Now that it’s officially spring, we’re on the lookout for the best outdoor toys for kids! These ideas are perfect for springtime fun!
*This post contains affiliate links. Read more.
Now that it’s officially spring, we’re on the lookout for the best outdoor toys for kids! But we’re not just looking for any old toy…we want cool, creative, well-made products that will get kids moving, exploring, and rediscovering the outdoors after a long, cold winter stuck inside!
We’re so excited to finally be getting back to all of those fun and easy outdoor activities for kids now that the weather is warming up!
Below, check out some of the best outdoor toys for kids – perfect for some outdoor springtime fun! And don’t miss these great books that celebrate getting outside!
Why are backyard toys important for development?
Physical Activity
Outdoor toys provide children with an opportunity to engage in physical activity, which is essential for children’s development and helps them build cardiovascular endurance, build strong bones and muscles, and improve their overall physical fitness.
Socialization:
Outdoor toys encourage children to play with neighbors, friends, and siblings and engage in social interactions. Through outdoor play, children learn important social skills such as sharing, communication, cooperation, and problem-solving.
Exploration:
Outdoor toys such as binoculars, magnifying glasses, and telescopes provide children with an opportunity to explore their environment and learn about the world around them.
Creativity:
Outdoor toys such as sidewalk chalk, water guns, and bubbles allow children to engage in imaginative play and explore their creativity.
Overall, outdoor toys are important for children’s physical, social, and emotional development. They provide children with an opportunity to engage in physical activity, explore their environment, develop important social skills, and promote creativity and imagination.
Check out our Amazon storefront with all of our best outdoor toys in one easy-to-shop list! And, if you have a bad weather day – don’t fret! We’ve got you covered! Check out our favorite Amazon finds that make perfect rainy day activities for kids!
10 of the Best Outdoor Toys to Inspire Movement, Exploration & Fun!
1 || Checkers & Tic Tac Toe Activity Mat
How cool is this activity mat? The next time you pack up a picnic, Take along this awesome little gem! Such a fun prompt to inspire some fun games of checkers or tic tac toe!
2 || Kids Garden Tool Set
These fun, brightly colored garden tools for kids are a great way to get kids involved when you’re out working in the yard. Digging in the dirt is awesome for strengthening and also provides great proprioceptive input for kids!
3 || Reusable Water Balloons
These reusable water balloons are good for hours of fun in the backyard! Kids will love throwing them on the ground to watch the satisfying splat, or tossing them at friends and siblings during a water fight on a hot day!
4 || Rainbow Diamond Kite
Bright, bold, and colorful – nothing says spring like good old-fashioned kite! Flying a kite is the perfect way to get outside and moving with the whole family!
5 ||Sidewalk Chalk Activity Set
Upgrade your old stand-by – sidewalk chalk with this awesome activity set for sidewalk chalk! This kit includes 18 vibrant chalk sticks and 15 original games and activities that are perfect for outdoor fun!
6 || Toysmith Build & Paint Birdfeeder
This cute little birdfeeder kit comes with pre-cut wood pieces, acrylic paints, and a paint brush. It’s easy to assemble and you don’t even need any hardware! This is an awesome fine motor and visual motor activity and kids will love peeking out the window to watch the birds as they come to get a snack!
7 || Outdoor Explorer Set
Last year, I picked up a couple of small aquarium nets for my boys at the dollar store. It was the best $2 I’ve ever spent. We live near a creek and several ponds and I swear, we used these every single day of the spring and summer. My kids were thrilled to be able to catch their own minnows, frogs, toads, and bugs. This year…we’re upgrading to this awesome outdoor explorer set!
8 || Frisbee Golf Set
If you’ve never taken your kids frisbee golfing, do yourself a favor and get out there this spring! Such a great way to get outside for a hike with a bit of friendly competition (frisbee golf courses are usually built in the woods and can be found in some really beautiful state parks)! If your little ones aren’t quite ready for a long hike, pick up this awesome mini frisbee golf set – perfect for the backyard and great for visual motor skills, gross motor skills, and motor planning!
9 || Big Bubble Wand
Take your bubbles to the next level this spring with this awesome, giant bubble wand! Big kids will love the challenge of creating huge bubbles with the two-handled wand (great for bilateral coordination and visual motor skills!) and little kids will enjoy chasing and popping the bubbles all over the backyard (great for coordination and motor planning!)
10 || Slackers Zipline
The mother of all vestibular experiences…a zipline! Right in your own backyard! Seriously, this thing could set the stage for hours of springtime (and summertime) fun. We have the Slackers Slackline, which is equally awesome, but the zipline is on our wishlist for this year!
