20 Best Engaging Outdoor Toys for Kids

With the summer vacations approaching, kids are bound to stay at home more, and that will indirectly challenge your patience level and parenting skills! We know parenting can be really hard and challenging at times, so in order to ease your time at home with kids, we have come up with some exciting ideas to keep them entertained. Kids just love toys, and outdoor play is a great way to keep them active and engaged. If you’re looking for outdoor toy ideas for toddlers, you’re in the right place! Read this post to know more about the 20 best engaging outdoor toys for kids and toddlers. These toys are not only fun but also help in developing their motor skills, creativity, and social interaction (1). From baby pools to gliding scooters, there’s something for every little adventurer!

Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

Happy and active toddlers are fun to be with! They roam around all day and you won’t know where exactly all your time had gone by as most of the time you’ll be running behind them! Here, we have some top picks on summer outdoor toys for toddler which you may plan to buy for your kids.

1. Baby Pool

Baby pool or kiddie pool is something that your children will adore. The splashing of water and tiny slides along with it make it a fun experience for little kids.

What’s Good About It?

• It’s portable and best suited for outdoors.
• It’s made of soft plastic which can be inflated or deflated after use making it comfortable for little kids.

2. Sand and Water Table

If you want your kids to be busy for hours and hours together then this one is the best for you!

What’s Good About It?

• It’s portable and suited for the backyard.
• Playing with sand and water is a sensory experience for kids (2).

3. Monkey Bar Tower or Castle

One of the best outside toys for toddlers, this one is gonna be your kids favourite!

What’s Good About It?

• Constructed using lightweight plastic tubes with self-locking springs which makes it safe for kids.
• It’s a great way to keep the kids active by either climbing it or making a fort out of it.

4. Toy Lawn Mover

If you have a beautiful grassy lawn then this one would be a great choice!

What’s Good About It? 

• Kids will keep pushing the toy mover across the lawn which will keep them active.
• It also has different sounds that are mechanical and do not require a battery.
• It comes with a removable gas can.

5. No Spill Bubble Bucket

Let your kids make as many bubbles as they want to without creating a mess with this no spill bubble bucket.

What’s Good About It?

• Has 3 wands so multiple kids can play together.
• The no-spill technology ensures a mess-free bubble experience.

6. Portable Beach Tent

This pop-up beach tent is extremely useful for the outdoors, beaches and camping treks!

What’s Good About It?

• This portable beach tent and is easy to set up.
• It’s lightweight and compact and protects from sun, rain and wind.

7. Roller Coaster Slide With Tower

Kids will surely have a great time playing with this climbing tower.

What’s Good About It?

• It’s portable and lightweight.
• The climbing up and sliding down will keep the kids active (3).

8. Basket Ball Set

This toddler-special basketball set is perfect for learning the basics of the basketball game.

What’s Good About It?

• The size of the rim and ball is designed for toddlers.
• Helps develop motor skills in toddlers.
• Helps improve coordination and social play (4).

9. Gardening Play Kit

This gardening play kit comes with flower pots, watering cans, a shovel, a rake, a tray, and a basin to hold the water.

What’s Good About It?

• Includes many fun pieces which will keep the kids engaged for hours.
• Encourages coordination and group play.
• Enhances gardening skills in kids.

10. Picnic Table With Umbrella

This picnic table with umbrella is a very useful outdoor accessory that your kids will love. It’s perfect for fun outdoors with friends.

What’s Good About It?

• It’s easy to assemble and does not require any tools.
• It’s portable and easy to store.
• Has an umbrella for shade.

Cool Outdoor Toys for Preschoolers & Kids

Listed below are some cool outside toys for kids and preschoolers!

1. Rain Shower Splash Water Table Set

A warm weather calls for outdoor water toys. This set is a great outdoor toy for older kids. This rain shower splash water table set is a great outdoor toy for some fun-filled water-themed adventures.

What’s Good About It?

• Easy to assemble.
• Safe for kids to play and encourages social play.
• It has a plug with an easy drainage system.

2. Energetic Bungee Boeing

Bungee Boeing is excellent for kids with great energy levels!

What’s Good About It?

• It helps in building strength and balancing skills in kids (5).
• Is a good exercise for kids and keeps them active.
• Can also be used indoors.

3. Spike Ball Outdoor Game Set

This fun and active game is a great option among outdoor toys for preschoolers and kids!

What’s Good About It?

• Encourages social play amongst kids, as it requires four players.
• A fun and interactive group activity for kids.

4. Side Walk Chalk For Outdoors

Perfect for parents looking for budget-friendly outdoor toys for kids! Children can use it to draw colourful pictures, hopscotch, square games, etc.

What’s Good About It?

• A great option for both group play and solo play amongst kids.
• It’s washable and therefore easy to clean up.
• Enhances creativity in kids.

5. Fun Gliding Scooter

Go for a convertible ride to glide scooter that grows with your kids! It has multiple settings starting from sit and scoot followed by three-wheeled scooter ride.

What’s Good About It?

• Enhances strength and is a good exercise for children during growth years.
• The convertible remains with your kids for a long time as it has multiple adjustments for growing kids.

6. Outdoor Barbeque Play Set

Kids love to try their hands-on cooking especially when they see their moms cooking! If that’s the case with your little one, then go for this outdoor barbeque playset.

What’s Good About It? 

• It’s portable and is easy to set up.
• Enhances group and social play.

7. Smart Pool Toss Game

This fun pool toss game set is excellent for kids. It can be played in the pool or outdoors too! This outdoor toy set is great for pre-schoolers!

What’s Good About It?

• Enhances social skills.
• Improves hand-eye coordination.

8. Basket Ball set

This toddler special basketball set is perfect for learning the basics of a basketball game.

What’s Good About It?

• The size of the rim and ball is designed for toddlers.
• Helps develop motor skills in toddlers.
• Helps improve coordination and social play.

9. Spider Web Swing

Unique outdoor toys excite kids! If swinging sounds fun for your little ones then you must go for this spider web platform swing. Hang it on a strong tree and let the fun begin!

What’s Good About It?

• The swing is platform and can hold multiple riders.
• Can be played alone or in a group with friends.

10. Classic 3-in-1 Outdoor Game Set

How about a game set that has tennis, volleyball and badminton all together? One of the best backyard outdoor toys set, your kids will love this 3-in-1 outdoor game set.

What’s Good About It?

• Improves sports enthusiasm in kids.
• Enhances group play.
• Keeps the kids active and energetic.

FAQs

1. Can outdoor toys help improve my toddler’s sleep patterns?

Yes! Good outdoor toys for kids encourage physical activity, which can help toddlers expend energy and sleep better at night. Active play under the sun also helps regulate their circadian rhythm, leading to more restful sleep (6).

2. Can outdoor toys help my child develop problem-solving skills?

Surprisingly, yes! Toys like climbing structures, obstacle courses, or even simple gardening kits encourage kids to think critically, plan, and solve problems while having fun outdoors.

We hope that the above list of fun outdoor toys for kids help you choose some fun games and toys for your little one!

References/Resources:

1. Dauch. C, Imwalle. M, Ocasio. B, Metz. A; The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play (Infant Behavior and Development); Science Direct; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638317301613; February 2018

2. Olowe. P, Ojoko. B, Onuegbu. I; Water and sand play: More than just fun for pre-school children (Contemporary Journal of Research in Early Childhood Care & Education); ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344455729_Water_and_sand_play_More_than_just_fun_for_pre-school_children; January 2020

3. Yang. M, Cho. T; A Study on the Preference of Children for Climber (Journal of the Korean Society of Design Culture); ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372257944_A_Study_on_the_Preference_of_Children_for_Climber; June 2023

4. Basketball – health benefits; Better Health Channel; https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/basketball-health-benefits

5. Skaltsa. E, Kaioglou. V, Venetsanou. F; Development of balance in children participating in different recreational physical activities (Science of Gymnastics Journal); ResearchGate; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349505883_DEVELOPMENT_OF_BALANCE_IN_CHILDREN_PARTICIPATING_IN_DIFFERENT_RECREATIONAL_PHYSICAL_ACTIVITIES; February 2021

6. Williams. S, Farmer. V, Taylor. B, Taylor. R; Do More Active Children Sleep More? A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Accelerometry (PLoS One); National Library of Medicine; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3973701/; April 2014

Also Read:

Best Homemade Toys for Kids
Toys That Help to Foster Creativity in Kids
Guidelines for Choosing Toys for Toddlers