51 Simple and Free Outdoor Activities for One-Year-Olds

As a stay-at-home mom, I’m always trying to come up with creative and fun activities to do with my daughter.

Now that she’s 22 months old and walking, there’s so much more we can explore and enjoy together. But let’s be real, time is limited, especially with naps in the daily schedule.

I’m constantly on the lookout for simple, budget-friendly things to do close to home, but after a while, coming up with new ideas can get tricky.

So, I’ve put together a list of simple, Free (mostly) outdoor activities for one-year-olds that you and your little one can enjoy!

These ideas are perfect for spending a fun afternoon with your little one!

Related: 7 Simple Activities For 1 Year Olds At Home

51 fun and easy outdoor activities for one-year-olds

Visit a Coffee Shop with a Play Area

Find a local coffee shop that has a small play area or a kid-friendly corner. You get to enjoy a much-needed coffee break, and your little one gets to explore new toys and interact with other kids. It’s a win-win!

Explore a Furniture Store

Yes, you read that right—furniture stores can be surprisingly entertaining for toddlers. My daughter loved testing out all the couches, running down the carpet aisles, and just exploring the space. Plus, it’s free entertainment with minimal effort!

Library Story Time or Outdoor Reading Corner

Many local libraries offer outdoor storytime sessions or have shaded seating areas where you can enjoy a book together. It’s a quiet yet stimulating activity that fosters early literacy and lets you both unwind.

Feed the Ducks (with Healthy Snacks)

Head to a pond or small lake and feed ducks with toddler-safe snacks like oats or halved grapes. Your little one will love watching the ducks come close and interact.

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Outdoor Toy Swap with Friends

Meet up with another parent at a park and bring a few toys your toddler isn’t currently playing with. Swap toys for the day so they can explore something “new.”

Visit a Local Fire Station

Many fire stations have open days or are happy to give quick tours (call ahead to check!). Your toddler will love seeing the big trucks and meeting real firefighters.

DIY Backyard Obstacle Course

Set up a simple obstacle course in your backyard using items you already have, like cushions, boxes, and hula hoops. Let your toddler crawl, walk, or climb through the course. It’s great for motor skill development and endless giggles!

Explore a Car Dealership

Visit a local car dealership and let your toddler explore the shiny cars. Many toddlers love pretending to drive and exploring the back seats. Plus, it’s a safe, enclosed space on quieter days.

Park Hop for Variety

Instead of going to the same park, try visiting a new one nearby. Many parks have different play structures or even splash pads, which can keep things fresh and exciting for your little one.

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Visit a Farmer’s Market

Take a trip to a local farmer’s market. It’s an engaging sensory experience where your child can see colorful fruits and vegetables, hear live music, and maybe even pet some farm animals.

Explore a Parking Garage

On a quiet day, take a walk in a multi-level parking garage. The echoes, ramps, and open space can feel like a mini adventure for a toddler!

Take a Trip to an Outdoor Sculpture Park

Find a local park or public space with sculptures or art installations. Your toddler can walk around, touch (if allowed), and interact with these larger-than-life creations.

Ride Public Transportation for Fun

Take a short bus, train, or trolley ride to a nearby destination. For a toddler, the ride itself can be an exciting adventure!

Window Shop in a Pet Store

Take a stroll through a pet store to look at fish, birds, and other animals. Many toddlers love watching the pets move and interact.

Take a Nature Walk

Head to a nearby nature trail or park and let your toddler explore at their own pace. Point out birds, bugs, and flowers along the way. Bring a small bucket for them to collect “treasures” like leaves and sticks.

Sit and Watch Construction Sites

Find a spot near a construction site (from a safe distance) and watch the excavators, cranes, and trucks at work. It’s like real-life entertainment for toddlers.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Make a simple list of items to spot on a walk (e.g., a red car, a dog, a flower) and see how many you and your toddler can find together.

Outdoor Mirror Play

Bring an old handheld mirror outside and let your toddler explore reflections, leaves, and flowers in a whole new way.

Local Zoo or Petting Farm Visit

Many local zoos or petting farms offer discounted days or even free entry for young kids. Seeing and interacting with animals is always a hit with toddlers.

Playground and Snack Time

Combine a playground visit with a mini picnic. Bring along your toddler’s favorite snacks and enjoy them together after some active playtime.

Community Garden Walk

Many cities have community gardens open to the public. Walk through and point out flowers, vegetables, and plants while teaching your toddler about nature.

Farmer’s Field Exploration

If you live near a farm or rural area, ask permission to walk through a pumpkin patch, cornfield, or flower field. Your toddler will love the new textures and sights.

Visit a Boat Dock or Marina

Take your little one to a marina or boat dock. Watching boats come and go, hearing the water, and seeing fishermen at work can be mesmerizing for a toddler.

Chalk Art and Water Play

Bring some chalk to a sidewalk or park and let your little one scribble away. Pair it with a water bottle or small watering can to “wash” their drawings away—simple, clean fun!

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Train Car Exploration

If you live near an old train station or museum, check if they have outdoor train cars to explore. Many toddlers are fascinated by trains, and walking through an old one feels like an adventure.

Go Fruit Picking

If it’s the right season, head to a nearby farm for fruit picking. Toddlers love the repetitive action of picking fruit, and you get some fresh produce to take home.

Urban Fountain Splash Time

If your city has an urban fountain or splash pad, bring your toddler to explore the water. Even if it’s not warm enough to get wet, they’ll love watching the water patterns.

Walk to Watch Trains or Planes

Find a nearby spot to safely watch trains passing or planes taking off and landing. The size and noise will captivate your toddler’s attention.

Visit a Botanical Garden’s Free Day

Many botanical gardens offer free entry on certain days. Toddlers can safely wander paths and see flowers, fountains, and maybe even butterflies.

Outdoor Music Time

Bring along some small instruments like a tambourine or maracas to the park. Your little one will love making music in the open air, and it’s a great way to burn off energy.

Explore a Local Garden Center

Garden centers often have colorful plants and flowers, water features, and even small statues. Let your toddler wander through and take in the sights, sounds, and smells.

Visit an Outdoor Mall

Some outdoor malls have fountains, wide-open spaces, or even small play areas. It’s a great way to get out of the house without spending a lot.

Local Market Stroll

Find a nearby farmer’s market or flea market. The colors, sounds, and smells provide a sensory feast, and your toddler can enjoy small samples of fruit or bread.

Attend a Community Event

Check your local community board or Facebook groups for free events like outdoor concerts, festivals, or farmer’s markets. Many of these events are family-friendly and full of fun activities.

Walk in a Cemetery

This might sound unusual, but cemeteries are often peaceful, with wide paths perfect for little feet. Some even have interesting statues or historical markers to explore.

Playground Hop

Instead of visiting the same park, plan a morning where you visit two or three different playgrounds in your area. The variety of slides and swings keeps it exciting for your toddler.

Visit a Beach or Lake

If you’re near a body of water, a beach or lake visit can be perfect for toddlers. Let them play with sand, collect shells, or splash in the shallow water.

Sidewalk Obstacle Course

Draw an obstacle course with chalk, including lines to balance on, spots to jump, and shapes to run around. It’s free and gets your toddler moving!

Outdoor Sensory Bins

Bring a large container outside and fill it with leaves, sticks, or even water and toy boats. It’s a simple way to combine sensory play with fresh air.

Neighborhood “Garage Treasure Hunt”

During a neighborhood garage sale weekend, take your toddler to explore all the fun items being sold. You might even pick up a cheap new toy!

Explore a University Campus

Universities often have large, quiet green spaces, fountains, or even small museums that are perfect for a peaceful stroll. Your toddler can roam freely while you soak in the serene environment.

Try Geocaching with a Twist

Use a simple geocaching app to find kid-friendly caches nearby. Let your toddler “help” you look for hidden treasures like little trinkets or notes.

Outdoor Toy Car Races

Bring a few toy cars or trucks to a sidewalk or playground and have your toddler “race” them down slides, ramps, or hills.

Bug Safari

Take a magnifying glass and go on a bug safari. Look for ants, ladybugs, or butterflies. For a twist, encourage your toddler to count how many they see.

Visit a Wildlife Reserve

Many wildlife reserves or wetlands are free to enter. Let your toddler walk along safe paths and look for birds, frogs, or even turtles.

Community Events and Free Festivals

Check local listings for free outdoor festivals or events. Many have live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities like face painting.

Stroller-Friendly Hiking Trails

Find easy, stroller-friendly hiking trails in your area. Many trails have scenic views, bridges, or even wildlife to keep your toddler entertained along the way.

Attend an Outdoor Fitness Class

Many fitness classes for parents, like stroller fitness or yoga in the park, welcome toddlers. They can watch, wander nearby, or join in their own way while you stay active.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Christmas Tree Farm

Depending on the season, take your toddler to a pumpkin patch or tree farm. They can wander, touch pumpkins or trees, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Outdoor Puppet Show or Storytime

Some parks or local theaters host free outdoor puppet shows or storytime events. Your toddler will love the entertainment while enjoying the fresh air.

Host a Nature “Tea Party”

Bring a toy tea set to a park or yard and use leaves, flowers, or sticks to “brew” tea. Your toddler will love pretending alongside you.

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