Spending time outside is essential for all kids! A few of the best outdoor toys for kids can encourage your little ones to step outside and engage in active, imaginative play.
Outdoor toys are not just about fun; they’re about fostering a love for the outdoors, developing physical skills, and promoting social interaction among kids. From a simple ball to the thrilling adventure of climbing domes to the creative potential of mud kitchens, many great options exist for kids.
Whether you’re looking for something to suit a bustling backyard party or searching for the perfect toy to encourage solitary exploration, I’ve got you covered.
So, let’s jump right in and discover the outdoor toys that will make this year unforgettable for your kids!
- Looking for toys for younger kids? Check out all my favorite outdoor toys for one-year-olds!
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Best Outdoor Toys for Kids
Adding a few fun and engaging toys to your backyard can be a great way to help kids get outside! Here are some of my favorite backyard toys for kids.
1. Trampoline
Trampolines are excellent backyard toys for kids. They combine fun and physical exercise in a way that appeals to all ages.
They help improve balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health while encouraging social play. Safety features like enclosures have made trampolines safer, ensuring kids can enjoy bouncing with minimal risk.
Suitable for a wide age range, trampolines offer great value as a long-lasting source of entertainment and physical activity for the entire family.
Add to the fun by:
- building a trampoline fort
- hosting a trampoline sleepover
- adding a trampoline basketball hoop
2. Slackline
Slacklines offer a unique combination of fun and physical benefits, making them a great outdoor toy for kids. Kids love the challenge of slowly building their slackline skills!
They challenge kids to maintain balance and coordination, enhancing core strength and motor skills in an engaging way. As kids navigate the slackline, they develop concentration and focus, skills that are beneficial both in and out of school.
I love that slacklines are adjustable and portable, allowing for various levels of difficulty and making them suitable for different age groups and environments. This versatility adds to their appeal.
- Check out all my favorite slacklines for kids and families!
3. Balance Bike
Balance bikes are an essential outdoor toy for kids!
They make a great first bike for kids because they focus on teaching balance and coordination without the distraction of pedals.
Kids can start riding balance bikes earlier than they might with traditional pedal bikes.
Balance bike riders’ transition to pedal bikes becomes smoother, often eliminating the need for training wheels.
I absolutely love Strider balance bikes! They are the perfect size for even the smallest riders, and the seat can be raised as kids grow. You can often find used Strider bikes at the thrift store or on Facebook marketplace.
- Check out all my favorite wooden balance bikes!
4. Balls
Balls are a classic toy for kids!
They offer simplicity yet endless possibilities for play and physical development, making them perfect for encouraging gross motor play.
Balls are super fun and engaging for kids, all while encouraging running, throwing, kicking, and catching. All that movement helps improve kids’s gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and overall physical fitness.
They’re affordable, easy to transport, and can be used in numerous settings, making them an ideal toy for outdoor play.
5. Bounce House
What kid doesn’t love to play in a bounce house?!
You might be surprised to learn that you can buy one for a few hundred bucks for your backyard. And that’s money well spent since a bounce house will engage kids for hours!
A bounce house combines fun, physical activity, and social interaction in a safe environment. It encourages kids to jump and bounce, which helps develop their coordination and strengthen their muscles.
They’re perfect for playdates with friends or a regular backyard day.
- Looking for an extra magical bounce house? Check out all the best unicorn bounce houses!
6. Stomp Rocket
Stomp rockets are an exhilarating outdoor toy that kids always seem to love. Through play, these rockets captivate kids’ interest in physics and aerodynamics.
By running, jumping, and stomping to launch the rockets, kids enhance their coordination and gross motor skills. This hands-on experience with cause and effect also sparks curiosity as kids experiment with different launch techniques to see how high and far the rockets can go.
Stomp rockets are a fantastic way for kids to play together. I’ve seen kids come up with all kinds of exciting games involving stomp rockets!
7. Climbing Dome
A climbing dome offers a unique blend of physical and cognitive benefits, making it an outstanding outdoor toy for kids. It encourages active play and improves kids’s strength, coordination, and agility as they navigate their way up, over, and around it.
The dome’s geometric structure challenges kids to think creatively and plan their routes, enhancing their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
Durable and suitable for various ages, climbing domes provide a safe, engaging environment for kids to explore their abilities and push their limits.
- Check out all my favorite backyard climbing domes and outdoor climbers for kids!
8. Jump Rope
Anyone else have good memories of learning new jump rope tricks as a kid?
A jump rope is an excellent outdoor toy because it blends fun with significant health and developmental benefits!
Jump ropes are a simple yet powerful tool for improving cardiovascular health, stamina, and coordination. The rhythm of jumping requires precise timing and balance. Their versatility appeals to a wide age range, offering various levels of difficulty and styles of play, from solo jumping to group activities like Double Dutch.
I love that jump ropes are compact, portable, and inexpensive!
9. Basketball Hoop
This is one of my favorite basketball hoops for toddlers. It’s sturdy, height adjustable, and comes with 3 basketballs.
A basketball hoop is an excellent outdoor toy that promotes physical activity and social skills among kids. It enhances hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and communication through engaging play.
Adjustable heights ensure it grows with your child, offering long-term active fun and encouraging a healthy, outdoor lifestyle from an early age.
10. Mud Kitchen
A mud kitchen is a must outdoor toy! Kids LOVE mud kitchens and can play there for hours. Despite the messiness, they offer a unique blend of creative play and sensory exploration.
It encourages kids to engage with the natural world, using mud, water, leaves, and sticks to “cook” and experiment, which enhances their imagination and cognitive development. This hands-on play also improves fine motor skills as they scoop, pour, and mix.
Kids love playing in mud kitchens together, which helps develop their social skills and imagination through creative pretend play.
- Check out my complete guide on mud kitchens for kids!
11. Hula Hoop
The hula hoop is a classic, simple toy that captivates kids with its blend of fun and physical activity. Kids are great at finding some pretty fun and creative ways to play with a hula hoop!
Its straightforward design belies the rich opportunities it offers for improving balance, coordination, and core strength through playful spinning. Hula hoops encourage creativity and social interaction, making them a favorite among kids for solo or group play.
Lightweight and durable, the hula hoop remains a symbol of active, imaginative outdoor fun.
12. Reusable Water Balloons
Reusable water balloons are a must for outdoor play in warm weather! They are a total kid favorite.
Their innovative design allows for quick and easy reuse, eliminating the hassle and waste of traditional single-use water balloons. This means kids can enjoy more time playing and less time preparing since they’re so easy to fill.
The soft, safe materials reduce the risk of injuries and make cleanup a breeze, as there are no broken pieces to collect afterward.
By promoting physical activity and social interaction, reusable water balloons provide a responsible and enjoyable option for parents and kids alike.
13. Outdoor Climber
Outdoor climbers are super fun and come in all sorts of cool designs, making them awesome toys for kids.
They’re like mini adventure parks, with slides, ladders, and lots more to climb on, jump off, and explore. These climbers are great for getting kids moving, boosting their balance, and letting their imaginations run wild as they develop all sorts of games.
Climbers are perfect for kids of different ages to play together, make new friends, and learn to play as a team.
They can be left outside in all weather and come in various sizes, so you can easily find one that will fit your space.
- Check out all my favorite outdoor climbers for all ages and budgets!
14. Swing
A saucer swing is a fantastic outdoor toy because it’s a fun, round version of a traditional swing that kids can enjoy together.
It’s big enough for friends to share, boosting fun and teamwork.
Kids can swing in all sorts of ways—sitting, standing, or lying down—which is great for their balance and coordination. Plus, its swaying motion is super relaxing.
Saucer swings are easy to set up and quickly turn any backyard into a fun play spot for kids of any age.
15. Bug Boxes, Bug Nets, and Magnifying Glasses
Bug boxes, nets, and magnifying glasses encourage exploration and observation and instill a love and respect for nature!
They make learning fun by letting kids catch, observe, and learn about insects up close. This promotes outdoor play and scientific thinking in a hands-on way. These tools teach patience, observation, and an appreciation for the environment, all while enhancing fine motor skills.
Opt for real tools instead of cheap junky toys whenever possible.
- Check out all my favorite bug boxes, bug nets, and magnifying glasses for kids!
16. Connect Four
Who doesn’t love the novelty of an oversized game?!
A giant game of Connect Four amps up the fun in the backyard by making a classic strategy game bigger and more interactive. Kids love the excitement of using oversized pieces, which adds a physical element to the mental challenge.
It encourages outdoor play, critical thinking, and social skills like turn-taking and sportsmanship. Its appeal across ages makes it a hit for group play.
17. Playhouse
A playhouse is a fun and engaging outdoor toy for kids because it’s their own little world for make-believe adventures, sparking creativity and storytelling.
Playhouses give kids a sense of independence and help them develop social skills as they create imaginative stories with their friends. Kids can happily play away for hours, which keeps them outside for more time each day.
With all sorts of designs, playhouses can captivate a wide range of interests and ages.
- Looking for some added fun? Opt for a two-story playhouse!
18. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
The “Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt” game stands out for its versatility and ability to engage kids in both outdoor and indoor environments, making exploration and discovery fun and exciting.
It challenges kids’ observation skills and encourages physical activity as they search for a variety of things. This game promotes critical thinking and problem-solving and provides a creative way for kids to connect with their surroundings and each other.
The game is engaging for kids of various ages, making it a fantastic option for family game time or playdates.
19. Hanging Tent
A hanging tent brings a magical touch to outdoor play!
Suspended from a tree or a sturdy structure, it provides a unique floating sanctuary that combines a treehouse’s thrill with a hammock’s cozy comfort. This elevated hideaway is perfect for reading, playing, or simply daydreaming, offering kids their own private space where their imaginations can soar.
The novelty of being off the ground makes the hanging tent a captivating retreat for kids, promising hours of enjoyment and a special place they can call their own.
- Read all about my favorite hanging tents for kids!
20. Slide
Slides are fantastic for any backyard because they pack a whole lot of fun into a simple setup. Kids get a kick out of climbing up and then zooming down, feeling that cool rush every single time.
It’s not just about the fun, though; scrambling up and sliding down is excellent for their muscles, coordination, independent play, and social interaction with friends, too.
Slides are a big hit for all ages, making them a go-to for easy and lasting outdoor fun. It’s one of those classic play pieces that never gets old, keeping kids active and super happy.
21. Backyard Soccer Goal
A soccer goal is an excellent outdoor toy for kids because it gets them moving, running around, and kicking the ball with friends.
It’s a great way to learn teamwork and coordination while having a blast outdoors. When given lots of unstructured time to play, kids love to create their own rules and games with their friends, which is essential for building their social skills.
Buying Considerations
• Age of Your Kids
Ensure the toy is suitable for your child’s age, with no small parts that could pose a choking hazard for younger kids.
Choose toys that match your child’s developmental stage and abilities to provide them with a challenge without being too advanced or unsafe.
• Size of Your Backyard
Consider the size of your outdoor space and storage. Some toys might be too large for small yards or difficult to store during off-seasons.
Remember that climbing toys need at least 6 feet of space on all sides to act as a fall zone for kids. This means that for a 10-foot climbing dome, you will need 22 feet of space to ensure maximum safety.
• Fun Factor
Look for toys that can keep your child engaged for extended periods. Multi-functional toys, or those that can be used in various ways, tend to be more engaging.
Toys that stimulate imagination and creativity, allow for open-ended play, or offer a physical challenge are often favorites among kids.
Consider the interests of your kids when picking outdoor toys.
• Budget
Consider your budget and look for toys within that price range. While trampolines and climbing domes can cost hundreds of dollars, many toys are under $100.
Evaluate the toy’s cost against its expected lifespan and the amount of use it will get, aiming for high value over time.
- Looking for outdoor toys for kids as they get older? Check out all my favorite electric dirt bikes for kids!
FAQs About Outdoor Toys
Why is outdoor play important for kids?
Outdoor play offers numerous benefits for kids’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It encourages physical activity, boosts creativity, reduces stress, enhances social skills, and promotes a connection with nature.
What age range are outdoor toys suitable for?
Outdoor toys come in a wide range of designs and functionalities, making them suitable for kids of various ages, from toddlers to teenagers.
When selecting outdoor toys, factors like safety, developmental appropriateness, and the child’s interests must be considered.
How can I encourage my child to play outside more?
To encourage outdoor play, provide a stimulating outdoor environment with a variety of toys and activities.
Limit screen time, set a positive example by spending time outdoors yourself, and organize outdoor playdates or family outings to parks or nature trails.
Are outdoor toys safe for kids?
Safety should always be a top priority when selecting outdoor toys for kids.
Look for toys that meet safety standards and guidelines, inspect equipment regularly for wear and tear, provide appropriate supervision, and teach kids how to use toys safely.
Do outdoor toys for kids make good gifts?
Absolutely!
Outdoor toys for kids make fantastic gifts. They encourage kids to get active and spend time outdoors, promoting physical health and well-being. They provide opportunities for imaginative play, fostering creativity and social interaction. Outdoor toys also often have a longer lifespan than indoor toys, offering lasting enjoyment for the recipient.
Final Thoughts
The right mix of the best outdoor toys for kids can turn any backyard into an arena of adventure and growth!
From boosting physical skills with slides and swings to fueling imagination with playhouses and scavenger hunts, these toys are more than just fun—they’re gateways to play and development.
Encouraging outdoor play is crucial for kids, offering them a canvas to explore, learn, and create unforgettable memories under the sun.
What are your child’s favorite outdoor toys?
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