We Found the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids to Play With This Summer

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Encouraging children to embrace the great outdoors over their screens is never easy. However, with our carefully curated selection of top-notch outdoor toys, personally chosen by the toy testing experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, your little ones won't even give Paw Patrol a second thought. (Ryder who?) The best toys are built to withstand the elements when left in the backyard, providing endless fun for kids while offering convenience and peace of mind for parents during setup and supervision.

Now comes the tricky part: deciding which one to choose. If you're feeling imaginative, you can transform any indoor activity
your child loves into an outdoor adventure. Do they have an artistic side? Elevate their sidewalk-chalk experience with a fantastic upgrade that will keep them engrossed in drawing for hours while keeping their fingers clean. Are they fascinated by STEM? Explore the world of scientific discovery with a stomp rocket and unravel the variables that propel it to greater heights, or delve into the fascinating realm of solar-powered cars to understand what influences their speed. Perhaps your little one is a budding athlete? Engage in exhilarating nighttime play with a glow-in-the-dark football that allows the fun to continue long after sunset.

And when the educational escapades wind down, be sure to stock up on timeless summer essentials such as bubble machines, scooters and kiddie pools. These classic items will be revisited by your children year after year. With our carefully selected assortment of the best outdoor toys for kids, you can simply slather your kids in sunscreen and let them revel in backyard bliss all day long.

Stand-Up Sidewalk Chalk Holder

Invented by parents, this sidewalk chalk holder means you no longer have to bend down to draw your next game of hopscotch. Genius! Ages 3+

Barbie Compete Wearable Toy

The Nabi Compete introduces kids to the idea of fitness trackers. They can challenge each other to walk equivalent distances of the path around famous landmarks (like the Brooklyn Bridge in New York or the National Mall in D.C.) or see how quickly they can get up and moving around the park. Ages 6+

RELATED: Backyard Games for Kids That Will Get the Whole Family Up and Moving

Fortnite HC-E Mega Dart Blaster

Take the fun of Fortnite off of screens and into the backyard with this powerful Nerf dart blaster, which is designed to look like the weapons in the game. The blaster comes with three darts. Ages 8+

Pool Toy for Kids

When this ball is filled with water, it sinks to the bottom of a pool, bounces and rises back up again, so you can dribble it like a basketball or kick it underwater like a soccer ball. Ages 8+

RELATED: The Best Pool Toys for Kids

Bubbles Incredibubble Wand

This easy-to-use wand creates big bubbles that don't pop right away. It comes with 16 ounces of solution that'll keep kids busy for up to two hours of constant play. Ages 3+

RELATED: Fun Lawn Games for Some Serious Backyard Competition

Razor A+ Lightshow Kick Scooter

Our testers were impressed by how easy this scooter was to control. They also loved the motion-activated LED lights, especially at night. Plus, when it's not in use it folds up so you can stash it away easily. Ages 6+

RELATED: The Best Scooters for Kids

Ultra Rocket

With this game, kids "stomp" on the included pump to send rockets flying up to 20 stories high. Setup is super fast and easy, so you can start having fun right away. Ages 6+

Ride Along Scooter

How cute is this mini Vespa? They can even have their favorite stuffie or doll ride along on the back seat. It's a foot-powered ride-on that lets a toddler practice balance and have some active fun. Ages 18 months to 4 years

Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Sprinkler Toy

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. Ages 3+

Geosafari Solar Rover

With this solar-powered car, kids can create a shadow to turn the vehicle around or stop it completely. Then, they've gotta move out of the way to gain more power from the sun. Ages 8+

Rainbow Arch Spray Pool

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 some shade. Ages 2+ with adult supervision

RELATED: The Best Kiddie Pools You Can Buy

Grogu Bubble Machine

Snag this out-of-this-world bubble machine that features a baby Grogu in his carrier. Blow an endless stream of non-toxic bubbles, no hard-work required! This machine is great for Star Wars fans of all ages. Ages 3+

RELATED: 7 Best Bubble Machines to Keep Kids Happy All Summer

Glow in the Dark NightBall

Get the teams in a huddle for a game — at night! This football glows using LEDs, giving new meaning to "Friday Night Lights." Ages 3+

Flickin’ Chicken

Move over, cornhole and horseshoes! The Flickin' Chicken game is the best precision-tossing game for kids, because throwing a rubber chicken is just hilarious. Ages 6+

Spidey Balloobles

What kid wouldn't love a bubble machine attached to a blow-up doll of Spidey? An auto function lets you just flip a switch for bubbles to fan out. Ages 3+

Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

Kids will flock to this water table once it's set up in the backyard. Just scoop some water from the lower table and pour it into the upper tier to watch the water fall down like rain. The rainfall adds a sound component to the sensory experience of water play. Ages 18 months+

RELATED: The Best Water Tables for Kids

Popdarts

Try your hand at hitting the bull's-eye with this family-friendly set of Popdarts, great for outdoor or indoor play. No need to worry about avoiding the pointy end as these darts use suction cups on either end to stick to their target. Players aim to hit closest to the target marker and first to 21 points wins. Ages 3+

Bubbles of Steel

This science kit lets kids make bubbles that won't pop. (Seriously!) Then, kids can make bubble stacks, bubble sculptures and just feel a general sense of awe that they can poke the bubbles without them popping. Ages 6+

22-Inch Skateboard

If they're interested in skating, this is the "just right" board to learn on. Users say it's sturdy, yet isn't as big or heavy to lug around as other boards out there for trick riding. It also comes in a ton of fun colors and patterns. No age recommendation given

Mega Grave Digger RC

This remote-controlled monster truck is a past Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner for its ability to roll over a variety of obstacles put in its path. We also love that it's surprisingly light, which is good if one of those obstacles turns out to be a foot. Ages 4+

Caterpillar Tunnel for Kids

Get those little bodies moving! Kids can crawl through the caterpillar tunnel, climb on top of it and peer through the different windows. You can configure the segments in different ways to keep things interesting. Ages 3+

Bubble Mower

This bubble mower promises hours of creative play. With a pretend motor that visibly spins and makes realistic sounds, this multi-functional toy is more than just a bubble machine. We love that it helps with gross motor coordination. Ages 2+

Ocean and Sand Sensory Bin

This adorable sensory bin won a Good Housekeeping Toy Award because reviewers loved its easy setup and cleanup. Not only does it take the DIY aspect out of creating a sensory bin, but it comes with sand, water beads, sand toys, river rocks and even plastic animals to ensure your child will never get bored. Ages 3+

Backyard Bouncer JR

Bring the carnival to your own backyard when you take home this backyard bounce house. It inflates easily and quickly for a fun outdoor activity. While we enjoyed the unlimited fun this product offers, we advise parents to keep an eye on their kids at all times while bouncing and to adhere to manufacturer instructions. Ages 2 to 8

Create Your Own Garden Stones

Perfect for little artists, this kit includes three different ready-to-paint stepping stones, 10 paint colors and instructions on how to mix colors to create different shades. Not only do reviewers love how creative this kit is, but kids will have a beautiful item to display afterward! Ages 5+

Hideout Hollow Toddler Climber

This mini jungle gym is great for both outdoor and indoor play and is perfectly sized for tiny toddler hands. It features a variety of fun tasks that help improve kids' gross motor skills, muscle development and coordination, so reviewers like that this climber is as beneficial as it is fun. Ages 18 months to 3 years

T-Ball Set

Do you have the next baseball star in your family? This T-ball set is great for teaching little ones about America's Pastime. With an adjustable tee that grows with your child, five plastic balls so you don't have to worry if one gets lost and an oversized bat, it's designed to let your little sports fan play to their heart's content. Ages 18 months+

RV Camper Set

Take an exciting trip with this colorful RV camper set that includes a camper van, pick-up truck and boat, alongside some additional fun accessories. This camper set won a 2021 Good Housekeeping Toy Award for its dedication to sustainability and its well-constructed pieces that require no assembly. Ages 2+

Clicker Crab Toss and Grip Game

Pick up this two-person game that's great for encouraging hand-eye coordination and early motor skills. It's also the perfect size for packing in a bag and taking with you to the beach or park while on vacation. Ages 3+

RELATED: 20 Best Beach Games for Adults and Kids of All Ages

Whisper Ride II Push Car

Zoom around the neighborhood in style in this bright blue ride-on. Not only does it look pretty snazzy, but it features a working horn, safety belt and cup holders for both kids and parents. Rev those engines! Ages 1.5+

RELATED: 10 Best Ride-On Toys, According to Toy Experts

What to look for when shopping for outdoor toys

When it's finally warm enough for kids to go enjoy themselves in the great outdoors, you're going to want to supply them with hours of play. Here are a few things to consider before you add toys to your cart:

✔️Age range and safety: Keep an eye out for the recommended age range for each toy. Using toys within the proper age range mean that they're safer, more suitable and offer the right amount of challenge for each kid. And always keep an eye on your kids when they're playing outside!

✔️Space: If you have a large backyard, you can opt for something like a fun climber or playhouse. For those with smaller outdoor spaces, sensory bins and thoughtful art projects will be your best bets.

✔️Materials: These toys will likely be thrown around, left out in the sun, rained on and dropped in the dirt. Make sure the materials that make up each toy are sturdy enough to withstand the elements.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love, including the best toys and games.

This article was originally written by Senior Parenting Editor Marisa LaScala, who covers everything from toys to kids' TV shows for GH. It was most recently updated by Parenting Reviews Analyst Jamie Spain, who brings years of experience to the GH Institute, having previously written for BuzzFeed and People. Expert advice and testing insights were provided by Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute's chief technologist and director of engineering, who has spent more than 15 years testing and selecting the best toys on the market. Plus, as a mom to three kids under 5, she has plenty of first-hand experience.

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