Products
byJessie Van Amburg
Medically Reviewed by Jesil Pazhayampallil, M.D., F.A.A.P.
| April 27, 2023
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Best Outdoor Toys
Best Balance Bike
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
$119
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Amazon
Best Water Table
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table
$55
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Amazon
Best Sandbox
Step2 Play and Store Sandbox
$75
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Best Sprinkler Toy
Jasonwell Sprinkler for Kids
$25
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Best Sports Toy
Little Tikes T-Ball Set
$20
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Amazon
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Amazon
Best Kiddie Pool
Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
$63
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Amazon
Best Toy Wagon
Green Toys Wagon
$20
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Target
Best Gardening Set
Little Gardener Tool Set
$20
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Best Swing
Swing-A-Ring
$63
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Amazon
Best Scooter
Radio Flyer My 1st Scooter
$35
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Amazon
Best Sidewalk Chalk
Crayola Ultimate Sidewalk Chalk Collection
$14
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As the weather gets warmer, you may be thinking about sprucing up your outdoor space for your kids, or looking for new ways to keep little ones entertained at the park. Investing in a few outdoor toys for toddlers will help them get that recommended three-hour minimum of physical activity each day and provide a much-needed break for your furniture.
Regular outdoor play can also help stimulate a toddler’s physical and emotional development, says Katie Lockwood, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Outdoor play offers more opportunities forgross motor skills like running, climbing, kicking and throwing that would [not] be feasible in most indoor environments,” she says. Playing outside also allows toddlers more freedom to be in nature and use their imaginations, she adds.
What to look for in an outdoor toy
The right outdoor toys can encourage imaginative play, help kids develop important skills like hand-eye coordination and keep them active and moving. While they can be well worth it, you don't need to splurge on a fancy swing set or playhouse to keep your little ones entertained. “Outdoor toys do not need to be overly complex and instead should help kids focus on and engage with nature,” says Dr. Lockwood.
Here’s some guidance on what to keep in mind when you’re shopping for new outdoor toys:
- Age recommendations: Per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it’s always important to check the recommended age of any given toy to ensure it’s something your little one can safely use or is developmentally ready to enjoy.
- Developmental appropriateness: Two-year-olds are vastly different in their abilities from 3- and 4-year-olds, so tailor your purchases and your expectations accordingly. For example, “a younger toddler may need more supervision with gross motor activities, such as climbing up a slide or kicking a ball,” says Dr. Lockwood. “You can still use these toys, but you will need to play a more active role in assisting your toddler until they develop the motor skills to use them independently.”
- Weight and capacity limits: Toys where kids are sitting, riding or climbing on them (think: wagons, swings and slides) typically come with clear weight limits. Don’t ignore those for the sake of a cute toy — these limits ensure kids don’t injure themselves.
- Choking risk: Avoid toys with small or removable parts (or toys that can fit entirely in a child’s mouth) for babies and young children. Toddlers might be tempted to put them in their mouths, which is a major choking hazard.
- Durability: Outdoor toys are meant to be used…well, outside, making the choice of material extra important. Many outdoor toys are made out of plastic, rubber or metal. Always choose toys made of sturdy, non-toxic materials.
- Personal preference: Dr. Lockwood recommends choosing toys that align with your child’s interests. Artsy kids might love sidewalk chalk, for example, while truck-obsessed tots might appreciate a sandbox or sturdier toy cars to use outside.
One last thing to keep in mind: The best toys are not meant to completely replace caregiver time but enrich it. Solitary play is important, but using toys with caregivers helps further enhance the skills your little one learns from play. So consider things you’d like to do with your child when picking out outdoor toys — it’ll upgrade the experience for you both.
How we chose the best outdoor toys for toddlers
We incorporated the above-mentioned expert guidance, relied on What to Expect community members for their recommendations and scanned online reviews to ensure we were only recommending the best of the best outdoor toys for toddlers, at a variety of price points. We also made sure that each toy came with positive reviews from other caregivers who tested the toys and gave them the green light.
Keep reading for some of the best outdoor toys for toddlers.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
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Best Balance Bike
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Buying Option
Amazon
Target
Walmart
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- lasts a long time with heavy use
Cons
- More expensive than other options
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
“I love balance bikes, which are great for children 18 months and up, to help get them ready for riding a bike with pedals,” says Dr. Lockwood. This option, which looks like a real bike, allows kids to sit on the padded seat and use their legs to get around. Both the seat and the handlebars are adjustable without requiring any tools, and can fit kids with an inseam of 12 to 20 inches. Parents love how easy it is to assemble, and the fact that the lightweight foam tires never go flat. Don't forget the helmet!
Recommended age: 18 months to 5 years
Weight limit: 60 pounds
Weight: 6.7 pounds
Dimensions: Handlebar height: 18 to 22 inches; seat height: 11 to 19 inches
Community Reviews
Hudmom13
We have the strider too and it’s very nice. Quality, obviously a little heavier duty and bigger.”
Vreek
We love our strider. My little guy fits it but not taking to it yet. My 4yo loves/ loved it. After just about a week, she was riding a two wheeler. It’s great because it so easily adjustable. And so quick.
Best Water Table
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table
Buying Option
Amazon
Walmart
Wayfair
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- durable
- engaging for little ones
Cons
- Some parents find it hard to clean
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
With over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, thisfun water table is a clear winner for toddlers and their parents. Little ones can work on their motor skills by turning the table’s Ferris wheel, learn cause-and-effect by pouring water into a built-in funnel or improve their coordination by tossing the five balls (which also squirt water!). Splashing around with the water is also a great opportunity to engage your child’s senses — and a great way to cool off on a hot day.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight: 10 pounds
Dimensions: 29 x 29 x 31.5 inches
Community Reviews
charla817
I just bought a Little Tikes [water table]… My daughter LOVES it. It came with balls to play on the activities it has. So glad I got it.
Best Sandbox
Step2 Play and Store Sandbox
Buying Option
Pros
- Durable
- comes with lid
- built-in seats
Cons
- Some say the lid doesn’t keep out all water
- smaller than expected
Why We Love It
Sandboxes are a classic toyfor a reason, as they facilitate imaginative play (like making sand food or managing a pretend construction site) and engage and delight kids’ senses. (It’s also ideal for keeping multiple children busy.) If you have room in your yard and your budget, consider investing inthis sandbox from Step 2. It has a seat on each corner and a lid that both protects the sandbox and provides storage for toys, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight limit: Each seat holds up to 50 pounds, sandbox holds up to 200 pounds of sand
Weight: 15 pounds (unfilled)
Dimensions: 11 x 42 x 28 inches
Best Sprinkler Toy
Jasonwell Sprinkler for Kids
Pros
- Easy to inflate and assemble
- durable
Cons
- Some say the sprinkler part didn’t work as expected
Why We Love It
Dr. Lockwood says toys like sprinklers can help toddlers engage with nature — plus, your little one will flat-out love splashing around outside. Thissprinkler/splash pad combo is an excellent way for even the littlest toddlers to enjoy some outdoor water fun. The inflatable rim keeps water inside for kids to splash and play, while the sprinklers provide some added excitement. Just hook up your hose and you’re ready to go! The cute alphabet design on the mat also offers additional learning opportunities for little ones. Just remember that even playing in shallow water can be dangerous for little ones, so always use this toy with careful supervision. (And don’t forget the SPF!)
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Dimensions: 60 inches in diameter
Best Sports Toy
Little Tikes T-Ball Set
Buying Option
Amazon
Target
Walmart
Pros
- Stands up to rough toddler play
- fun for kids of various ages
Cons
- Requires some assembly
- T stand doesn’t adjust as much as expected
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
Toys like balls encourage active play, says Dr. Lockwood, which keeps kids moving and helps them practice hand-eye coordination. This classicbeginner T-ball set is adjustable in height so it can grow with your tot and accommodate kids of different heights. You’ll also get five plastic balls (in case you lose a few) and a bright yellow bat — all of which are oversized, which makes hitting easier. Best of all, the accessories can be conveniently stored in the base and then hung on the wall. Play ball!
Recommended age: 18 months and up
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Dimensions: 12 x 11 x 22 inches
Community Reviews
jaydensmom9608
My LO loves this!
Best Playhouse
Step2 Wonderball Toddler Fun House
Buying Option
Amazon
Walmart
Kohls
Wayfair
Pros
- Can be used inside or outside
- easy to assemble
- sturdy
Cons
- Sometimes the balls get stuck inside the house
- more expensive toy
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
This awesome toycombines the delights of a ball pit with the imaginative fun that comes with a playhouse. It comes with 20 plastic balls, which can be thrown on the roof, dropped into attached tubes to make a plinking sound or placed into a maze on the inside walls. It also has standard playhouse features like a door and a mailbox. It can be used indoors, too, so you can move it inside when the temperatures drop if you’d like. Parents say their kids are entertained for hours tossing the balls and running in and out of the house.
Recommended age: 18 months and up
Weight: 32 pounds
Dimensions: 42 x 36 x 33 inches
Community Reviews
sambie
We got our daughter a Step 2 playhouse with a bunch of those plastic balls. It has all kinds of holes and tubes that the balls move through if you drop them, and a door that opens and closes on the front. Our daughter LOVES it.
Best Kiddie Pool
Intex Rainbow Ring Inflatable Play Center
Buying Option
Amazon
Walmart
Kohls
Pros
- Comes with lots of activities
- sturdy
- entertaining
Cons
- Requires pump to inflate
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
What's warm weather fun without a dip in a pool? Thisepic vinyl pool is a major upgrade to the plastic tubs you may have splashed in as a kid. Once inflated, the pool is divided into two sections: a smaller wading pool that connects to a larger main pool via an inflatable slide. A rainbow-shaped water sprayer helps keep kids cool as they play ring toss or throw balls through the attached hoops. But as with any pool or water play, remember to closely supervise your kids as they splash around.
Recommended age: 2 years and up
Weight limit: 178 pounds
Capacity: 54 gallons of water in main pool, 46 gallons in smaller wading pool
Weight: 17.17 pounds
Dimensions: 9.75 x 6.25 x 4.4 feet when inflated
Community Reviews
Goldfish105
We are using our Intex for a second year right now. It was even stored pretty sloppily on the floor of our shed and made it through nicely.
Best Toy Wagon
Green Toys Wagon
Buying Option
Target
Walmart
Barnes & Noble
Fat Brain Toys
Pros
- Easy to clean
- sturdy
- can be used inside or outside
- made of recycled plastic
Cons
- Rope is shorter than expected
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
What to Expect community-beloved brand Green Toys strikes again with its cute orange wagon. The durable wagon is sized just right for toddlers to load up with toys and drag back and forth using the cotton rope handle. It’s also small enough to throw in the dishwasher to clean when it gets dirty. Plus, you’ll love that it’s made from 100 percent recycled plastic and is packaged with recycled materials.
Recommended age: 18 months and up
Weight: 1.6 pounds
Dimensions: 15 x 9.75 x 5.5 inches
Community Reviews
Imstillkatie
Green Toys wagon is a good one.
bam1610
The brand green toys is a good brand for quality plastic toys that work well outside for things like sandboxes and stuff like that!”
Best Gardening Set
Little Gardener Tool Set
Pros
- Lower price point than other outdoor toys
- easy to store
- durable
Cons
- Sharper tools might require extra supervision
- not for younger tots
Why We Love It
Lots of What to Expect community members stress how much their kids love gardening play sets, and it’s easy to see why — the imagination potential! Easy storage! The adorableness! If it sounds like something your little one would love, consider this toddler-friendly gardening set. It features real, kid-sized metal tools (read: a shovel, fork, rake and watering can) so kids can experience digging, planting and watering for themselves — ideally alongside you! It also comes with gloves and a tote bag for easy storage. Parents say the tools are durable and perfectly-sized for small hands, although some felt that the metal was too sharp for smaller kiddos.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Weight: 1 pound (entire set)
Dimensions:6 x 4 inches (height and diameter of watering can), 8 inches (height of tools)
Best Swing
Swing-A-Ring
Buying Option
Amazon
Walmart
Fat Brain Toys
Pros
- Sturdy
- fun for lots of ages
- more affordable than traditional swing sets
Cons
- Not suitable for younger toddlers
- hanging hardware sold separately
Why We Love It
Looking for a swing that your little one will enjoy long after the toddler years? This sturdy pick from Fat Brain Toys is a great option if you have a yard with trees. Its 220-pound weight limit, steel-tube frame and durable 70-inch ropes allows kids of many ages (and even some adults) to swing safely. Just note that it does not come with the hardware to hang it (but is available as a separate purchase).
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Weight limit: 220 pounds
Dimensions: 39 inches in diameter
Best Scooter
Radio Flyer My 1st Scooter
Buying Option
Amazon
Target
Walmart
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- sturdy
Cons
- Handlebar height not adjustable
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
Thisbalance scooter is a great beginner scooter, and can help encourage active play while kids perfect their balance skills. It has a wide base and three wheels for extra stability. The handlebars allow toddlers to steer and turn without tipping over, and there’s a footbrake to slow down. However, caregivers wish the handlebar height was adjustable.
Lastly, don't forget the helmet with this scooter!
Recommended age: 2 to 5 years
Weight limit: 50 pounds
Weight: 4.85 pounds
Dimensions: 11.63 x 22.75 x 27 inches
Community Reviews
snowflake511
My now four year old loved and still loves hers.
cclark3
radioflyer has awesome scooters.
Best Sidewalk Chalk
Crayola Ultimate Sidewalk Chalk Collection
Buying Option
Pros
- Cleans well
- lower cost toy
- timeless pick
Cons
- Can stain clothes
Why We Love It
Let kids get creative outdoors with this washable chalk from Crayola. The set includes a whopping 64 colors (including eight special sticks with glitter, neon and tie-dye hues) that will easily wash off of your driveway or the sidewalk with water. Plus, the clever square shape prevents them from rolling away. Parents rave about the range and quality of the colors in this set, although some note that the chalk can stain clothes.
Recommended age: 3 years and up
Best Bubble Toy
Fubbles No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket
Pros
- Can be enjoyed by multiple kids
- container doesn’t leak
Cons
- Have to buy bubble solution separately
- wands are flimsy
Why We Love it
Community Reviews
Why We Love It
Dr. Lockwood says bubbles are another toy that gets kids moving and sparks their imaginations. What to Expect community parents love theFubbles brand specifically — the no-spill design of the free-standing bucket ensures that bubble solution lasts for a long time without making a mess of your outdoor space or kids’ clothes. It comes with a handle for easy transportation and three bubble wands so multiple kids can get in on the fun.
Recommended age: 18 months and up
Community Reviews
MaryMJ88
Fubbles no spill container is a game changer! It actually doesnt spill!
View Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Choking Prevention, September 2019.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know, March 2019.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Buy Safe Toys, December 2021.
- American Academy of Pediatrics,Making Physical Activity a Way of Life: AAP Policy Explained, August 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era, January 2019.
- Nemours KidsHealth, Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old, May 2019.
- Katie Lockwood, MD, Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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