When the sun is shining and the temperature is on the rise, it's time to send the kids outside. Parents have a plethora of outdoor toys for toddlers from which to choose, but how do you tell your balance bikes from your bubble wands? This buyer's guide will help you figure out what outdoor toys for kids are must-haves and which gear is thoroughly skippable as you transform your outdoor space into a play-filled paradise for pint-sized adventurers, athletes, and artists.
How do you clean outdoor toys for toddlers?
Most outdoor toys can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. A good thunderstorm can do the trick, too.
That depends on the toy and where you live, but most outdoor toys — especially swing sets, climbers, and similar structures — are designed to handle the elements. That said, covering them with a tarp or moving them into the garage during the winter couldn’t hurt.
Most outdoor toys for boy and girls are simple to assemble and include step-by-step directions. The sale of larger toys, such as swing sets or playhouses, often includes the option to add professional assembly for a fee.
Because outdoor toys are built to be outdoors, you can expect most to be designed for inclement weather. Most wooden play structures, for example, are pre-stained and treated to protect against splinters, chipping, and mold or mildew.
Minimal to none. Swing chains may need to be oiled from time to time to prevent squeaking. Toy balls will likely need more air. In general, though, outdoor toys are built to handle the weather and your kids.
Kids of all ages love to explore. Climbers, swings, and swing sets tap into that adventurous spirit by offering toddlers a surplus of equipment to scale, surmount, and conquer.
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Kids of all ages love to get their leap on. From castles to ball pits, bouncers offer younger jumpers hours of enjoyment. Trampolines, while geared toward older kids, take hopping, skipping, and even dunking to new heights — literally.
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Playhouses, forts, tents, and treehouses give kids a place to call their own. After all, you can't have a top-secret, "No Grown-Ups Allowed" club without a rad home base.
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Toddlers may be too young for the whole "thrill of victory and agony of defeat" bit when it comes to sports, but that doesn't mean they don’t have a blast throwing, kicking, hitting, and chasing balls of all shapes and sizes.
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Cops and robbers: it's a game as old as time itself, or at least as old as your grandparents. Blasters encourage your budding sheriffs, outlaws, and space invaders to use their imagination and hand-eye coordination as they run 'n' gun.
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Every parent dreads the day their child gets his or her learner's permit — not only for the obvious safety concerns, but also because it means your baby isn't exactly a baby anymore. Stave off the passage of time by putting your toddler behind the wheel or handle bars of a ride-on toy that'll develop his or her motor skills… without an actual motor.
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From inflatable bowling pins to oversized dice and the bean bag toss, backyard games offer something for every toddler and present the opportunity to teach valuable lessons about winning, losing, and how to convert a 7 – 10 split.
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Playing outside presents an array of benefits for your toddler. In addition to the invigorating deluge of fresh air, outdoor toys can help your little ones develop a variety of important skills.
Outdoor toys get kids moving, which means they're a fun way for your toddler to fit in a healthy level of physical exercise. They may not realize that they're buffing up their muscles when they traverse the monkey bars or that they're improving their endurance when they chase down a Wiffle ball, but they most certainly are.
From rock climbing walls to basketballs and sidewalk chalk, outdoor toys help toddlers hone their motor skills and coordination in a variety of stimulating ways.
While it's true that toddlers can turn almost any toy — or spatula or washcloth or dirty sock — into an opportunity for creative play, outdoor toys provide endless opportunities for imagination. That's how an ordinary tent becomes a top-secret headquarters and a blaster gun transforms the family dog into an alien visitor from another planet.
Role-playing and social skills go hand in hand. Serving customers at an imaginary outdoor café and even taking turns on a climber or with a baseball tee encourages communication, cooperation, and sharing. Sports impart valuable lessons in teamwork and competition, too.
You do your tots a disservice when you keep them cooped up in doors. Getting outside helps children develop their appreciation for, and understanding of, the natural world. Spotting a bird they've never seen before or hearing a distant train fires up their curiosity, too.
When selecting an outdoor toy for your toddler, make sure it hits the following criteria:
Skateboards are fun and all, but probably not a good fit for your 2-year-old.
To be honest, you'd be hard-pressed to find an outdoor toy that doesn't fulfill one of these criteria, but, ideally, outdoor toys will get your toddler moving, challenge his or her critical thinking, or spark his or her creativity. The best toys will do all three.
Kids learn through play. Choose an outdoor toy that's fun, and your little ones will be captivated — and developing myriad skills — for hours.
Save the beeps, boops, and batteries for indoor toys and rainy days. One of the best things about most outdoor toys is their simplicity and back-to-basics ease of use.
Check the product details on any toy — outdoor or otherwise — to make sure it conforms to safety standards. There are a variety of rules and regulations dependent on a toy's type, but the big dog when it comes to outdoor toy safety is ASTM, which issues over 12,000 safety standards worldwide.
From water tables to soccer goals, outdoor toys are built for maximum durability. Double-check that all paints, plastics, and other treatments are kid-safe and that your toy is made out of high-quality materials. "You get what you pay for" is in the vernacular because, most of the time, it's true.
Not two outdoor spaces are exactly alike. That playhouse that looks awesome online may not be a good fit for your backyard for a variety of reasons. Your landlord may have restrictions about what you can and can't add to your shared yard. Make sure you're realistic about your play space, and always keep safety at the forefront of your decisions.
Founded in 1969, this Ohio-based company is an industry leader in sturdy outdoor toys that encourage active play, including ride-on toys, playhouses, and climbers.
Another Ohio-based toy company, Step2 was founded in 1991 and quickly established itself as a top retailer of slides, swing sets, outdoor furniture, and water and sand tables.
Toysmith was founded in 1981. Based in Washington, the company is focused on toys that promote discovery and activity. It's partners with several other prominent toy retailers, including Toy Science, Crayola, Duncan, and Baby Einstein.
Nerf was created by Parker Brothers in 1969. It introduced "the world's first indoor ball" in 1970, and today it is known for a wide range of soft sporting goods, blasters, and swords.
For 70 years, California toy company Wham-O has been cranking out timeless children's toys, including Frisbees, the Slip 'N' Slide, and Silly String.
Primarily known for its wide range of indoor toys, such as puzzles, musical instruments, and play food, the Connecticut company founded by a husband and wife team also makes outdoor gear such as kites and gardening sets, as well as camp chairs and sprinklers.
Looking to add an inflatable or above-ground pool to your outdoor play space? Look no further than Intex. It's been producing durable, portable pools for over 40 years.
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Why bring your toddler to the park when you can bring the park to your toddler? The Backyard Discovery Skyfort II All Cedar Wood Swing Set is a full-fledged playground that features not only swings, but also monkey bars, a rock climbing wall, and even a clubhouse. Made out of 100 percent cedar wood that's been primed to fight the elements, this swing set is designed to last for life — or at least until college.
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Take the morning off, and let your toddler whip up "lunch" in the Step2 All Around Playtime Patio with Canopy Playhouse. Its large, open floor plan means there's plenty of room for your little chef and his line cooks. The included grill set, dishes, water table, and sand table enable hours and hours of imaginative play.
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If your daughter loves bath time, but hates the actual bath part, she'll love the Step2 Spill and Splash Seaway Water Table. It sports two different levels of water play connected by a waterfall, squirt toys, a wave spinner, and a flipboard, but the main event here is the barrage of buckets for moving water from here to there. A built-in umbrella provides shade for sensitive little skin, but don't forget the sunscreen.
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Make everyday a party in your backyard with the Little Tikes Jump 'n Slide Bouncer. With a large, square play area and an extra-wide slide, this jumper's paradise provides hours of energetic enjoyment for your kids — and virtually guarantees a solid nap or good night's sleep. Just sayin.'
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This Toysmith Get Outside GO! Pro-Ball Set includes a classic line-up of rough and tumble sporting goods for your future NFL and WNBA stars. Each ball is made of bright, durable plastic that can survive the elements — and your toddler's catches, throws, and kicks. Ball play encourages not only hand-eye coordination, but all-over coordination, and — best of all — they're sized to fit your little one's hands and feet.
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Nerf is synonymous with best-in-class blaster guns, and the Nerf N-Stroke Elite Strongarm Blaster doesn't disappoint. It comes equipped with six Elite-style darts, and loading it is a breeze with its rotating barrel. Additional darts are available for purchase; Elite darts are interchangeable between blaster models, too, so there's no reason to run out of ammo just as your older sister comes charging up the driveway with her own blaster at the ready.
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The award-winning Original PlasmaCar by PlaSmart is an innovating alternative to little red wagons and old school tricycles. It's powered solely by mechanical operation. Put your feet up, waggle the steering wheel, and you're off to the races. Its patented safety seat design can accommodate up to 220 pounds, which means Mom or Dad may just want to take a turn, too.
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The classics never go out of style. Bring the carnival to your backyard with this ring toss game from Elite Outdoor Kids Games. In fact, with the included travel bag, you can bring it anywhere: the park, on vacation, the pediatrician's waiting room — okay, probably not that last one. Players toss rings at the pegged scoreboard, and whoever scores the most points wins; it's that simple. The brightly painted board is constructed from hard-wearing wood, and 15 rings — both rope and plastic — are included.
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Every princess needs her palace. This Fox Print Princess Castle Play Tent offers your little monarch — and up to two of her equally regal friends — an enchanting space to play, relax, and daydream. Built from easy-to-clean nylon, this lightweight tent can be set up indoors or outdoors in a matter of minutes, which means you'll never have to keep your pint-sized noblewoman waiting.
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Help your toddler unleash her inner Picasso with this Glitter Sidewalk Chalk from Crayola. Made with five bold pigments and a healthy dose of glitter, these easy-grip chalk sticks let your daughter create vivid drawings that'll shimmer in the sun — and conveniently wash away with the next rainfall or your garden hose. The only limit to what she can create is her imagination.
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This durable, brightly colored telescope is an affordable accessory for your stargazing toddler's swing set or playhouse. Measuring 11.375 inches in length, it's suitable for practicing pirates, too. It attaches to almost any railing or wall, and mounting hardware is included. While it is non-magnifying, that won't prevent it from adding another dimension to your toddler's imaginative play.
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Encourage your kid's inner gymnast with this combination trapeze bar and rings add-on for your swing set. It comes fully assembled and sports heavy, 48-inch chains. The bar and rings feature easy-grip plastic coating, but this is definitely a playground upgrade that your little one will have to grow into.
Anything that gets my kids' hearts beating — and gets them out of my house — is A-OK in my book. Outdoor play is incredibly beneficial to growing minds and bodies. Fun in the sun develops motor skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity. Just between you and me? It tires them out, too. After a fierce tee-ball or water table session, toddlers are exhilarated, exhausted, and ready to take a legendary nap, which means busy, hardworking parents benefit, too.
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