Toddlers develop healthy bones and muscles as well as a love for the outdoors when they are allowed to run and play outside, away from the television and more sedentary indoor activities. At the same time, parents and caregivers need to pay extra attention to toddlers playing outside, especially around water. According to MedlinePlus, a website from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, more accidents occur during the toddler years than during any other time in a child's life.
Playgrounds
Backyard and community playgrounds provide a host of fun activities for toddlers, who are beginning to master their gross motor skills. According to Scholastic Teachers, sliding on slides, climbing steps and pushing swings and other playground equipment are fun and challenging for effective muscle development. Toddlers gain a sense of independence and learn to trust their own bodies to support them in their physical endeavors on playgrounds. They can develop agility and confidence while building their social skills with other children.
Shadow Tracing
To toddlers, every game and outdoor activity are a learning experience as they explore and question their environment and their place within it. Teaching toddlers about shadows and how the sun creates them is a game youngsters can enjoy. On a sunny day, you can use sidewalk chalk to trace your child's shadow, if you can get him to stand still long enough. Continue the game by having him move to another position and drawing that shadow. Follow up by asking him to try and fit his body back in the traced form with his shadow, or let him color in his own features on the sidewalk figure.
Walking
As your toddler discovers the extent to which her body can move, use walking games to encourage her to explore her capabilities. Play follow-the-leader with your toddler, and have her follow you with marching steps, sliding feet and tiptoeing. Enjoy walks through the park, and allow her to walk up hills and down trails. On grassy areas, walk across with your shoes on, and then repeat the walk barefooted. Talk about the differences. Ask your child to lead and make up steps of her own.
Bubbles
Toddlers can have hours of fun blowing bubbles outdoors. According to Family Education, you can easily make homemade bubble solutions that will create large, strong bubbles. Combine one part dish detergent with about eight parts water, and add a couple tablespoons of glycerin that you can purchase in most pharmacies. Use round plastic bubble blowers, new bubble guns or plastic straws to fill the air with bubbles. Let the toddlers chase the bubbles, break them and try to catch them on their hands to build sharp eye-hand coordination.
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