Inside: Explore 10 simple, enjoyable, and soothing outdoor activities for toddlers, perfect for when they’re feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed.
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**Table of Contents**
Over the last year and a half, many children have found themselves stuck indoors more than ever, which has significantly affected their ability to manage their own stress and emotions, and those of others.
I believe many parents can relate when I say our stress and anxiety levels have also been challenged, making it harder to notice when our children are struggling. Toddlers, in particular, face difficulties with emotional regulation that can worsen if they don’t have a way to release their abundant energy. This often results in misbehavior, leading to frustration for everyone involved.
One of the most effective ways to help your little one develop emotional regulation skills is to simply spend time outdoors with them. Engaging in outdoor play can tremendously improve your toddler’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
I’ve compiled The Best Calming Outdoor Activities for Toddlers to get you started. Once you do, you’ll find endless possibilities waiting!
As the National Wildlife Federation points out, the average American child spends just about 30 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play. Compare this to the countless hours spent in front of screens. So, why not explore the calming benefits of outdoor activities for toddlers?
Nature walks are fantastic because you can enjoy them almost anywhere. Use this chance to explore local parks and trails, and keep your little one engaged by giving them a “discovery bag” for collecting leaves, interesting rocks, and flowers.
Toddlers have a natural curiosity for collecting rocks of all shapes and sizes. Make use of this interest by encouraging them to create animal shapes, letters, and numbers with their collected treasures. Sorting and painting these rocks can also be fun!
Related resource: Give your child the lifelong gift of emotional regulation skills with the Calm Kids Set.
Spend some time outdoors with your toddler collecting leaves and flowers, then let them sort the collection by color. This doubles as a fun way to make nature collages. All you need is glue or mod podge and some construction paper.
My toddlers have spent countless calming hours outside with sidewalk chalk and a bucket of water (which they called ‘chalk painting’). You can also guide your child in making beautiful sidewalk chalk mosaics using masking tape and chalk. Visit Bilingual Beginnings for a step-by-step guide.
Toddlers enjoy helping with “grown-up” chores, and being involved can make them feel important and appreciated. Grab a few plastic tubs, some of your child’s favorite toys, and head outside for a toy-cleaning session. The repetitive nature of this activity helps them focus and achieve their task.
Shadow art, inspired by Emma Owl, is a wonderfully simple way for your toddler to enhance focus, which in turn can reduce anxiety. With just paper, a pencil or crayon, toy figures, and sunlight, show your toddler how different times and angles alter shadow size. They’ll find it fascinating!
Make some easy DIY Rainbow Foam from Play Inspired Mum for the perfect soothing outdoor activity. Involving them in the creation process builds experimental play skills, creativity, and fine motor skills. You likely already have all the ingredients in your kitchen!
Another enjoyable activity is to take your toddler’s favorite dump trucks, buckets, and shovels to the nearest sandbox or beach. The texture of sand provides calming sensory input, and your child will have fun building sandcastles and loading trucks.
If you’re near a lake, pond, or stream, why not collect some stones for skipping? Even general rock-throwing can be calming. Discuss the ripples each stone makes and see who can throw theirs the farthest.
Nothing beats the relaxing sight of bubbles drifting in the breeze. This timeless outdoor activity encourages your toddler to concentrate on their breath to create bubbles, which is an excellent way to incorporate mindfulness.
Using outdoor play is truly one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your child’s mood and behavior. On days when parenting feels overwhelming, remember that sanity can often be found with just a small step outside.
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**Further Reading:**
– Discover 75 Awesome Calm Down Strategies for Kids (that they’ll actually enjoy!)
– Learn The Best Mindset for Parenting a Spirited, Emotionally Intense Child
– Gain 10 Insights of Remarkable Parents from a Family Therapist
– Explore Easy Ways to Bond With Your Child (even with a busy schedule)
– Uncover 10 Everyday Ways to Improve Your Child’s Mood and Behavior
