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The cold water from the sprinkler was equal parts refreshing and shocking compared to the scorching sun. I could feel the wet grass squish under my bare feet. The smell of the fresh cut grass, sunscreen, and that unmistakable smell of hose water filled the air.  

These were the kind of days my childhood summers were filled with as I grew up in the 90s. 

Memorable. Simple. Fun. Uncomplicated. 

These are the kinds of summers I want for my kids. 

And yet, I feel so much pressure for our summers to be curated and picture perfect. Matching outfits. Extravagant vacations. Pinterest-worthy summer crafts. 

None of that is bad. In fact, I’d love all of it. But my toddlers can be a whirlwind… And they truly don’t care if I got a picture of them in their matching swimsuits because they just want to play. 

Social media opened the floodgates of comparison in motherhood (if you feel that, this post is for you). And that shows up for me the most during the summer. 

“What big trips do you guys have?”

“Do you have any exciting weekend plans?”

Seeing pictures of day trips and themed playdates and beautifully curated summer bucket lists… I stop and wonder if my toddlers are having a good enough summer because our big adventure was going to the library and having a meltdown in the parking lot. 

But the truth is, my kids’ attitude about summer (and anything really) starts with me. 

And some days, I’ll have the energy to do extravagant crafts and homemade cupcakes and backyard parties. 

But most days, I just want the simple days of watching my kids play out back in their pjs while I sip my coffee on the patio. 

So, this summer, I’m trading fuller days for slower ones.  Because my toddlers don’t need a “perfect” summer. What they need, and want, is a summer where mom is present enough to enjoy it with them. 

If you’re craving a softer, slower kind of summer too, these are the nostalgic, 90s-inspired toddler summer activities we’re leaning into this year. 

90s Summer Toddler Activities for Simpler Summers

1. Sidewalk chalk everywhere. 

Sidewalk chalk on the back patio. On the sidewalk. On our covered front porch, when it’s raining. Wood fences. And a pack of sidewalk chalk even stays in the car for impromptu park trips. 

Why I love it:

My kids get to be creative and practice their fine motor skills. It’s easy cleanup and zero setup. 

The nostalgia factor:

It reminds me of learning how to play hopscotch in kindergarten. 

2. Popsicles on the front porch

Toddlers love popsicles. They’re sweet, sticky, cold, and basically a full sensory experience for them. And honestly? It buys me 15 minutes of relative stillness and quiet.

Why I love it

Eating popsicles outside means easier cleanup, slower evenings, and a fun little ritual that feels special without requiring any real effort.

The nostalgia factor

This reminds me of my grandmother making homemade popsicles in tiny paper cups and peeling the sides away once they froze.

(If you want to make your own, I shared our favorite homemade popsicle recipe here. The paper cup method still works, but I also love these popsicle molds for easier cleanup.)

3. Swimsuits & sprinklers

We all saw this one coming. Running through a sprinkler is peak 90s summer nostalgia. Plus, it helps keep our grass watered… I tell my husband as I purchase a new backyard sprinkler… 

Why I love it:

It keeps my toddlers cool on hot days and they go to bed so much easier after because it truly wears them out. 

The nostalgia factor:

It reminds me of post-dinner sprinkler “fights” with my brother. Neither of us ever made it out dry. 

4. Simple library trips

Our library has a kid section with coloring pages, stuffed animals, puzzles, and toddler-sized tables. They also hold weekly preschool story times. But just going and reading new and different books to my toddlers is such a blast. 

Why I love it:

Reading to our kids is one of the ultimate mom power moves. Like it is SO good for them and their early literacy skills. 

The nostalgia factor:

Stumbling across books that I’d forgotten about from my own childhood. 

5. Picnics in the yard 

You could even have a picnic in the living room on rainy days. Or in the park if you need a true change of scenery. Put down a big blanket, set easy foods out. Deli turkey. Pretzels. Fruit. Apple juice boxes. 

Why I love it:

My toddlers love eating anywhere except the table, so this is a family favorite. And I usually just let everyone eat straight from the bag so no dishes to clean up. 

The nostalgia factor:

Picnics with my cousin at my grandparents farm, always with orange Fanta to drink. 

6. Blanket forts

All the cushions come off the sofa. Dining room chairs line up as anchors to hold the blankets in place. Pillows, flashlights, books inside. And suddenly my toddlers disappear into their own little world for the rest of the afternoon.

Why I Love It

Besides the fact that my toddlers play independently for a while? It becomes this cozy little clubhouse where memories are quietly being made.

The Nostalgia Factor

It reminds me of building pillow forts in the living room to protect ourselves from the “Tickle Monster” (aka my dad).

Real Mom Tip

If you love the idea of blanket forts but don’t want to rebuild one seventeen times a day, my toddlers also play with this little indoor play tent constantly and it gives the same cozy vibe with way less effort on my end.

7. Post-dinner neighborhood walks

Let the kitchen mess linger and go for a family walk after dinner. If your toddler is already worn out, use the stroller. But if you want an especially easy bedtime, let them walk or ride their scooter/bike/etc and they’ll get the rest of their energy out before bed. 

Why I love it:

We get family time while getting to see our neighbors. Post-dinner means it’s starting to cool off as the sun sets. Plus I get my steps in. 

The nostalgia factor:

It brings me back to riding in our red Radio Flyer wagon as my mom and dad took turns pulling us through the neighborhood. 

8. Pj, cereal, & cartoon morning

Another prime 90s nostalgia activity. Not every morning. Or maybe every morning. We’ll see how the summer unfolds, and there’s no judgment here. But most of the experience of nostalgic 90s summers has to do with letting the day unfold instead of cramming so much into it.

Why I love it:

I’m a snuggler. If the tv is on, my kids are snuggling. Oxytocin overload annnnd I get to have a slow morning? Win-win. 

The nostalgia factor:

Watching Barney in the wooden rocking chair my mom bought me while eating just the marshmallows out of my Lucky Charms. 

9. Just letting the day unfold

Grocery trips. Folding laundry. Letting my toddlers pick whatever toys they want to play with instead of me curating their day. 

Why I love this:

Zero pressure. I have a chance to take care of “me” and our home. The kids may help. Or slow me down. Usually both. And once I get over the momentary annoyance, I realize that’s exactly what I want. 

The nostalgia factor:

Days that were quiet and led to my brother and I inventing new roads for his hot wheels, homes for my stuffed animals, annnnnd maybe a play barbershop experience gone wrong (hide your scissors, moms)!

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Maybe a good summer doesn’t have to be packed full to be meaningful.

“Maybe a good summer doesn’t have to be packed full to be meaningful.”

Maybe it just needs:

• slower mornings
• messy memories
• sticky popsicle fingers
• and enough margin for us to actually enjoy it too.

And honestly?

That sounds a lot like the summers I remember most.

If you want more simple motherhood routines, check out some of my most popular posts:

How to Survive Two Under Two (Without Losing Yourself in the Process)

How I Close Out the Day When Everything Feels Like Too Much (A Simple Night Reset for Moms)

How I Get Things Done With Toddlers at Home (Without Screens)