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Backyard Games for Toddlers
Author: Heather Slee
Here are some fun games you can do with your toddler or toddlers outside. Get ‘em good and worn out for naptime!
Freeze Frame
For this game, you can use a radio or iPod, or you can sing. Play or sing a song, and you and your toddler can dance around the yard. The sillier, the better! Then stop the music and shout “Freeze!” and everyone strikes a pose until the music starts up again.
Find-a-Fish
Cut out large fish shapes from colorful construction paper. (You and your toddler can even decorate them with crayons and stickers on a rainy day!) “Hide” the fish outside in the yard. They will, of course, be mostly visible and reachable. Then have your toddler find all the fish. They can put them in a basket, a net, a bucket, or clipped on a string. Help them along the way, and they’ll be delighted to find all the fish.
Don’t like fish? You can also make hearts, stars, balls, smiley faces, other animals, bugs, or anything you can think of! If you don’t have construction paper handy, you can also alter this game and hide stuffed animals, balls, or even shoes.
Sidewalk chalk
Grab a bucket of thick sidewalk chalk, and let your toddler go wild on your driveway and walkways. If you’re a little artistic, draw different animals and ask your toddler what sounds they make. Draw letters, numbers, and shapes, too. Ask your toddler what they see, and have them repeat after you.
Bubbles
All toddlers love bubbles. I think it’s a law. You can blow bubbles with your toddler and have them chase them, popping them. There are many different little gadgets now that make bubbles even more fun. Automatic bubble makers, bubble guns, different shaped wands, and even scented bubbles!
You can also step it up a notch, especially if you have more than one little one to entertain, or a group of toddler friends. Fill up a small plastic pool outside with water and stir in some dish soap. You can either find giant wands to purchase (in the outdoor toy aisle of discount stores), or you can shape wire clothes hangers using a pliers. Have all the kids gather around the pool for giant bubble fun!
Baby Steps, Big Steps
This game was invented by the makers of Yo Gabba Gabba. You can watch Muno and the whole gang play Baby Steps, Big Steps in the “Together” episode.
How it works: You start singing or chanting “Baby steps”* and demonstrate tiny little steps with your toddler. Then shout, “Now BIG STEPS! One! Two! Three! Four!” and make four large, exaggerated steps. Simple and fun. Your toddler will do Baby Steps, Big Steps over and over, excited about the anticipation of the Big Steps. It’s good for counting to four and for listening skills.
* Actual lyrics: “Taking baby steps, baby steps. Little tiny baby steps. Some steps.” Repeat.
