Summer with a one-year-old can feel both fun and overwhelming. While it’s tempting to plan big outings, what your baby really needs at this stage is simple, engaging play that supports their development and keeps them happy and stimulated.
In their book Parenting from the Inside Out, Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and Mary Hartzell, M.Ed., explain that babies begin forming explicit memories after their first year, meaning these early experiences start to stick. That doesn’t mean you need elaborate plans. For one-year-olds, the best summer activities are often the simplest, sensory-rich moments that help them explore, learn, and connect.
Simple, sensory-based summer activities for a one-year-old can support early development, motor skills, and emotional bonding.
Summer Activities for Your One-Year-Old
We’ve compiled a list of fun, age-appropriate summer activities for your one-year-old. Remember, development varies — what’s perfect for one baby might not fit another yet. Pick and choose the ideas that work best for you, your baby, and your family!
1. Water Play
Water play is one of the easiest and most engaging summer activities for one-year-olds. Whether they’re sitting or standing, splashing and feeling water on their skin is a joyful sensory experience. The benefit of summertime is that you don’t have to wait for bath time to enjoy it! Here are some ideas of how a one-year-old can play with water:
- They can sit or stand in a tub or mini pool. You can gently kick their feet in the water or splash them up to their neck, which usually elicits many giggles.
- Water toys that they can stand or sit on and splash around with, like a splash pad.
- Sprinkler attachment to a hose to run through (or be carried through).
- Water toys with running water that they can put their hands under.
- Many outdoor parks have sprinklers or splash pads that are fun for one-year-olds. If they are walking, make sure to bring water shoes!
Related: Sensory Toys for Babies, Toddlers, and Kids: A Therapist’s Top Picks
2. Bubbles
Bubbles are simple, affordable, and endlessly entertaining for one-year-olds. You can buy a simple wand with bubbles or an automatic bubble machine. Combine bubbles with water play by adding them to your pool or tub of water (you can add shampoo or any soap)!
3. Playground or Park Time
The playground and/or park are always a lot of fun. Just look for one with a bucket swing and a small age-appropriate slide. It is also fun to bring a picnic lunch or snack, lie down a blanket, and bring some toys or books for your baby to play with under a tree.
4. Backyard Fun
You don’t have to leave home to create a fun summer experience for your baby. Your backyard can be easily equipped with age-appropriate outdoor toys and activities to turn any yard into a toddler haven. Consider installing a small playscape with a swing or slide, or hang a swing from your back patio. Or you could set up a canvas tent in the yard for outdoor play. And you can never go wrong with outdoor push toys like a toy lawnmower!
Related: 100+ Best Summer Activities for Kids
5. Explore the Neighborhood
Sometimes the simplest outings are the most exciting for one-year-olds. Take a stroll while pushing your baby in their stroller or, for added fun and visibility, in a small car they “drive,” and you push.
6. Music
Music is a great way to stimulate your baby’s senses and create joyful moments together. During the summer, there are often outdoor music festivals and concerts. Babies love music as long as it is not too loud. If your baby is extra sensitive to loud sounds, invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones for kids to still enjoy the sights and sounds while protecting their ears.
7. Make Healthy Treats
Let your little one “help” you make frozen fruit popsicles. One-year-olds usually love fruit, and you can take advantage of fresh fruit in the summer. Freezing it into a popsicle is fun and healthy to hold and enjoy. If your little one is sensitive to something cold, you can leave it out to defrost a little before giving it to them. You can use either teetherpops or pops in a tray.
Related: 100 Free Summer Activities for Kids
8. Take a Field Trip
Short, local outings can be exciting new experiences for your baby. Take your curious tot to the zoo (petting zoo is extra fun), aquarium, animal sanctuary, or even a pet store. In addition to bigger zoos, many cities have smaller places with animals such as birds, parrots, and butterflies.
9. Indoor Fun
When the heat is too much, indoor play spaces can be a great alternative. Even indoor places made for bigger kids, like the bouncy house playgrounds, often have a small dedicated space for toddlers. Be sure to call and check!
10. Interactive Play at Children’s Museums
Children’s museums are great indoor activities and usually have a special section for babies and toddlers. Most, if not all, of the exhibits in children’s museums are highly interactive and fun!
A big trip to Disney may be in your future, but for now, simple, local activities are often exactly what your one-year-old needs. Whether you’re splashing in the backyard or exploring a nearby park, these small moments support your baby’s development in meaningful ways.
Enjoy this season. You’re not just passing the time, you’re helping your baby learn, grow, and experience the world around them.
