Summer Fun With Little Ones

Summer Fun With Little Ones
By Sarah, RealHousewivesofMN.com

This summer has been a whole new experience at our house. With my little one just turning 14 months, there’s much more we can do this summer than we could last year.

Of course, our activities don’t quite include roller coaster rides or big water slides, but now that we officially have a toddler, we have managed to step it up a notch.

Here are some fun ideas for enjoying the summer with your little ones!

1. Splash Pads – Is it any wonder that splash pads are always jam packed with thrilled toddlers and babies in the summer? It’s a great place to cool off at their own pace, and they can spend a lot of time running from water fountain to water fountain just having a blast. We like to try and go to splash pads that are maybe less well-known around the Twin Cities because having a lot of kids screaming and running around can be a little bit much for my babe.
2. Beaches – Okay, hear me out. This one might seem obvious but there is more that you can do at the beach with your littles than you might think. First off, they usually have a park right there on the scene, so it’s a two-fer! They can dip their toes in the water, build a sand castle (okay, scoop sand into their mouth and all over the towel), or just take a nap in the shade. I like to bring our small ‘Lil Nursery’ UV tent that she can nap in if she gets tired. Because odds are, they will get tired and it’ll be at the least opportune time.
3. Bike Rides or Walks – We do one of these everyday and my little gets a kick out of it every time. We switch up locations and get creative to make it fun. She loves just looking out and watching all the people, places and things go by. And if we’re really feeling adventurous, we pack a picnic and make a stop along the way. Have I mentioned how easy toddler picnics can be? They’re the easiest little creatures to pack lunches for. Goldfish, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, watermelon; she’s a happy camper.
4. Water Table Play – Water tables are such a fun way for toddlers to learn, and cool off all at the same time. Don’t have a water table at home? Grab one of those clear plastic storage tubs and fill it with water. Grab random bath toys, or items from your kitchen drawer and let them have a blast scooping and submerging. You’ll be surprised at how long they’ll stay entertained with this!
5. Sprinkler Fun – The joy of sprinklers is that you can set them as high or as low as you want. With my little, she’s not real adventurous yet, so we set the sprinkler pretty low and it does the trick! It helps them, you guessed it, cool off, and it’s a fun little activity that’s out of the norm for them! If you don’t have a sprinkler, I have seen a neat little tutorial online that shows how you can make one out of a 2L plastic pop bottle, now that’s creativity at it’s finest!
6. Swim Lessons – If you really want to multi-task, there’s nothing better than teaching a child to swim. All the while, it will tire them out and give them a chance to cool off in the pool! Plus, it’s a great bonding experience for you and the child to learn this skill together.
7. Blow Bubbles – Remember how fun bubbles were when you were a child? Toddlers are amazed at the essence of bubbles. Let them try and blow bubbles, catch them, and just have a blast!

What types of fun summer activities have you been doing with your little one this summer? Leave a comment below and share your ideas!