Daily fresh air is essential! It’s common to overemphasize prepared play for babies indoors but outdoors can be just as valuable and engaging. If you have a dedicated outdoor space, here are some tips for moving your baby’s play to the yard.

Tip #1: Create a comfortable space for you to supervise. Whether it’s setting up a hammock, swing, or chair, making an outdoor oasis is simple and impactful. The more likely you are to be and stay outside, the more likely your baby will want to be and stay outside. Young children want to play close to their grownups. Investing in an oversized picnic blanket with a non-mobile baby can be a great way to relax outside together.

Tip #2: Bring out a handful of their favorite toys from inside. You don’t have to spend a lot of money buying outdoor-specific toys. You can enjoy a whole multi-hour block of play under the sunshine by simply moving their favorite activities outdoors. Just be sure to bring toys back in when the play ends to prevent sun or water damage.

Tip #3: Define a space for toys that can stay outside. There are some outdoor staples worth cultivating a space for outside. Try using a small weatherproof rack or shelf with plastic buckets or baskets to hold a few options special to outdoor time, like bubbles, chalk, and bouncy balls.

Tip #4: Make outdoor play a part of your routine. If it’s summertime and tends to get too hot by noon, try early walks as part of your morning routine. If it’s winter, try mid-afternoon when the temperatures are more likely to rise. By making it a predictable part of your current routine, both you and baby may find it easier to get outdoor time each day.