With the return of sunny days, it’s the perfect time to offer your child outdoor activities. Between 1 and 3 years old, your little adventurer is a real bundle of energy and needs to burn it off! At the park, in the garden, in the forest, or at the beach, children love to move and discover the nature around them. At this age, they don’t yet have a sense of danger, so it’s important to always supervise them so they can have fun safely.

If you're looking for inspiration, discover our ideas for outdoor activities to do with your little one!

Why are outdoor activities so important for a child?

There’s nothing better for a child than being able to let off steam in nature! Playing outside is essential for their development and well-being, both physically and mentally. They can fully expend their energy while also develop many skills : physical endurance, a sense of space, fine motor skills (with the hands), and gross motor skills (with the body), etc.

Outdoor activities also awaken all of their senses. Nature is a wonderful playground, rich in sensory experiences : listening to birdsong, breathing in the scent of plants, touching different textures… Plenty to marvel at, spark the imagination, and satisfy the need to explore. And there’s the promise of a good night’s sleep, too—which, it must be said, will make parents very happy!

Some outdoor games to suggest to your child

1. An artwork with nature

During a walk in the woods or at the beach, give your child a small basket so they can collect everything they like: leaves, flowers, feathers, pebbles, branches, moss, stones, shells, or any other treasures. Then suggest they create a temporary artwork on the spot with the items they’ve gathered. Let them express their imagination freely, without guiding them too much. For children over 3 years old, you can suggest a more intricate creation, such as a daisy crown. All that’s left is to take photos to immortalize their masterpiece!

2. The leaf pool

In the , fill an inflatable pool with dry leaves. Your little wolf will love jumping in, crunching the leaves, tossing them, and more. This activity will be a hit at any age. Make sure the leaves you collect are not toxic to your child.

3. Soap bubbles

One-year-olds will be amazed by floating soap bubbles! At this age, it’s up to the parent to blow the bubbles. Around 2–3 years old, it becomes a wonderfully energetic activity: your child will run in all directions trying to pop them! From age 3, they’ll be able to blow bubbles themselves, which helps develop breath control and the ability to manage it well.

Our tip: you can make your own bubble solution. Here’s a recipe idea found on the blog of : mix 100 ml of water, 25 ml of dish soap, 1.5 teaspoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch (Maïzena). The last ingredient helps thicken the bubbles and makes them even more resistant.

4. Catch me!

A classic outdoor game that always works! Children love chase games that encourage interaction with adults. You can add variations: run away from the big bad wolf or a cat while saying, "If I catch you, I’ll give you cuddles!"

5. Discovering Nature

Turn your outing in the forest or at the beach into a little sensory walk. Let your child choose what they want to touch, and talk them through the experience: « Have you seen this pebble? It’s gray and smooth », « This yellow flower smells good! » You can also invite them to observe insects, listen to the birds, taste berries, or touch different surfaces (bark, moss, etc.). When they’re able to speak, don’t hesitate to expand this observation game by asking them to name things: « What color is this leaf? Is it soft or prickly? »

6. The magic stew

There’s one activity children love at any age: playing chef! Give your little aspiring cook a bucket and suggest making a magic potion, a soup, or a delicious cake like Mom. For ingredients, they can use anything that catches their interest: leaves, dirt, stirring sticks. Around 2–3 years old is the age of imitation games. Provide them with a play kitchen so they can whip up beautiful pies… made of mud. Yum!

7. Invisible paint

An ideal outdoor activity, especially on hot days of . Put some water in a basin so your child can dip a sponge or brush into it. They’ll have fun “painting” on walls or the ground while staying cool. Your child will have a blast, and you’ll love this “paint” that leaves no marks. ;)

8. The balloon toss

Repurpose a basin, a cardboard box, or a laundry basket for target practice. This helps develop coordination and teaches your child how to gauge force. For older children, you can place different colored sheets on each basket. Your child can then name the color as soon as they manage to toss their ball into it. Ball games are very popular and have the advantage of developing many skills!

9. A little bubble of calm

If you have a garden or you’re out in a park, place a blanket on the ground so your child can rest there whenever they wish. The outdoors often means activity, and children also need to pause and reconnect with themselves. You can place quiet toys and to accompany this relaxation. This little bubble can also be a calming space before heading home for mealtime.

10. Transfer water and sand

Babies and young children are fascinated by transfer games. This activity is also recommended for its soothing benefits—especially since your child picks up their first notions of physical science along the way! They’ll learn about volumes, capacities, and the different properties of water and sand. Provide one or two basins filled with water and/or sand, along with several utensils: cups of different sizes, a sieve, a ladle… Summer is ideal for water play, so don’t hesitate to offer it, as contact with water reminds them of their intrauterine life and the cozy belly of Mom. For more inspiration, you can consult our article on for your little splasher.

11. The outdoor motor skills course

If you have a garden, create a small obstacle course. Your little adventurer can crawl under a table, climb onto a chair, pass through a box, jump into hoops, climb onto a wooden pallet, step over a stick, and more. In addition to having lots of fun, your child will learn about balance and improve their coordination and physical abilities. They’ll also better understand concepts such as above, inside, and below… Feel free to demonstrate the course first, then let them explore it at their own pace.

12. A small vegetable garden

Whether you have a garden or just a balcony, suggest that your child plant small seeds in a pot.
It’s a great activity for teaching patience, understanding before-and-after changes, and learning about the cycle of nature.
Our tip: choose fast-growing seeds like radishes or beans.
Your child will also really enjoy aromatic plants and cherry tomatoes they can taste.

13. Free play

This one involves… letting your child do whatever they want without offering activities. :) You don’t need to guide all of their outdoor play. Your little adventurer will find plenty of great ideas to keep busy on their own, and nature will be enough to spark their imagination. Playing outside independently allows them to observe, explore at their own pace, and develop creativity. By playing freely, without a specific goal, they can build their own experiences and gain confidence in their abilities. You can also provide outdoor toys such as a balance bike (a bike without pedals), a wheelbarrow, … Sit nearby to supervise, and let them come to you if they feel the need. Let them take small risks; this will help them understand their limits and better manage unfamiliar situations later on.

We hope these outdoor activity ideas help your child burn off energy and have fun for many minutes (and who knows, maybe hours?). Since every child is different, . Don’t worry if they find certain activities difficult at first. The most important thing is to always encourage their progress! We wish you wonderful moments of outdoor play—and good nights for your little adventurer after they’ve had a good run around. ;)