Le guide des meilleures activités extérieures à faire en été

The Many Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors

Of course, it may seem obvious that spending time outside is far more beneficial than staying indoors. Yet in modern society, we often spend much more time sitting at desks than walking in nature. Summer is therefore the perfect opportunity to restore that balance and enjoy the many advantages of outdoor life.

For babies, it's a wonderful chance to freely develop their motor skills. More generally, time spent outdoors can quickly lead to improved attention spans, stronger concentration, better eyesight, more restorative sleep, enhanced immunity, and, of course, a happier mood.

Outdoor Activities for Babies Aged 0 to 12 Months

At this age, babies are discovering the world around them every day!

• A Sensory Play Session on the Grass
  All you need is a simple blanket placed in a shady spot. Your baby can gaze at the leaves moving gently in the breeze, and during tummy time, they can enjoy exploring the sound and texture of dry leaves. They may also begin to notice the various sounds of birds and nature. Feel free to add sensory toys to create a complete sensory exploration session.
  
  
• Simple Ball Games
  Using sensory balls, you can introduce your baby to play at their own pace: touching, throwing, exploring, catching, and occasionally putting them in their mouth! That's perfectly normal and part of the learning process.
  
  
• A Water Play Mat
  These inflatable mats come in various sizes and are easy to take on holiday. Filled with colors, shapes, and floating elements, they gently stimulate your baby's senses while encouraging tummy time—ideal preparation for crawling.
  
  
• The Magic of Soap Bubbles
  Nothing is simpler—or more effective—than blowing soap bubbles to amaze young children, even during their first year (spoiler alert: the fascination lasts for years!).
  Don't forget stroller walks, babywearing adventures, and playgrounds equipped with baby swings—all wonderful ways to enjoy the outdoors together.
  
  
  

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers Aged 1 to 3 Years

This is a period of curiosity, creativity, and fine motor skill development.

• Sound Hunts
  What better way to discover the world around us? Encourage your child to listen carefully and identify birds, frogs, cars, airplanes, and other everyday sounds.
  
  
• Water Play and Water Painting
  Buckets, cups, water pistols, paddling pools—the possibilities are endless depending on the space available. Water play is a fantastic way to cool off, stimulate imagination, burn off energy, and encourage a good night's sleep afterward. Water painting is another excellent outdoor activity that children love.
  
  
• Sidewalk Chalk
  A delightfully "forbidden" pleasure: drawing everywhere, knowing that a little water will wash it all away! All you need is one or two pieces of chalk, and even better if they're colorful. Affordable and easy to find, chalk allows children to express their creativity freely.
  
  
• A DIY Obstacle Course
  Gather whatever you have on hand—blocks, cushions, hoops—and create an obstacle course. It's a fun way to develop gross motor skills, coordination, and self-confidence. Go, little explorer!
  
  
• Sensory Bins
  Inspired by Montessori principles, sensory bins have become increasingly popular—and it's easy to see why. With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless. Fill containers with rice, sand, water, wood chips, soil, pebbles, or anything else you have available. Children can splash, scoop, pour, sort, and pretend-cook while stimulating all five senses.
  
  
  

Outdoor Activities for Children Aged 3 and Up

At this age, children are ready to work on balance, focus, and more structured play.

• Treasure Hunts and Hide-and-Seek
  Why not create a nature-themed treasure hunt? Challenge children to find a specific stone, leaf, flower, or tree. And if several children are gathered during the holidays, a game of hide-and-seek is always a guaranteed hit.
  
  
• First Board Games for Young Children
  Many compact games are easy to pack for long journeys or outdoor play sessions. Consider classics such as Dobble, Happy Families, simple card games, or bingo-style games that are suitable for younger children.
  
  
• Duck Fishing Game
  It may require a bit of preparation, but a duck fishing game inspired by traditional fairgrounds is always a crowd-pleaser—especially if you have a paddling pool available.
  
  
• Gardening and Observing Insects with a Magnifying Glass
  Many brands now offer gardening kits designed specifically for young children, allowing them to imitate grown-ups and marvel at the growth of herbs, flowers, and even small fruits if they're lucky. It's a wonderful way to learn patience and discover the basics of gardening. Finally, observing insects—with or without a magnifying glass—remains one of nature's most magical and fascinating spectacles.

Enjoy a Summer Full of Outdoor Adventures

We hope this non-exhaustive list has inspired you and provided plenty of ideas for the summer holidays ahead. Whether you're spending time in a garden, a park, or simply outdoors with your family, every moment in nature offers opportunities for learning, discovery, and unforgettable memories.