Simple & FREE Summer Activities for Toddlers

Let’s be honest, summer with a toddler is equal parts magical and exhausting. There’s sunshine, sticky hands, wet clothes, and at least three snack requests before 10 a.m.

If you’re anything like me, you want to keep your little one busy without spending a small fortune on daily outings.

So here’s a roundup of some of our go-to free summer activities that are easy, fun, and toddler-approved.

Warm Weather Guide (FREE!!)

Before we get started, I wanted to share an awesome FREE guide I put together, perfect for summer! Whether you're heading to the splash pad, planning a picnic, or just trying to keep up with your toddler in the heat, this guide has you covered. Inside, you'll find tips on safe sun exposure, the best toddler swimsuits, nontoxic product swaps, summer toy must-haves, printable checklists, and more — everything you need to make summer fun and stress-free. Download it now and feel totally prepped for sunny days ahead!

1. Visit Your Local Library

If you’re not already a library mom, let me lovingly pull you into the club. Ours has toddler storytime, puzzles, toys, and free activities. Some even offer free craft kits to take home or special summer events. A lot of libraries also offer story time in the park during summer months, so check out your local library's calendar to see what is offered and when!

2. Splash Pads & Spray Parks

The MVP of summer. Free, fun, and you don’t have to get in the water (unless you want to). We bring towels, a few snacks, and let the chaos unfold. Toddlers live their best lives here — and mine usually takes a great nap after!

3. Nature Walks

This is one of our FAVORITES! (We get the whole family involved by bringing our dog Bali too!) Don’t overthink it either - just pick a shady trail or park and let them explore. Bring a bucket or bag and tell them it’s a treasure hunt. Look for leaves, rocks, sticks, bugs… anything. Or just let them walk and get energy out while breathing in fresh air and getting sun on their skin.

4. Picnics at the Park

Whatever’s in the fridge becomes a picnic if you pack it in a cooler and throw a blanket on the grass. Even fruit and cheese feel fancy outside. Let them graze while you sip something iced and enjoy the time together. These are great bento-box type containers that are perfect for packing picnic foods and snacks!

5. Farmers' Markets

We love visiting farmers' markets on the mornings our city has them — it’s colorful, busy, and full of free samples. We enjoy buying fresh produce, local goods, and connecting with farmers and small business owners in our area. Some markets have music, animals, bubbles, and other activities for kids! Most cities' farmers' markets are either on Saturday or Sunday morning, so research the closest market to you and enjoy!

6. Free Outdoor Concerts or Movie Nights

Check your city’s website or local mom groups — there’s usually something happening weekly in the summer. We bring a blanket, snacks, and let the kids run around barefoot in the grass while the adults try to have a conversation.

9. Free Museum Days

Many museums offer monthly free admission days or discounts for kids (and often toddlers under 3 are already free). Look into children’s museums, nature centers, or science exhibits — it’s a great way to change things up and enjoy AC at the same time.

10. Explore a New Playground

With a toddler, even small things can be an adventure, like trying a new playground! I just pick a playground we haven’t been to, pack a few snacks, and go. It keeps things exciting for them (and for me, honestly). Bonus points if it has a splash pad too!

11. Visit an Outdoor Garden or Nature Center

You’d be surprised how many beautiful gardens and nature preserves are totally free or donation-based. Toddlers love the open space, the flowers, and running through the beautiful landscape. Some even have walking paths perfect for strollers.

12. Touch-a-Truck Events

Okay, if you haven’t been to one of these — go. It’s a parking lot full of real trucks, tractors, fire engines, buses, and more that kids can climb on, honk, and explore. Check your local community calendar — they’re usually free and absolutely chaotic in the best way. TIP: If your little one tends to get overwhelmed with loud noises, pack some noise-cancelling headphones. The honking and beeping can get loud at times!

13. Watch Planes or Trains

Want to hear of an activity not many people think about or even consider as a possibility? Driving to the airport viewing area to watch planes take off. It’s so simple, so fun, and completely free. You can also check out a local train station or a crossing if your kid’s in that vehicle obsession phase.

If you loved all the information on this blog, check out my Toddler Summer Activities and Essentials blog, where I chat about our favorites, must-haves, toys, emergency car bag, and additional activities! It's filled with a ton of additional information to prep you for the best summer with your little ones!

Wrapping It Up

You don’t need a packed schedule or a big budget to make summer magical. Most of these things take little to no prep — just a water bottle, a few snacks, and the patience of a mom who knows the nap is coming eventually!

Let me know which ones you try — or if you have any favorite free activities I should add to our summer list!

Xo,

Jess