Do you feel like summer is on pause because you’re pregnant?
Some of your favorite summer activities—like patio drinks, hilly hikes, and suntanning—might be off-limits. Still, though, you can have lots of fun by modifying your favorite summer hobbies. From exercise to mocktails and crafts, we have a big list of ideas to suit every pregnant parent-to-be.
In this guide, you’ll learn the 19 best outdoor summer activities to do during pregnancy.
Outdoor Summer Activities for Pregnancy
There’s plenty of benefits to getting outside during pregnancy. Research has shown that nature may improve mental health, birth outcomes, and more. Below are 19 best ways to soak in those advantages.
Visit a Pool
Whether a local community pool or part of a club membership, visiting the pool is a great summer activity during pregnancy.
Exercise might be difficult and uncomfortable as your belly gets bigger and your ankles swell. However, being in water can provide both comfort and physical activity.
The buoyancy of water can help support your aching muscles and joints, allowing you to swim and move your body freely without pain. Being in water can also help swelling, a common pregnancy symptom.
Even dipping your feet and ankles in for 20 minutes can be enough to reduce swelling.
Visiting the pool is also a great pregnant summer activity if you have children. While they play in the water, you can relax by the pool and read a magazine or pregnancy book.
Make a Nature-Inspired Craft
Hang out in your backyard or a park one afternoon and get crafting. Below are a few ideas.
- Nature Mobile. Collect twigs, moss, feathers, pinecones, and more to create your own nature mobile to hang in the nursery. Learn more by reading DIY Woodland Nature-inspired Baby Mobile.
- Nature Sonogram Frame. Collect 4 twigs to make the frame and attach it using twine or glue. Decorate with flowers and leaves. When you’re finished, use it to frame your sonogram photo. Get the DIY instructions here.
- Nature Wall Hanging for Nursery. Instead of spending money on nursery wall décor, create your own using free findings from nature. For a list of ideas, read 12 Cheap and Easy DIY Nature Decor Ideas
Walk on a Trail
Hiking uphill can be too much of a battle with a growing baby belly. Instead, discover some local trails. Make sure to pack:
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
Avoid going out in the hottest hours of the day and if you can, choose cooler days for long walks.
Backyard Sports
Take an afternoon to play a few sports with your partner in the backyard or park. An informal sport ensures you won’t over exert-yourself. Ideas include:
- Soccer
- Frisbee
- Miniature golf
- Lawn bowling
Backyard or Balcony BBQ
If you have a backyard or apartment balcony, have a BBQ! Set a few chairs outside to soak up the sun’s rays and prepare your favorite grilling foods. For the full BBQ experience, trade alcoholic beverages for mocktails.
Choose a fun mocktail recipe from our guide: 12 BabyDoppler Summer Mocktails: Drinks During Pregnancy
Outdoor Movie Night
Summer days might be too hot during pregnancy, so take advantage of the cool nights. One idea is to host an outdoor movie night with a few friends. You could also turn it into a date night with your partner!
If you don’t have a projector, you can simply set up a laptop outside. Make it a cozy environment by:
- Laying down blankets
- Providing plenty of pillows
- Stringing up fairy lights
- Preparing snacks and drinks
Outdoor Prenatal Yoga
Bring your laptop into your backyard or to a park and follow a prenatal yoga routine. The combination of physical activity and the outdoors should have a mood-boosting effect, calming pregnancy anxieties.
Not sure where to start? Try these prenatal yoga follow-alongs on YouTube:
- 15-Minute Pregnancy Yoga | First, Second & Third Trimester Prenatal Yoga
- 10 Minute Prenatal Yoga for Beginners (Safe for ALL Trimesters)
- 25 Min Prenatal Yoga Workout | Gentle Full Body Class For A Healthy Pregnancy
For more tips, read: Prenatal Yoga: Your Ultimate Guide
Sounds of Nature Outdoor Meditation
Studies have shown that meditation has numerous benefits for pregnant women, including:
- Reducing stress
- Reducing blood pressure
- Improving pregnancy outcomes
- May help you stop smoking and drinking
Bring a cushion or blanket outdoors and meditate. For a simple meditation, close your eyes and aim to focus solely on the sounds around you (birds, wind blowing, cars driving by, etc.). Every time your thoughts drift away and you start thinking of your to-do list, bring your attention back to the sounds of nature.
You could also experiment with different types of meditation, like guided audio meditations that you can listen to with earphones.
Garden
Gardening is a good activity anytime, but especially during pregnancy. This year, consider making a new garden dedicated to your baby. Fill it full of perennials that will come back each year so you can tell your child the garden is as old as she is.
Here’s another fun idea: Plant a symbolic tree. It will grow alongside your child each year.
Discover Botanical Gardens
If you don’t have your own garden, take a stroll through a local community garden or botanical center. These display many varieties of flowers and plants, providing a calming atmosphere and fresh scents.
Picnic
Picnics are a great way to bond over a meal. Find a nice location and plan a picnic with your partner and friends. If you’re not up for preparing a meal, see if any local restaurants offer picnic packages.
For a romantic twist, have a midnight picnic and pack your favorite cheeses and crackers or chocolates.
Outdoor Concert
Music festivals may be too overwhelming during pregnancy and getting to the washroom can be a nightmare. But a low-key outdoor concert can be just as fun! Check your local city events for day concerts.
Go Berry Picking
Summer is the best time to go berry picking. Pay attention to when your favorite fruit is in season and look for local farms that offer picking. When you get home, make a special dessert or jam with your hand-collected fruits.
Experiment with Food Trucks
Food trucks are out in full swing in the summer season—perfect for those pregnancy cravings. Experiment with new dishes or choose your go-to to fulfill your craving.
Rent a Cabin
Thinking of having a babymoon? If you have the budget, why not rent a cabin in the woods or on the lake this summer? Get out in nature and use the quiet to bond with your partner before the baby comes.
For more tips on planning your babymoon, read: 12 Perfect Ideas for Babymoon Destinations in the U.S.
Disneyworld
Another idea if you’re planning a babymoon is to visit Disneyworld. Long lines on hot days might sound like a bad vacation. But surprisingly, there’s many safe and fun things to do at Disneyworld if you plan your trip right.
For tips on planning a Disneyworld vacation during pregnancy, read: 14 Safe Things To Do at Disneyworld During Pregnancy.
Boat Tour
If there’s a body of water near you, check to see if any local businesses offer tours. Taking a boat ride offers new sights and the wind blowing past can help keep you cool.
To add romance on the water, go for a dinner or lunch cruise excursion.
If you have to frequently pee during pregnancy, make sure to choose a boat with a bathroom.
Read in the Park
Instead of reading your baby books inside, take them outdoors! Whether a picnic bench, spot under a tree, or in your backyard, get some vitamin D as you learn.
Take a Fetal Doppler to the Park
Fetal dopplers are handheld devices that allow you to hear your baby’s heartbeat while she’s still inside the womb. Simply use ultrasound gel and the probe to find the heartbeat and listen as it’s amplified through speakers.
Using a fetal doppler outdoors can be a relaxing experience. Next time you’re going to the park, pack a blanket and a few cushions to lean on. Choose a shaded spot by a tree and recline back to use your fetal doppler. Try to be in the present moment as you take in your baby’s heartbeat alongside the wonderful sounds of nature.
Summary: Outdoor Summer Activities for Pregnancy
Although pregnancy might have you altering your summer plans, you can still have a ton of fun outdoors. From physical activity to reading and crafts, there’s plenty of reasons to get outside while you’re expecting.
Do You Have a Fetal Doppler Yet?
Many parents-to-be say that having a fetal doppler allows them to better bond with their baby. It’s one of the few chances you get to connect with your baby before birth!