16 Activities For Bored Toddlers This Summer Holiday
Summer is here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping our little ones entertained during the long school holidays. If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to keep your toddler engaged and happy. I’ve put together a list of fun, creative, and adventurous ideas to ensure this summer is filled with joy and laughter.
Creative Crafting Fun
We love a craft in our house. It’s not only a great way to get your toddlers busy and creative, it’s also a great one for taking time and stretching out long periods! Crafting is a fantastic way to keep those little hands busy and minds engaged. Here are some of our favourite crafting ideas:
1. DIY Nature Collages
Take a stroll in the park or your garden and collect leaves, flowers, and small twigs. Once you’re back at home, use these natural treasures to create beautiful collages. All you need is some glue, paper, and a little imagination. Your toddlers will love making their own nature masterpieces! This is one of our favourites because it’s two activities in one.
2. Painted Rocks
Gather some smooth stones and let your toddlers’ creativity run wild with paint. These painted rocks can become garden decorations or even little pets with googly eyes added for fun. We do this and then deposit them around our town or give them to our friends to put in their gardens.
3. Homemade Playdough
Making your own playdough is easier than you think! With simple ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food colouring, you can create a rainbow of squishy fun. Add some glitter for extra sparkle and let the shaping, squishing, and moulding begin. We save this one for a long, rainy day. I get Jack involved in the mixing and making in the morning and then after his nap we go crazy with playdough playing.
This one is also great for things like letter and number recognition, even at the early age of 2. I’ll roll a ball into a specific letter of the alphabet or number and let Jack explore it and repeat the sound over and over. He really enjoys it!
4. Pasta Necklaces
Coloured pasta and some string make for a fun and tactile crafting session. Dye the pasta with food colouring, let it dry, and then help your little one thread them onto a string to make beautiful necklaces and bracelets.
This one is a real throwback from my own childhood, it’s an activity I remember well with my Mum and siblings.
Fun Days Out
The summer holidays are the perfect time to explore and have adventures. Here are some great days out that will thrill your toddlers:
1. Visit a Petting Zoo or Farm
Animals are always a hit with kids. Find a local petting zoo or farm where your child can interact with animals, feed them, and even enjoy pony rides. It’s educational and fun rolled into one!
We love a zoo/farm day, it’s a great place to have a big family meet up and let the kids run off their energy. Our favourite is Odds Farm in Buckinghamshire.
2. Beach Day
If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast, a day at the beach can be magical. Pack a picnic, bring plenty of sunscreen, and let your toddler enjoy building sandcastles, paddling in the sea, and collecting seashells.
We don’t live near a beach so when we go it’s a full day adventure. We do homemade packed lunches to keep costs down and let Jack play all day!
We recently visited Sandbanks beach and LOVED it!
3. Local Parks and Playgrounds
Never underestimate the power of a good playground! Visit different parks in your area to keep things fresh and exciting. Many parks also have splash pads or mini water parks, perfect for those hot summer days.
Jack is a park lover, we try to mix it up and visit different ones as often as possible. Now that he is 2, I try to stand back a bit more and let him climb and explore on his own. He really enjoys climbing and using all of his limbs to match his energy!
We recently visited the Splashpad at John Coles Park in Chippenham and it was fabulous!
4. Child-Friendly Museums
Many museums have fantastic interactive exhibits specifically designed for young children. These can be both educational and incredibly entertaining, providing a great mix of fun and learning.
Our favourites include:
The Young V&A
The Science Museum
The Natural History Museum
Indoor Activities for Rainy Days
We all know that British summer weather can be unpredictable. Here are some indoor activities to save the day when the rain clouds roll in:
1. Indoor Treasure Hunt
Create a simple treasure map and hide little toys or treats around the house. Your toddler will love the adventure of finding each hidden item.
2. Baking Together
Get those little aprons on and head to the kitchen! Baking simple cookies or cupcakes is a great way to spend time together. Plus, there’s the added bonus of delicious treats at the end.
If you are terrible at baking, like me, opt for supermarket baking kits with your toddler’s favourite character on!
3. Movie Afternoon
Turn your living room into a cosy cinema. Pick a couple of fun kids’ movies, make some popcorn, and snuggle up together for a movie marathon.
Jack is a bit too young for this one right now and he gets ants in his pants. I am so excited for the days of movie days and actually sitting down!
4. DIY Obstacle Course
Use pillows, blankets, and furniture to create a fun indoor obstacle course. It’s a great way to burn off some energy and have a lot of laughs.
I like to prep this while Jack naps or is out in the garden playing and being supervised. That way it’s a fun surprise for him to explore.
Garden Adventures
If you have a garden, there are endless ways to make the most of it:
1. Water Play
Set up a paddling pool or simply use buckets and sponges for some splashy fun. Water play is always a hit in warm weather.
I recently shared a reel where we set up a car wash for Jack, it kept him busy for hours!
2. Garden Camping
Set up a tent and have a garden camping adventure. Even if you don’t stay out overnight, the experience of playing and eating in a tent can be thrilling for little ones.
3. Bug Hunting
Go on a bug hunt! Equip your toddler with a magnifying glass and a little jar, and explore the garden looking for interesting insects. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about nature.
4. Planting Flowers or Vegetables
Get your hands dirty and plant some easy-to-grow flowers or vegetables together. Watching their plants grow over the summer is a rewarding experience for children.
I hope these ideas inspire you to create wonderful summer memories with your toddlers. Keeping them entertained doesn’t have to be a chore—it’s all about making the most of the time you have together and enjoying the little moments.
Until next time, happy summer holidays!
LoveRosiee
xxx
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