With the summer holidays on the way, parents all over are probably thinking of innovative ways to entertain their children over this extended break. Getting the kids outdoors and away from screens can be a struggle, and not just because of the temperamental British weather.
It's all too easy to get lost in indoor distractions, which is why it's the perfect time to shake things up and look at some outdoor games that will get your children out and enjoying the fresh air. Whether you're buying for toddlers, older kids, or teens, we've come up with a few tips on what to look for, as well as ten inspiring ideas from Amazon, eBay and Argos.
Quick List - Top Outdoor Toys for Kids
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Outdoor toys come in all shapes and sizes and will suit a variety of ages. Whatever you need, we've come up with a few points to consider before you buy, so whether you're planning on using it in the garden or on the beach, you'll have the perfect tool to keep everyone happy.
A toy that can be used outside covers a broad range of products. Some will be better suited to staying at home in a garden, whilst other are best used in a large, open area with more space.
Outdoor toys can stay at home, but they are also great for taking on day trips to the park or even to the beach. Smaller toys, like a bucket and spade, are of course the perfect item to bring along on this sort of occasion.
If, however, you think the need for a toy is felt mostly at home, a bigger, less mobile, toy might be more exciting. They are harder to move around, but can offer plenty of fun in the garden.
Although size is an important factor in deciding where you can use a toy, the space a toy needs is also worth taking into account. Bigger, stationary toys – like a trampoline – obviously require lots of garden space, but for some toys to work properly you need an outdoor space in which you can run and move.
Take throwing toys, for example. While they might not take up that much space in and of themselves, to have fun using them properly, you need a wide open space like a park unless you have a very large garden. If not, playing these games in a garden could result in a lot of lost toys!
Finding a suitable toy with which your children can play means looking at the ages for which it is appropriate. The outdoor toy market caters to a whole range, so you are sure to find something that will work for most ages, all the way through from tots to teenagers.
A lot of toys for younger children require supervision and occasionally help even though they do not need as much dexterity.
Toys for older children involve a bit more co-ordination, and, whilst the players probably won't need any help, there's no reason why the adults won't want to get stuck in and join the fun.
Not all toys will come pre-assembled and ready to go. Some will require some input as far as construction goes. This could be as simple as sticking two parts together, or it might require a toolbox.
If the toy is bigger, it will probably come in parts to make transporting it easier, but that will give you more work to do.
Think about how much work you are able to do and the tools you might need beforehand so you don't have a frustrated child impatiently waiting for their toy to be ready.
Some products might come pre-built but be lacking in something else necessary to make the toy fully functional. A great toy like a sandpit, once it is all in one piece, still needs a lot of sand, and it is extras like this that will add to the cost of the toy you have bought.
Some extras will be more expensive than others, so its worth considering the price and the ease with which you'll be able to get hold of them. This could also apply to something as simple as a water gun, which requires easy access to a tap.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gymax 38" Mini Trampoline | ![]() | Let Your Kids Bounce Away the Day | |
2 | Nerf Pocket Vortex Howler | ![]() | Improve Coordination Whilst Having Fun | |
3 | Androni Giocattoli Bucket and Spade 7-Piece Set | ![]() | The Perfect Toy to Take to the Beach or Sandpit! | |
4 | Think Gizmos Pogo Stick | ![]() | Work on Balance As You Jump With This Toy | |
5 | Party Animals Tepee Play Tent | ![]() | This Cute Tent Will Encourage Creativity | |
6 | Aerobie Pro Flying Ring 13" | ![]() | Older Kids Will Love Chasing This Frisbee | |
7 | Chad Valley Hippo Sand Pit | ![]() | A Fun Sand Pit That's Easy to Set Up | |
8 | Little Tikes Cozy Coupe | ![]() | Race Round the Garden in this Nifty Car | |
9 | Jaques of London Let's Explore Rope Ladder | ![]() | A Toy That Develops Agility and Promotes Health | |
10 | Toyland Giant Bubble Making Kit | ![]() | Make Huge Bubbles With This Affordable Kit |
Trampolines are great fun for children and adults alike, and this mini version is a good way of getting some of that fun into a much smaller space. Bouncing is not only entertaining, it is also really good for you, so your kids will be enjoying themselves as they stay active and healthy.
The trampoline needs to be built, but this is easy to do thanks to its foldable design and the fact it comes with everything you might need. It is also waterproof which makes it perfect for leaving outside.
This toy is a great way of taking throwing and catching to the next level. The goal is to make the toy whistle as you hurl it to the next person. The aerodynamics of it make it fly further than you would expect, and the simple concept is one that all ages can enjoy.
It is easy to take with you anywhere, be that a park, a beach or even in the sea or swimming pool as the foam means it works well as a water toy too. It does require space, but not as much as the frisbee, so is a good idea if you're a bit more limited and want more control.
You can't go far wrong with a good old bucket and spade. Let your child get creative as they build little fortresses out of sand. A bucket and spade are great as they cater to a wide range of ages, and as your child gets older they can come up with ever more ambitious works of engineering.
This is an upgraded version of the traditional bucket and spade, with the inclusion of a watering can, rake and various shapes only adding to the fun. They all pack neatly away so you can easily take the whole set on day trips.
Pogo sticks are a little bit tricky to master at first, but once you get it, they are very entertaining and very good for you. Not only is the jumping s form of exercise, but you also have to constantly be thinking about your balance. This pogo stick is designed perfectly for children to work on these skills.
The non-slip pedals will mean your child doesn't slip around on, or off, the stick. Although the makers of this stick have done everything they can to make it safe, they do recommend that you always wear a helmet.
Giving your kids their own space is a great way of allowing their imagination to flourish. An outdoor tent in the garden is the perfect solution. They can help you build the tent and then enjoy the fruits of their labour. The blank slate of games they could play with this toy will keep them entertained for hours!
It requires assembly, but this is not too difficult and doesn't need any tools. It is also easy to dismantle, so when it is not in use, it doesn't have to be taking up space in the garden.
This isn't your average frisbee. Its technology has been taken to the next level so it can travel further and faster. In fact, it holds the world record for the furthest a frisbee has ever been thrown! Older children will have hours of fun chasing this around once they've masted the art of throwing it.
As it does require strength and coordination, younger children will struggle to get the hang of this so it probably won't suit households with toddlers to entertain. Also, because it travels so far, make sure you have lots of space!
This sandpit, coming in the form of a big purple hippo, will definitely make your kids smile. The 60-litre volume of sand means there is plenty to play with, but not so big that it is difficult to fill. The cover it comes with as part of its design is helpful for when the British summer weather does the inevitable and rains.
This product, once filled, is very heavy so has to remain stationary, which might get in the way if you want to clear up the garden at any point. You also have to source 60-litres of sand which will be an added cost on top.
Children will love how this car resembles the real thing, from the opening doors to the steering wheel, and even down to the filler cap. The bright colours will appeals to young eyes, as will the smiling face on the front. If your child is younger, you can help them by pushing them along. If they're older, let them do the work.
The upper age limit on this toy is a little low and, as a result, it is not the most inclusive toy. In addition to this, for the car to work well, it's best used on an area of flat, hard surface, so it may require you to head outside of the garden and out onto the street.
A rope ladder is a classic children's toy: simple, but definitely effective. Not only is the challenge of climbing to the top fun, it also improves your child's overall fitness and encourages them to explore and overcome obstacles. It made from strong nylon rope so you don't have to worry about it breaking, and is very good value.
The main impracticality you might face with this toy is having somewhere to put it. In order for it to work, you need to have a high bar or tree from which you can hang the ladder. As it involves getting quite high, younger climbers will have to be supervised.
Bubbles are a guaranteed way of bringing wonder to a child's face. Now you can take that wonder and multiply it, by creating massive bubbles that your kids will love to make and chase around. This kit comes with everything you might need as the bubble solution is included.
All it requires is the attaching of the handle, as well as supervision so that little ones don't end up with the soap solution in their eyes. This toy might be exciting for a while, but it isn't as much fun as some of the other staple children's toys, which is why it is further down the list.
Still in need of some inspiration? From paddling pools to keep cool to games that'll occupy them for hours, follow the links below for more of our recommendations.
These toys will serve as great motivators for getting outside and enjoying the summer. Most of them encourage some part of your child's development as well as being a source of entertainment, so they can be learning and growing whilst having fun. And, who knows, maybe the grown-ups won't be able to resist joining in themselves!
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Gymax|38" Mini Trampoline
No. 2: Nerf|Pocket Vortex Howler
No. 3: Androni Giocattoli |Bucket and Spade 7-Piece Set
No. 4: Think Gizmos|Pogo Stick
No. 5: Party Animals |Tepee Play Tent
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