Summer is here, which means it’s time to get the kids outside! The best way to encourage outdoor play is with outside toys for kids that allow for unstructured, self-directed play. These are the types of toys that help kids explore their environment, make their own decisions, and play in a way that’s fun for them.
In this post you’ll find the best outdoor toys for toddlers and preschoolers — plus plenty of options for grade schoolers, too. But first — some tips on unstructured play and how to encourage more of it!
What is unstructured play and why is it so important?
Kids learn best through play in a safe and supportive environment. Unstructured, or open-ended, play has no set rules or expected outcomes. It’s led completely by the kid without a parent stepping in to change or correct how the kid is playing. For example, a board game has instructions to follow whereas toys like building blocks don’t.
As Mr. Rogers said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.”
So what exactly are they learning?
All of the outdoor play ideas I’ve listed below help build so many skills that are crucial to a child’s development.
Outside toys for kids can:
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Develop fine and gross motor skills, like finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, balance, running, and jumping.
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Encourage creativity and imagination, which allows kids to process their thoughts and emotions.
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Help them explore cause and effect, make decisions, face challenges, and problem-solve, which can increase independence and confidence.
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Engage them fully, which allows them to focus and increase their attention spans.
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Inspire them to practice language skills and expand their vocabulary (you may see kids talking to themselves a lot more when engaging in imaginative play).
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Improve their mood and reduce stress — if kids are feeling moody or having a hard time, you might notice a change in their behavior once they’re outside!
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Engage their senses, which is crucial to building all other skills, including cognitive, motor, social, and emotional skills.
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Introduce real-world concepts and help them make sense of the world around them.
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Build social skills, like communication, taking turns, and collaboration.
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Foster curiosity by allowing them to explore their environment, experiment, and act on their own ideas.
How to Encourage Open-Ended Play
- Outside toys for kids: Give kids outdoor toys and experiences that empower them to play freely — playing outside opens up a world of possibilities (and allows for messier play).
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Make time for it: Avoid rushing them or over-scheduling their days with tons of activities — giving them time for unstructured play is important (think back to those more laidback 90s summers!)
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Provide a safe environment: Make sure they have a space to play how they want to — you want kids to be able to explore, take risks, and get messy without causing harm or destruction.
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Invite a friend over for a playdate. Provide several options for outdoor play, then sit back and see how they communicate and collaborate (you may need to model this for toddlers and preschoolers).
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Play with them. Join your child’s play without taking over or controlling how they play — remember, they’re in charge!
Tip: For some kids — especially younger ones —it may be helpful to encourage open-ended play. Remember to not direct them or try to make something perfect. For example, you could ask them questions or point out something relating to the toy or their environment that they may not have noticed.
Here are a few questions you can ask to support their open-ended play:
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What else could you make?
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Do you see anything else that might float in the water?
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What do you think we could do with these rocks?
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I wonder what else you could use to pop these bubbles?
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What does this sand feel like to you?
Outdoor Play Ideas
As parents, it can be a struggle sometimes to constantly come up with new play ideas or ways to entertain our kids, especially when they’re still pretty little. That’s why I’ve come up with a list of outside toys for kids that includes a variety of options for different age groups, interests, and abilities.
All of these toys encourage kids to play independently and are perfect for any parent looking for screen-free activities this summer. Plus they encourage tons of crucial skills that little ones will go on to use as they get older.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me continue sharing helpful parenting tips with you!
Outdoor Toys for Active Kids
These outdoor play ideas are a great way for kids to get their energy out and stay physically healthy. Along with developing their motor skills, these toys can boost their confidence and motivate them to engage in new challenges.
Ride-on Toys: Ride-ons are fun for kids, and they help develop motor skills and spatial awareness. For toddlers, choose a sturdy, simple ride-on or a classic like the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. Once they’re 3+, you can advance to a powered ride-on.
Tricycles or Balance Bikes: Tricycles — and balance bikes, especially — help kids develop their coordination, balance, and confidence while enjoying the outdoors. Don’t forget to grab a helmet, too!
Scooters: A fun way to zip around! If you’re looking for outdoor toys for toddlers or preschoolers, this micro kickboard scooter is perfect for ages 2-5. Otherwise, this Razor scooter is great for kids 5+.
Roller Coaster Ride-On Toy: A safe roller coaster for little thrill seekers! Toddlers and preschoolers will love hopping on their ride-on and zooming down the roller coaster track — over and over again.
Mini Sports Set: Simple sports equipment like mini basketball hoops or mini soccer goals can introduce kids to basic sports skills.
Pogo Stick: Pogo sticks have been around a long time! This foam pogo stick is perfect for kids 3+ who are just starting out. Kids 5+ can advance to a more traditional pogo stick.
Rollerblades: These adjustable rollerblades allow you to increase the boot up to four sizes — perfect for growing feet. They’re also easy for kids to get in and out of, and the wheels light up!
Ankle Skip Ball: The skip ball has gotten an update since I was a kid, but it’s still just as fun! This is a great way to get kids active while also helping develop their balance and coordination.
Stomp Rocket: Kids love running, jumping, and stomping on the Stomp Rocket to see how high their rockets will fly.
Stepping Stones: These stepping stones are fun for kids and help them work on their balance and coordination. Kids can also use the color spinner to create jumping games and make it more challenging.
Sand & Water Play Toys
Playing with water and sand is a fun sensory experience that helps kids develop their fine and gross motor skills, encourages imaginative play, and boosts cognitive skills. It can also be very calming and a great way to reset if they’re feeling moody.
Water Tables: My favorite water table for toddlers is the Step 2 Water Table. It has two tiers, so kids can pour water from the top, and it comes with a bunch of accessories for more interactive play.
Sprinklers: A classic toy that provides hours of outdoor play for kids. You can grab a kid’s sprinkler with a fun design, or go with something more basic. Either way, your kids will have fun!
Splash Pad: A splash pad is a fun and safe way for kids to play in water — and it provides endless entertainment! Having your own splash pad at home means you don’t have to wait for parks to open them up or worry about water quality.
Small Pool: Perfect for hot days! Grab an inflatable pool for toddlers, or you can grab a larger pool that fits the whole family.
Reusable Water Balloons: I love these reusable water balloons because they’re easy to fill, there are no messy pieces to clean up, and they’re built to last.
Water Guns: Anything that blasts water is going to also be a blast for kids! If you’re hoping to have more of a 90s summer, grab some Nerf Super Soakers.
Sandbox or Sand Table: Kids love playing with sand! It’s also a great way to develop fine motor skills, encourage creativity, and practice social skills. If you prefer it to be less messy, get a sand table instead. And keep your sandbox protected with a cover.
Kinetic Sand: Don’t love how messy sand can be? Kinetic sand is a great alternative! Pour some Kinetic sand into a bin, or get a pre-made sensory kit.
Bubble Toys
Blowing and chasing bubbles is always a hit with young kids and encourages active play. It’s also a great opportunity to encourage social interactions in larger settings. Have a couple of options on hand and don’t forget the bubble solution!
No-Spill Bubbles: Perfect for babies and toddlers! No-spill bubbles can’t be poured out, won’t create a sticky mess, and they’re easy to use and refill.
Bubble Lawn Mower: Little ones will love pushing around this bubble lawn mower — whether it’s in your backyard or around the neighborhood.
Big Bubble Wands: Fun for all ages! These bubble wands make it super easy to blow all different sizes and shapes of bubbles.
Bubble Gun: Enjoy continuous bubbles without the mess! These bubble guns are a great way to entertain babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in your backyard or at the park.
Bubble Machine: Set one out and watch kids run happily after bubbles as you sit back and relax. This bubble machine blows 18,000+ bubbles per minute!
Flying Toys
Flying toys can help kids develop hand-eye coordination, observation skills, and a better sense of direction. Kids can also experiment with cause and effect and learn about the basic concepts of physics.
Frisbee: Grab a frisbee to toss or a flying disc that goes twice as far. Another fun option is this boomerang, which was designed to be easy to throw and safe to catch.
Small Kites: Kids will have so much fun launching these mini kites! Unlike regular kites, they don’t need any wind to fly or a big, open space.
Flying Saucer: A simple game that brings so much joy! Just pull the cord and watch the disc soar. This airplane launcher is perfect for kids 3+ while older kids might appreciate a more simple flying saucer.
Swings & Slides
You can never go wrong with classic playground equipment. Parks can get pretty busy in the summer, and sometimes it’s easier to just play in your backyard where the swing or play structure is always available — and you can pop in and out of your house as you please!
Slide: The Little Tikes First Slide is a great beginner slide for toddlers and can be used through the preschool years. Tip: Place it over your splash pad and turn it into a water slide!
Swing: Swinging isn’t just fun —it also stimulates different parts of the brain. This infant/toddler swing works well on any sturdy tree or existing play structure. As little ones get older, you may want to switch to a kid’s swing or saucer swing.
Playset: Kids love to climb, and this Step 2 Playset encourages it safely with a climbing wall on one side and a ladder on the other. It also has a slide, two steering wheels, and space underneath for kids to hide — or for storage.
Play Structure: If you really want to turn your backyard into a playground, set up a play structure with multiple options. It’s more of an investment, but it will provide endless fun and last for years!
Cars & Vehicles
These outside toys for kids introduce real-world concepts while also helping them refine their motor skills, problem-solve, and create stories for imaginative play. They also encourage sensory play, which improves auditory and visual processing abilities.
Dump Trucks: Toddlers will love using these outside toys to dump sand, dirt, or gravel. There are so many kinds available, but the Green Toys dump truck is an all-time favorite!
Large Construction Toys: Kids love to watch construction workers! Large construction toys, like the Tonka dump truck or CAT excavator, are especially fun for toddlers and preschoolers to push around and interact with outside.
Remote Control Car: RC cars are a great way to get kids outside! Choose a simple version for ages 3+, like this Lightning McQueen RC car, or a more advanced version, like this RC stunt car.
Creative Play
These outdoor play ideas allow kids to express themselves creatively while encouraging unstructured, imaginative play. This type of play helps kids work through their thoughts and feelings, share ideas, and collaborate with others.
Chalk: Sidewalk chalk is fun for all ages. And the older your kids get, the more creative you can be! We love doing chalk murals on the driveway and leaving positive messages for neighbors on the sidewalk. Grab a 12-pack or a huge bucket of chalk.
Rock Painting: Find some rocks to paint or grab a rock painting kit. Make sure to use a sealer if you want the designs to last.
DIY Stepping Stone: Have kids create their own unique stepping stones with this DIY kit. This is a great way for kids to express their creativity and have some control over decorating the backyard or garden.
Playhouse: This wooden playhouse cottage has so many cute details — a play kitchen, snack bar, a toy phone, and even a working doorbell. Or you can go with a simpler, classic playhouse!
Play Grill Set: Do your little ones love to watch you barbecue? This grill playset includes everything they need to play along — from play food and condiments to a pretend lighter and barbecue tools.
Outside Toys for Kids Who Love to Experiment & Get Messy
Summer is the perfect time to encourage unstructured messy play, which can help kids develop their senses, play independently, and increase their attention spans. It can also be very calming — so embrace the mess, and just hose them off later!
Extreme Geyser Tube: If you ever dropped Mentos in a 2-liter of Coke, this activity will be fun for you, too! The extreme geyser tube comes with three different caps for kids to experiment with various types of eruptions.
Gardening Tools: If your kids love to dig in the dirt, explore plants, or help out in the garden, grab some kids’ gardening tools. This gardening set is perfect — it includes several tools, a wheelbarrow, gloves, and a spray bottle.
Mud Kitchen: Playing with mud is a great sensory experience that activates kids’ brains and connects them to nature. There are also tons of fun options to choose from, like this Hape mud kitchen, or you can find a smaller mud kitchen from TP Toys.
Sensory Bins: Don’t want to go full-out with a mud kitchen? Grab a few bins instead for sensory play. The Inspire My Play sensory bin offers multiple options for different types of sensory play. Or you can use any bin you have around the house.
Outdoor Toys for Kids FAQs
What ages do these toys work for?
I’ve included outdoor play ideas for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids. However, most of the toys linked in this post are best for toddlers and preschoolers.
What if I don’t have a big backyard? Or any yard at all?
Focus on smaller outdoor toys for kids instead of the larger playsets. Some of these outside toys also work well at local parks. And kids can ride bikes, scooters, and ride-on toys around the neighborhood.
Do I need anything extra, like batteries?
Most of the toys listed in this post do not require batteries. Some of the options may need sand or an easily accessible water source, like a hose.
What else should I consider before buying outdoor toys?
Think about the weather in your area during summer and once summer is over. If there’s any chance of rain or snow, make sure any outside toys for kids are covered or put away. You may also want to consider what type of storage space you have for larger toys.
Final Thoughts on Outside Toys for Kids
I’d love to hear what outdoor toys you have and which ones your kids love! If you get any from my list or have more to recommend, please share in the comments below.
If you’re feeling stressed about summertime, remember it’s ok to slow down and make time for unstructured play at home — this is where kids’ creativity and imagination thrive!
Want more fun activities for your family this summer? Check out my summer bucket list for kids.
