Five baby outdoor play ideas and five tips to keep outdoor play safe
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Spring has finally sprung and with the sun making an appearance, you might be thinking about heading out into the garden with your baby or toddler.
But what exactly can you do to keep them safe and entertained outdoors? We’ve shared five baby outdoor play ideas and five essential tips on how to ensure safe outdoor play. So, whether you’re planning a garden picnic or a water splash session, we’ve got your back.
What you'll find in this blog
Five fun baby outdoor play ideas 1. Roll out a baby play mat outdoors 2. Make baby friendly ice lollies 3. Get your baby to help water the plants 4. Try splish, splash, and stack cups 5. Take the ball pit outside Head straight to your favourite Five top tips to ensure safe outdoor play for babies and toddlers 1. Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight 2. Slather on the suncream (for babies over six months) 3. Keep them hydrated 4. Never leave them unsupervised 5. Take regular breaks Prepared for hot weather? Read our other blogs
Five fun baby outdoor play ideas
1. Roll out a baby play mat outdoors
Throwing down a blanket might seem like a good idea until it’s soggy, muddy or covered in crumbs and spills. Instead, opt for an outdoor play mat for baby, like our Foldable Baby Play Mat. It’s super squishy, waterproof so it’s easy to wipe clean and perfect for outdoor adventures. Even better, it comes in three fun designs: safari, ocean friends and stars.
2. Make baby friendly ice lollies
Keep your baby cool on hot days with homemade ice lollies. Our Fruitsicles Ice Pop Tray is perfect for hotter days with your baby. Just fill with fruit purée (from six months) or try very diluted fruit juice if your child is over 12 months, pop in the easy grip handles and then freeze. The handles even have drip trays, so no more stickiness.
3. Get your baby to help water the plants
If you're looking for something playful and practical, try our Fun Watering Can. Toddlers can help water the plants and younger babies (from six months) will love practising their pouring skills onto the mat. It’s a great way to combine outdoor play and practising fine motor skills.
4. Try splish, splash, and stack cups
Water play = guaranteed giggles. Our Splish Splash Stacking Cups are a simple but genius addition to your outdoor play collection. Stack, scoop, and sprinkle with these five colourful cups, each of which has holes in the base for your child to create mini waterfalls. Perfect for babies 9 months and up to practise hand eye coordination and shape recognition.
5. Take the ball pit outside
Who says ball pits are just for indoors? On warm, dry days, move your baby ball pit outdoors and let the fun roll. Our Baby Ball Pit (suitable from 10 months) helps to encourage hand eye coordination and motor skill development, without needing to leave your outdoor space.
Head straight to your favourite
Take a look at the five featured Nuby products and go straight to the product that will match your child's perfect idea of playtime.
Five top tips to ensure safe outdoor play for babies and toddlers
1. Keep babies under six months out of direct sunlight
Babies under six months shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Use a parasol or sunshade when they’re outside and try to keep older babies shaded as much as possible too, especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
2. Slather on the suncream (for babies over six months)
Once your baby hits the six month mark, it’s suncream time. Use SPF 50+ suncream that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply every two hours, or more often if they’re sweaty or soggy. Remember: no suncream for babies under six months.
3. Keep them hydrated
Breastfed babies don’t usually need extra water unless they’ve started solids. Formula fed babies can have a bit of cooled, boiled water alongside their feeds. From six months, offer sips of water with meals. Once they hit 12 months, you can try making frozen lollies from water or very diluted fruit juice, just keep juice to mealtimes as it can cause tooth decay.
4. Never leave them unsupervised
Whether it’s water play or ball pit fun, supervision is a must. Babies and toddlers should never be left alone outdoors, even for a minute. Yes, even when they seem totally engrossed.
5. Take regular breaks
Hot weather can creep up on you and little bodies heat up fast. Make sure your baby or toddler takes breaks in the shade, drinks plenty of fluids and gets a chance to cool off. Outdoor play is great, but balance is key.
Looking for more outdoor play ideas? Take a peek at our baby toys and baby bath toys, some are perfect for sunny garden days and make brilliant outdoor water play toys too.
Prepared for hot weather? Read our other blogs
If your eyes are peeled for tips during hot weather, here are two more Nappy Hour Club blogs to help during warmer temperatures or while you're on holiday.
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