Outside play 1 and 3 yr olds?

Nov5Mrs.

My 1 year old is not walking yet (13 mos) and I'd love to be able to play more outside, but I'm not sure where to put him. We have a swing, but he only likes that for maybe 15 minutes. He crawls around in the grass, but he also eats it! Any tips?

 

schnappycat

I'm in the same boat with a 13 mo not walking yet. I have no idea. I put her in the sandbox and it is usually ok for a little while, but that's about it. She HATES the feeling of grass, so won't even crawl around in it. And we don't even have a swing. I generally try to get all of the outside playing done with DS while she is napping. And when she's awake, we try to either take walks with her in the stroller, wagon, or trike or just go to the park where she can swing. I'm also at a loss.

This is such a tough age for playing outside!  

smitt2619

I have a 16m and a 4yo.  My DS2 is walking, and very well, but sometimes he actually prefers to sit in the stroller and watch rather then play (why, we don't know!).  Would your little like to sit in the stroller and watch, maybe snack a bit?  Otherwise bring out a blanket and some toys.  Can he walk with push toys, how about bringing one of those outside. 

franciscaz

At that age I loved to pull out a big blanket and bring their favorite toys while Harmon would play.

julygal

At that age I often pulled our activity center (like an exersaucer) outside and let him sit in that.  DS would play with the toys, watch DD play, and eat a snack. Many days that kept him occupied a good 30-45 min.  I could couple that with allowing him to explore the grass some or sit on a blanket and get a good chunk of outdoor time.  When we went to the playground I'd let him sit in the stroller with a snack and some stroller toys for a bit, then let him do any equipment geared for his age and let him dig in the mulch some (yes I had to watch him so he didn't eat it).  We couldn't stay at the playground as long as we could play in our backyard though.  

shouldbworkin

I'd think a 13 mos old that can pull up could play at the sand/water table for awhile.  Playing in a sand box works too.  Put out a blanket with some toys on it for him, as well. 

Brewtowngrl

We let DS2 play in the water table, sand box, and he loves to chase balls around the yard.  He is not walking either. 

snippet

franciscaz:

At that age I loved to pull out a big blanket and bring their favorite toys while Harmon would play.

This!  Somehow the big blanket kept DD feeling secure, and she would just crawl around on the blanket (she never even crawled off of it!) and play with her toys.  Once she started walking, it got a little easier.