1 year old playing outside

[Haz1516]

Hi,

Does anyone have any tips for outdoorsy play for a 1 year old? My baby has just turned 1, is a confident walker and loves being outside. However, he constantly seems to be attracted to the most dangerous and dirty things, like splashing stagnant, dirty bits of water, digging up the soil, shaking bird feeders that are surrounded by poo etc etc. I end up feeling stressed and pulling him away, so be then gets upset.

Do I just need to chill out and accept that he will eat all the bacteria and be constantly dirty? Or are there some strategies to try?

Distract with things he is allowed to play with. Bubbles are brilliant for this.

Digging in soil is OK, bird feeders less so. Can he play with water in garden instead?

Think of it this way. The more exposure he has to filth, the stronger his immune system will be! Just let him be. :) honestly it's good for their health. Kids that grow up on farms have the best immune systems!

Get an outside water/sand play table

Covered sand pit, little watering can, old paint brush and paint with water, water table with plastic tubs to pour water in and out of. Push along lawnmower or wheel barrow. Kicking a soft ball around.

Most kids are attracted to the dirtiest things, they are like magnets to everything you don't want them to play with. There's no real harm in digging in the soil, this is really good for their gross and fine motor skills, of course when they try to eat it, you teach them not to. Bird dirt is not safe to play around, so I would keep them away from that. You can replace the things they enjoy with 'clean things' so for eg dirty water on the ground, you can get some water toys for outdoors, a paddling pool filled with water, you can buy tables that hold sand and water or just fill a couple of pots or basins with water and sand is really fun for them too. They love splashing their hands in it. Another thing that is really fun is a basin with a small amount of raw rice. I think once you find the things they enjoy you can set the safer version up easily enough in your garden. Of course watching them all the time.

I brought some play sand and a box with a lid, some plastic spades, some plastic toys, chuck some old clothes on and away we go! Still likes to have a root round the plants though!

Thank you all for the ideas and suggestions!