The littlest ones are adorable in pictures, but it can sometimes struggle to get them involved in outdoor activities.
As parents, there is still a wide variety of activities for participation. So, what are some excellent backyard play ideas for 1-year-olds?
Here’s a short list of things you should consider:
Some of these will still require adult supervision.
Below, we will dig into how to set up some of the more complicated kid’s activities. By the end of this article, you will have an ample amount of tools to keep your kids entertained.
Water Activities for 1-Year-Olds
| Backyard Activities for 1-Year-Olds | Product Information | Check Price |
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Top | Chalk City Sidewalk Chalk, 20 Count | Check Price |
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Top | Bloranda 24 Pack 15’’ Bubble Wands Assortment | Check Price |
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Top | Kids Sand and Water Table with Play Tent | Check Price |
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Top | Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table | Check Price |
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Top | Baby Balance Bikes Bicycle for 1-2 Year Old Girl/Boy | Check Price |
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Top | Kiddie Pool, Watermelon Hamburger Ice Cream Inflatable Pool | Check Price |
Once they get to that two-to-three stage, they can start to run a bit faster and try and keep up with the big boys.
Activities for toddlers are more manageable, but water is a great start to create fun backyard activities for the littlest kiddos.
When creating water activities, keep in mind that most 1-year-olds are at the stage where they can crawl around. However, they won’t be able to get in a kiddie pool without help.
There are still a wide variety of budget-friendly activities for the littlest kiddos:
How To Set Up a Water Table for Kids
- Water play table helps develop put-and-take and early motor skills with fun characters
- Drop balls down spiral, watching them go round and round and down into the water
- Turn the Ferris wheel to scoop up and drop off balls
- Fill the cup with water and pour into the funnel to power twin water wheel
A water table is a sensory activity for kids that helps them understand sensations. Often, the water table has a bit of bubble solution added to it.
Babies are fascinated by the feel of the water table against their hands.
To make a water table, all you need to do is find a thin surface. An excellent example of what works is the top of a plastic tote. Just make sure to clean before letting the baby put their hands in.
Enough time in the sensory pool will help your kiddo develop fine and gross motor skills.
If you want to make a soapy water mix, squirt a little bit of dish soap in the water. If you don’t want to make your own, you can also purchase a “mini waterpark” from the Little Tykes Store.
Sand Table or Sandbox
- This beach toy set includes a spinner, various vehicle models, city wall models, watering can, bucket, and shovel/rake, as well as a sand-water table and a big kid’s tent
- A child-sized water table, very easy to assemble, a smooth tabletop with four feet, the tabletop is divided into two parts, kids can enjoy the fun of water here, and play with beach toys on the other
- The foldable camping pop-up game tent is easy to set up! It is foldable and portable! Very suitable for being a child a mini-play space, a napping space, or a reading nook.
The feeling of sand between your hands and feet can be just as satisfying for kids as adults. Whether you have older toddlers or babies, you cannot go wrong with a bit of sand.
For easily distracted backyard play which you can position below the patio, you can’t go wrong.
If you don’t want to fish sand out of their pants, you may benefit more from a sand table. Consider this sand table with outdoor equipment so it can grow with them as they get older.
However, the dirty enjoyment of a sandbox cannot be understated.
If you don’t want to pay for a sandbox, you can also use the other end of the tote. You can typically pick up sand at Home Depot. Otherwise, you can get play sand at a reasonable price here.
Sidewalk Chalk
- Our 20-piece set of sidewalk chalk includes 7 different chalk colors and is packaged in a convenient plastic bucket with lid and handle for easy transport and storage
- Choose from 7 different chalk colors and allow your creativity to be limitless whether it’s inside the classroom on the chalkboard, or outside on the sidewalk or driveway
- Each sturdy piece of chalk is 4 inches long and has a tapered shape to prevent rolling and for an easy grip
When your play area is the sidewalk, your canvas is limitless. If you are looking for an inexpensive creative activity, sidewalk chalk provides little ones hours of fun.
As an outdoor play option, it is one of the least active options you can choose. However, kids love to draw, so you cannot go wrong with giving them a creative outlet.
Balance Bike
- Recommended age: The balance bike is a best gift for 1-2 year old baby who can ride on it and learn to walk. Fun 1 year old toys for boys or girls.
- Indoor and Outdoor: Children can ride the balance bicycle on wood floor, carpet because the tires are soft. Sit
- This is a very sturdy little bike. Suitable for babies at the age of one to two. Ride on toys for 1 year old. Boy girl
A balance bike is for kids who are still on the previous phase; Because 1-year-olds aren’t quite old enough to enjoy regular cycles, a balance bike will tide them over.
Check out this link for some baby balance bikes.
General Tips When Entertaining One-Year-Olds Outdoors
When looking for fun activities for our youngest ones, it may seem not easy the manage. They are still in the early stage of moving, so a jungle gym is inappropriate.
However, there are still many physical activities they can enjoy. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:
- Whatever activities you assign, make sure your kiddo understands how to handle them. If it is a new activity, play with them a bit to give them a solid understanding of what to expect.
- Once they know, make sure that they still have adult supervision. Most toys (even for our littlest ones) can be a bit much for one-year-olds. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should be involved, as they can figure out many things by themselves.
- Try to get them involved with your regular chores. You don’t have to plop them in the corner with a dump trunk; try and see about toys that help you watering plants. You can even set up a fake kitchen set in your kitchen to make them feel involved.
Final Thoughts
Finding activities for your 1-year-old can feel a bit daunting, but try not to stress out. As parents, our job is to try out new things until something makes sense.
As long as you have a bit of adult supervision when introducing them to new things, you will have it covered.
If you are looking for an adult-sized balance bike for outdoor activity, consider looking at our best cycle for outdoor exercise. Thanks for reading!
