Long summer days are made for backyard play. The trick is to keep little ones busy, cool and sun-safe without a trip out every day. Here are 25 easy summer play ideas for kids aged 1 to 6. Most need nothing more than water, sand, a few kitchen cast-offs and a shady spot.
Key takeaways
- Play in the cooler parts of the day, and keep shade, hats, sunscreen and water bottles handy.
- Water play needs an adult within arm's reach, and the pool emptied straight after.
- Mix active play with quiet time in the shade to avoid overheating and meltdowns.
- Simple materials win: water, sand, soil, leaves, cups, jugs and spoons.
Before you start: summer sun safety
Australian summer sun is strong, so plan play around it. Cancer Council's SunSmart advice is easy to remember: slip on clothing, slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.
- Time it right: early mornings and late afternoons are cooler and kinder on skin.
- Shade the play space: every Growplay Junior Play Module comes with a shade roof (on The Launch Pad, it's for playpen use).
- Drink plenty: keep water bottles where they can reach them and offer drinks often.
- Check surfaces: paving, toys and equipment left in the sun can get hot. Feel them before little hands and feet do.
Water play ideas
- Waterfall builder: pour water down a water wall and move the chutes to change its path. The Lagoon's Activity Wall has eight chutes that can be moved to new positions.
- Sink or float: collect a spoon, a leaf, a cork and a toy boat. Guess first, then test.
- Toy car wash: a bucket of soapy water, sponges and every toy car in the house.
- Paint with water: a bucket and a big brush turn fences and pavers into a canvas that dries and disappears.
- Ice treasure: freeze small toys in containers of water, then let them melt or chip them free in the pool.
- Pouring station: cups, jugs, funnels and a colander. Endless filling and emptying.
Keep the water shallow and stay within arm's reach the whole time. The Lagoon's maximum fill is 230 mm (up to 200 litres), and it should be emptied as soon as play is over.
Sand play ideas
- Castles and moats: damp sand holds its shape, so keep a watering can close.
- Fossil dig: bury toy dinosaurs and hand over a paintbrush to uncover them.
- Sand and water rivers: dig a channel and pour water in to watch it flow.
- Footprint art: press hands, feet and toys into damp sand and guess whose print is whose.
- Road trip: flip The Beach Shack's cover to the road-map side and drive toy cars from the sand to the mat.
Cover the sandpit at the end of the day to keep pets and leaves out. Not sure how much sand you need? Read our sandpit sand guide.
Mud kitchen ideas
- Mud pie bakery: soil and water in a muffin tray, decorated with petals and leaves.
- Garden potions: herbs, petals and water in jars. Name them and invent what they do.
- Ice-cream shop: scoop "ice cream" from wet sand into cups and take orders.
- Colour mixing: a few drops of food colouring in jugs of water. What makes green?
- Plant something: sow fast-growing seeds in small pots and water them from the tap each day.
The Work Station's 2-litre tank and tap mean no running back to the house for water. Find more ideas by age in our mud kitchen guide.
Get moving
- Bounce games: count the bounces, freeze when you call "stop", or bounce like a kangaroo. The Launch Pad has a net enclosure and padded surround, and a 50 kg limit.
- Sprinkler dash: run through the sprinkler, then dry off in the sun (with sunscreen on).
- Backyard obstacle course: hop over the hose, crawl under a sheet and balance along a line.
- Bubble chase: a big bubble wand and a breeze. Catch them before they pop.
- Treasure hunt: hide a few toys around the yard and give picture clues.
Quiet and cool
- Shady story time: books, cushions and a drink in the shade. The Cabana's day bed has room for you too.
- Cool-down snacks: frozen fruit, icy poles or chilled watermelon after a busy morning.
- Nature tray: collect leaves, gum nuts and flowers, then sort them by colour or size.
- Cloud watching: lie back in the shade and find shapes in the sky.
Bring it all together in one space
Growplay Junior joins 2 to 5 Play Modules into one shaded play space, so children can move from splashing to digging to a rest without leaving the backyard:
- The Beach Shack: sandpit
- The Work Station: mud kitchen
- The Lagoon: paddling pool
- The Cabana: day bed
- The Launch Pad: trampoline
For older siblings who want to climb, swing and hang, take a look at Growplay Monkey Bars.
Frequently asked questions
What can kids do in the backyard in summer?
Water play, sand play, mud kitchen cooking, active games like bouncing and sprinkler dashes, and quiet time in the shade. Mix busy and calm activities through the day.
What is the best time of day for outdoor play in summer?
Early morning and late afternoon, when it's cooler and the sun is less intense. Follow Cancer Council's SunSmart advice whenever you're outside.
How do I keep kids cool playing outside?
Play in the shade, offer water often, plan water play for the hottest part of the day and take breaks for cool snacks.
Is water play safe for toddlers?
With active adult supervision, yes. Stay within arm's reach, fill only to the maker's maximum (230 mm for The Lagoon) and empty the pool as soon as play is over.
See every Growplay Junior set.
