The summer is full of opportunities to enjoy spending time with loved ones, eat refreshing meals, and stay up late for those relaxing, summer nights. When it comes to including a toddler for such activities, sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what to do locally without breaking the bank. Well, if you are wondering what to do in the midst of the summer heat with a toddler, look no further because I believe I may be of some help. Below you will find some of the summer toddler activities that will work best for you and your little tyke:
- Parks in the Mornings – Going to the park can be a fun adventure during anytime of the year. Depending on where you live, it may be in your best interest to take a toddler to the park during the morning hours, likely any time before 10:00 am (on the East Coast, it seems to get extremely hot here after 10:30 am). However, there may be certain times in the day when parks might open up a splash pad if they happen to have one. Toddlers will still need a spot to cool down in the shade with water and a snack to rehydrate and reenergize, so it is best to go prepared. This can also be a great opportunity for you to go with a friend and to catch up while your children play, without it becoming too hot.
- Libraries– A public library is a great option for beating the heat. Sometimes they may have certain times when they are open, but when they are open it can provide a cool and engaging time for your child. Depending on your library, there may also be a variety of child-related activities for them to participate in throughout the summer and the year as a whole. Make sure to check your local public library and their websites for what activities they may have planned. Personally, I need to look more closely into my local public library’s activities as I am unsure if my values may align with theirs, but it is a good option to have on the list
- Water Activities—whether this is your local YMCA, lake, beach, or a friend’s pool, going for a swim can be a fun and interactive experience for your child. It will definitely depend on your toddler’s comfort level and swim ability when attending these activities, so keep trusting your mama-instinct with this one. I have currently signed my child up for toddler and mommy swim classes at the YMCA because she is still unsure about pools and lakes at the moment.
While this is a brief list of local toddler activities, please keep in mind that there can be a plethora of activities your child may enjoy locally! One tidbit that has helped me lately is to join Facebook groups for local moms—it has been so nice to see what other moms are doing in town for free activities, or events that my only cost a small amount of money! Also, I personally believe that there is not a limit with activities for toddlers, depending on the child, as long as they have access to water and a spot to cool off in. Thank you for reading, and good luck staying cool in the summer heat!