Backyard toys for toddlers are essential for healthy child development. Toddlers and preschoolers need a variety of outdoor toys that they can use in creative ways. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive to turn your own backyard into a child’s dream playground.
Here is a compilation of golden oldies, awesome new ideas and fun toys for kids to play with outdoors.
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Backyard Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
1. DIY Splash Pad
I’m going to start off this list with the best outdoor toys for toddlers. Learn how to make a splash pad in 30 minutes. This DIY project is a great way to cool off on hot summer days. Best of all, once it’s made it only takes 5 minutes to set up and pack away.
2. Wooden Climbing Set
Introduce your little ones to the joy of active play with this delightful wooden climbing set for toddlers. Crafted with safety and exploration in mind, these outdoor toys for toddlers offer a sturdy and imaginative environment for them to climb, crawl, and adventure.
3. Toddler Rock Wall
Build your kids a climbing wall outside. What’s great about this rock climbing wall set is that you can make it as high as you like, depending on your kids’ age. Then as your kids become older you can make the wall higher and higher, giving them a challenge as they grow.
4. DIY Sponge Bombs
Create endless summer fun for young kids with these DIY sponge bombs, perfect for water playtime. These delightful water toys are simple to make and provide hours of entertainment as they soak up splashes and laughter. Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they engage in exciting outdoor activities with these homemade sponge bombs.
5. Bubble Machine
Elevate the excitement at your child’s birthday party with the captivating bubble gun machine, ensuring everyone has a great time filled with laughter and enchantment. This delightful device effortlessly creates a mesmerizing cascade of bubbles, adding an extra layer of fun to the celebration.
6. Trampoline
A toddler trampoline is guaranteed hours of outdoor fun. This particular enclosed trampoline is suitable for kids up to 7 years of age, complete with a basketball hoop that can be adjusted for height.
7. Outdoor Road Blocks
It’s so easy to adjust these DIY Road Blocks to make them suitable for an outdoor space. All you need to do is paint wooden blocks with outdoor paint.
The outdoor paint will protect the wood and means it won’t swell and split when it gets wet.
8. Balance Bike
Balance bikes are fantastic toys for toddlers who aren’t ready to pedal yet. However if you’re not too certain about this type of bike you can always go for the regular big kid bike and just invest in training wheels instead.
9. Waldorf Rocker Chair for Toddlers
Introduce your younger children to the wonders of outdoor play with the Waldorf Rocker Chair for toddlers. This unique addition to outdoor toddler toys combines the joy of gentle rocking with the beauty of nature, fostering imagination and balance as kids sway amidst the elements.
10. DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint
Elevate outdoor time for your kids with DIY sidewalk chalk paint, offering hours of fun and creative expression. This homemade concoction transforms sidewalks and driveways into vibrant canvases, allowing young artists to craft colorful masterpieces with ease. Unleash their imagination as they engage in open-air artistic endeavors using this exciting and washable sidewalk chalk paint.
11. Water Blob
Water blobs are great outdoor toys that all kids will love. You can jump, roll and sit on them. All without worrying that the water pressure will be too much and they’ll break.
12. Water Table
A water table is one of the best toys you can invest in. My kids spend so much time playing with water that it almost makes other toys obsolete.
13. DIY Pirate Ship
Embark on a swashbuckling adventure with one of the best outdoor toys for toddlers: a DIY pirate ship that fuels imaginative play. This homemade pirate ship sets the stage for endless escapades on the high seas of your backyard. Watch as young buccaneers sail into a world of fun, crafting cherished memories aboard their very own pirate ship.
14. Mud Kitchen
Having a mud kitchen was a huge hit with my two little ones. They just loved having a messy sensory bin outside to play with.
If you don’t have the space for a permanent mud kitchen, don’t worry, you can make a 5 minute mud kitchen using items around the house. It won’t look as pretty, but it’s still a great deal of fun.
15. Inflatable Water Slide
Experience timeless fun with a classic toy that brings the thrill of summer to life – the inflatable water slide. This entertainment staple promises hours of laughter and excitement as kids zoom down the slide and splash into the refreshing pool below.
16. DIY Outdoor Chalkboard
Learn how to make an outdoor chalkboard to hang up in your kids’ outside play area. This is a great way for little kids to get creative while they play outside.
Photo: Rhythms of Play
17. Bounce House
A bounce house is a fantastic toddler toy because it’s so much fun. This bounce house comes with a slide that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who want to jump in a safe way.
18. Wooden Seesaw and Balance Beam
Your toddlers and preschoolers will love outdoor playtime with one of our top picks: the wooden seesaw and balance beam set. This versatile combination of classic play equipment offers endless entertainment as children sway and balance, enhancing their motor skills and coordination.
19. DIY Nature Blocks
Sometimes you don’t need new outdoor toys, because you can make your own. I love these DIY Nature Blocks, they are wonderful both inside and outside.
Photo: Adventure In A Box
20. Toddler Scooter
Help your little ones increase their mobility with a toddler scooter, one of the most beloved ride-on toys. Designed with safety and excitement in mind, this scooter offers a stable and enjoyable ride, perfect for developing balance and coordination skills.
21. Climbing Dome
Unleash boundless energy and creativity with the climbing dome, one of the most popular outdoor toys for active play. This versatile structure provides a dynamic space for children to climb, swing, and explore, fostering physical strength and imaginative adventures.
22. Hula Hoop Hideout
This DIY hula hoop hideout creates a great place for kids of all ages to hang out when they are outside.
Photo: Alanna George
23. Sand Box
Here’s another classic outdoor toy for kids (which is fantastic for fine motor skills). This sand box holds up to 800 pounds of sand, and gives plenty of space for multiple kids to enjoy.
24. Ride on Excavator
Ignite the imagination of active kids with the thrilling ride-on excavator toy. This captivating playtime companion allows children to channel their inner builders as they maneuver, dig, and explore the world around them.
25. DIY Music Wall
Learn how to make a music wall for kids. Here are new ways to make noise, which means you’ll probably want to restrict this idea to outdoor use only.
Photo: Pre K and K Sharing
26. Cozy Coupe
The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has been around for decades. Which means it’s been one of our favorite outdoor toys for generations.
It’s a wonderful way for kids to engage in pretend play. They can be pizza delivery drivers, race cars or anything else they can imagine.
I hope that you enjoyed this list of backyard toys for toddlers, and it gives you some inspiration for your own little ones.
27. Construction Sand Kit
Unleash the joy of construction play with the captivating construction vehicles sandbox kit. This interactive kit lets young builders create their own miniature construction site, complete with sand, vehicles, and imaginative possibilities. Watch as their creativity flourishes while they load, unload, and build with the included dump truck, making playtime a dynamic and educational adventure.
28. Sensory Walkway
Create a sensory walkway for older toddlers and kids who won’t fall over when stepping between the tubs. This is a fantastic sensory play activity, because it allows your feet to explore as well as your hands.
Photo: Messy Little Monster
29. Stomp Rockets
These innovative outdoor toys for kids harness the power of stomping to launch foam rockets into the sky, inspiring both entertainment and learning through hands-on physics principles. Fuel their curiosity and energy with stomp rockets, where every stomp becomes a thrilling journey to the skies above.
30. Water Wall
A water wall is one of the best backyard toys for toddlers that you’ll find. Since kids love water so much, it’s a fabulous way to encourage independent play (while still being safe around water.)
They get to splash around, cool off, and practice some hand-eye coordination.
If you are the DIY type. You can also learn how to make your own water wall and customize it to suit your kids age and capabilities.
31. Water Slip ‘n Slide
A water slide is one of the best outside toys for toddlers. After all, they’re just plain fun for older and young children alike. This set even comes with two inflatable rafts for the kids to ride on.
32. Giant Bubble Set
This engaging backyard toys for toddlers allows little ones to create massive, shimmering bubbles that fill the air with magic and wonder. Spark their imagination and curiosity as they interact with the giant bubble set, turning your backyard into a joyful realm of exploration.
33. Obstacle Course Set
If you want some backyard fun, you’ll love this obstacle course kit. As an added bonus, you’re kids will burn a lot of energy while trying to see how fast they can do the challenges.
34. Toddler Basketball Hoop
Basketball is a great way to encourage active play and physical health. Even toddlers can practice throwing (or placing) the ball through a basketball hoop that is the right height for them. All you need is the right backyard playset for toddlers.
35. Bowling Set
I love the bright colors on this bowling set. One of the best things about this game is that it’s so much fun for both young and big kids.
36. Cubby House
A traditional cubby house is a fantastic way for toddlers and preschoolers to engage in imaginative play and practice their social skills.
37. Balance Beams
If you’re looking for playground toys for toddlers, balance beams are a great physical activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
Learning to balance is perfect for little kids who are developing gross motor skills.
38. Ball Pit
Although ball pits aren’t exclusive to outside play, I have found it to be one of the best outdoor toys that I’ve tried with my kids.
I love this ball pit set because it comes with tunnels, basketball hoops and tents to play in too.
39. Sand Toys
These engaging sandpit toys offer endless possibilities for building, digging, and shaping, providing hours of outdoor entertainment. Plus, their convenient design ensures easy storage, allowing for quick cleanup after each exciting play session.
40. Inflatable Pool
Inflatable pools are a basic outdoor toy that will never get old. Even as an adult I’ve been known to climb in a kiddie pool on a hot summer day.
While there are some fantastic pools out there that also have slides and sprinklers attached, I always like a classic. Because that way your kids won’t outgrow it in a few years.
41. Sidewalk Chalk
I love sidewalk chalk because it’s an open-ended play activity that is suitable for kids of all ages. With a bit of imagination, outdoor play can easily last for hours.
42. Swing Set
There are so many different kinds of swing sets out there, it’s hard to choose what’s right for you. No matter what you choose, a swing is always a fun way to feel the fresh air on your face.
43. Soccer Goals
Having a soccer goal and soccer ball really is fun for the whole family. This is a wonderful game that grows with your kids, meaning that even very small toddlers can join in on the fun.
Even though these are classic backyard toys for toddlers, why not try having fun with a themed ball.
For example, I’ve seen a Paw Patrol themed soccer ball, and a glitter unicorn soccer ball, showing that there is something for every kind of child.
44. Pogo Stick
This Foam pogo stick is suitable for kids aged 3 and up. This is also a good option for families who have older kids at home too.
45. Bubble Lawn Mower
Any child would love to get this bubble lawn mower for their first birthday. It’s a great addition to any young kid’s backyard.
Are you going to try any of these backyard toys for toddlers?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
