Summer Outdoor Activities to Do With Your Baby

Summer is in full force, and the long days and beautiful weather mean it’s the time to soak in some sunshine (hello, vitamin D) and breathe the fresh air. With rainy days fewer and far between, you can enjoy going outside every day with your little one. Still, you want to make sure that you’re protecting them—and yourself–-from the sun’s harsh rays by applying plenty of SPF (for babies 6 months and older), wearing protective clothing, and staying in the shade when the temps are high. Here’s a list of must-do outdoor activities to enjoy with your baby this summer:

Play at a splash pad

If you’re in the middle of a heat wave and feeling a little stir crazy, take this opportunity to head out to your local splash pad. It’s a great way to cool off in the heat at low cost to you, and it’s super fun for your baby to get wet. Water play is an engaging experience for little ones, keeping them entertained and happy just by splashing around. If your little one is able to walk, put them in water shoes to prevent them from slipping. Otherwise, if you’re willing to also get wet, you can carry them through the jets and streams of water. Take care to ensure that your little one doesn’t ingest any of the water, as splash pads have an elevated risk of recreational water-associated illness.

Bubbles in the backyard

What goes together better than peanut butter and jelly? Bubbles and babies, of course! It’s no secret that babies love bubbles (don’t we all), and bubbles are actually a great way to play with babies of all ages. Since popped bubbles can cause a bit of a soapy mess on your floor, blowing them outside in your backyard or front lawn is the way to go. Simply lay your picnic blanket or vegan leather mat on the grass, position your baby (laying or sitting) on the mat, and start blowing! Bubbles are an excellent way to develop your baby’s visual tracking, spatial awareness, and both gross motor and fine motor skills.

Backyard obstacle course

If your baby is crawling or walking, having them maneuver through an obstacle course can help them develop their coordination, strength, balance, and other important motor skills. The setup can be as easy or as difficult as it needs to be, and if your baby hates grass, you can use a picnic blanket or vegan leather mat to keep their hands and knees off of it. Have your baby crawl through a play tunnel, knock down play cubes, and maneuver over a support pillow or a bean bag!

Outdoor story time

Many libraries host outdoor story time events for children in the summer, and it’s a great way to get your baby interested in books from a very young age. Check out your local library to find one for your child’s age group, and you can also implement your own outdoor story time in your backyard or in a quiet, grassy area at a park or field near your home. Use a picnic blanket, bring your baby’s favorite board books, and read aloud to them in a shaded area to develop their vocabulary and boost cognitive development.

Finger painting

While the weather is warm, dress your baby in a swimsuit or just a diaper, and let them get messy with finger painting! Finger painting is a fun activity that helps develop your baby’s fine motor skills, and doing it outside on a warm day means you can simply hose off before heading back indoors. Buy or make your own taste-safe finger paints, place your vegan leather mat in a shaded area outside, and let your little one’s creativity flow!

Sensory play with ice

Not only is playing with ice a sensory-rich, tactile experience for your baby, it’s an easy way to beat the summer heat! Hands-on play is a great way for young ones to learn, but with babies who stick anything and everything in their mouths, you want to use taste-safe materials. Ice is easy to make, safe to taste (although you’ll want to prevent them from eating it, as ice can be a choking hazard), and fascinating for babies to touch. Just throw some ice into a bowl or bin, head outside, and let your little one explore it as they please. This is a great time to use words like, “cold,” “slippery,” “wet,” “melting,” “water,” and “ice.”