Spending time outdoors is beneficial for your toddler’s development. There are tons of things you can do outside your home, you just have to think outside the box. Here are seven outdoor activities for kids you must try with your child.

Hopscotch Caterpillar

Add a twist to this classic outdoor game by getting out the colored chalk and help your little one draw a big circle with a face and antenna and then add 10 or 20 more circles using different colors of chalks to make a jumbo-size caterpillar. Invite your neighbour’s kids or ask every family member to join the fun and take turns running from one end to the other, skipping from circle to circle or hopping from the green to the red to the yellow circle. Use a stopwatch to make the race more electrifying.

Shadow Tracing

Use a sidewalk chalk to outline your toddler’s shadow and then let him move to another location and draw that shadow. After which, ask him to try and fit his body back in the traced form with his shadow or have him color the circles. This activity is an excellent learning experience that teaches your toddler about shadows and encourages exploration.

Catch A Critter

Pick an insect that interests your little one. Butterflies, grasshoppers, fireflies and ladybugs are child-friendly specimens. With an insect net, help your toddler capture the insect and put it in a plastic jar along with a small stick and some fresh leaves. Cover the container but be sure to punch a few small holes in the cover for air. Your toddler can squirt the lid with water every day, provide new leaves and clean the jar. Not only can this activity expose your toddler to the beauty of Mother Nature but this will also help him learn how to take care of animals.

Lawn Flicks

Make watching movies more exciting by holding it outdoors. Drape a white sheet from a clothesline and use a digital projector to play the movie (you can rent one from your local computer rental store). Lay a big blanket on the ground, bring some popcorn, drinks and pillows for a perfect outdoor movie night.

Walking

Ask him to tag along while you walk the dog. Play follow-the-leader and ask him to follow you by tiptoeing, hopping, sliding his feet or marching. Allow him to walk up and down hills. Walk around your neighbourhood or go to the park and while you are at it, play a game of “I Spy” or look at the sky and ask him what images and shapes he sees.

Let’s Get Physical

Outdoor play is entertaining and a necessary activity for toddlers. Spend at least 30 minutes outdoors and play a game of tag, hide and seek, kick ball, sack race, obstacle course or run around a sprinkler. This activity also ensures you and your toddler will get your daily dose of exercise.

Grow A Mini Garden

Stimulate your child’s inquisitiveness about the world by giving him his own pot of soil or a garden patch and let him decide what he wants to plant – a flower, herb or vegetable (e.g. marigold, basil, tomato or green beans). Put him in charge of watering his plant.

Being outdoors is a lot of fun and at the same time, very educational for toddlers. These easy outdoor activities will keep your toddler totally entertained without having to spend too much.