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Whether you’re headed to the park or playing in your own backyard, an array of miniature trucks, sidewalk chalk, balls, and other outdoor toys can help keep energetic kids busy for hours. To find the best ones, from perennial favorites to hot new releases, I gathered suggestions from a slew of experts: child psychologists and toy insiders, children’s librarians and elementary-school teachers, plus our own panel of Strategist staff parents who have tried countless toys over the years.
Then I organized their recommendations by age, from babies and toddlers under 2 all the way up to tweens. The resulting list includes toys for water play (a Squishmallow axolotl sprinkler), toys for bouncing and practicing balance (a foam pogo stick), and toys for playing make-believe (a miniature wooden cottage with a real working doorbell). All of the toys below are designed to encourage and amplify outdoor fun, and many of them have been tested by me or another Strategist parent. Some of them can be used indoors as well. And in almost every case, they have educational and developmental benefits in addition to letting kids get dirty and run wild.
Best outdoor toys for children under 2
Around this time last year, when my son was 6 months old, I started looking for a baby pool float. I wanted one that would give me the confidence to take him in the water for his first real “swimming” experience and protect him from the sun; after hours of research, I landed on this shark adorned float with a UPF canopy and a raised recliner seat. It let me gently guide him in the pool while cooling off myself and kept most of his body out of the water while still giving him a feel for it.
Sidewalk chalk is a year-round classic that can keep kids of all ages entertained, including the busiest of toddlers — one stay-at-home dad told us he keeps it “in stock” at all times. This oversize chalk is the perfect size for small hands — my son is 16 months old now and suddenly a pro. We take it with us to the playground and to friends’ houses and never worry about making a mess, since it easily washes out of clothing and rinses off the sidewalk in the rain or with a hose.
Function-wise, this five-inch ball from Crocodile Creek is just a regular playground ball. But its size and the range of adorable prints (butterflies! Puppies! The solar system! Fish!) make it a true knock-out gift. It’s small enough and light enough that my son can hold it in one hand and throw it. It’s also durable, easy to wipe clean, and has a texture he loves investigating with focused intensity. (It also comes in a seven-inch size, if you’re shopping for older kids.)
Strategist writer and mom of two Lauren Ro wrote about this set of friction powered construction vehicles when her older son was 21 months years old. Coincidentally, my son received the set as a first birthday gift — and ever since, the bulldozer has remained his favorite toy and a necessary item in our stroller no matter where we are going. The cars have gone down slides, fallen from more tables than I can count, and been driven through mud and sand. Despite all that they are in great condition and still “drive” just as fast as ever.
It may be obvious, but kids thrive in the sandbox — “a place where they get to create fun and adventure with the natural resources around them,” says Mike Conners, a junior kindergarten teacher at Burgundy Farm Country Day School. The Little Tikes Turtle sandbox, with its pleasingly familiar design and easy-to-secure cover, has been a high-quality favorite among parents for decades. Sensory play (whether it involves water, sand, or Play-Doh) is an excellent antidote to screens and a calming experience for toddlers who at this age are beginning to reckon with lots of big feelings.
I recently purchased this set of sand and water toys for my son after noticing the brand at Little Green in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I bought it with the beach and the sandbox in mind, but we have also been using the toys in the bath. The set includes a ball-shaped bucket with a rope handle, a set of nesting shovels/scoops, a ball, and a sand mold you can use to dig in the shape of a heart. I love the simple and ergonomic design and the atypical colors. My son loves putting everything into the carry bag and taking it out again.
This expandable crawl tunnel is a perfect “bring to the park” toy and has long held a spot in our guide to the best toys for 1-year-olds because of the way it elicits giggles while teaching young toddlers about spatial awareness and object permanence. The tunnel offers six feet of play space, and collapses into a flat carrying case when it’s not in use.
Best outdoor toys for ages 2 through 4
As far as sports go for the toddler-to-preschool set, there’s nothing quite like classic T-ball. “Children at these ages love to master new skills, and using a large bat to hit a ball off the tee is a fun challenge for them,” says child psychologist Dr. Nicole Beurkens, noting that it helps develop gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as they get gradually accustomed to hitting a ball with the bat — plus it can be played alone or with others. This oversize and inflatable version of Little Tikes’s original T-Ball set comes recommended by Chris Byrne, a toy expert known as The Toy Guy. He says it gives little kids who might not have hand-eye coordination down quite yet the chance to feel the satisfaction of a big hit.
There’s a straightforward reason this mower is a tried-and-true hit: “Toddlers and preschoolers love to copy their parent’s activities,” says Beurkens, “which makes ‘mowing’ the lawn with their very own mini mower an exciting activity for them.” (And even if their parents don’t actually own a lawn mower, they’ve likely seen other adults using them elsewhere.) Plus, there’s a developmental benefit, as kids in this age group are working on valuable gross-motor, balance-, and visual-perceptual skills at the same time.
“I can never overemphasize the appeal of classic outdoor toys like a good, sturdy trike,” says Tracy Camp-Johnston, an early childhood educator at Burgundy Farm Country Day School with 25 years of teaching experience. The Radio Flyer trike is stable enough to prevent most tip-overs, yet it still allows kids to get plenty of exercise and to enjoy some feeling of speed and freedom. “They’re a great alternative to an early bike,” adds Dr. Lee Scott, chair of the advisory board for the Goddard School. Add a helmet — it’s important to establish good safety habits early! — and you’re all set.
If you want to nurture social and emotional development, a playhouse like this wooden one from KidKraft with a real ringing doorbell — admittedly not a small investment of money (or assembly time) — “allows siblings of varying ages to engage in parallel play, enjoying the same space while not necessarily doing the exact same activity,” explains children’s librarian Lesley Siegel of the Port Washington Public Library. Kids can set up all sorts of pretend scenarios using the house’s kitchen, café window, chalkboard walls, clock, and phone. (If your little ones have a wide age gap, you can consider the larger, two-level KidKraft Cozy Escape Playhouse, which has everything from a kitchen on the bottom level to a climbing wall and twisty slide for the bigger kids.)
“A young child’s homework should always include sticks, rocks, and mud,” says Camp-Johnston. Which brings us to all the mud pies you can make with this outdoor play kitchen. The sink holds up to nine quarts of water or two gallons of mud, and the kitchen comes with a whisk and a set of stainless-steel pans. Adds Beurkens: “Playing with mud kitchens teaches so many skills. You talk about science, experimenting, even spatial awareness — what fits in what when I pour it in here, or try to mix this with that.” In other words, this toy functions as a science lab and art studio, too. (And if a specialized mud kitchen like this one isn’t in your budget, Facebook Marketplace is a great source to score well-loved play kitchens for cheap — look for an all-plastic model that will stand up to the elements and let your kid go wild.)
“For a younger child, these are just pure excitement, and they’re really pretty safe,” says Jim Silver, CEO of toy-review company TTPM. “For the young kid who likes the idea of going fast and going up and down, this is a great way to get acclimated to going a little fast and being high up.” Which is very true to the experience of Annie Young, mother of two, former 15-year New York City educator, and owner of the Little Gym of Roslyn in Roslyn, New York, where she has become something of an expert on kids who love action: “I knew this toy was going to be a hit with my toddler the minute I saw it,” she says. “It provides nonstop excitement.” As a bonus, the coaster is suitable for indoor use if you have a room with enough clearance.
Nothing says summertime like running through a slightly too-cold sprinkler — extra points if it’s in the shape of a giant pink Squishmallow axolotl. This splash pad from BigMouth comes recommended by Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief at The Toy Insider. It’s over five feet wide, big enough to accommodate a gang of excited toddlers, and hooks up to any standard hose.
Best outdoor toys for ages 4 through 6
When the German brand Stapelstein launched in the U.S. last year, Ro and I both got a sneak peek at its colorful toy stepping stones and were so impressed that we included them in New York’s holiday gift guide, and I named them one of the coolest toys of 2023. The colorful, stackable set is a true open-ended toy that appeals to kids of all ages and can be used indoors or out. Kids can climb or balance on the pieces, turn them over to use them like a bowl, play them like a drum, and even sit on them like a chair — each individual piece can hold up to 396 pounds.
Best for ages 4 and up since they close with tiny magnets, reusable water balloons are simple to fill in a bucket or kiddie pool and won’t leave you picking scraps of latex out of the lawn.
We hear about the Micro Kickboard all the time — from toy-store owners, parents, and kids — and we’re probably not going to stop hearing about the brand anytime soon. “These are one of the best scooters on the market, and really one of the best-selling toys around,” says Debbie Imperator, manager and toy buyer of Funky Monkey Toys & Books in Greenvale, New York, who attributes their popularity to their exceptional stability, how easy they are for kids to turn and control, and how seamless they are for parents to assemble. Scooters give kids a sense of freedom, and because this one is foldable, has adjustable handlebars, and a 110-pound weight limit — plus flashy LED wheels — it can grow with them from age 6 to well into their tweens. Again, just add a helmet and you’re good to go.
Some aspects of nature and science can really only be observed come nightfall, which is where this cute headlamp comes in. Dr. Alexandra Figueras-Daniel, the associate director of Bank Street College of Education’s Straus Center for Young Children & Families, told us that her own kids use it on walks or while playing outside at night with their friends. “We have gone on night hikes, and the headlamps offer a way to keep your hands free for exploring,” she adds, noting that even having a kid wear it for a short evening stroll around the neighborhood is a “fun way to see what nature you might get a glimpse of.”
You probably know how Stomp Rockets work, but in case not, children’s librarian Siegel offers this straightforward explainer: “Kids literally stomp to make the rockets go, then run after the rockets once they’ve been launched.” Or, as Silver puts it, “How hard can you stomp? How high can you make it go? It’s as simple as that.” The fun is in the competition, and the way it brings kids together: “Any child really any age can do it,” says Silver. “A bigger kid, or even an adult, can send it soaring.” Plus, in this version, there are three different kinds of planes (looper, glider, wildcat) that perform varying tricks in the air, as designed by aeronautical engineers.
This toy actually detects metal, lighting up and beeping when, say, a penny is sensed in the sandbox. The Toy Insider’s Laurie Schacht loves how it “encourages parents and children to spend time together on the hunt for treasures.” While a functional tool, this metal detector was 100 percent designed with kids in mind. It is small and lightweight enough for little bodies to handle, and affordable enough to where parents won’t mind if it’s dropped a time or ten during archaeological outings. On rainy or cold days, when you can’t bury objects on the beach or in the woodchips at the park, Strategist contributor Steven John recommends covering them with a sheet and playing anywhere you have room in the house.
This powder-coated steel dome encourages the kind of rough-and-tumble action that lots of kids don’t get enough of these days. Which is why Beurkens says she loves the idea of them scaling and experimenting on it: “We are so panicked about children climbing and running, and they need to be able to take risks. They need to fall down every now and then and bump their little knees.” It’s also a favorite of Young’s: “Kids love climbing it, hanging upside down, swinging, and making it into their secret clubhouse,” she says. They’re building strength, balance, self-confidence — and can throw a tarp or large blanket over it to create the perfect fort.
Byrne says the brand Gazillion makes the very best bubble fluid out there; e recommends the Mega Zillion Wand, which has 33 mini wands built into the paddle so you can get the most out of each dip. Another Byrne recommendation is this foam machine, where the main draw is that it makes bonkers amounts of foam — just add batteries and the included foam concentrate and turn it on. Byrne says you can pick up the foam and throw it, cover the backyard with it, or use it to create a fun sensory experience.
Schacht recommends this focus-free, 10-times-magnification telescope because “the best toys are those with an educational component that are so much fun, kids never know they are learning.” Kids can peer through the two jumbo eyepieces and see the moon — or use it to nature-watch by day, as it’s perfectly suited to use before sunset, too. (It should be said that it is unfortunately not powerful enough to zoom in on the stars, but still a great value for how well it works in other ways.) Among other useful features, like an adjustable tripod, it comes with a guide that depicts the lunar phases.
You know those springform pans bakers use to make cheesecake? This is basically that, but for building sand castles. Byrne likes that it is made by a little company out of Connecticut and helps kids learn about engineering, too.
Children are usually old enough for formal golf instruction at age 6, but kids several years younger than that often love less rigorous involvement with the sport, and it’s surprising just how well the game can hold their attention span. The challenge for parents, though, is finding a way to get them on a golf course when they won’t be intrusive to the adult players. That’s why Schacht highly recommends this portable Birdie Golf set: You can set up a golf course anywhere you go, with weighted flags that stand in for holes; rather than sinking the ball in the hole, your aim is to knock over the flag. It comes with badminton-style birdies that function as both ball and tee, two putters, and even a fanny pack for carrying the set to wherever you want to play it. The kids get “real golf action just about anywhere,” says Schacht, as it even works in the basement on a rainy day.
By age 4, according to Beurkens, kids have mastered the gross-motor and balance skills needed to go nuts on this modified pogo stick, which has a foam base and handles for added comfort and security. “They can set up races, create paths to navigate around, or jump to the mailbox,” Beurkens says. Silver is also a fan of the young-kid-friendly design: “A lot of kids even 5 or 6 years old don’t have the balance to be on a traditional pogo stick,” he says, but the wider base here “encourages the kids to have success, to continue, to get active.” This is another toy that can also be used indoors, provided you have the space.
Best outdoor toys for ages 6 through 8
This archery set with suction cups is a fun and safe way for kids to work on mental focus, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness, says Beurkens: “Kids will be motivated to hone their aim and to see how far they can move from the target to still hit their goal.” And since archery can be as satisfying for solo play as for collaborative competition, it can help foster both independence and social skills.
The Woom 4 bike has 20-inch wheels that should suit most children 6 to 8 years old. We previously featured this model in our guide to the best bikes for kids, naming it the best first geared bike. According to Bike Whisperer NYC instructor Andree Sanders, learning how to ride like an adult and shift gears is a key milestone for kids, and the Woom 4 is specifically designed to help them master the concept. The bike has eight speeds and a twist mechanism that’s designed for smaller hands.
If you know a child who is endlessly intrigued by earthworms and colorful rocks, Marissa Silva, digital and social content manager at the Toy Insider, recommends this journal full of nature-related prompts that “challenge kids to find different things outside like leaves and bird feathers.” Once they’re done scavenging through the backyard, the journal comes with more than 500 stickers to attach their new treasures and record their findings.
This jumbo-size version of the classic game Connect Four stands about two feet tall and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The concept is simple enough for younger kids to grasp while still fun and challenging for older age groups able to think a few moves ahead — adults included. Plus it “promotes gross motor development while simultaneously growing cognitive skills” like matching, patterns, and strategy, says Playgarden co-founder and COO Amanda Vierheller.
Best outdoor toys for ages 8 and up
Pickleball has become so popular that more and more universities are adding the sport to their official lineups. So it makes sense that the sport would become a hit with school-aged kids too. This kid-size portable pickleball set will let them play pretty much anywhere: It comes with a zip-up carrying case and a net that can be set up in a backyard, on a driveway, or in a playroom, as well as two balls and two racquets.
If you don’t want to deal with setting up a net, this Koosh paddle set lets kids volley just about anywhere. It comes with sample instructions for a few different games, but you can also freestyle with it and create your own rules on the fly.
This part-juggling, part-catch game “encourages kids to move their hands and brains in a unique way,” says Hirsch. “It engages both sides of the brain to develop bilateral and hand-eye coordination and visual-spatial planning.” The kit starts with a ball tossed in the air, then caught and sent looping back into the air time and again; the funky-looking set can be used anywhere, from the beach to the pool to the porch. “When you see it,” Hirsch adds, “you immediately want to try it.”
Though they aren’t reusable in the same way as the magnetic water balloons above, Silva says these Nerf pods are more exciting for older kids: Each pack comes with over 200 balloons arranged in perforated sheets that you can fill with a hose in one go. The balloons burst open upon impact (or when squeezed, stomped, or smashed) but always remain in one piece, so they are still easier to clean up than traditional balloons that break into lots of small bits.
Little kids aren’t the only ones who love bubbles. But bigger kids tend to get more excited by bigger bubbles, which is why Beurkens suggests this kit that can produce what she calls “the world’s largest” bubbles. “Older children love the challenge of mixing up the solution and mastering the art of using the wand to create the biggest bubble possible,” she explains. The bubbles can stretch out to 12 feet or more, and you can whip up literal gallons of solution with the included concentrate.
For thrill-seeking tweens, Silva recommends this lightweight remote-control stunt jet that can fly up to 35 miles per hour. She says it’s remarkably easy to steer and can do loops and barrel rolls at the touch of a button. It also has removable landing gear and can be flown up to 600 feet away.
Here’s an active toy for tweens that their parents will likely remember from the ’80s and ’90s: Like Magic 8-Balls and Tamagotchis, this new version of an “ankle skip ball” that most people will fondly remember as the Skip It is making a comeback with elementary- and middle-school kids.
Additional reporting by Latifah Miles, Lauren Ro, and Steven John
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