Enjoy the great outdoors with these fun outdoors toys for kids
ByLatifah Miles
andKatrina Cossey
Updated on August 25, 2023
Medically reviewed byTyra Tennyson Francis, MD
Fact checked byLatifah Miles
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Whether your kids are tiny toddlers or school-aged, one thing that they can definitely agree on is that playing outside is a whole lot more fun with the right toys. Heading outdoors to play can encourage your kids to break away from their screens and interact with the world around them. When the weather shifts from frigid to warm, having fun, durable, and engaging outdoor toys in the backyard or park can be a real boredom buster. The right outdoor toys should be age-appropriate and entertaining. If the toy is designed for an older child, your toddler will likely be uninterested, not know how to play with it, or harm themselves while playing. “With so many options for outdoor play, parents or caregivers should look out for toys that will match kids’ interests," Maddie Michalik, senior editor at Toy Insider, tells Verywell Family. "Kids who are into sports might want options that will test their skills; creative kids will love outdoor crafts; techy kids might love drone[s] and remote-control vehicles!” To select the best outdoor toys for kids, we spoke with Michalick and researched the designs and features of more than 40 toys available on the market. Moreover, we reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on toy safety. We considered age recommendations, interests, design, ease of use, size, and overall value when reviewing products. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best Electric: Best for Toddlers: Best for Sensory Play: Best for Climbing: Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center at Amazon (See Price) Best for Exploring: Best for Collaborative Play: Best for Big Kids: In This Article Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Pros Easy to use Portable Cons Batteries not included Requires foam solution refills The Fom Mania Foamalanche machine is rated the highest on our list because it is a unique toy that will get even your most reluctant kiddo outdoors. The easy-to-use machine comes with a foam solution concentrate that creates piles of airy, sudsy foam for outrageously fun backyard play dates, parties, or regular sunny day hangouts. The portable machine has a child-friendly design so your kiddo can simply press a button to get the foam party started. This toy is not recommended for kids under 3 years old due to its small parts. To ensure that the toy continues to function properly, you should only use the foam concentrated solution (that should be diluted with water), and purchase refills separately. Pros Non-toxic bubble solution Comes with tips and tricks guide Cons Only works with bubble solution It is a well-documented fact that kids go bananas over bubbles, so we know that they will go bonkers for this four-piece giant bubble kit by WOWMAZING. Made for kids as young as 6 years old, the kit comes with two packets of biodegradable, non-toxic bubble solution, a bubble wand set, and a booklet to help your family create the jumbo bubbles of their dreams. Although this is a toy designed for kids, we really think that it is a perfect activity for the entire family to enjoy! Pros Parent-controlled speed lock Three speed settings Go-kart drifts in third gear Cons Speed lock is tiny (easy to lose) This Radio Flyer go-kart will turn any yard into a racetrack. This electric go-kart features three forward-driving speed options, including 2.5, 5, and 8 miles per hour, but parents can lock kids out of third gear with a special detachable piece. One of our writers received a sample from the brand, and now her 3-year-old son is on his way to speedway stardom. The go-kart arrives in several pieces, but assembly is a breeze. The company includes detailed instructions, so we never struggled to determine which pieces went where and how. We love the adjustable seat so kids ages 3 to 8 years old can ride comfortably as they grow. The front tires feature rubber traction for maneuverability, while the large rear wheels make the go-kart drift in third gear. The Radio Flyer Ultimate Electric Go-Kart comes with a rechargeable battery (charger included), so all you have to do is plug it in for a recharge before the next race. Pros Big enough for multiple kids Comes with 13 accessories Cons Doesn’t have pre-drilled holes, making assembly challenging Toddlers love playing in and around water, especially on a warm and sunny day. The Step2 Tropical Rainforest Water Table allows your toddlers to engage in sensory water play safely. This extra-large water table has enough space to accommodate a few kiddos, as well as 13 accessories to keep all of them entertained. The brightly colored rainforest theme encourages toddlers to use their imaginations, while the upper canopy tray creates a cool rainfall effect. Parents will love that the no-leak drainage system will keep the water in place until you’re ready to empty out the basin. Pros Multiple waterspouts Small, portable design Cons Probably not big enough for older kids What is better than hopping through the sprinklers on a super hot summer’s day? Nothing! This adorable child-sized sprinkler is the perfect addition to your backyard, especially for the days when you want your little ones to engage in more open-ended fun. All you need is a garden hose, which will let you increase and decrease the water intensity. Then the splashing can begin! Pros Two molded seats Cover included Cons Doesn’t come with sand Bring the joy of the sandbox to your backyard with this adorable crab-shaped box from Step2. This roomy crab comes complete with a hardtop to keep pets, bugs, and neighborhood critters out of the sand. With the capacity to hold 300 pounds of sand, this box features molded seats so your tots aren’t sinking into their sandy creations. The 14 Best Water Tables of 2024 Pros Meets ASTM safety standards Includes hand grips Weight capacity of 600 pounds Cons Costly Get ready for your house to be the go-to hangout spot with this dome climber by Lifetime. This UV-resistant, free-standing dome features high-density polyethylene resin rock hand grips to help kids climb safely while working on their coordination skills. The dome is playground-quality and meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards of safety. With 6 feet of space to climb and explore, this dome will get plenty of playtime. Pros Four toys in one (three detachable) Working headlights on SUV High quality Cons Binoculars are low-powered The Little Tikes Big Adventures Safari SUV isn’t just a vehicle; it includes three detachable toys, like binoculars (wheels), a compass (back tire), and a flashlight (SUV’s lights). One of our writers received a sample of this toy from the brand and loved its versatility. While the binoculars are low-powered, our writer’s 3-year-old son loves looking through the “wheels” of the SUV while playing outside. The best part? Whether your kiddo plays with all the pieces together or separately, they get to explore the world around them and enjoy it. Pros Open-ended game Comes with ball Cons Replacement balls are pricey Encourage your kids to play together, peacefully, with this outdoor paddle set by Koosh. The super lightweight paddles have a trampoline-like bounce that makes hitting the stringy Koosh ball easy and fun. We love that there aren’t any set rules so your kiddos can engage in open-ended, creative play as they make up their games. Ideal for kids 8 years old and up, this set is great for the backyard, beach, or park. The 12 Best Ride-On Toys for Indoor and Outdoor Adventures Pros Simple introduction to physics concepts Comes with four rockets Cons Lighter kids may have trouble launching the rocket far Your kids will have stars in their eyes as they watch this little rocket soar! Powered by your kid's energy, which we know they have plenty of, this rocket doesn’t require charging or batteries and comes with four rockets for continuous fun. These ambitious little rockets can reach up to 20 stories, or 200 feet in the air, with a single stomp. While it may not look like a STEM toy, it is a great way to introduce your child to the basic mechanics of physics and simple machines. Pros Can reach up to 100 feet in distance Fins help increase speed and precision Cons Hard plastic body and fins make it difficult to catch Calling all football enthusiasts! Your kiddo will feel like a pro football player when they get their hands on the Aerobie Sonic Fin Football. Endorsed by Seattle Seahawks player Russell Wilson, this football has an innovative design that allows it to pick up air as it soars. The ball’s fins help it spin in order to increase speed, reach distances up to 100 feet, and achieve precision with every throw. The Best Outdoor Games That Everyone Will Want to Play We researched the dozens of toys on the market that are made to be played with outdoors. We considered different types of toys, different types of play, age ranges, and the emerging trends that kids will be looking forward to this year. We also consulted with Maddie Michalik, senior editor of the Toy Insider as well as visited their toy headquarters in New York to learn more about what type of toys kids love to play with outside, the trends to keep an eye out for, and the coolest new outdoor toys available now. Just like the toys that are made to use indoors, outdoor toys should be age-appropriate. Staying within the recommended age guidelines outlined by the manufacturer will help you identify the toys that will be entertaining and safe for your child to play with. Older kids are unlikely to be entertained by a water table while toddlers can become easily frustrated trying to figure out how to play with a ball and paddle. “Age recommendation is super important for purchasing any toy for kids of all ages—outdoor or not," Michalik tells Verywell Family. "There are a number of reasons for a manufacturer’s age recommendation on a product, including safety reasons and required skill level. There are instances where it can be up to the discretion of the adult, but we strongly recommend sticking to the manufacturer’s age recommendations in all instances.” When it comes to kids of all ages, safety is always a priority. We know that accidents happen, even with eagle-eye supervision. To help protect your little one while they play, age guidelines can be the first step to assessing the safety of a toy. Also, keep in mind that children should have supervision when playing outdoors, especially when they are playing with water toys and ride-on toys, which can sometimes lead to accidents and injury. We also recommend using the toys as they are intended to be used to prevent pieces from breaking off and creating other hazards. We know that some toys can be used both inside and outside and that some indoor toys are OK to bring outside (like your child’s favorite doll or jumbo blocks). However, when it comes to buying toys that are going to live outdoors, you should consider the kind that are specifically created to be used outside. Typically outdoor toys are weather-resistant and can withstand more wear and tear, while indoor toys might be totally ruined if left out in a rainstorm. Do I need to clean my outdoor toys? All toys should be sanitized and cleaned periodically. For outdoor toys that are left out in the elements, you’ll want to wipe them down to clean away dirt and debris. Cleaning your outdoor toys will help them stay in tip-top shape longer. Can regular toys be played with outside? While your child can take their regular toys outside, it is likely that they will be damaged, sometimes beyond repair. “Pay attention to labels on toy packaging or instructions that may specify that recommended use for the toy is inside or outside," Michalik says. "Watch out for toys that require batteries that are not specifically made for outdoor use.” Since indoor toys aren’t made to hold up outdoors in the dirt, water, or heat, they are susceptible to falling apart, becoming discolored, or completely shutting down. Latifah Miles is a commerce editor at Verywell Family and has several years of experience shopping for the best products for parents and caregivers and their families. She thoroughly researches and reviews products to find the best options on the market. Additional reporting by: Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:Best Overall
FÖM MANIA Fömalanche
Best Electric
Radio Flyer Ultimate Electric Go-Kart
Best for Sensory Play
Step2 Crabbie Sand Table
Best for Climbing
Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center
Best for Exploring
Little Tikes Big Adventures Safari SUV
Best Sports Toy
Aerobie Sonic Fin Aerodynamic Outdoor Football
How We Selected the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids
What to Look For When Buying Outdoor Toys For Kids
Age Appropriate
Safety
Outdoor Specific
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Verywell Family
More Toys for Kids
2 Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics. How to buy safe toys.
Lifetime Products, Inc. Faq detail.
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