Outdoor play is so important for kids of all ages. Outdoor play provides essential sunshine and exercise for healthy growing kids. It also helps kids learn important life skills like executive function, risk-taking, and socialization. Outdoor play also allows kids to learn about and appreciate nature, which is sadly a skill that is becoming far less common these days.
Outdoor play is also important for parents who are needing a bit of a break from the noise and chaos of kids in the house all day! Whether you have a small budget or a small fortune to spend creating an outdoor wonderland, these 10 toys are some of the best you can buy for serious fun outdoor play.
10 Best Toys for Outdoor Play
Water Balloons
A favorite for all ages. These balloons come in a pack that you hook up to your hose, fill up, and they self-seal! Brilliant!
Playhouse
All kids love to pretend. Having a playhouse in your own backyard will provide hours of pretend play fun.
Bubble Mower
Is there anything cuter than a kid following behind daddy with his bubble mower? Teach ’em young!
Roller Coaster
This roller coaster will provide hours of fun for your little ones! My kids and their cousins play and ride on this thing all evening while we adults chat on the patio with drinks.
Mud Kitchen
Playing in the mud is a rite of passage for kids! Even if you don’t have (or want) mud, this cute outdoor kitchen can still be a fun addition to your outdoor wonderland. Just let the kids use things like grass, pebbles, or even dry pasta noodles to “cook.”
Inflatable Water Slide
I couldn’t have survived summers with my toddlers if it hadn’t been for blow-up pools and slides! This monster slide is a worthy investment and will give you several summers worth of outdoor play fun.
Teepee Tent
If you don’t have the budget for a playhouse, invest in one of these teepee tents instead! They’re easy to set up and break down. And they provide a shady play space for the kids.
Water Table
If your babe is too little for a blow-up pool, you can still give them some outdoor water play with a water table. Babies can splash and play on a shaded patio to their heart’s content!
Stomp Rocket
Toddlers and young kids will love these rockets that are launched by stomping or jumping on the launcher. Kids can take turns seeing how high they can propel their rocket. Bonus: they glow in the dark!
Swing Set
If you have the budget, installing a full-sized playscape swing set will be the highlight of your kids’ summer! A swing set can be as simple as two swings and a slide or as complex as you can imagine. Playscapes provide years of fun!
Which outdoor toys are you loving for your kiddos this summer?
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