Outdoor Toys for Kids (That We Have and LOVE)

Parents are sharing the outdoor toys for kids that have gotten the most use over the years with their families!

We've got tried-and-true picks for sturdy toddler toys, backyard water fun, family lawn games (including some of our favorite giant yard games!), and more cool backyard toys for kids that will keep them busy outdoors.

What outside toys have been worth the storage space at your house? If you've got it and love it, add it to the list!

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    Geometric Dome Climber Play Center

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    Beth Wood said:  Kids love to climb, hang upside down, swing from and play on top of and under these dome climbers. This climber is made of heavy duty construction and weather and rust-resistant powder-coated steel.

    GoSports Giant Toppling Tower

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    Erin P. said:  I mean....right? This giant Jenga game includes 54 blocks, and is fun for the whole family! You can make up your own rules of play or use their bonus rules as a guide. A fun outside twist on family game night.

    Bunch O Balloons

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    Water balloon fun made easy! Fill and tie 100+ water balloons in under 60 seconds!

    Little Tikes T-Ball Set

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    Erin P. said:  Sometimes it's best keep it simple! Generations of kids have not been wrong about this one! This is the first outdoor toy that gets pulled out of our garage whenever we head outside to play.

    Micro Mini Scooter

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    Kelly R. said:  The 3-wheel design of this scooter is perfect for younger kids who are still working on balance. No turning required - just lean the handles to steer.

    Step2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Center

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    Beth Wood said:  We had this combo sand/water table for years and our kids loved it! They'd play with it every day! There are two separate sides: one for water, the other for sand. It comes with a cover with elastic tie-downs that keep the table clean and dry. There are added molded-in roadways on the lid for additional play surfaces, an accessory set (bridges, boats, pots, shovel), and a removable umbrella.

    Blitz Light-Up Bubble Whirl Wind

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    Erin P. said:  There are a lot of things that I'm still trying to figure out as a mom. But bubble blasters? Guys, I got this. This is the one to get. Let me tell you about it! First, it works, and works consistently. Not your standard "one-time use and this one's trash" bubble blaster. Second, it blows so many bubbles. So. Many. Bubbles. Finally, and possibly just for show-off points, it lights up! Not even kidding. For those of you on the hunt for the best bubble blaster, look no further. You found it!

    GoSports Ladder Toss

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    Erin P. said:  This is a fun, easy to learn backyard game that is great for children to play one-on-one or in teams. It breaks down and stores easily so it would be a good option to pack for camping as a family or a day at the beach!

    Wham-O Slip N Slide Wave Rider Double

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    Brigitte Nohra Miller said:  Slip N Slides are the ultimate backyard water toys for kids, and this double slide brings double the fun. Easy for parents to install, water your lawn while the kids are playing and having fun. Kids will burn a lot of energy running around, too! Tip: add dish soap to make the slide extra slippery!

    NinjaLine Intro Kit

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    Laila Talley said:  This is the perfect outdoor toy for your little ninja or gymnast. The line has multiple obstacles, including gymnastics rings and monkey bar holds with triangle safety carabiners.

    Original Stomp Rocket

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    Kelly R. said:  Rockets with a kid-powered stomp launcher that blasts them up to 200 feet in the air. Great for outdoor fun with friends. This kit includes 4 rockets and a launch pad.

    Little Tikes 2-in-1 Outdoor Swing

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    Molly Weber said:  What I love about this swing is that it can be used from as young as 9 months up until 48 months. As your child gets older, you can easily store away the straps and safety bar. We don't live in walking distance to a playground so this has been great backyard toy for my daughter.

    OgoDisk

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    Kelly R. said:  This is a set of handheld trampoline-like disks that are used to catch, bounce and throw balls up to 150 feet. They're versatile outdoor toys for kids that inspire inventive, active play, and boost hand-eye coordination.

    Little Tikes First Slide

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    Kristy Pepping said:  This is a great first slide for toddlers and one of the best outdoor toys for kids, especially if you have a smaller yard or are not quite ready for the investment of a jungle gym.

    Backyard Splash Pad

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    Kristy Pepping said:  An at-home splash pad is one of the best outdoor water toys for toddlers and older. We just bought this splash pad sprinkler; it's great for staying cool, keeping the kids entertained while outside, and is a fun way to play in zero-depth water. If you are looking for something a little more than a sprinkler, but a little less maintenance than filling up and inflating a blow-up pool, I recommend this. You can hook it up to a hose and control how much water pressure depending on how high you want the sprayers.

    Hedstrom Hopper Ball

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    Hop inside, hop outside, hop anywhere! The Hedstrom Hopper Ball helps develop coordination, balance and core strength.

    Stick-lets

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    Stick-lets allows kids (and adults) create imaginative things from simple sticks! Stick-lets are flexible, silicone connectors that can be twisted and stretched to accommodate just about any kind of construction. Create forts, animals, shapes and anything else your imagination will allow.

    Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox

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    Brittany Kozielski said:  As my kids grow, they still have not outgrown their sandbox. This is a toy that year after year keeps them occupied for hours. The great thing about the turtle sandbox is it comes with a lid that will help keep nighttime critters away.

    Franklin Sports Bean Bag Toss

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    Nancy L. said:  Divide the family into teams and enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun. This foldable, portable backyard game comes with two sets of three bean bags in different colors. Toss the bean bags into any one of the six holes and score as many points as you can.

    Pop-Up Soccer Goals

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    Tim Ponisciak said:  Don't live near a soccer field? No worries, just get a set of these great soccer nets that easily fold up and store when you're not using them! These make great backyard toys for kids or can fit into your car pretty easily to transport anywhere!

    Beaded Jump Rope

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    Jumping rope will keep kids entertained for hours! Jump alone or with a group.

    Goblies Throwable Paintballs

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    Amanda Banta said:  Move over, water balloons. Goblies Paintballs are my new favorite outdoor toys for kids. Goblies are soft paintballs that you throw like water balloons. The outside membrane is made from seaweed and the colorful goo on the inside is food-based. The color sticks to your clothes and skin, giving you the paint-splattered look, but one that washes off super easily, making Goblies a win-win for families. The color even came out of my husband's white T-shirt on the first wash! You will need to wash your hair if you get goo in it, but otherwise, a quick rinse will wash it off your body.

    Wooden Bow and Arrows

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    Easy to use and features arrows with felt ball tips.

    Capture the Flag REDUX

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    Dawn Denning said:  My kids love playing classic yard games like capture the flag, and they also love spending time outside at night when it is warm enough. This game allows them to do both things at one time! The glow-in-the-dark bracelets help me see where my kids are in the yard. And the balls are small enough to be hidden but bright enough to see at night. It is hours of fun for them and their friends!

    Liberty Imports Badminton Set for Kids

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    christadiserio said:  For any kid who enjoys watching or playing tennis, they'll surely love badminton too. This is the perfect game for your child to play outdoors with you or a sibling. It's safe, will help develop hand-eye coordination, and will exhaust them all at the same time - phew! I grew up playing badminton with my dad and to this day, I still love it.

    Carson BugLoupe Magnifier

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    Examine bugs, plants, maps and other small items with this magnifier.

    Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Skates

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    Nancy L. said:  These girls roller skates feature a fashion-forward design and a push-button adjustable frame to grow with your child. Cam-lever buckle closures make them simple to hook and unhook and feature washable liners so skates stay fresh.

    PlasmaCar

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    Erynn said:  The "plasma car" has been popular for ages, so it's a kid-powered "car" that won't ever go out of style. Kids can use them as inside or outside toys, and the manufacturer claims the cars can reach speeds of up to 6mph. Just turn the steering wheel to move--simpler than riding a two-wheeler but way more fun than just walking.

    Razor RipStik Ripster

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    Erynn said:  A steel torsion bar upgrades this skateboard from the standard design, so in addition to pushing off like a normal skateboard, kids can also "wobble" to keep up their speed. It's a more compact skateboard compared to longer deck (often wooden) boards, so it's ideal for younger kids.

    Melissa & Doug Pretty Petals Sprinkler

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    Erin P. said:  Our kids love our hose attachments! This Melissa & Doug sprinkler is a great option for small yards. It also scores mom points by being easy to set up and easy to store!

    Champion Sports Horseshoe Set

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    Erin P. said:  These horseshoes are made with rubber, so they are easy to throw and aim compared to traditional metal horseshoes. Their soft design also makes them safe to use for kids and adults.

    Razor Jetts Heel Wheels

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    Nancy L. said:  Transform any pair of sneakers into the coolest way to move with these Razor Jetts heel wheels. Ready to go out of the box, simply slip them onto the back of a sneaker with the quick-click frame and hook-and-loop strap. These feature real sparking action with removable and replaceable spark pads.

    Costzon Giant 4-in-a-Row

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    Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  The kids will love this giant game set with 4 In a Row (similar to Connect Four), Ring Toss and Basketball. Made from colorful, high-quality plastic, it is portable for easy set-up and dismantle. The kids will not only have fun, but improve their cognitive and motor skills plus hand-eye coordination. Everything you need is included and easy to store right on the frame!

    Bruder Construction Trucks

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    Alexandra F. said:  My toddler will spend HOURS outside digging in the dirt or sandbox with his construction truck toys, and this excavator is definitely the favorite. I love how sturdy and well-made all Bruder trucks are, and my truck-loving kids love that they are so realistic.

    Little Tikes Cozy Coupe

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    Alexandra F. said:  I still remember the thrill of going to Toys R Us and riding this guy around the wheeled toys section when I was a kid, and each of my own kids has loved riding this classic toy car around our driveway as well! Beloved by toddlers (and even bigger kids!) for decades, the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe is a staple in most family homes for good reason. Plus, it holds up very well over years and multiple kids, and is a great garage sale purchase!

    Camouflage Netting

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    Great for decoration, tree houses and fort building!

    Slick Tricks Bubble Set

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    Kelly R. said:  This bubble tricks kit contains everything you need to create 20 different kinds of epic bubbles, from enormous elongated bubbles to little ones that can be bounced on a gloved hand. My kids have had a lot of luck recreating the tricks, many with no help from mom and dad.

    Balance Bikes

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    Jaclyn Keifer said:  There are so many to choose from however, we purchased ours off the FB marketplace for $25. Our son used it and never touched a tricycle. Once he figured out how to balance well, we tried a bike and he learned at 4YO within an hour. Within a few weeks, he was riding >1 mile on the local trail with us and got up to six miles that year!

    Fubbles No-Spill Bubble Bucket

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    Nancy L. said:  Bubbles are the best outdoor toys for toddlers! The no-spill design of this Fubbles bubble bucket is key, and it includes multiple wands so kids can play together.

    GoSports Portable Cornhole Game Set

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    MG13 said:  One of the classic outdoor toys for kids that the whole family will love! This portable set has a PVC frame so it's light enough to take to the beach, park, or Grandma's house. Set up is fast and it can even be used indoors for a rainy day activity.

    Remote Control Boat

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    Sarah Calamita said:  This provides tons of entertainment on a lake or empty pool! It goes so fast and your little one (and you!) will love zooming it around the water.

    Step2 Play & Shade Pool

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    christadiserio said:  We have this pool and my daughter absolutely loves it during the warmer months. When it's hot out, there's nothing more she loves to do than to be submerged in cool water and play with water toys in her mini-me pool. If it's not warm enough outside to be submerged in water but still warm enough to be outdoors, this pool also doubles as a ball pit! Just buy some balls and your child will have a "ball" playing outside on a beautiful day!

    Skip Ball

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    Sue Krawitz Tandoc said:  This is a game I played as a kid and is still super fun. This one has padding to protect your child's ankle and each time it spins around, a colorful light array is produced without needing batteries or charging. This is a great way to exercise and have fun outside!

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