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We're always looking for ways to keep kids outside. A little sun, some fresh air, good exercise, and a dose of family bonding always does some good. But when it comes to thinking of outdoor activities for the whole family, sometimes the mind draws a blank. These best outdoor toys will give them just the play inspiration they need to soak up the sun that much longer—no matter how old they are.
Our Top Picks
- Best for toddlers: Radio Flyer Busy Buggy
- Best for little kids: Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Bubble
- Best for big kids: Koosh Flix Stix
- Best for teens: Sky Viper Vector Stunt Plane
Some things to consider before you add toys to your cart: Keep an eye out for the recommended age range for each toy. Using toys within the proper age range mean that they're safer and offer the right amount of challenge for each kid. And always keep an eye on your kids when they're playing outside, especially around water. Place a premium on materials too: These toys will likely be thrown around, left out in the sun, rained on, and dropped in the dirt, so they have to be sturdy. These are the ones we think will hold up to outdoor play.
Best Deal
Nothing will get a kid outside faster than the promise of bubbles. These are unique in that the container has an innovative, spill-proof design that keeps kids from dumping the bubble solution out if they happen to knock it over, which means the bubble fun can last even longer. Ages 18 months+
With chalk and a blank driveway or sidewalk, they'll be able to devise games worthy of Bandit Heeler! This set comes with five different colors of chalk, chalk holders, and a Bluey stencil to get them started on their al fresco masterpieces. Ages 3+
How does your garden grow? With lots of water, of course! For families that don't have a lot of space to set up a kiddie pool, this is a smaller (and less expensive!) way to cool off in the backyard—just hook it up to a hose. Ages 3+
They'll love seeing these colors fly! Not only is the kite itself large, clocking in at 54 inches by 31 inches, it also has two 13-foot tails with colorful flags on it (or they can be combined into one mega-tail). Ages 3+
Move over, horseshoes! The Flickin' Chicken game is the best precision-tossing game for kids, because throwing a rubber chicken is just hilarious. These are extra goofy, because they bounce! Ages 6+
With this totally kid-powered toy, kids "stomp" on the included pump to send rockets flying up to 20 stories high. Setup is super fast and easy, so families can start having fun right away. Ages 6+
Kids want to dig around in the garden, just like Mom and Dad. Let them with this little gardening set, which comes with a watering can, mini rake, and shovel. Made from recycled plastic, these are easy to clean—they can go right in the dishwasher! Ages 18 months+
This one is for all the nature-loving critter fans out there: It comes with a net, tweezers, and a scissor-style bug catcher for kids to use to collect specimens. Then they can put them in the magnified viewer and observe as they crawl through the habitat. Ages 4+
This beach toy is perfect for sparking imaginative play. Kids can make pretend ice cream cones in a variety of ways: They can start by scooping sand onto the included cones and putting the plastic toppings on top, or they can stamp out cone-shapes int he sand around them. It also comes with two Playmobil figures, and a bucket that can double as an ice cream stand for them. Ages 2+
Cool off in the backyard with an inflatable pool that, if you hook it up to a garden hose, is also a sprinkler. The rainbow arch also provides a teeny bit of shade. Ages 2+ with adult supervision
RELATED: The Best Kiddie Pools
Zerhunt Automatic Bubble Machine
Zerhunt Automatic Bubble Machine
This bubble machine impressed Good Housekeeping experts because it continued to pump out a high volume of bubbles for more than 20 minutes. Experts like that it has both a plug and a place for batteries, which makes it a little more versatile. Ages 3+; four C batteries required if not using the USB plug
RELATED: The Best Bubble Machines
This is a project that kids can use with all the treasures they find outside—you know, the ones that usually end up at the bottom of the family backpack. They can decorate two screens with flowers and leaves, and also build the lantern frame, so there's lots of different STEM lessons worked in there. Ages 5+;
There's lots of nostalgia baked into this toy: It works almost like a lacrosse stick, but for Kooshes—and it's done up in a bold '90s color palette too. The Koosh makes it easy to catch, and it's also soft in case someone misses and gets hit with it. Ages 6+
Level-up their b-ball games with a light-up ball that can keep them playing after dark. If they like it, they can add other GlowCity LED sports equipment to their collection, including footballs, soccer balls, and volleyballs. No age recommendation given
This cornhole set can be folded up into a convenient carrying bag, which means it can be brought to Grandma's house, to the park, or to the beach. Leave it in the trunk of the car, and pull it out whenever there's a lull in the action that needs to be livened up. No age recommendation given
For the little ones, this bug gives them so many ways to play. They can sit on it and ride, pushing with their legs—a boon for their gross motor coordination. They can stand behind it and push, which is good for those early walkers. And they can explore the different features, like gears to spin and sliding beads. The seat even opens up for built-in storage. Ages 1+
A game of catch with a flying disc is even cooler when it can light up in more than 16 million colors, thanks to 36 different RGB LEDs. It has to be charged before use, but the company says a 30-minute charge can last through a thousand throws. Ages 6+
With the World Cup on the horizon, their interest in soccer may be at an all-time high—but they've never seen it played like this before! This giant soccer ball is 30 inches in diameter, which makes the game all the sillier. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it comes with the pump. Ages 3+
They'll feel like real explorers when they fill their pack with this set, which includes a flashlight, magnifying glass, periscope, specimen jar, telescope, carabiner clip, compass, and whistle. Or, if they don't need the whole set, many of the pieces can be purchased individually. Ages 4+
Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger RC
Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger RC
In the Good Housekeeping Institute's in-person toy testing, kids clamored to get their hands on this monster truck—and ram it straight into the walls. That's because when it smashes into obstacles, it gets dented and bent out of shape—and then repaired again at the push of a button. Crashing is the point! Ages 4+; two AAA required for the remote
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