The Best Outdoor Toys to Keep Kids Outside Year-Round

Playing indoors wasn’t typical thirty or forty years ago. Children would frequently spend at least two hours a day playing outside. It’s a different story now. Kids aren’t playing outside as much as they should be because of all the electronics, tablets, and devices. 43% of kids would rather play with technology inside than go outside and breathe fresh air.

The American Academy of Paediatrics advises children to engage in one to three hours of physical activity each day, depending on their age. Playing outside has numerous advantages for kids’ growth. By enhancing social abilities and mood, raising self-esteem and confidence, and promoting independence in kids, outdoor play promotes social and emotional development. Additionally, playing outside helps kids develop gross motor skills and increases their coordination, agility, and balance. But how can you make your kids give up screens for the garden?

How Do I Keep My Kids Busy Outside?

Some children require extra encouragement to spend time outside and away from screens. Maintaining a well-stocked arsenal of age-appropriate outdoor toys is one approach to encouraging kids to play outdoors. The best outdoor toys, from toddler toys to high-action games for big kids, will keep your kids moving and using their imaginations even if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a pool or a large yard. Toys frequently offer parents and children new methods to practise abilities you can’t accomplish inside.

As with many indoor toys, many outside toys come and go, too. When choosing a unique and colourful outdoor toy for your kids, you need a list of options that have stood the test of time that isn’t one-and-done. The best outside toys can facilitate hours, days, and years of outdoor play. Here are some of them.

Best Outdoor Toys for Your Little Ones

Slip-and-Slide

The slip-and-slide is the perfect summer outdoor toy made of a sizable plastic sheet lined with sprinklers. Water sprays out of the hose when attached, wetting the slide. That makes it fun for kids to glide the length of the sheet. There are two main categories of entertaining backyard water slides: simple and those with extra features like water balloons or an inflatable pool at their end.

Look for an age-appropriate option when selecting an outdoor water slide for your kids. Additionally, consider the material; if it’s just for one season, that shouldn’t be a concern. If you decide to splash out (pun intended!) on a more expensive one, make sure it will hold up to use over multiple summers.

Splash Toys

Splash, Hop, and Skip

Kids will adore playing hopscotch with a sprinkler system built in. You must hop and skip in the proper location to avoid being splashed by water!  Choose a model with a hose connector that will suit any outlet and a mermaid, Bluey, or unicorn design to transport kids to their fantasy world.

Sprinkler

Yard sprinklers are your go-to option for keeping kids cool in the summer because they are giant, easy to use, and a fun addition to any backyard. These backyard water toys, often made of durable PVC vinyl, discharge a steady stream of water that will amuse kids for hours without damaging your turf.

Twister Splash

Like in the original Twister, players of the Twister Splash Game put their hands and feet according to the instructions of the given spinner. However, if the areas aren’t covered, they spray you with water, making the surface slicker and adding an entirely new obstacle to this game of power and agility. Regarding the player’s age and number, err on the side of caution as it also presents a potential safety problem.

And, exactly like with classic Twister, the excitement starts strong. You can fill the mat very rapidly with a hose.

Trampoline

There is no denying the fact that most kids like bouncing on a trampoline. It’s a self-directed activity or open-ended game they can complete at their own pace and on their terms. Compared to other exercises, it feels less like work or learning, so youngsters will likely engage in it without company.

It’s a fantastic way for children to socialise if your child involves other kids. Through shared enjoyment, a trampoline is one of the best outdoor toys for your backyard, as it can strengthen friendships and occupy kids while you take care of other things. Whether you use it alone or with your children, you’ll discover that it’s enjoyable for you as well.

T-Ball Set

Few sports compare to traditional T-ball for the toddler to preschool age range. Children at these ages love to master new skills, and using an enormous bat to hit a ball off the tee is a fun challenge. They can play the game alone or with others, and it promotes the development of hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills. It’s entertaining that kids can play so nicely together with it. It enables children to use various ball sizes, enabling younger and older children to experience success.

Garden Tools Set

Kids are drawn to gardening because they enjoy getting dirty and imitating the adults in their lives. A set of garden tools is exceptional because it’s sturdy and practical. Look for tools whose heads are of metal and whose handles are of solid wood. When the tops of the handles have a rubber coating that makes them even better suited for non-slip gripping; additionally, each rubber covering features a hook that enables equally simple wall hanging. They can hoe, rake, and dig, and it could get even more thrilling if they find a worm or some beetles while exploring.

Sandbox

Although it may seem obvious, children flourish in the sandbox because it allows them to use the natural resources in their surroundings to generate fun and adventure. Look for a model that has an appealing shape, built-in moulded seats and an easy-to-secure cover. And in this situation, you should choose a proven winner when investing in a sandbox that children will play in year-round. What makes the sand play so fantastic, specifically: The many textures, learning how to pour, build, and measure. Because our kids love keyboards and computers, we must encourage more sensory-motor to play like this.