Backyard Summer Bucket List for Toddlers and Kids
The toddler years are so much fun, and summertime with a toddler makes for some especially memorable summer activities!
Toddlers are so curious about everything and have the most beautiful ability to find joy in the smallest things.
This bucket list of summer activities will give you a list of great ideas to do with your kids and toddlers this summer. This list for families with young children, but you will find that many of the activities work for older kids too. In fact, you will find that these activities will be fun for the whole family!
A lot of times, the best place to play is right in your own backyard! This list of 30 backyard activities can help get your kids playing in new ways in their own backyard. I tried to create a list of low-cost and low-prep activities for your family to do in the comfort of your own backyard.
If you don’t have a backyard of your own, I encourage you to choose a nearby outdoor space you can make your own. Try to choose a space within walking distance of your house. You can bring along most these activities with you by using a collapsible wagon.
- Set up a backyard sensory bin with sand, water, and different toys (use a plastic bin or bucket)
- Have a backyard bubble bath with a kiddie pool, bubbles, and toys (use a garden hose to fill the pool)
- Create a backyard petting zoo with stuffed animals and toy farm animals
- Set up a backyard water painting station with paintbrushes and water (use a paintbrush and a bucket of water)
- Have a backyard story time with a blanket and picture books
- Create a backyard music station with different instruments and toys
- Set up a backyard sandcastle building station with sand and buckets (use a sandbox or a plastic bin)
- Have a backyard sensory walk with different textures and materials (use grass, sand, stones, etc.)
- Create a backyard ball pit with plastic balls and a kiddie pool or plastic bin
- Set up a backyard color sorting station with different colored items (use toys, blocks, or craft supplies)
- Have a backyard bubble wrap popping station (use a roll of bubble wrap)
- Create a backyard water play station with different-sized containers and scoops (use plastic containers and kitchen utensils)
- Set up a backyard obstacle course with unique challenges and tasks (use household items and toys)
- Have a backyard painting party with finger paints and paper (use washable paints)
- Create a backyard nature art station with different materials found in nature (use flowers, leaves, and sticks)
- Set up a backyard chalk art station with chalk and a chalkboard or sidewalk
- Have a backyard photo booth with fun props and costumes
- Create a backyard sandbox with kinetic sand or homemade sand (use a plastic bin or kiddie pool)
- Set up a backyard watermelon tasting station with different types of watermelon (use a variety of watermelons)
- Have a backyard animal hunt with stuffed animals and toy animals
- Have a backyard camp out. Cook s’mores, sleep in a tent, and look at the stars all from your backyard!
- Go on a bug hunt in your backyard. Observe the bugs you find with magnifying glasses!
- Have a backyard movie night with a projector and snacks.
- Make homemade ice cream with dry ice and plastic bags.
- Enjoy root beer floats or ice cream sundaes on the porch
- Run through a sprinkler
- Go in your backyard and Catch lightning bugs in a jar
- Turn the music up in your backyard and Dance to live music outside
- Make homemade popsicles and eat them outside. Watch them melt in the hot sun!
- Blow giant bubbles using a hula hoop
Summer 2024 will be magical!
The kids will play.
The sun will (hopefully) shine.
And memories will be made.
A good summer bucket list for kids can really help get your mind wrapped around what to do each day – or how to break up the long mornings.