Summer is here, and if you’re a girl mom like me, you know the struggle of keeping your little one entertained when the days are long and hot. Between managing the summer heat, trying not to spend a fortune on activities, and finding things that don’t require hours of setup or cleanup (because who has the time?), summer with toddlers can feel overwhelming.
But here’s the thing – toddlers don’t need elaborate setups or expensive outings to have fun. In fact, some of the most engaging activities for them are the simplest ones that use items you probably already have at home.
As a mom to two girls, I’ve learned through plenty of trial and error what actually works to keep toddlers happy during summer without losing my mind in the process. These activities are all toddler-tested and mom-approved, meaning they’re developmentally appropriate, won’t create massive messes, and most importantly – your little one will actually enjoy them!
This post is all about summer activities with toddlers that are simple, affordable, and fun for everyone involved.
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Table of Contents
Indoor Summer Activities With Toddlers On Hot Days
When the temperature climbs too high and it’s just not safe to be outside, having a few indoor activities ready to go can be a lifesaver. The trick is finding activities that feel special and different from your regular indoor play.
1. Bathtub Beach Day
Transform your bathtub into a mini beach by adding a small amount of water and beach toys. Throw in some plastic cups, funnels, and measuring spoons for pouring and filling. The best part? When playtime is over, just drain the tub – no sandy mess to clean up!
2. Frozen Treasure Hunt
The night before, freeze small toys in ice cube molds. When you need an activity, place these ice blocks in a shallow bin and let your toddler “excavate” the toys using warm water, salt, toy hammers, or even just their hands. It’s cooling, entertaining, and builds fine motor skills.
3. Indoor Obstacle Course
Use couch cushions, pillows, blankets, and other household items to create a simple obstacle course. Have your toddler crawl under tables, hop from pillow to pillow, or balance on a line of tape on the floor. Change it up each time to keep it interesting.
Water Play Ideas That Don’t Require A Pool
Water play is a summer staple, but not everyone has access to a pool – and honestly, pool days with toddlers can be more stressful than fun sometimes. These water activities are perfect for cooling down without the need for a full pool.
A water table is one of the best investments for summer play with toddlers. They’re compact enough for small spaces but provide hours of entertainment. Here are some ways to keep the water table exciting:
You might also like: Summer Beach Essentials for Toddlers: A Complete Guide (6 Months to 4 Years)
4. Soap Sud Station
Add a small amount of baby-safe dish soap to create mountains of bubbles. Include whisks, eggbeaters, or even just spoons for mixing and creating more bubbles.
5. Floating Color Mix
Add a few drops of food coloring to ice cubes (use primary colors), then let your toddler place them in clear water and watch as the colors spread and mix. It’s a science lesson and sensory play in one!
6. Fishing Game
Add small floating toys and give your toddler a kitchen strainer or slotted spoon to “catch” them. You can make it more challenging by naming specific toys they need to catch.
DIY Splash Zones
No water table? No problem! These DIY splash zones are easy to set up and just as fun.
7. Sponge Toss Station
Cut colorful kitchen sponges into fun shapes or just use them as is. Fill a bucket with water and let your toddler dip the sponges, squeeze them, throw them at a target (like a fence or sidewalk chalk circles), or use them for “painting” with water on hot concrete. This activity uses minimal water but still provides refreshing splash play.
8. Sprinkler Games
You don’t need a fancy sprinkler – just use your regular garden hose with a sprinkler attachment. Toss in some waterproof toys that need to be “rescued” from the water spray for added fun.
9. Ice Block Melt
Freeze a large block of ice (use a bread pan or plastic container) and place it in a shallow bin outside. Let your toddler explore it with warm water squirt bottles, salt shakers, and safe tools as it gradually melts.
Morning And Evening Outdoor Activities
The early morning and evening hours are perfect for outdoor exploration with toddlers during summer – the temperature is more manageable, and the lighting is beautiful. Take advantage of these golden hours with activities that connect your little one to nature.
Nature Exploration For Little Hands
Toddlers are natural explorers, and these activities encourage their curiosity while keeping them engaged.
10. Dawn Dew Walk
Take an early morning walk when the grass is still dewy. Point out spider webs glistening with morning dew, watch for birds getting their breakfast, and notice how different the world looks in the early light.
11. Shadow Play
Evening is perfect for shadow games. Show your toddler how to make shadow puppets, play shadow tag, or trace each other’s shadows with sidewalk chalk.
12. Twilight Bug Watch
As evening approaches, watch for fireflies, moths, and other nighttime insects emerging. Bring a flashlight with a red filter (less disturbing to nocturnal creatures) and observe the magical transition from day to night.
13. Backyard Picnic Dinner
Something as simple as moving dinner outside can feel like a special adventure to a toddler. Use a blanket, pack finger foods, and enjoy the cooler evening temperatures.
15-Minute Setup Activities For Busy Days
As a mom to two little ones, I know those days when you just don’t have the energy or time for elaborate activities. These quick-setup ideas require minimal prep but will keep your toddler engaged long enough for you to catch your breath.
14. Contact Paper Window Art
Cut a piece of contact paper (sticky side out) and tape it to a window or sliding door at toddler height. Give your little one small, lightweight items like tissue paper squares, feathers, or foam shapes to stick on. The window location offers natural light and a change of scenery that keeps toddlers interested longer.
15. Pom-Pom Push
Take an empty parmesan cheese container or any plastic container with holes in the lid and let your toddler push colorful pom-poms through the holes. This simple activity builds fine motor skills and can keep them occupied while you get things done nearby.
16. Painter’s Tape Roads
Create roads, shapes, or targets on your floor using painter’s tape (it removes easily without damaging surfaces). Add toy cars, balls to roll along the paths, or stuffed animals to “walk” along the lines. My 3-year-old loves when we create a whole “town” with different sections.
17. Laundry Basket Boat
On days when the imagination needs a little boost, a laundry basket can become anything! Add a small blanket and some stuffed animals, and suddenly it’s a boat sailing the high seas. My daughter will sit in her “boat” looking at books or playing with toys for a surprisingly long time.
You might also like: 5 Family Photo Outfit Ideas (that Work With Even the Most Opinionated Toddler Girl)
Sensory Play Ideas With Easy Cleanup
Sensory play is crucial for toddler development, but the thought of rice or beans scattered throughout your house can be daunting. These sensory activities provide the same developmental benefits with much easier cleanup.
18. Ziplock Sensory Bags
Fill heavy-duty ziplock bags with hair gel and add small, colorful items like buttons, sequins, or water beads. Secure with strong tape all around the edges, and your toddler can squish and explore without any mess escaping. You can tape these to a window or the floor for even more stability.
19. Bath Towel Scavenger Hunt
Lay a large bath towel on the floor and hide small toys underneath it. Your toddler will love finding the “lumps” and discovering what’s hidden. When done, simply fold up the towel with everything inside for instant cleanup.
20. Shower Curtain Sensory Tray
Place a plastic shower curtain liner or tablecloth under a shallow storage bin or baking sheet. Fill with sensory materials (like dry pasta, cereal, or even water with a small amount of dish soap). When playtime is over, the liner catches most of the spills and can be easily folded up and dumped back in the container or discarded.
21. Washable Sensory Dough
Make a simple sensory dough using equal parts cornstarch and hair conditioner. It’s smooth, smells nice, and the best part? It washes out of clothes and off surfaces with water. Provide silicone muffin cups or cookie cutters for added fun.
Multi-Age Activities For Toddlers And Older Siblings
If you have older children home for summer along with your toddler, finding activities that engage everyone can be challenging. These ideas are adjustable for different ages while keeping your youngest safe and included.
22. Sidewalk Chalk Stations
Set up different “stations” in your driveway or on a sidewalk. The older kids can create elaborate drawings or play hopscotch, while toddlers are happy with simple scribbling or water painting (using a paintbrush and bucket of water to “paint” on the concrete).
23. Bubble Science
Make a bubble solution (dish soap and water with a little corn syrup for durability) and provide different bubble-making tools. Older kids can experiment with making giant bubbles using string and straws, while toddlers will be thrilled with regular wands or even just splashing in the solution.
24. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Create age-appropriate scavenger hunt lists – pictures for toddlers, words for older kids. While the big kids search for specific items, toddlers can enjoy the general exploration and collect things that interest them. You can either make one or buy one like this.
25. Family Band
Gather kitchen items that can be used as instruments – pots, pans, wooden spoons, plastic containers with beans inside (securely taped). Older children can create more complex rhythms while toddlers happily bang away. Take it outside if the noise level gets too high!
You might also like: Best Toddler-Friendly Attractions at Disney: A Park-by-Park Guide
Make This Summer Special Without The Stress
Summer with toddlers doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be memorable. The activities in this post prove that simple, everyday items can create experiences your little one will love, all while building important developmental skills.
Which of these summer activities with toddlers will you try first? I’d love to hear how they go! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram if you try any of these ideas.
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This summer, remember that what your toddler wants most is time with you – not elaborate Pinterest-perfect activities. Keep it simple, stay cool, and enjoy these precious summer days with your little one!
This post was all about summer activities with toddlers.
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