Montessori Summer Activities for Toddlers (That Won’t Make You Lose Your Mind)

Summer with a toddler is a mix of sweet moments -like my son’s strawberry addiction- and little challenges—like nap time struggles when it’s too bright or hot.

But I honestly love this season of motherhood; it’s slower, more intentional, and full of new experiences for my son.

These ideas are nature-based mostly, include sensory learning, and are easy to set up—even on those sun-drenched afternoons when we’re all a little sleepy.

Here’s what we’re loving this summer. 🍓

1. Water Play Ideas (That Don’t Involve a Full Pool Setup)

Water to toddlers is like honey to bears, when it comes to toddler entertainment, especially when it’s hot out. Montessori play is all about real-life skills and hands-on learning. Here’s how we’re splashing this summer:

Stone Wash Station

Yesterday, my little one and I went full archaeologist mode—collecting stones, washing them with a bowl of soapy water, a brush, and a towel. And yes, he did brush his hair with the scrub brush at one point. 100% hilarious after I got him cleaned up.

Btw, I have a whole post on water sensory play ideas here :).

Toy Wash

Use a sponge, some bubbles, and your dirty toys. Your toddler learns cleaning, and gets soaked. Mine initiated this play by himself btw. Suddenly he picked up a rag and washed his toys in his bathtub.

Paddling Pool or Basin Splash

Toss in some safe kitchen tools. Funnels, measuring cups, bowls = science experiment level excitement.

Arctic Ocean Sensory Bin

Fill a clear tub with cold water, a few ice cubes, and use a blue towel underneath. Better than getting food color everywhere. Add toy whales, seals, penguins, and smooth stones or shells. My son loved this one a lot. Thought I had to make sure his hands wouldn’t get too cold. The ice survived surprisingly long.

2. Gardening Fun for Little Green Thumbs

Toddlers LOVE doing what you do, and nothing says Montessori like real work with tiny tools.

Here we planted some onions. He dripped over the wheel barrow and the earth somehow ended up on my head and in my mouth …

• Mini gardening tools: My son has his own tiny wheelbarrow, shovel, and watering can. It’s adorable and keeps him busy while I plant seeds or do stuff in the garden. This ones from when I was still a kid but the one on amazon looked really good.
• Watering plants: Super simple thought your plants might drown.
• Strawberry or berry picking: Good for picky eaters + fresh air. My toddler totally loves blueberries and strawberries. So this year I want to take him to a strawberry field.
• Seed planting: Let them dig, dump, and pat. And I think when something grows he’ll get super excited.

3. Nature-Based Montessori Summer Activities for Toddlers

We live in the German countryside half the year, and ticks are no joke (no grassy hill rolling here, thanks!). But there’s still tons of safe stuff.

• Nature walks with a basket: We collect leaves, flowers, and “treasures” like pinecones and cool sticks. Bonus: practice new words and colors. This cardboard tape activity also works in summer.

• Treasure hunt: I hide things from around the house in the garden and we go on a mini search.
• Forest playgrounds: These are something I want to try this year. Last year he was still too young. I’ll definitelly worry like crazy.
• The sand box. A classic that not only I, but also my toddler enjoys.

4. Simple, Sensory, and Indoors (for Rainy or Burnt-Out Days)

Rainy day? Here’s what we do when going outside just isn’t happening. Though as a true German I have to say. There is no too bad weather, just wrong clothes.

• Baking: Cupcakes or bread. My toddler loves real jobs—pouring, mixing, peeling bananas.

• Sensory bins: Pasta, rice, beans. Add spoons and cups, and you’re golden. Here are my favorite sensory bins.

• Sticker art or dot painting: Low mess, high concentration. Here are more no-mess drawing activities.
• Library trips: Air conditioning and really interesting if they have a kids section.
• Blanket forts: The old-school classic. Add a flashlight and some teddies for shadow play.

5. Bigger Adventures (If You’re Feeling Brave or Got Help)

Honestly I feel kids are easier to manage outside. (Besides eating out, that’s like super stressful.) These ideas aren’t neccessarily Montessori. Yet I think you might want to try some. If you have another adult or just feel like being supermom for a day you can try:

• Petting farms or petting coffee shops: Animals + toddlers <3
• Children’s museums: So much to touch, push, spin, and explore. I love those in Korea we went to a science museum and my son was fascinated, almost as much as his dad.
• Botanical Gardens: Maybe a bit hot in summer, still one of my favorite places to go.
• Themed Coffee Shops: We went to a Dinosaur Coffee Shop and to a giant one that was like four floors high. There are many kids coffee shops.
• The beach: – Summer = beach. I think I don’t even have to mention this.
• Boat safari: Go to the harbor and check out some boats.
• Zoo trip: It’s a lot, but the payoff is worth it unless it’s too hot.
• Pop-up backyard camping: Tent, snacks, pretend lanterns. My son LOVES this.

Final Tips from One Toddler Mama to Another

• Always bring snacks and enough water during summer. + Sunscreen.
• Don’t over-plan. One solid activity per day is enough.
• Keep a flexible summer rhythm, not a strict schedule.
• Don’t stress if something flops. Even brushing stones with hair is a memory. And if your toddler doesn’t like an activity move on to the next.