Fun things to do outside with a 15-month old?

[LarsMal]

We are having crazy warm weather right now, and DS LOVES to be outside. Problem is that I'm so big and tired right now that I just can't do the park. He requires too much lifting and chasing around the playground equipment and I physically can't do it. I am feeling major guilt because I should have him outside, but I just don't know what to do with him!

Any ideas for things we can do outside that don't require too much running around? He has a ball he loves so maybe we'll go take that out and kick it around. Luckily we live on a cul-de-sac, so it's okay to be in the street.

Any ideas?!

[MarisaSF]

One of my favorite "lazy" outdoor activities is water painting. Take some paintbrushes (or sponges or rags) and a bowl of water and "paint" the sidewalk or whatever. No mess afterwards! :) Unlike sidewalk chalk, you don't need to worry about the mess or DC eating it.

DD likes to get her feet/shoes wet and make footprints with the water.

At 15 months, DD loved her push-ride wagon. Do you have one of those?

[table4three]

At 15 mo, DS loved pushing around his lawnmower (literally for 20-30 min at a time!), collecting the rocks from our landscaping in a bucket, lining them up, dumping them out, etc, we did coloring with crayons outside on an old kids picnic table we inherited from the previous home owners - not in great shape so I don't mind if crayons/markers get on it. Also we had a sand/water table which I only filled with water this year and he had a lot of fun with that.

Enjoy the weather!