One of the most difficult things to do as a parent is finding ways to keep your super-active toddler happy and occupied.  You don’t want to plop them down in front of a television for the whole day, but finding new and exciting activities is difficult.  That is especially true in summer, on those really hot days where they can become easily irritated.

Ideal activities can be done inside or outdoors, depending on the heat.  Here are 18 fun toddler activities to try during summer!

1. Listen to music and get a party started!

One great way to get your toddler moving is to put some music on.  From the wiggles to Sesame Street and Barney the dinosaur, there are plenty of tunes to jump around to.  It also helps exhaust toddlers with seemingly endless energy!

2. Ball Games

Have some fun kicking and throwing balls in the backyard.  Your toddler will have a great time and improve their eye to hand coordination.

3. Use Wii Video Games

There are a lot of Wii video games that toddlers can participate in.  You can keep them busy and improve their coordination at the same time.

4. Hit things!

Nothing like trying to jam a square brick into a round hole.  Get a plastic mallet and let your toddler harmlessly smash away at something until they are exhausted.  Musical and interactive toys are also useful here, as long as you can tolerate the noise.

5. Drawing with Crayons

Enhance your child’s artistic side and start teaching them how to colour between the lines.  Just remember to supervise them or you might end up with some oddly decorated walls!

6. Play Dress Up

Older toddlers love to dress up as their favourite character.  Design new outfits from the materials you already have and invent some games to play, dressed as pirates, ballerinas, dinosaurs or whatever you can think up.

7. Never too Early to Start Playing Music

If you think your older toddler has some musical ability, get him started on the piano, drums or a toy guitar.  They will have fun bashing a few notes out and it will enhance their creativity.

8. Run Around Under the Hose!

One of the most fun activities for a toddler is to run around under a hose or sprinkler in the back yard.  It’s a great way to cool off and have fun.

9. Play with Other Toddlers

Summer is a great time to hang out with other parents and their toddlers.  You child will enjoy seeing someone who is the same size as them and shares similar passions (mostly giggling and running around)!

10. Make a Tiny River

One simple do-it-yourself activity is to create a “tiny river” made from cardboard boxes lined with aluminum foil or a half-piece of PVC pipe.  Your toddler will have fun pushing toy boats down the river.

11. Water Pistols

Your toddler is probably ready to shoot their first water pistol and chase you around the backyard, while squealing with delight!

12. Use a Tarp and Sprinkler to Create a Safe Splash Pool

Lay a tarp on the ground and place a sprinkler on it.  Now the toddlers can run through the sprinkler and lay on the tarp to soak in the water.  Because the water isn’t deep, it is safer than a kiddie’s pool.

13. Create a Fort

You can create a fort from cotton sheets indoors or outdoors.  It gives your toddler something fun to run around in and keeps the summer sun off them.

14. Kiddies Car Wash

With some sponges, streamers and piping you can create a car wash for your toddler to drive their toy car through!  They get to keep cool and have fun. Great for when they have toddler friends over.

15. Install a Backyard Teepee

A backyard teepee gives your toddler a nice shaded space to play in while in the backyard.  It can also be their headquarters when toddler friends come to visit!

16. Scavenger Hunts!

Another way to keep an active toddler busy and using up their energy is a scavenger hunt.  Hide small toys or treats around the back yard and give them a map to help locate the items.

17. A Ball Pit

Ball pits are great for toddlers because they are safe and can give them hours of enjoyment.  A ball pit can also be easily moved between indoors and outdoors depending on the weather.

18. Pickup Games

Invent games where your toddler has to pull items out of water filled container with their hands or an implement.  They will be improving their fine motor skills and splashing in the water, keeping them cool.

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