Summer Activities for Infants and Toddlers

Summer Senses
Have a picnic. Share summer food the children can smell, taste, and see, like watermelon, strawberries, and cucumbers. Talk about the flavors and smells. Notice the colors, shapes, and sizes.
Learning supported: language, concept development, community building

Sand and Water Fun
Set up a water-and-sand play area. Encourage mixing, sifting, pouring, and digging.
Learning supported: curiosity, critical thinking, concepts, coordination

Feed Feathered Friends
Set out bird seed to feed the birds. Watch the birds together with the children and talk about what the birds are doing. Listen to their songs.
Learning supported: sensory exploration, empathy, curiosity, discovery

Shadow Dance
In the sun, invite children to dance. (Hold babies and dance/move.) Encourage them to make their shadows move in different ways.
Learning supported: motor coordination, strength, following directions
​
Cloud Watching
Lie on the ground with the children and watch clouds go by. Talk about the shapes, colors, size, and movement of the clouds.
Learning supported: language, concepts, visual discrimination, wonder