. This space should be entirely baby proof. That way you can allow them full independence to explore.

Elements of a Montessori Infant Bedroom

A floor bed
A mobile
Child-sized furniture
Natural materials: wood, cotton, fabric, bamboo, no plastic
Horizontal mirror attached to the wall
Low and open shelving
Low pictures on the wall
Light, natural, calm colors
Accessible toys
Everything at a child's height
Space to move
A reading nook

Montessori Infant Toys

As you are creating this Montessori space be sure the toys suit the calm environment you have developed. Here is a collection of my favorite Montessori toys. Montessori toys are designed to grow with your child. Your infant will start exploring and develop more intricate and imaginative play with the same toys as they get older.

ELEMENTS OF MONTESSORI INFANT TOYS

Natural materials: wood, cotton, fabric, not plastic
Toys are placed in child-accessible locations
Natural and calm colors
Simple
Encourage gross motor development
Mimic the adult world

I've written a list of my favorite Montessori infant toys, check it out!

Montessori Infant Bed

Low beds and floor beds are popular amongst Montessori parents, often being chosen over cribs. A crib was traditionally used to keep the infant confined in their bed. I don't know about you, but that doesn't sit right with me. Being confined to their crib is supposed to promote sleeping, but does it promote self-regulated sleeping?

As long as your infant's bedroom is baby proof you may find a floor bed to be an optimal solution for your Montessori infant care plan.

BENEFITS OF A FLOOR BED

Promote movement
Self-regulation
Freedom
Independence
Circadian rhythm regulation
Self-construction
Exploration

My All Time Favorite Montessori Mobiles for Your Baby’s Room

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Montessori in the Home Tagged With: Brain Development, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I had so much fun researching & writing this post for my Montessori babies! My criteria for an exceptional Montessori mobile is pretty straightforward. The mobile needs to be simple, inviting to the eye, and be a calming presence in a baby's room. Generally speaking, a Montessori bedroom should be soothing, minimalistic, beautiful to the eye, neat, orderly, and made up of high-quality materials.

Sounds easier said than done, right?

My All Time Favorite Montessori Mobiles for Your Baby's Room

Well, the good news is that there are baby steps you can take to begin curated a baby's nursery that meets Montessori ideals. I am happy that I can be a part of that journey with you. There are three basic visual Montessori mobiles. I've included additional mobiles falling within the same category. The three Montessori mobiles are Munari, Octahedron, and Gobbi.

Find the Perfect Montessori Mobile for Your Baby's Room

Simple Gender Neutral Mobile

I love the blues, greens, and yellows within this inviting mobile. Perfect for a boy's or a girl's nursery.

Black and White Montessori Mobile

Black & White Munari Mobile

The simplicity and balance of the black & white drew my eye into this piece. The Munari mobile stimulates and develops the visual cortex, prefrontal, and parietal portions of the developing brain in newborns. The youngest children (0 – 12 weeks) should explore the Munari mobile and is certainly welcomed into development as long as the child continues to show interest.

Hot Air Balloon Infant Mobile

I want this mobile for above my bed! How gorgeous & inviting to the imagination!

Gorgeous Gobbi Mobile

A well-known concept in the Montessori world, this Gobbi mobile does not disappoint. What is Gobbi, you ask? The Gobbi Mobile consists of five spheres. It is the third in the Visual Mobile Series following the Munari and Octahedron Mobiles.

Montessori Dancers Mobile

What a fun and joyful mobile to hang above a child's bed!

Montessori While Mobile

Montessori Whales Mobile

There is something soothing about nature and this mobile fits the bill.

Montessori Octahedrons Mobile

After the baby has perceived basic shapes from the Munari mobile, the Octahedron is just perfect to give them an idea of basic colors. Another mobile, the second to be specific, in the Montessori visual series. The mobile consists of three basic colors blue, yellow, and red.

Montessori Black & White Pinwheel Mobile

Black & White Pinwheel Mobile

Similar impacts as Munari, this visual stimulates a child's developing brain while introducing an intriguing pinwheel shape.

I hope you enjoyed this list of Montessori mobiles. Please keep in mind while these mobiles are beautiful and ready to hang, it is highly possible to create a DIY Montessori mobile. Which one will you choose for your child's Montessori bedroom?

Marnie

12+ Fun Summer Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: 1 Year Olds, 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler, Summer This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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.

Sound Activity for Preschoolers

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

Color Hunt Toddler and Preschool Spring Activity

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.

Outdoor Classroom Activities

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.

Outdoor Classroom Wand Twig House

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.

Montessori Summer Activity with Ice

‘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

Open & Close 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

Toddler & Preschool Texture and Sound 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

Water beads and 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

Open & Close Basket

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.

More Summer Activities

The BEST Art Activities for Toddlers to Do at Home

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Art, Infant & Toddler This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Happy toddlers are always yearning to learn. Art activities for toddlers help keep their young minds interested in discovering new things. It's also good to know that it doesn't have to be expensive to stock up on supplies that occupy their time. These creative art ideas enable you to give them plenty of fun things to do without going over your budget.

Why is Art So Important?

Art provides an outlet for children to express their feelings. An art-based activity is fulfilling for them whether or not they complete a project. It's the act of doing that makes them happy. When they set out to make something unique, it gives them confidence. They learn more about the world around them and realize what they can do with art. In addition, art provides a multi-sensory experience as a child's brain is developing and paving the way for future learning.

Art Activities for Toddlers

For example, PBS wrote an informative article called The Importance of Art in Child Development and cited various reasons such as:

Motor Skills
Language Development
Decision Making
Visual Learning
Inventiveness
Cultural Awareness
Improved Academic Performance

Art Activities for Toddlers

Art Activities for Toddlers - Finger Painting

#1 – Finger Painting with Edible Finger Paint

Toddlers enjoy exploring and they're certainly curious when it involves painting. One of the best ways to make sure they’re safe as they create is to make an edible paint. Homemade paint recipes are your best bet. They won’t be able to tell the difference between yours and the store bought kind of paint!

Experiment with different material surfaces for toddlers to paint on. Try paper bags, paper plates, cardboard, poster board, wrapping paper, old newspaper, and even bubble wrap.

Melted Crayon Art Activities for Toddlers

#2 – Melted Crayon Art Activity for Toddlers

Super fun and easy art activity with kids. It may at first seem dangerous but it isn't. Click thru to learn how we have done melted crayon art in preschool and with toddlers.

#3 – 7 Unique Printing Art Activities for Toddlers

Easy to put together and kids of all ages enjoy creating with this art activity for toddlers and preschoolers

Easy Process Art Activities for Toddlers

#4 – Liquid Watercolor Art and Science Activity

I love this activity because it combines so much learning. First, you have the fine motor skill work with the mini dropper, then you have the science with the absorption and color mixing, then you have art. Beautiful.

Art Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

#5 – Bubble Printing Art Activity for Toddlers

This art activity might just be my favorite for an art activity for toddlers. Seriously? You have art, blowing bubbles, and fine motor skill works all in this one amazing activity.

#6 – Tissue Paper Suncatchers

This activity is an invitation to create. In other words, young kids are drawn to the activity. So, simply place the materials out and encourage the child to create with the materials.

It doesn't get any simpler or beautiful than this activity. This is the perfect activity for first thing in the morning, waiting for a child, or to break up a monotonous day or cranky mood. My son was captivated and enamored by the activity. The process was lovely to watch from afar.

Materials for this activity include:

Clear Contact Paper
Tissue Paper
Tape
Scissors

The approach for this art activity is simple:

Prepare the contact paper by taping it onto a window or glass door
Leave a bowl of small pieces of tissue paper
Invite your child to explore and to create his own suncatcher
Once complete either leave as is or cut into a shape. We cut our creation into a star and displayed it in a window above our kitchen sink.

#7 – Make Leaf Impressions

Making leaf impressions is among the most fun activities for 2-year-olds. It involves incorporating nature because toddlers select and gather leaves of their choice for their project.

Gather leaves and then make a solution of liquid watercolor paint. Put equal amounts of paint and water in a small spray bottle. If you want the color more diluted, add more water. Have the toddler place the leaves in any arrangement on white paper. If the toddler finds spraying difficult, an adult should assist.

Spray in short bursts around the leaves being sure to spray their edges too. This way, they will leave a negative impression on the paper. Wait until the paper dries and then remove the leaves. Hang the finished project on a wall either with tape or frame it first.

#8 – Paint Shapes from Wooden Blocks

Have the toddler dip wooden blocks in safe toxic free paint or make homemade finger paint (see Finger Painting with Edible Finger Paint above.) Place a small amount of the paint in jar lids so they are easy to dip the wooden blocks. Press the shapes on white paper.

Art Activity for Toddlers & Preschoolers - Van Gogh Art

#9 – Easy Van Gogh Art Activity for Kids

Last but not least we have an art appreciation activity for toddlers & preschoolers! Use these amazing art appreciation learning materials by Aline Wolf along with this art activity and your kids will be hooked on art & history!

Additional Fun Activities for Toddlers

Shoe Box Activity 1: Ribbon Pulling

Make a small hole or slit in the middle of the lid of a large shoe box. The opening should be the width of the ribbon you want to use. Make another small hole or slit in the middle of the bottom of the shoe box.

Unravel the ribbon completely and then place the body of the ribbon in the box. Pull a small length of one end slightly from the inside of shoebox through the hole in the bottom part of the shoe box. Tie that end in knots several times so that it won’t fit back through the hole.

Take the other end of the ribbon and pull it through the lid of the shoe box. Tie that end in a knot so that it’s large enough not to fit back through the hole.

Put the lid on. Tape it shut. The toddler can now pull one end of the ribbon until it reaches the knot on the other side. Turn the box over, and the toddler can pull the ribbon from the other side.

Shoe Box Activity 2: Scarves in a Box

Purchase small colorful scarves and place them in an empty tissue box. Place it in front of the toddler and pull a scarf out of the box. Let the child try it. After they are pulled out, the toddler can stuff the scarves back in the box and repeat pulling them out again.

The activity helps improve fine motor skills, particularly eye-to-hand coordination. It also heightens their visual senses when they observe the uniqueness of each scarf, noticing the differences in the colors, lengths and textures.

Construction Paper Tearing

Paper tearing is a nice relaxing activity for young children. What's more, it promotes fine motor skills.

Use construction paper, which is somewhat thick yet easy to tear apart. Note: Avoid paper that is too thin such as copy paper as the edges may cause paper cuts when tearing.

Another thing the toddler can do is with this activity is to experiment with tearing out shapes. They can save the pieces of construction paper and make a collage and glue the pieces to poster board.

Make sure the toddler uses both hands to tear the construction paper. Tear it slowly straight down the middle. Take one half and tear it in half again.

Montessori Toys for Babies - Tugging Box

Bonus: More Activities for 2-Year-Olds

While it’s true that art activities for 2-year olds offer hours of innovative learning, there are times when you might want to do something different. Here are some ideas you can try.

Shoebox Toy Surprise

Cut a hole in a large shoe box lid that is large enough to fit a few small colorful sponge balls and ones with a with a variety of textures that are 3-inches in diameter.

Ask the toddler to reach in and pull an item from the shoe box. Ask them to tell you the color of the ball they picked or simply put them back in the box after each child has selected a ball. Repeat the activity.

Hammer-Pounding Toys

Young children love to hear sounds toys make when they initiate the noise. From a learning standpoint, pounding toys help with eye and hand coordination and hearing recognizing the sounds different toys make. The bright colors also keep kids focused on their toys as they play.

Music Box and Instruments

Toddlers like making music, but it’s important to have instruments their tiny hands can hold but are large enough that they can’t swallow any small parts. This music box with musical instruments is a good choice. Alternatively, you can buy the items separately and create your custom music box.

Fun activities for toddlers need not be expensive. All it takes is a little creativity to get them interested in trying art and other crafty activities. Try some of the above suggestions. When you do, they'll appreciate the simplicity of being a kid and learning along the way.

Art Resources for Toddlers

These art activities for toddlers make a great partner to Practical Life activities for toddler and sensorial activities for toddlers. Plus, loads of early math and language learning happening in these art activities!

Montessori Toys: The Best Toys for Infants

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Montessori in the Home Tagged With: Infant & Toddler, Toys This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I like to update my Montessori toy and Montessori materials posts every year or so. It has been a while since I focused on Montessori infants! So, here we are…the latest and the great Montessori Toys for Infants.

A beautiful aspect of Montessori is the application to life and not simply to education in the classroom alone. Babies are ripe to begin learning and living as Dr. Montessori emphasized in her work. To help you get started (because I know there are many young parents new to Montessori), I researched and vetted Montessori toys for infants. These materials are perfect for your home or even a daycare setting.

Montessori Infant Learning Philosophy

Dr. Montessori believed in the child’s ability to reach his potential on his own if given the freedom and the environment in which to develop naturally. She placed first priority on the child and his natural development at birth.

By believing in the child, she encourages and motivates teachers and parents to develop the whole self. Children not only develop academic intelligences but emotional, social and practical intelligences, too. While developing these skills, children will inevitably develop less tangible skills, such as self-esteem, security, and confidence, required for a successful life.

“It is necessary to begin the education of the senses in the formative period if we wish to perfect this sense development with the education which is to follow. The education of the senses should be begun methodically in infancy, and should continue during the entire period of instruction which is to prepare the individual for life in society.” ~ Dr. Montessori

She believed this process started at the moment of birth. She discusses this idea within the context of math. Dr. Montessori emphasized the fact that human beings are born with a propensity to naturally be driven to calculate, to reason, and to create. The key, however, is to have a guiding and nurturing adult within their environments, or the capacity to perform such thinking is eventually lost. Therefore, in order to develop and to function at greatest capacity, a child’s experiences must lend to the innate mathematical mind.

So, exposing a child to these concepts early in his life is vital to the later development of more complex math concepts. Without this exposure, his brain won’t be ripe for advanced learning and critical thinking. In a sense, the brain will reject this type of thinking because it is not prepared to accept more complex information.

Montessori Toys for Infants

DIY Montessori Toys – Supplies

The cool part about Montessori toys for babies is that often you can create on your own with your own materials already in your home.

Wooden Beads
Wooden Rings
Ribbon
Bells
Cardboard Box
Buttons
Pipe cleaners

Tugging Box and Other DIY Montessori Toys for Babies

Tugging Box

A cardboard box is a great tool for making a tugging box for babies. Check out this example from Laughing Kids Learn. By threading ribbon through holes in a box you can make simple and endless fun for your little one!

Button in the Slot

So simple. A recycled can and a bowl of buttons to work fine motor skills, vocabulary (describing the colors and sounds), and color identification. You can even begin early math with counting and patterns.

Sensory Wall

This brilliant idea comes from Asia Citro at Fun at Home with Kids. Take a trip to Home Depot or your local hardware store and gather your materials. You don't even have to be handy to create this gem.

Tearing Paper

It doesn't get much easier than using paper as a toy. This activity might sound silly but there are huge benefits. The sound of the paper tearing and the fine motor work makes this simple activity perfect for babies. Offer different types of textured paper to explore sound.

Music Basket

This one is so much fun! Our basket is filled with a mix of “toy” instruments (like Melissa & Doug's Band in a Box, which we love!) and real instruments I found at a local thrift store. Don't ever underestimate consignment shops! Add a few books about music and your baby will be engaged and happy!

Treasure Basket

Weekly treasure basket of things around the house that your baby can explore.

Sensory Bottles

There are endless easy & inexpensive opportunities for sensory bottles around your home. So easy to make, to create themes, and to work multiple senses all at once. Babies love this Montessori toy!

Montessori Toys for Infants

Rattles

There are many different types of rattles that you can get for your little one. Rattles are an opportunity for your baby to explore sounds, texture, and motion.

Wooden Ring Rattle

Wooden Bead Rattle

Knocking Rattle

Teethers

Babies and toddlers do a lot of exploring with their mouths. A variety of teething friendly toys is the best way you can support this exploration. You can buy sets of teethers that have different textures or you can also buy a set of teethers like this one. Babies often enjoy playing with different textures on a teether.

A great way to add texture is to tie a cloth or baby rag to it. You can also wet the cloth and freeze it for a while. Babies like to suck on it and the cool temperature soothes their gums.;

Wooden Teether

Tortoise Teether

Wooden Teething Toys

Play Gym Teether & Wooden Ring Toy

Activity Gym

Activity gyms promote large motor skill and muscle development. This gives your baby an opportunity to practice reaching something which encourages full body movement. This promotes learning to crawl.

The Play Gym

Wood Baby Gym

Attachment Options for Baby Activity Gyms

Babies will love if you periodically switch them out, so they can explore something new.

Wooden Baby Activity Gym

Montessori Toys for Infants – Books

Babies like books that are simple and realistic. Look for books with realistic images. They will enjoy looking at these pictures while they play. Perfect for tummy time! You can also read it and tell them about what each picture is.

My First Word Book Knowing the World

Baby University

My Big Animal Book

My Big Word Book

Montessori Toys for Infants – Imaginative & Pretend Play

My Barnyard Friends

Wooden Egg Kitch Toy Set

Animal Finger Puppets

Montessori Toys for Infants – Motor Skills

Wooden Nesting Blocks

Deluxe Band Set

Wooden ABC Blocks

Sensory Balls

Oballs

Natural Rattle & Teether Ball

Rainbow Fabric Ball

More Montessori Toy Ideas & Resources

100s of the Best Montessori Toys & Activities for All Ages

Montessori Toys for Kids: The Best Montessori Materials Across All Ages & Learning Areas

Montessori Toys & Materials: My All-Time Top Choices from Etsy

My Ultimate List of Montessori Toys, Materials & Resources

Simple Montessori Toys for Kids

Montessori Toys: A Gift Guide for Elementary

The Ultimate Infant & Toddler Montessori Toys Guide

12+ Creative & Inexpensive Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Outdoor Education Tagged With: 2 Year Olds, Infant & Toddler, Outdoor Classroom This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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!