| It's vitally important to teach children to enjoy the | | | | toddler. This will continue to get a lot of use as |
| outdoors. It's also important to teach children to | | | | your child gets older. They can learn to swing, |
| use their imagination and to play creatively. | | | | climb, and slide. There is an amazing variety of |
| Spending time with your child in the backyard can | | | | jungle gym choices available now, so you can |
| help you accomplish both of these lessons. | | | | choose one as simple as a couple swings and a |
| Toddlers tend to be imitative than imaginative. | | | | slide... to one that has towers, hammocks, and |
| This means that your toddler is more likely to | | | | secret tunnels! If you do opt for a more |
| spend his or her outside time copying something | | | | elaborate play set, you can often find one that |
| you do, or something others have done. Toddlers | | | | has a sand box built in. |
| often enjoy doing simple "cooking" in the sandbox, | | | | Encourage your toddler to climb and slide on the |
| for instance. Wild fantasies about knights, | | | | jungle gym. They can learn to master many skills |
| mermaids, and space ships will come later in | | | | at this young age and it helps develop their agility |
| childhood. However, simple imitative play during | | | | and their self-confidence. They'll be braver as they |
| toddler sets the stage for effortless (and hours | | | | grow older, and they'll also be used to the physical |
| long) imaginative play later in childhood. | | | | effort of active play. |
| The simplest backyard activity has already been | | | | As the weather gets warmer, consider getting a |
| mentioned - sand. Or dirt, for that matter. Getting | | | | kiddie pool. There are lots available now, and as |
| a little sand box or even creating one with dirt | | | | with the swing sets, you can get as simple or |
| and sand will keep your toddler entertained for | | | | elaborate as you'd like. Most toddlers will be happy |
| hours. The sand provides excellent tactile | | | | with a small pool to splash around in. Get some |
| experiences for your little one, as well. You can let | | | | boats or simple tub toys for them to play with. |
| them experiment with dry sand and damp sand. | | | | Rinse out the pots you got for the sand pile and |
| If you're feeling really brave, let them feel the | | | | let your little one pour water to his or her heart's |
| mud squish through their toes and fingers! | | | | content. You'll be surprised just how much fun a |
| A dump truck is a good toy for sand and dirt | | | | toddler can have in a small pool. |
| piles. But aside from that, don't worry too much | | | | If you have a large pool, teach your toddler |
| about buy expensive beach or sand toys for your | | | | water skills as you play. If your toddler has a fear |
| child. Go to the second hand store and buy some | | | | of the pool, you can help him or her overcome it |
| small pots, ladles, spoons, and other cooking | | | | by watching videos of happy toddlers swimming. |
| utensils. Stainless steel and enamel-coated | | | | This has been proven to help children overcome |
| varieties will hold up well to the weather. Your | | | | fears of swimming (it also works for things like |
| child will love these because they look just like | | | | fear of dogs and other animals.) |
| what you use in the kitchen! | | | | These classic outdoor ideas will get your toddler |
| A backyard swing set, jungle gym, or play set is | | | | happily playing in your backyard, and builds a |
| another excellent idea for backyard fun for your | | | | foundation for years of healthy, active play. |