63+ Outdoor Activities for Toddlers + Best Backyard Must-Haves

Backyard activities for toddlers are the best way to encourage movement, spark creativity, and help little ones burn off some of that endless energy! Whether you’ve got a huge yard or a tiny outdoor space, there are plenty of simple, fun ideas to keep toddlers entertained.

In this post, I’ll share 63+ toddler-friendly outdoor activities—from water play and nature fun to creative games. Plus, I’ve rounded up must-have backyard products that make outdoor play even better!

Why Outdoor Play is Essential for Toddlers

Outdoor activities help toddlers:

Develop motor skills through movement and balance
Improve social skills with interactive games
Foster creativity through imaginative play
Build confidence by exploring new challenges

Need backyard must-haves for playtime? Check out these favorites:

Balance bike under $100 – Perfect for toddlers learning to ride

Inflatable kiddie pool – The best way to cool off
Reusable water balloons – A mess-free alternative to traditional balloons
Mini golf set – A fun game for all ages

Backyard Must-Haves for Toddlers

Here’s a curated list of products to make your backyard the ultimate playground for young children:

63 Backyard Activities for Toddlers

Physical Activities for Toddlers

DIY Obstacle Course – Set up a mini course with hula hoops, agility cones, and a knotted rope to build coordination.
Balance Bike Riding – A balance bike under $100 is a perfect way to improve balance before transitioning to a regular bike.
Jump Rope Fun – Teach little ones how to jump rope (jump rope) for a great gross motor activity.
Mini Golf in the Backyard – Use a mini golf set for a fun, toddler-friendly game.
Ring Toss Game – Set up a rope ring toss for a game that improves hand-eye coordination.

Water Play Activities

Splash Pad Fun – A splash pad is the ultimate backyard water play setup!
Kiddie Pool Party – An inflatable kiddie pool is a must-have for summer fun.
Reusable Water Balloon Fight – Say goodbye to single-use balloons and grab reusable water balloons instead.
Fishing for Floating Toys – Use catching nets to scoop up floating bath toys in a pool.
DIY Toy Car Wash – Let kids wash their toy cars or bikes using buckets, sponges, and a hose.

Nature & Sensory Play

Rock Painting – A rock painting kit turns simple stones into creative masterpieces.
Gardening with Toddlers – A cute watering can makes little ones feel like real gardeners.
Bug Catching Adventure – Use a catching net to explore nature up close.
Outdoor Bingo Game – Download a printable bingo template for a scavenger hunt in your yard!
Mud Kitchen Fun – Let kids play with dirt, water, and bowls for a sensory experience.

Creative & Imaginative Play

Sidewalk Chalk Art – Get creative with dustless chalk for colorful drawings.
Farmer’s Market Play – Set up a farmer’s market stand with wooden fruit + vegetables for pretend play.
Outdoor Bakery Fun – A wooden bakery food set lets kids “bake” in the backyard.
Backyard Picnic – Spread out a blanket with pretend food for a cute picnic setup.
Treasure Hunt Game – Hide small toys and let toddlers search for “buried treasure” with simple clues.

Bonus Outdoor Activity Ideas for Toddlers

Bubble Dance Party – Play music and let toddlers dance while chasing bubbles.
Outdoor Sensory Walk – Create different textures with mats, grass, sand, and water for toddlers to walk on barefoot.
Shadow Tracing – Use dustless chalk to trace each other’s shadows on the ground.
Dinosaur Dig – Bury small dino toys in a sandbox and let kids excavate them with shovels.
Toddler Yoga in the Grass – Guide simple yoga poses like "tree pose" and "downward dog" in the fresh air.
DIY Outdoor Fort – Use blankets and chairs to create a shaded backyard hideout.
Nature Sound Hunt – Sit quietly and listen for birds, rustling leaves, or wind. Talk about what sounds they hear.
Outdoor Music Band – Grab pots, wooden spoons, or toy drums and make music together.
Glow Stick Dance Party – Wait until sunset and let toddlers dance with glow sticks!
Toddler-Friendly Croquet – Use pool noodles and a soft ball to create a fun, toddler-safe croquet game.
Parachute Play – Use a large sheet or actual parachute for toddlers to shake, run under, and toss balls on.
Toddler-Friendly Relay Race – Carry a stuffed animal or spoon with a ball in a short race.
Animal Walk Challenge – Hop like a bunny, waddle like a duck, or stomp like an elephant.
Toddler Bowling – Set up plastic cups or bottles as pins and roll a soft ball to knock them down.
Hiking with a Scavenger Hunt – Take a short walk and look for leaves, rocks, or flowers.
Simon Says Outdoors – Give fun movement-based commands like "Simon says jump three times!"
Outdoor Freeze Dance – Play music and freeze when it stops!
Giant Bubble Making – Use a large wand to make huge bubbles toddlers can chase.
DIY Backyard Tightrope – Lay a rope on the ground and let toddlers practice balancing.
Kick the Cup – Line up plastic cups and have toddlers kick a ball to knock them over.
Outdoor Chalk Paint – Mix cornstarch, water, and food coloring for a DIY paint alternative to sidewalk chalk.
Stick Sculptures – Gather sticks and build little forts, shapes, or letters.
Mud Pie Bakery – Use dirt, water, and muffin tins to make "mud pies."
Watercolor Spray Art – Fill spray bottles with water and paint and spray paper taped to a fence.
Outdoor Puppet Show – Make sock puppets and put on a show behind a picnic table.
Water Painting on a Fence – Give toddlers a paintbrush and a bucket of water to "paint" outside.
Leaf or Flower Pressing – Collect leaves or flowers and press them in a book for an art project.
DIY Cardboard Car Wash – Set up a cardboard box tunnel and let kids wash their ride-on toys.
Cloud Watching & Storytelling – Lay on a blanket and make up stories about the shapes you see in the clouds.
Rock Stacking Challenge – Find rocks and see how high you can stack them.
Pinecone Collecting & Decorating – Gather pinecones and paint them at home.
Scent Hunt – Smell flowers, grass, and herbs and talk about the different scents.
Follow the Leader Hike – Walk in a line and take turns being the leader doing different movements.
Mini Bug Safari – Search for ants, butterflies, and ladybugs in the yard.
Sun Printing with Leaves – Place leaves on dark construction paper in the sun and see the shapes appear!
Toddler Beach Day (Even in the Yard!) – Fill a kiddie pool with sand or water for a mini beach adventure.

Whether you're looking for water play, backyard games, or nature-inspired fun, these 63+ outdoor activities for toddlers will keep your little one entertained all year long!