The 10 Best Outdoor Toys For Kids
This wiki has been updated 30 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Modern technology can be a great thing, but spending too much time looking at a screen isn't healthy. Get your little ones into the fresh air with these outdoor toys for kids. No matter how old your child is, or how big your budget, one of the items on our list will be right for you. For safety, always supervise youngsters during play and follow manufacturers' age guidelines. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Wow World of Watersports Super Slide
2. S&S Color Splash
3. Wowmazing Giant Kit
Editor's Notes
October 25, 2019:
These days, it takes a pretty fantastic non-electronic toy to distract many kids’ interest from their video game consoles in order to head outside. Our list aims to do just that, featuring a variety of tried-and-true classics. We’ve included options that are suitable for different ages and budgets, so you’re sure to find an affordable one that your child will enjoy immensely.
Joining the selection is the Wow World of Watersports Super Slide, which can provide hours of entertainment on a hot, summer day. Just hook it up to your garden hose, and its zig-zag spray pattern will work its magic. While some users report using soap to add to the fun, it’s not required, thanks to its already-slick texture. It features 8-inch-high red bumpers for safety, and comes with two sleds and a manual air pump (although an electric pump will make the inflation process much quicker, if you have one).
Also coming on board is the Step2 Rain Showers, a table that allows curious youngsters to pour water into its top to create an exciting rainfall effect. Its ramps and spinning wheels can be repositioned throughout, forming a multitude of different patterns. This helps teach basic physics lessons involving motion and flowing water, all while kids are having fun. It’s also a great way to learn about cause-and-effect.
Leaving our selection in this update is the Swing-N-Slide See Saw, amidst reports it can bend easily, as well as the Macaco Slackline, the fabric of which has been known to fray.
For safety's sake, always supervise your children during play, and be sure to follow a manufacturer’s stated age guidelines for any kids' product you buy.
Special Honors
Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids' Bike It might not qualify as a toy, per se, but a bike is such a big part of a kid’s outdoor fun that we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about one. This aluminum-frame model is super easy to put together, provides a smooth ride, and can grow along with its rider. Its training wheels help new cyclists find their balance as they learn to ride independently. It’s also built with old-school, beginner-friendly coaster brakes. The included sticker pack features letters and fun designs so kids can customize their ride to match their personality. It comes with very little left to assemble, so your youngster can be cruising around on it in minutes. rei.com
4. AGreatLife Rainbow Kite
5. Step2 Rain Showers
6. Eachine Mini Quadcopter
7. Melissa & Doug Trixie Kickball
8. 1Elegant Adventure Kit
9. Stomp Rocket Ultra
10. Flybar Jumper
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.