The Best Outdoor Toys and Games for Kids to Play

It can be challenging to get kids away from their screens and into the great outdoors can be challenging. With suitable games and toys, they’ll be begging to go outside, and you might even be able to relax while they play. True, screens will never lose their appeal with children, but the right kind of backyard toys and games can tempt them outside for a quality family time. The best backyard toys, ranging from toddler toys and kiddie pools to high-action games for older children, will have your children running, jumping, climbing, throwing, swinging, and using their imagination. Before we get into specific recommendations, our experts discussed the characteristics they believe are required for a great outdoor toy.

We have compiled a list of some of the best outdoor toys and games, perfect for fueling fun in your backyard. 

Sandbox

Sandboxes are the ultimate open-ended outdoor toy, and we love that this one has a canopy to protect kids from the sun. This was named the best wooden sandbox by Insider Reviews. The inventive design includes benches that double as toy storage. It also comes with two plastic bins for kids to use in their play and a mesh cover to protect the sand when not in use.

Parachute Games

You don’t have to look to the skies to appreciate the wonder of a parachute, and there are plenty of games kids can play with this fun device right in their backyards. Read on for a comprehensive list of parachute game ideas, ranging from watching it magically float in the air to observing the colors of light passing through it and collaborating for cooperative play.

Pretend Pet Salon

Some real-world hair salons and pet groomers may still be closed, but not in a child’s mind. Make an appointment for your child’s stuffed dogs to be pampered at their imaginary pet salon. Parents can also include the exchange of play money to help their children practice counting and essential math skills.

Four Square

This ball game is played on a square court divided into four smaller squares, one through four. Each square has one player, with the highest-ranked player in square one and the lowest-ranked player in square four. You bounce the ball among the players, bouncing once in each player’s square before catching it. We had many additional rules to choose from when I was a kid.

Tag

Everyone seems to know how to play tag, but if it wasn’t in your childhood game repertoire, here’s how you do it. A group of kids decides who will begin as “it.” That person follows the others around, attempting to tag one of them with their hand. The newly tagged individual is now “it.” There is frequently the rule of “no tag-backs,” which states that you cannot tag the person who just tagged you.

Marbles

The general rules state that you draw a circle in the sand or on the sidewalk, then take turns knocking each other’s marbles out of the circle with your single large marble. There are numerous variations, as with the other games. You could also use a marble mat with different point zones.

Cat’s Cradle

This game is highly portable and can be played anywhere. When playing alone, you can make various string shapes with your hands. You can play a game with two people by transferring the forms back and forth and creating new ones. If possible, learn from someone, but there are some good books on the subject.

Freeze Dance

Determine who will be in charge of the music. When the music begins, everyone else begins to dance. The crazier, the better. When the music stops, the dancers must remain in place. Anyone who moves after that is out. The game continues until only one person is left, the winner.

Musical Chairs

Arrange chairs facing outward in a circle to total one less than the number of players. Another player must control the music. When the music begins, the players circle the chairs. Players get as close to a chair as when the music stops. The player who does not have a chair is eliminated. After that, one of the chairs is removed, and the game continues in this manner. The winner is the player who sits in the final chair.

Swing Set

There are swings, a slide, a basketball hoop, a sandbox, a bean bag toss, and a rock wall on this wooden swing set. Some features are made of plastic, while the structure is wood. KidKraft estimates that it will take two people 12 to 16 hours to assemble, but once completed, your children will have years of fun.

Bounce House

This one has a one-of-a-kind design that includes an internal slide, a main bouncing area, and an exit slide. It has enclosed sides for safety and is large enough for three children to play together (max weight limit 250 pounds). You will receive a blower, storage bag, and stakes with your purchase. It only takes a few minutes, and you can sit back and relax while your kids burn off all their energy.

Slip N Slide

This slip-and-slide is similar to what you may recall from your childhood. It doesn’t have a lot of frills — it’s just pure, simple fun. She advises parents to look for a bumper at the end of any slip and slide to protect their children. It’s a 16-foot slide with a water wall that wraps around the bottom bumper. 

Water Balloons

The days of spending an hour prepping water balloons for a water fight are long gone. Bunch O Balloons allow you to fill and tie 100 water balloons in under a minute. Simply connect them to the hose, turn on the water, and pull them off when they’re full. 

Kite

This simple 30-inch kite will look lovely in the sky and provide an excuse for you and your child to get outside on a windy day. It’s a traditional rainbow diamond kite with a lovely rainbow tail. It is made of weather-resistant fabric and fiberglass rods and is suitable for winds ranging from 6 to 20 mph. It comes with a kite line and handles, so your children can start flying it right away. 

Playhouse

This playhouse has everything you need to spark your child’s imagination: a doorbell, a chalkboard, clocks, a kitchen, a bench, and planters. The wood exterior is neutral to blend in with your existing backyard décor. The cedar siding will withstand the elements in your backyard with ease. Even better, it’s designed to be assembled in about four hours.

Water Blasts

Super Soakers are another classic summer toy; your kids will love this Scatterblast Blaster. It sprays five streams of water at once and even comes with a sight to help kids learn to aim. The water can travel up to 34 feet thanks to the pump handle used by the children. This is a straightforward and low-cost Super Soaker that’s ideal for backyard battles.

Final Word

Outdoor activities benefit children and improve their overall well-being. Encourage your child to participate in sports because they will benefit from it. Ultimately, it makes no difference which game you choose with your child from the list makes no difference. What matters most is the amount of quality time you spend with them. Parents must spend quality time bonding with their children in our hectic lives. It not only makes their relationship more enjoyable, but it also creates memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

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