Toddlers, or children between 12 to 36 months old, should receive at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity and 60 minutes of unstructured physical activity each day, according to the website KidsHealth.org, citing information from the National Association for Sports and Physical Education. Outdoor games provide toddlers with the opportunity to develop fitness, health, social skills and sensory learning.
Red Light, Green Light
Penn State University suggests games involving "stop and go" exercises for toddlers. "Red Light, Green Light" provides a structured game for kids that gets them moving and associating instructions with appropriate responses. Stand across the yard from your toddler and instruct her to run toward you when you say "green light" and to stop when you say "red light." Switch up the activity, and have her hop, dance, roll or skip toward you when you say "green light," stopping when you say "red light."
Follow the Leader
Take your toddler to a local park or playground for a fun game of "Follow the Leader." Using the surroundings and play equipment, lead your child around the park in an obstacle-course fashion. Crawl through the sand box, hop to the swings, dance to a park bench and balance while walking across the bench. Encourage creativity and ask your child which movements he liked the best, adding more of those into the course. After demonstrating how to lead, give your toddler the opportunity to lead you around the park. "Follow the Leader" will keep both you and your child active and engaged, helping you meet physical activity guidelines together.
Wiffle Ball
Penn State suggests hitting and batting as an activity appropriate for 2- and 3-year-old children. Purchase a batting tee and a wiffle ball set and head to the park to help your child develop hand-eye coordination. Set up the tee, placing the wiffle ball on top, and demonstrate to your child that you want him to swing the light-weight bat and hit the ball off the tee. Most children will have a blast learning this new skill. In time, try soft-tossing the ball to your child, encouraging her to swing at and hit the moving ball.
Wiffle ball also provides you with an opportunity to practice throwing and catching with your toddler. Practice tossing the ball back and forth, and as your child develops her throwing skills, encourage throwing accuracy and form.
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