35 Fun Backyard Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers You Need to Try

As a parent, it can be tough to come up with new and exciting activities to keep your little ones entertained, especially when you’re limited to the confines of your own backyard. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Why Backyard Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Backyard activities for toddlers and preschoolers are beneficial for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they provide an opportunity for children to get outside and engage in physical activity, which is essential for their overall health and development. Outdoor play also helps children to develop their coordination, balance, and gross motor skills. Additionally, backyard activities can encourage creativity and imagination, as children are given the freedom to explore and use their own ideas to play and have fun. These activities can also help to promote problem-solving skills and cognitive development, as children are challenged to think critically and find solutions to problems.

Backyard Activity Ideas

Here are 35 fun backyard activities for toddlers and preschoolers that are sure to keep your little ones happy, active, and engaged:

1. Set up a tent or fort and have a backyard camping adventure. This activity is perfect for little ones who love to play pretend and explore. Set up a tent or create a fort using blankets and pillows, and let your child’s imagination run wild. They can bring their favorite stuffed animals or dolls along for the adventure, and you can even make s’mores or other camping treats to add to the experience.
2. Create a backyard scavenger hunt with items like leaves, rocks, and sticks. This activity is great for encouraging exploration and observation skills. Make a list of items for your child to find, such as different colored leaves, rocks with different patterns, and sticks of different sizes. You can make the game more challenging by hiding the items or setting a timer for your child to find them all.
3. Set up a bubble station with a bubble wand and solution. Bubbles are a classic backyard activity that never get old. Set up a station with a bubble wand and solution, and let your child blow and pop bubbles to their heart’s content. You can even add a twist by using different shaped wands or creating your own bubble solution using household ingredients.
   
4. Have a water play day by filling up a small pool or setting out water tables and toys. Water play is a great way to beat the heat and keep your child cool during the summer months. Set up a small pool or water table and provide toys like buckets, cups, and water squirters for your child to play with. Just be sure to supervise your child at all times and apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
5. Create a DIY obstacle course using items like hula hoops, cones, and rope. This activity is great for encouraging physical activity and problem solving skills. Set up a course using items you have on hand, such as hula hoops, cones, and rope. You can make the course as simple or as challenging as you like, and let your child navigate through it at their own pace.
6. Play a game of backyard bowling using plastic bottles as the pins and a ball as the bowling ball. This activity is a fun twist on the classic game of bowling. Set up plastic bottles as the pins and use a ball as the bowling ball. You can even get creative by painting the bottles or using different-sized balls for added challenge.
7. Set up a paint station using washable paint and large paper or cardboard. This activity is great for encouraging creativity and artistic expression. Set up a station with washable paint and large paper or cardboard, and let your child create their own masterpieces. You can even provide paintbrushes, sponges, and other tools for added texture and creativity.
8. Have a picnic and enjoy your meals outside. This activity is a fun way to change up your daily routine and enjoy some fresh air. Set out a blanket and have a picnic in your backyard, complete with your child’s favorite snacks and drinks. You can even make it a themed picnic, such as a teddy bear picnic or a beach picnic.
9. Play a game of tag or other running games. This activity is great for encouraging physical activity and coordination. Play a classic game of tag or come up with your own running games, such as Red Light Green Light or Mother May I.
10. Set up a homemade music station using pots, pans, and wooden spoons as instruments. This activity is a fun way to encourage creativity and musical expression. Set out a selection of pots, pans, and wooden spoons for your child to use as musical instruments. You can even provide sheets of music or create your own compositions for your child to play along to.
11. Have a dance party with some of your child’s favorite tunes. This activity is a fun way to encourage physical activity and get your child moving. Put on some of your child’s favorite tunes and let them dance their heart out. You can even set up a stage or create fun props like scarves or hula hoops to add to the fun.
12. Play a game of cornhole using bean bags and a homemade board. This activity is a fun twist on the classic lawn game. Set up a cornhole board using a large cardboard box or a piece of wood, and provide bean bags for your child to toss. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
    
13. Set up a backyard theater using sheets or blankets as the screen and a projector or device to play a movie. This activity is a fun way to enjoy a movie night under the stars. Set up a screen using sheets or blankets, and use a projector or device to play a movie. Be sure to bring plenty of blankets and pillows for a cozy movie-watching experience.
14. Play a game of giant tic tac toe using rocks or sticks as the game pieces. This activity is a fun twist on the classic paper and pencil game. Set up a tic tac toe board using rocks or sticks as the game pieces, and let your child play against you or a friend. You can even set up multiple boards for a tournament.
15. Set up a backyard restaurant and have your child play the role of the chef, server, and customer. This activity is a fun way to encourage creativity and role-play. Set up a restaurant in your backyard, complete with a menu, a kitchen area, and a table for customers. Have your child play the role of the chef, server, and customer, and let them create their own dishes and serve them to you.
16. Play a game of backyard golf using a set of plastic clubs and balls. This activity is a fun way to encourage physical activity and fine motor skills. Set up a small golf course using a set of plastic clubs and balls, and let your child practice their swings. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
17. Have a teddy bear picnic and invite your child’s stuffed animals to join in the fun. This activity is a fun way to encourage imaginative play and role play. Set out a blanket and have a picnic in your backyard, complete with your child’s favorite stuffed animals as the guests. You can even create a menu and have your child serve their stuffed animal guests.
18. Set up a backyard theater using cardboard boxes as the stage and puppets or dolls as the performers. This activity is a fun way to encourage creativity and role play. Set up a stage using cardboard boxes, and provide puppets or dolls for your child to use as performers. You can even create a script or let your child improvise their own performance.
19. Play a game of hopscotch using chalk to draw the game board on the ground. This activity is great for encouraging physical activity and coordination. Draw a hopscotch game board using chalk on the ground, and provide a small object for your child to toss onto the board. Have your child hop through the board, following the rules of the game.
20. Set up a DIY car wash using buckets, sponges, and water. This activity is a fun way to encourage imaginative play and fine motor skills. Set up a car wash station using buckets, sponges, and water, and provide toy cars for your child to wash. You can even create a car wash sign.
21. Play a game of horseshoes using plastic horseshoes and a homemade pitch. This activity is a fun twist on the classic lawn game. Set up a horseshoe pitch using a set of plastic horseshoes and a homemade stake or pole, and let your child practice their aim. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
22. Have a backyard tea party with small chairs, a table, and a tea set. This activity is a fun way to encourage imaginative play and role play. Set up a small table and chairs in your backyard, and provide a tea set for your child to use. You can even dress up in fancy attire and invite their stuffed animals or dolls as guests to the tea party.
23. Set up a backyard bowling alley using plastic bottles as the pins and a ball as the bowling ball. This activity is a fun twist on the classic game of bowling. Set up a bowling alley using plastic bottles as the pins and a ball as the bowling ball. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
24. Play a game of giant Jenga using cardboard boxes or other large, sturdy objects. This activity is a fun twist on the classic tabletop game. Set up a Jenga tower using cardboard boxes or other large, sturdy objects, and let your child take turns pulling out pieces and trying to keep the tower from falling. This activity is great for encouraging hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.
25. Set up a backyard photo booth with props and a camera or device to take pictures. This activity is a fun way to encourage creativity and imaginative play. Set up a photo booth area in your backyard, complete with props like hats, glasses, and scarves. Provide a camera or device to take pictures, and let your child strike a pose and capture some silly memories.
26. Play a game of giant chess or checkers using cardboard or plastic game pieces. This activity is a fun way to encourage strategic thinking and problem solving skills. Set up a giant chess or checkers board using cardboard or plastic game pieces, and let your child play against you or a friend.
27. Set up a backyard science station with items like magnifying glasses, binoculars, and nature books. This activity is a great way to encourage curiosity and exploration of the natural world. Set up a science station in your backyard with items like magnifying glasses, binoculars, and nature books. Encourage your child to observe and learn about the plants and animals in their own backyard.
28. Play a game of giant Connect Four using hula hoops and bean bags or other small objects. This activity is a fun twist on the classic tabletop game. Set up a Connect Four board using hula hoops and bean bags or other small objects as the game pieces, and let your child play against you or a friend. This activity is great for encouraging hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking.
29. Set up a backyard craft station with items like construction paper, glue, and scissors. This activity is a great way to encourage creativity and fine motor skills. Set up a craft station in your backyard with items like construction paper, glue, and scissors, and let your child create their own masterpieces. You can even provide a variety of craft supplies for added creativity and variety. This activity is perfect for little ones who love to create and express themselves through art.
30. Have a backyard story time by setting up a cozy reading nook with blankets and pillows. This activity is a great way to encourage a love of reading and relaxation. Set up a cozy reading nook in your backyard with blankets and pillows, and provide a selection of books for your child to enjoy. You can even read a book aloud to your child or let them read to you for added fun.
31. Set up a backyard sports station with items like balls, frisbees, and hula hoops. This activity is a great way to encourage physical activity and coordination. Set up a sports station in your backyard with items like balls, frisbees, and hula hoops, and let your child practice their skills. You can even set up a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the games.
32. Play a game of backyard mini golf using a set of plastic clubs and balls. This activity is a fun twist on the classic game of golf. Set up a mini golf course in your backyard using a set of plastic clubs and balls, and let your child practice their swings. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
33. Set up a backyard nature center with items like a bird feeder, a bug house, and nature books. This activity is a great way to encourage curiosity and exploration of the natural world. Set up a nature center in your backyard with items like a bird feeder, a bug house, and nature books. Encourage your child to observe and learn about the plants and animals in their own backyard.
34. Play a game of backyard bocce using a set of plastic bocce balls. This activity is a fun twist on the classic lawn game. Set up a bocce court in your backyard using a set of plastic bocce balls, and let your child practice their aim. You can even create a scoreboard or set up a tournament to add some competition to the game.
35. Have a backyard movie night. This activity is a fun way to enjoy a movie under the stars. Set up a screen using sheets or blankets, and use a projector or device to play a movie. Be sure to bring plenty of blankets and pillows for a cozy movie-watching experience. You can even set up a snack station with popcorn, candy, and drinks to add to the fun

In conclusion, there are endless fun backyard activities for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy. From camping adventures and scavenger hunts to water play and DIY obstacle courses, there is something for every child’s interests and abilities. These activities not only provide hours of entertainment, but also encourage physical activity, creativity, imagination, and problem solving skills. So next time you are looking for something to do with your little ones, try one of these backyard activities and make lasting memories together.

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Yumna Sohaib

Yumna is the lead author. She is a mom to two young children and have always been passionate about finding fun and educational activities for them. With her background in early childhood education, she strive to create engaging and age-appropriate activities that promote learning and development in toddlers.