The Outdoor Toddler Activity We Do Almost Every Day (And It Costs Less Than $10!)
Updated: Aug 15
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I have a backyard, front yard, and garage full of outdoor toys for the twins, and yet there is one activity we do almost every single day that stands out above all the rest.
Watercolor paints.
I actually wasn't planning on writing about this today. But after the boys spent nearly an hour painting, washing toy dishes in their play sink, "dirtying" monster trucks so they could wash those too, and happily mixing colors together, I knew I had to crank out a blog post during naptime.
We had one whole hour of no whining. No fussing. No boredom. Just pure, independent-play bliss. And it was so amazing, I had to write about it!
If you're looking for an easy outdoor toddler activity that's inexpensive, low-prep, and keeps little ones entertained, here's why watercolor paints have become our favorite.
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Everything You'll Need
You really don't need much.
Watercolor paint palette
A few different paint brushes
A cup or bowl of water
Watercolor paper (optional)
Spray bottle (optional)
That's it!
Here’s Why This Is My Favorite Outdoor Toddler Activity
Easy Set-Up & Storage
I keep all of our watercolor palettes in the same storage bin as our sidewalk chalk along with a handful of paint brushes and a continuous mister spray bottle (to easily wet the palettes with). When the boys want to paint, they know exactly where everything is, and we're ready to go in just a couple of minutes.
I also keep different sizes and colors of paint brushes in the bin. It gives them a little independence because they get to choose which brush they want—and it also prevents arguments over who gets which one.
If you want to keep things cleaner, I have a mess mat in my outdoor storage area, too, which definitely helps make this activity tidier.
Honestly, I think part of the reason we do this activity so often is because everything is already organized and ready to grab. With three little kids, I've learned that if an activity takes too much effort to set up or clean up, we're probably not going to do it very often. I keep all of our most-used outdoor toys and activities accessible to the twins, while everything else has its own designated spot.
👉 If outdoor toys are taking over your yard, too, check out my post:
to see exactly how I keep everything organized and accessible for the kids.
It Encourages Independent Play
Out of everything we own, this activity keeps their attention the longest. The twins will happily paint independently for 30 minutes to an hour, but one of my favorite parts is watching them learn from each other. One will try something new, and within seconds the other is copying it. They bounce ideas back and forth without me having to direct much of anything. As a mom? That's a huge win.
One Activity Turns Into Five
This is probably my favorite part. It's so easy to expand upon their play and keep it going! Today we painted our play dishes and then rinsed them in our little outdoor play sink.
Other days we:
Paint toy monster trucks before taking them through the "car wash."
Paint rocks.
Paint leaves.
Paint cardboard boxes.
Mix different paint colors together just to see what happens.
Fill bowls with colored water and transfer it back and forth with measuring cups and soup ladles.
The watercolor paints are really just the starting point. Once they're out, the boys come up with all kinds of creative ways to keep the fun going.
Easy Clean-Up
The boys literally paint everything. Our porch. The landscaping rocks. Their toys. Sometimes even themselves… or me!
But that's exactly why I love doing this activity outside. A little water from the hose or a baby wipe is usually all it takes to clean everything up, and I'm not stressing about paint getting on my floors or furniture.
It's Incredibly Budget-Friendly
One of the best parts about this activity is how inexpensive it is. A Crayola watercolor palette and a few paint brushes cost less than $15, and they'll last us a surprisingly long time.
The outdoor play sink is completely optional, but it's been one of our favorite additions because it naturally expands the activity into imaginative play.
Honestly, though, you don't even really need any fancy supplies. One day we filled a few mixing bowls with water, added different paint colors to each one, and the boys spent forever scooping, pouring, and mixing the colors together with an old soup ladle. ⤵
Final Thoughts
Playing outdoors with toddlers doesn't have to be expensive, complicated, or Pinterest-perfect. This activity is quick, cheap, and easy and it’s something we keep coming back to.
If I could only keep one outdoor activity for my toddlers this summer, it would honestly be watercolor paints. They're inexpensive, easy to set up, encourage creativity and independent play, and somehow never seem to get old. I think it's great for all ages, too! My 4 year old niece even asks to paint rocks outside now whenever she comes over!
Now if you'll excuse me... I have a few watercolor-covered monster trucks waiting to be washed.
Posted from the heart,
Mama Poe
Continue ReadingIf you're looking for more toddler content, check out these posts: 🛝 How I DIY'ed Our Unfinished Basement Into a Toddler Playroom 💦 5 Budget-Friendly Outdoor Toy Organization Ideas That Actually Stay Organized 💤 Why Your 2-Year-Old Suddenly Stopped Sleeping (And What Helped Us get Through It) |
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