Want to increase your child’s physical activity? Me too. As a parent of three boys, I am confident this list of outdoor toys for kids will encourage kids of all ages to play more.
Outdoor toys improve gross motor strength and coordination, and risky play helps children build confidence and test limits. These toys also help with heavy work, which involves the large muscles that help regulate the nervous system. Everything on this outdoor toy list has been kid-tested and used in our home.
RELATED: These outdoor activity ideas for kids make an excellent addition to this toy list.
What makes a good outdoor toy?
The best toys to entertain kids outside are sidewalk chalk, balance bikes, ride-on toys, climbing domes, shovels, stopwatches, and sensory water tables. Open-ended toys allow your children to let their imaginations take over. Without one specific way to play with them, open-ended outdoor toys for kids can be used each time differently. Children who play with these toys also learn to collaborate and persevere as they trust themselves to test limits.
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RELATED: Water tables are my lifeline! Here are the best water tables for kids.
Holiday Toy Guides
Welcome to the Days with Grey 2024-2025 holiday gift guide for kids. These toy lists are carefully curated to help you effortlessly make a gift selection you feel great about.
Family outdoor toys
Gross motor skills involve full-body movements, mainly involving larger muscle groups, like the torso, arms, and legs. They also include balance and coordination.
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Badminton Set
What is childhood without a badminton set? I have been playing this with my ten-year-old this summer and am having a blast! If you have older kids, this is a great addition to your yard.
Climbing Dome
As the boys grow older, their energy level increases. (how could that be?) This climbing dome is a great way to build strength and coordination or sit and chat with friends in the backyard.
Bike Speedometer/Odometer
If your family enjoys biking, they will LOVE tracking mileage and speed with these wireless speedometers and odometers. My youngest is in the lead, and they have so much fun in this competition.
Molkky
We received this game last year to play with big kids and adults. Be the first to knock down your pins to win, and you’ll earn 50 points!
BulziBucket
Does your family enjoy outdoor games? Add this to your list. Get the energy out before bedtime with a little competition and fun.
TOSY Flying Disc
The boys spend the days after school tossing this flying disc with friends. Invite the entire family to join as an after-dinner game.
Capture the Flag
Get this classic game of Capture the Flag to play with the neighbors like we did in 1994. Did I just date myself? If so, you’ll have to trust me.
Outdoor toys for all ages
From toddlers to big kids, here are the toys that we all enjoy.
Giant Bubble Wand
Who can make the largest bubble? Kids will spend the afternoon trying to see. What more can you ask for? Be sure also to check out this bubble activity post.
Reusable Water Balloons
Cool off on hot days with these reusable water balloons. They are fun for the backyard, target practice, and the pool. Water balloons also make fun beach toys.
Outdoor Cones
Use these outdoor cones for family games, setting up play spaces, riding bikes, or anything your child finds useful. We use these cones all of the time!
Moon Balls
This Moon Ball is a lot of fun to play with! It bounces super high, and kids love testing its limits. This makes a fun gift that gives kids something to do after unwrapping for some fresh air.
Kid’s Water Table
This is your winner if you are looking for a water table beyond a sensory bin. It is a great height for toddlers and preschoolers to spend the day scooping, pouring, and making observations about water play.
Micro Kickboard
These kickboards now fold! They’re easy to store, and the wheels have LED lights. They’re great for ages 5-12.
EzyRoller Ride on Toy
These are a blast if you have an empty lot or a sidewalk to ride on! They are for ages 6 and older. This is a fun outdoor toy for big kids and outdoor adventures.
Ride-on Tractor
Another toy coming in from memory lane! My brother gifted my oldest this years ago, giving us years of fun. This ride-on tractor is a great introduction to learning how to pedal as you cart things.
Outdoor Gardening Tools
Have a little digger? Try this gardening set to learn to dig in an area with some extra dirt. These tools are fun to incorporate gross motor practice and maybe even a little help around the house.
Kid’s Wheelbarrow
Another favorite way to incorporate gross motor skills, and have a little extra help around the house. This kid’s wheelbarrow is a great size and a fun way to play outside.
Co-Op Balance Bike
We LOVE this balance bike. My boys took off the second they were ready for a bike kid bike. Skip the training wheels and build confidence on this bike.
Kid’s Tricycle
My boys love the tricycle, and we kept it on the back porch to practice pedaling. They still buzz around the back deck on a tricycle at eight. Between this and a balance bike, they got the practice they needed to hop on a pedal bike when they felt ready.
Cozy Coupe Ride-on Car
The Cozy Coupe and childhood are like peas and carrots. They just go together.
Kid’s Roller Coaster
Okay, can we talk about the kid’s roller coaster? We were gifted this gem shortly after my youngest was born; dare I say, it stayed in the house a little longer than it needed to. I will take all the child-led entertainment I can get with a new baby. Moving it outside elevated the fun and brought the neighborhood together for some epic play.
Kid’s Trampoline
This kid’s trampoline is wonderful for indoor and outdoor fun. It doesn’t take up much room and helps regulate emotions and regulation.
Stomp Rocket
Have you tried the stomp rockets? You must. Children are entertained by stomping and launching rockets into the air. Another amusing way for kids to spend time outside.
Outdoor Soccer Goal
Have a soccer player? These goals have been great for the boys to shoot goals and play in to make a fort.
Kid’s T-Ball Set
Not only is this toy fun, but it is terrific for hand-eye coordination. Sit along the sidelines as your child takes swings to spend time together without being super hands-on.
Kid’s Bow and Arrow
Target practice in the backyard? Sure thing. This outdoor toy has been another great way to spend afternoons after school and weekends outside.
Little Tikes Slide
This slide brings back so many memories. We keep it in the backyard for the boys to play with. Over the years, this slide has been used for them and as a ramp for toys to zip down. A simple win.
Outside essentials
These outdoor toys help children build strength in small hand muscles and are a great way to spend the day playing outside.
Sidewalk Chalk
Could I do life without sidewalk chalk? It probably wouldn’t be as great. I vividly remember two toddlers with sidewalk chalk as my youngest bounced on the driveway’s edge in his bouncer. Grab a pack of sidewalk chalk for the days that feel extra long.
Walkie Chalk
Ready to level up your chalk experience? We got this chalk stick, which is helpful for larger drawings or paths.
Rocket Copters
My boys found these this year and have not put them down. We bring them to soccer games and spend countless amounts of time outside shooting them up one at a time. Hands-down, the BEST.
Simple Stopwatch
Stopwatches are great fun for kids. How fast can you run around the house? How long does it take you to take the garbage out? How many Legos can you pick up in 60 seconds? See where I am going with this? This simple stopwatch has many uses. (wink, wink)
Kid’s Walkie-Talkies
Our neighborhood is on a giant walkie-talkie system to stay in touch with parents. I love this set of three that helps kids communicate through outdoor play.
Squirt Bottles
Squirt bottles may not have much of a wow factor when presented, but they are a must for outdoor sensory play. Add this to your gift giving for many months of use your child may not have realized they needed.
Benefits of outdoor play
Backyard toys for gross motor skills help children develop physically. These are a little more common but definite musts to include in your list of essentials for playtime outside. Helping your kids flex their muscles and stretch their limbs with these things will also help them learn more about their bodies and gain more confidence.
My memories with my two older sons on their balance bike are especially precious to me, but things like the up-and-down roller coaster and the ninja line are also tons of fun.
Lastly, you can give your kids supplies to turn the outdoor play into adventure time. These useful items can be used outside daily. Picking outdoor toys with your child is a fun activity that can excite them to play outside.
Backyard on a budget
The best way to make backyard fun for kids on a budget is to pick toys that last for years. These include the climbing dome, riding toys, wheelbarrows, and balance bikes. Use these outdoor activities for kids to maximize their time outside.
This list of outdoor toys for kids will make your children’s playtime full of color and variety. Aside from giving them a chance to learn more, move around, and exercise their creativity, these toys effectively get your kids up on their feet and out of the house to imagine, explore, and get tired of having fun.
More Toys List for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
The best toys to entertain kids outside are sidewalk chalk, balance bikes, ride-on toys, climbing domes, shovels, stopwatches, and sensory water tables. Open-ended toys allow your children to let their imaginations take over. Without one specific way to play with them, open-ended outdoor toys for kids can be used each time differently. Children who play with these toys also learn to collaborate and persevere as they trust themselves to test limits.
Keep the balance bike in a space indoors or outside for your child to get a feel of how it works. Allow your child to sit on the balance bike or watch videos of kids riding. Here I share the best bikes for kids.
The best way to make backyard fun for kids on a budget is to pick toys that last for years. These include the climbing dome, riding toys, wheelbarrows, and balance bikes. Use these outdoor activities for kids to maximize their time outside.
