So this Summer will be quite different than last as this Summer I have a toddler on my hands to occupy and keep busy where as last summer I had a 4 month old baby who didn’t need much entertaining. Now I am super lucky as I am a teacher so I have the summers off to spend with Thumper. We have some day trips planned to places like Chinguacousy Park, Ontario Science Centre and Toronto Zoo. However, some days we will just want to stay home and hang out around the house or visit a local park so I have decided to buy a few key toys to keep her busy.  These fun outdoor toys and activities are sure to be a hit this summer with my toddler! Create a backyard full of fun with the Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers that will tire your kid out so you can enjoy a quiet afternoon during nap time.

These toys are great for the beach or the backyard as well as some of them can easily be taken to the cottage or camping! I have created a list of my favourite toys for outdoor play and created a list of the Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers. Create the ultimate play yard of fun with the Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers. We have researched and reviewed these outdoor toys for toddlers to save you time and provide you with the best options available.

Why is Outdoor Play Important and How to Pick the Top Outside Toys for Kids?

We should encourage toddlers from a young age that outdoor play is fun by offering many different types of activities. Outdoor play is essential to children’s overall health as outdoor time helps them soak in the sun and gain vitamin D, but don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Playing Outdoors encourages kids to be active and engaged in exploring and having fun rather than watching or playing on screens. Outdoor play improves overall health and growth as well as further develops muscles and skills through play. Not only does it have all of these benefits, but any mom knows that a tired kid makes for a happy mom so why not tire your toddler out with fun outdoor play.

Benefits of Outdoor Play and Toddler Outside Toys:

1. Motor Skills
2. Imagination and Creativity 
3. Physical Development 

Now that you have found out why outdoor play is so important for toddlers and where you can use outdoor toys, you will need to know all about the Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers – you can use our buying guide below to help guide your decisions.

This post also contains Amazon Affiliate links which means that should you decide to make a purchase via one of the following links, Amazon will pay me a small commission which I use to help run this site. No extra cost will be incurred by you.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Outside Toddler Toys

When deciding what type of toddler outdoor toy to buy it is important to consider a few factors before purchasing. By considering these factors before buying an outdoor toy for a toddler you are sure to make a great selection. Use our guide to help you decide and select the Best Toddler Outdoor Toy for your child by asking yourself these questions:

1. What types of skills you are trying to help your toddler develop?
2. What types of toys has your toddler previously shown interest in?
3. How long are you hoping the toy will last? (Short-term or Long term)?

Top Types of Outdoor Toys for Kids

1. Bubbles
2. Sand Tables and Sand Toys
3. Water Tables
4. Role Play Fun
5. Scooters and Trikes
6. Gym Sets
7. Sports Equipment

Bubbles for Days – Best Outdoor Toys for Kids

Now we all know that Toddlers love bubbles, so I have included a few different options of bubbles rather than your traditional bubble container and stick as today’s toy companies have made bubbles so much more interactive. Bubbles are great toy to throw in the diaper bag and take to a local park. Bubbles are a need when it comes to outdoor toys with young children as they are so simple to use.

Big-A-Bubble – Creating Bigger Bubbles with Big-A-Bubbles has never been simpler as you pour the bubble solution into the pouch and then dip the big glove into the pouch to create  GIANT Bubbles and HUGE fun by opening the mouth of the glove! The cords allows you to dip it into the bubble solution and using the glove to create a large long bubble. The Big-A-Bubbles comes in six different themed gloves including: lion, crocodile, shark, pirate, duck and bear.

Pros:

• Creates oversized bubbles which are super amusing to toddlers
• Refillable and reusable for repeated uses.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

What makes this option stand out? Bubbles are great for toddlers as it helps them develop visual skills as bubbles are eye catching and moving it helps them learn to follow the object with their eyes.

Where to Buy: 

Glove-A-Bubble – Get ready to wave and play as you simply pour the bubble solution into the glove and then wave your hand back and forth to create a stream of bubbles for your little one to enjoy with these never-ending bubbles. The package includes one glove and two packs of bubble solution, and there is a themed design for everyone as there is four different monsters, a cheetah, parrot, fox and penguin to choose from. Each Bubble solution pack is resealable and refillable.

Pros:

• Refillable and reusable for repeated uses
• Easy way to create bubbles with less of a mess

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

What makes this option stand out? Bubbles are great for toddlers gross motor development as it encourages them to move and follow the bubbles as well as moving their arms back and forth which helps develop muscles.

Where to Buy:

Wave-A-Bubble – Create millions of bubbles in one GO with these super sized gloves that make endless bubbles. Double the bubbles and double the fun as this package comes with two gloves so you can either put a glove on each hand or share with a friend. Available in themes: dino, bird, mermaid and frog.

Pros:

• Makes tons of bubbles all a once
• Easy to use as you simply wave your hands

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

What makes this option stand out? Bubbles are great for toddlers as once they are on the move bubbles encourage further muscle development, body and space awareness and problem solving of obstacles.

Where to Buy: 

Gazillion Bubble Tornado  – Create a tornado of bubbles as there is no wait time and bubbles will come out of the automated machine creating a whirlwind of bubbles. Simply push the button and watch a storm of bubbles occur.

Pros:

• Makes tons of bubbles all a once
• Easy to use as you simply turn on the button

What makes this option stand out? Bubbles are great for toddlers as once they are on the move bubbles encourage further muscle development and balance as they are following the bubbles and starting and stopping, changing directions and reaching.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

Where to Buy:

Gazillion BubbleCycle – Your little one can easily roll this along and create bubbles as they roll the bubblecycle along the grass or sidewalk, bubbles will form and being blown into the air. The motor spins creating bubbles and the engine roars like a real motor-cycle. Bubblecycle takes bubble making to a whole new level.

Pros:

• Makes tons of bubbles all a once

What makes this option stand out? Bubbles are great for toddlers and this product encourages toddlers to move as they must push the Bubblecycle to create bubbles, also teaches cause and effect.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

Where to Buy: 

Messy Kids are Happy Kids –Sand Tables and Sand Toys for Outdoor Play

Kids love to play outside in the dirt and dig so why not encourage this behaviour but use a sand table and sand toys instead, so everyday can feel like you are at the beach. A sand table offers excellent outdoor play for toddlers as they love getting messy and digging. If you are looking for The Perfect Backyard Toys for Toddlers, then a Sand Box or Sand Table is the perfect pick to provide hours of outdoor play and entertainment.

Step 2 Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table – Kids can build sand castles on one side and play with sail boats on the other as this all in one activity table provides hours of sensory fun. Holds 10lbs of sand and 11L of wateras it features one side for water and one for sand. Includes six accessories to add to the fun, and includes an umbrella to provide shade. 

Pros:

• Promotes creative and imaginative play
• Easy to use drain plug

What makes this option stand out? Water play can be calming as children enjoy scooping, pouring and running their hands through water. Gentle water play creates a relaxing activity.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over 

Where to Buy: 

Step 2 Dino Dig Sand Table – This dinosaur themed table features a sand pit to dig for dinosaurs and a water station to rinse off digging tools. Kids can watch water gush down the volcano and kids can use the two-sided shovel and rake to dig to the bottom to find the molded-in Dino bones and footprints.

Pros:

• Multiple kids can play together which is great for toddler social interaction
• Includes dinosaurs for imaginative play

What makes this option stand out? As children play with water and practice scooping and pouring into contained they are practice fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over

Where to Buy: 

 

Little Tikes Garden Table – Kids learn all about gardening and how to plant and water using an authentic watering can. Set Includes 4 flower pots, 2 soil discs, 2 flowers, 1 tray, 1 sifter tray, 1 rake, 1 shovel, 1 watering can. 

Pros:

• Promotes dramatic, creative, and imaginary play,
• Comes with a removable lid to protect sand from getting wet

What makes this option stand out? Children can explore gardening hands on as role playing exposes children to creative play and allow children to connect to the world around them.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

Where to Buy: 

Turtle Sandbox – This friendly turtle shaped sand box if the perfect play space for any toddler as it holds up to 150 lbs of sand, offering a large area for sand play. This super cute sand box has two molded in seats on the outside of the turtle providing children a place to sit while they play. The friendly turtle face and details at the bottom of sand box encourage kids to keep digging

Pros:

• Promotes creative and social play
• Comes with a removeable lid to protect sand from getting wet

What makes this option stand out? Simple and durable, this sand box has a large sand play space allowing multiple kids to play in the sand box at the same time.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 3+ for independent play

Where to Buy:

Playmobil Ice Cream Shop – Create summer fun by playing ice cream store on the beach as kids can gather sand in the large bucket and then crete different sand ice creams using the scoop to fill the ice cream molds. Set includes two figures, bucket, sieve, ice cream spoon, two ice cream cones, two ice cream scoops, and one waffle mold. 

Pros:

• All the pieces can be stored in the bucket and the lid can be used as a sieve
• This play set can be used at the beach as a beach toy or as a fun toy at home

What makes this option stand out? Durable plastic and easy to pack up into one bucket makes this the ideal toy for any beach adventure as you can keep everything together and have lots of fun at the same time.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 2+ for independent play

Where to Buy: 

Water Table – Kids Outdoor Toys

Water tables are the perfect Outdoor kids toys as it allows children to cool off in the hot summer. Water Play Tables provide countless hours of fun and promote creativity and imagination, as well as hand eye coordination and exploration of math and science. As children scoop and pour they learn about cooperation and sharing with friends using these super fun water tables.

Step 2 Discovery Wall Play Set – This is a new and unique way for kids to play with water rather than the traditional water table as this water toy is double sided allowing multiple kids to play. Children can move the water maze pieces to create a different path for the water each time, children will enjoy scooping the water and watch it run through spinners, zig zags and funnels. Includes 13 piece accessory set. 

Pros:

• Allows social play as multiple kids can play at the same time
• Encourages imagination and problem solving as kids can adjust the course of the water by moving maze pieces

What makes this option stand out? This water play allows children to explore their sense through hands on exploration and water has a calming effect. Kids can explore higher level thinking as they investigate quantities of water.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 2+ for independent play

Where to Buy: 

Little Tikes Fun Zone Battle Splash Water Play Table Game for Kids – This is not only a water table but also a multiplayer game! The water table has boats to play with in the water table and has a shooting target game right in the centre, that once the pillar in the middle is full soaks other players. 

Pros:

• Very easy to assemble
• Large enough for multiple kids to play
• Perfect height for toddlers

What makes this option stand out?  This water table also features a shooting game that allows kids to practice their gross motor skills and improves vision tracking skills. Water play helps to develop a child’s hand eye coordination through actions like pouring, squeezing, scrubbing, stirring and squirting.

Age Group Recommended: 12 months and over with assistance, Age 2+ for independent play

Where to Buy: 

Creativity Station – Role Play Fun

 

 Leapfrog Smart Sizzlin BBQ Grill – The Little grill allows children to place eight different food items onto the interactive skewer as the grill recognizes the food’s name and colour as well as provides sizzling and cooking sounds in addition to safety messages like “it’s too hot”. 

Pros:

• The BBQ has 3 stages: Learn, Play and Music Modes. During the learning stage the BBQ grill teaches colours as the skewer identifies what colour the food is, numbers and counting,  as well as gross and fine motor skills as kids practice using tongs and flippers. The BBQ introduces  language as the BBQ teaches kids to identify the different foods by name and place them on the skewer.

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for toddlers as it promotes role play fun as the child pretends to cook on a barbecue. 

Age Group Recommended: 1 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: 

Outside Kids Toys with Wheels – Bikes and Trikes

Get your toddler outside and active with these cool outdoor toys for toddlers, designed with their little hands and feet in mind. Keep your toddler active with these ride on toys for toddlers, from their first trike to the balance bike, kids will learn how to cycle and establish balance and confidence on bikes and keep exploring!

SmarTrike STR3 Plus Red Folding 6-in-1 Tricycle – This trike is the perfect addition to your outdoor toy collection as it is a full trike but is super convenient as it folds down compactly making it the ideal toy to travel. This bike grows with your child as there are multiple stages as it can be used by a child from 10-36 months. Babies can learn how to steer and pedal while the parent is in control. 

Pros:

•  Additional comfort with patented shock absorbers, padded reclining seat and extendable
  canopy
• Reclining seat for nap time
• Extendable canopy
• Adjustable 5 point harness

What makes this option stand out?  Unlike most trikes for toddlers, this bike folds down into a compact shape making it a great option for travel to the cottage or a friend’s place. I like that it grows with the child so you will get a few years use out of it.

Age Group Recommended: 10 months and over with assistance,

Where to Buy: 

 

Folding Balance Bike

Toddlers can start using balance bikes as young as 18 months as toddlers can start scooting or walking around with the bike and progress to riding. Balance bikes offer toddlers the opportunity to explore a full bike before they are tall enough to ride a pedal bike.

Pros:

• No puncture wheels: Quiet, cool looking and durable EVA wheels.
• Adjustable seat and handlebar, allowing plenty of room for your toddler to grow.

What makes this option stand out?  Balance Bikes are lighter than traditional pedal bikes, making it much easier for toddlers to learn to balance.

Age Group Recommended: 10 months and over to 36 months

Where to Buy: 

Outdoor Sports Equipment for Toddlers 

Every parent can’t wait to expose their child to their favourite sport whether it be soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey or golf. With these awesome sports sets, toddlers can begin to learn basic sports skills such as catching, passing, shooting, sportsmanship and much more! These toys allow kids to explore and play with new sports equipment while being active and having fun.

Trampoline – This multi functional 3 in 1 activity center is perfect for indoor and outdoor use as it can be used as a trampoline with balance bar, full trampoline and ball fit making it practical and multi purpose toy that grows with your child. Easy to fold and store when you are not using it. 

Pros:

• Non-slip and soft-padded safety handlebar allow toddler to practice jumping in comfort.
• Easy to fold and easy to store.
• You have special ball pit bag to collect and store the balls when they are not in use.

What makes this option stand out?  Bouncing on a trampoline helps toddlers develop and strengthen muscles as well as improves their flexibility and wears them out as jumping can be exhausting.

Age Group Recommended: 10 months and over to 24 months and up

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon

Little Tikes Totsports Easy Hit Golf Set – Teach your toddler all about golf as you can play a game of putt-putt golf in your own backyard that provides endless fun. Includes 2 golf clubs and 3 golf balls and all surface putting hole, and cart that holds putter and driver. 

Pros:

• Clubs are perfectly sized for toddlers
• Balls are lightweight making them easy to hit and move
• Teaches competitiveness and winning and losing, as well as sportsmanship

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for parents to role play with their kids which engages creativity, and develops motor skills and coordination.

Age Group Recommended: 2-6 years old

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set – 3 Ball Amazon Exclusive – The perfect basketball nets for toddlers to begin learning to play. Includes an oversized rim and 3 junior size basketballs. Toddlers can learn to place the ball into the hoop, the beginning of their sports development.

Pros:

• Base can be weighted for stability
• Adjustable heights making it perfect for toddlers as it can grow with them.

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for parents to role play with their kids which helps develop social, motor skills and coordination.

Age Group Recommended: 1 1/2 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon

Fisher-Price Grow to Pro Triple Hit Baseball – The ideal toy for your rookie to begin to learn to play ball. Beginners start from the tee, then rookies advance to the  pop-up pitch, with balls popping up automatically one after another, and then finally advancing to pro mode where balls are pitched to them from 10 feet away. Includes battery-powered trainer, bat & three balls

Pros:

• Makes learning to hit the ball easy and fun
• Grows with your child as there is multiple stages

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for parents to role play with their kids which helps develop hand-eye coordination and sportsmanship.

Age Group Recommended: 2 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon and Walmart

POOF My 1st Sports Soccer Set with 5.5-Inch Foam Soccer Ball and PVC Framed Goal Net – Children will love learning the basics of the world’s most popular sport of soccer: kicking and passing. Comes with 5.5-inch foam soccer ball, a PVC goal frame and net

Pros:

• Promotes safe and active fun using a soft soccer ball to ensure no injuries.

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for parents to role play with their kids which helps develop foot-eye coordination and sportsmanship.

Age Group Recommended: 2 1/2 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon 

Climbing Toys for Toddlers – Outdoor Play Equipment

The park is a great place to hang out in the warm weather but sometimes we just want to hangout at home, so that’s where these awesome gym sets come in handy as they are small enough for almost any backyard.

Little Tikes Red/Blue First Slide

The perfect slide for beginners that can be used inside or outside. Allows toddlers to engage in hands on fun and explore the slide and going up and down while building independence on play equipment.

Pros:

• Folds down without tools for compact storage and moving

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for toddlers as it promotes fitness, balance and coordination.

Age Group Recommended: 1 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: Available at  Amazon and Walmart

Step2 Game Time Sports Climber

Toddlers can become tiny athletes as they climb, dunk, slide, kick and crawl with the Game Time Sports Climber by Step2. 

Pros:

• Shoot hoops with the built-in basket, kick a goal through the crawl through space and tally up the points with the score board

What makes this option stand out?  This is a great activity for toddlers as it promotes fitness, balance and coordination. Toddlers will develop their gross motor skills by climbing up the ladder and sliding down the slide.

Age Group Recommended: 1 – 5 years old

Where to Buy: Available at Walmart and Amazon

There are just so many different Outdoor Toys for Toddlers to make your background the ultimate play yard for this summer!