Toddler Years · The good life, outside
Little days, wide-open wonder.
A blanket in the grass, a puddle to stomp, a leaf that deserves a closer look. The simplest outdoor days are often the best ones.
Step outside with a little one and the world slows down beautifully. She stops for every dandelion. She points at a bird like it's the first bird that ever lived. She crouches over an ant for a full five minutes. Somewhere in there, you start noticing things again, too.
Outdoor time doesn't need a plan or a destination. A backyard, a park, a quiet sidewalk will do. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, playing outside promotes curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and focus, and children play harder outdoors than indoors. All you have to do is open the door.
Simple joys, age by age
For babies. Spread a blanket on the grass and let her take it all in: fresh breezes, birdsong, the smell of trees, the feel of a leaf. Tummy time outside feels like a whole new adventure. Blow bubbles for her to watch and reach for.
For new walkers. Sit across from her and roll a ball back and forth. It's simple, and it builds her coordination and the lovely skill of taking turns.
For busy toddlers. Let her dig, pour, collect and carry. Old pots, pans and spoons in a patch of mud can keep a toddler happy for ages. Give her a small watering can and a job to do in the garden.
Nature walks at toddler speed
A toddler walk isn't really about getting anywhere. It's about the crack in the sidewalk, the pinecone, the dog three houses down. Let it be slow.
Talk about what you see as you go. Describe the clouds, the colors of the flowers, how the wind feels. Name the sounds you hear together. This kind of easy, running conversation builds her vocabulary and wakes up every one of her senses. Try a new park now and then, too. A different path makes everything feel new again.
Sand, water and splashy fun
Sandboxes and water play are toddler heaven: scooping, pouring, splashing and patting. Give her cups, spoons and a little bucket, and she'll invent a hundred games.
Water play is wonderful with you right beside her. Young children can drown in as little as an inch or two of water, quickly and silently, so stay within arm's reach any time she's in or near water, even a small bucket or wading pool. Keep your phone tucked away so your eyes stay on her. When playtime is over, tip out every pail and empty the wading pool, so nothing is left filled and waiting.
Sun-smart, every age
Under 6 months: Keep her out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella or a stroller canopy, and dress her in lightweight, long-sleeved clothing with a tight weave and a hat with a brim all the way around. If shade and clothing aren't possible, a small amount of sunscreen on small areas, such as her face, is okay.
6 months and older: Shade, clothing and hats still come first. Add broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 (up to 50) on all exposed skin, applied 15 to 30 minutes before heading out. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or drying off.
For everyone: Try to limit sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and remember that water and sand reflect the sun's rays. Kid-sized sunglasses with UV protection are a great idea. If your baby under 1 gets a sunburn, call her doctor right away.
Play together, then let her lead
The best outdoor days are shared. Get down on the grass. Chase her (slowly). Make up a song about the puddles. Your delight is contagious, and she learns that the outdoors is a happy place to be with you.
Then try handing her the lead. Ask her where she wants to go. Follow her to the tree she's curious about. Take turns being the leader on a silly stroll around the block, and let her call the shots. Letting her choose builds confidence, and you'll be surprised by what she notices that you walked right past.
Dress for it, then go
There's no such thing as needing a perfect day. Dress her for the weather and head out: a light layer in the shade, a warm hat on a crisp morning, rain boots for the puddles that were made for stomping. Wash little hands when you come back inside, and let the mud on her knees be proof of a day well spent.
The moments that stay
She won't remember every walk. But she'll carry the feeling of them: sunshine, fresh air, and you right there beside her, saying "Look at that!" just as excited as she is.
Go on, Mama. The whole wide world is waiting just outside the door.
The date and the story of every first, ready to print.
Where this comes from
This article draws on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's here to help, not to replace your own doctor, midwife or pediatrician. If you have questions, ask them.
- Playing Outside: Why It's Important for Kids, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)