My Favorite Outdoor Toys for Toddlers
There’s nothing like having fun in the sun and fresh air. Playing outdoors can be a real confidence booster for little kids, and has even been shown to foster healthy development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children who engage in outdoor play can be more engaged in learning, as well as physically and mentally healthier. And as a mom of four very active young kids, I agree—outdoor play is crucial for keeping my little ones happy. It’s also excellent for working out extra energy without the risk of breaking something important. But while young kids are always happy to run around in the grass, having the right outdoor toys for toddlers nearby ensures you’ll keep the fun going and provide new ways to explore.
While all you really need to take playtime outside is a little imagination, outdoor toys can certainly help nurture that creativity. The best outdoor toys for toddlers are durable, engaging and, most importantly, fun! Ready to get your tot exercising al fresco? We’ve done the hard work for you, and selected the best outdoor toys for toddlers. My kids own all of these toys and I can personally vouch for their durability and undeniable fun factor. But we also considered feedback from hundreds of parents in The Bump community to ensure we have a full view of how these toys held up in the hands of other toddlers.
To find the best outdoor toys for toddlers:
- We surveyed nearly 350 parents for details about their favorite outdoor toys for toddlers, looking at elements like durability, how long kids typically played with them and, of course, the fun factor. We paid careful attention when parents made note of something they didn’t like, too.
- We relied on our personal experience with these outdoor toys for toddlers, paying close attention to what our kids enjoy most about them, as well as pain points we’ve noticed.
- To make sure we have a full view of how these toys perform for a range of families, we conducted thorough market research, analyzing message boards, forums and product reviews from real parents. Only outdoor toys with overwhelmingly positive feedback made the final cut.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops our product reviews.
Best balance bike
- Nice, low-to-the-ground size
- Adjustable seat and handlebars
- Lightweight feel
- Expensive
Balance bike options have flooded the toddler toy market over the last few years, but the Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike stands out from the pack as one of the most popular choices. This balance bike has a low, grounded feel and is lightweight, despite having an incredibly sturdy and high-quality frame. The whole thing is assembled without tools, which is a massive perk for parents, and adjustments are equally tool-free. The bike has foam rubber tires that can cruise over nearly everything, while comfortable grips allow budding bikers to feel more confident as they sail along.
Survey respondent Brooke said this balance bike kept her child entertained for hours—no small feat for an energetic toddler! My adventurous tike also has this bike and, while it admittedly takes a little time for younger kids to get the hang of it, she now loves cruising around our driveway in it. And if you're looking for a bike your toddler can grow with, the Strider 14x, which is made for ages 3+, has the option of adding on pedals over time.
Our community says:
[We use this] everywhere—yard, driveway, road. – Brooke, mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best bubble wand
- Sturdy container is easy for little hands to grip
- Won’t spill when tipped over
- Includes dye-free, non-toxic bubble solution
- You’ll want to buy backup bubbles
It’s hard to find a toddler that doesn’t love bubbles, making them a slam dunk activity nearly any time. But many bubble containers tip over easily, wasting precious bubble solution in the process. After getting frustrated with all of the bubble solution my kids were literally dumping out, I invested in Fubbles Bubbles No-Spill Bubble Tumbler and never looked back. This genius no-spill design keeps “bubble juice” inside, even when the container is flipped upside down. It also has a container and wand that’s easy for little hands to grip. In fact, survey respondent Edith gives these bubbles the thumbs up for how easy they are for her child to use.
While Fubbles Bubbles is admittedly more expensive than many other bubbles, the amount of solution you end up saving helps to even out the cost. (But you'll still want to buy a backup jug of bubble solution—you can never have too much of the stuff!)
Our community says:
I try to use the bubbles you blow rather than the machine because apparently learning to blow bubbles helps speech development! – Rebecca T., mom of one
Best push toy
- Fun design mimics a “real” lawnmower
- No batteries required
- Bubble solution included
- Bubble solution may spill on uneven surfaces
Got a bubble mega-fan? The John Deere Bubble Lawn Mower distributes the stuff with a push, allowing your little one to constantly crank out new bubbles to play with while also getting up and on the move. The toy provides plenty of pretend play, so your favorite toddler can “mow” the lawn just like you. This push toy is highly entertaining: Sammi, a mom who responded to our survey, said her little one can push this around for 20 minutes without getting bored. The toy is petite and easy to maneuver across a range of terrain thanks to rugged tires. Fill-ups are a breeze, too—just dump in more bubble solution, close the lid and roll on.
Our community says:
My almost-3-year-old loves his lawnmower that doubles as a bubble machine. He pushes it around while my husband mows the lawn. – Laura B., mom of two
Best sidewalk chalk
- Chalk holders minimize mess
- Provides several grip options
- Minimizes chalk breakage
- Toddlers may need help adjusting the chalk
Sidewalk chalk can be messy—little kids usually end up with more chalk on themselves than the ground. The Melissa & Doug My First Sidewalk Chalk Set tamps down on mess with special adjustable holders that make it easy for little hands to grip. The set includes four colorful chalk sticks and the holders, which can be reused with new pieces of chalk. Plus, the clever devices make it less likely for these chalk sticks to break!
Our community says:
This provides affordable, open-ended play. – Abby, mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best swing set
- Adjustable straps for secure fit
- Comfortable, ergonomic design
- Fun colors
- Hanging rope is short
A swing is a classic outdoor toddler toy—and with good reason. Swinging is a calming activity that’s been proven to build sensory skills in babies. There are tons of great sets on the market, but we love this simple option by Little Tikes. It has adjustable shoulder straps and a T-bar safety harness that can be folded away once baby graduates to big-kid status. And at under $30, it’s super-affordable to boot! The swing is impressively durable, too: My family has one for years that still looks new.
Our community says:
It’s small and easy to use. – Emily, mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best ride-on toy
- Adorable design
- Multi-purpose toy grows with your child
- Quality materials and construction
- Assembly takes some time
This vehicle starts as a push-and-pull wagon for early walkers, and then transforms into a ride-on toy for tots. Finally, it becomes a scooter once your child is older. In wagon mode, there’s an ultra-convenient storage space, ideal for taking toys to and from the park (or wherever they’re scooting around). This is one of my toddler’s favorite toys, and it’s a hand-me-down from her older sister, which says a lot about its durability. I’m blown away by how much life you can get out of one relatively inexpensive toy. And it's versatile too—my younger kids use it as a ride-on, a scooter and a doll-holder, giving us lots of mileage out of one purchase. But remember: If you’re planning to use this toy as a scooter, be sure to pick up a helmet too.
Best basketball hoop
- Easy to adjust
- Very durable construction
- Two balls included
- No built-in ball storage
Have a little athlete at home? They’ll love this cool basketball hoop. It can be adjusted to six different heights, meaning your kiddo can play with it for years to come—score! My 3-year-old was given this set for her birthday and loves shooting hoops with her big siblings. I love how sturdy the set is, although it can still tip over with aggressive toddler dunking. (Make sure you add the full recommended 40 pounds of sand to try to minimize that.) The two included balls are a nice perk, so you don’t constantly have to run after the ball before hitting the next shot.
Even better, there are so many adjustable heights that it can suit every member of my crew. We have family competitions to see who can make the most baskets!
Best t-ball set
- Small size
- Built-in ball holder
- Tough enough to withstand hits
- Ball may hurt if it’s hit hard
If your tot is a fan of all things sports-related, you can’t go wrong with this t-ball set. It comes with a baseball bat, two balls and a stand that can easily be adjusted as your child’s skills develop. This set also offers a sweet opportunity for parent-child bonding during playtime! The built-in ball holder is a nice perk, allowing you to keep everything in one spot. Just be aware that the ball is made of hard plastic and can hurt if you get whacked with a line drive—so stand back when batting practice is in session.
Our community says:
It’s all-weather, durable and is still played with. – Susan, mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best tricycle
- Updated version of classic toy
- Stable feel
- Rear storage
- Color may fade over time
Radio Flyer’s tricycle is a classic toddler toy, and it recently got an upgrade with this Amazon-exclusive version. The trike has air-free tires that won’t flatten out over time, along with an adjustable seat to help the bike grow with your little one. I love the covered storage bin in the back, which is roomy enough to hold a water bottle and must-have toys, along with any special rocks or other objects you find on your ride. There’s also a keyhole in the back of the seat to make the trike easy for you to lift it.
Our community says:
It’s easy for kids to use. – Alicia, mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best water table
- Sturdy design is hard to tip over
- Lots of included toys and features
- Plug at the bottom allows for easy draining
- Assembly is a little confusing
What makes water play so appealing to kids? All the sensational pouring and splashing—and this water table by Step2 offers plenty of both. It comes with 13 accessories, including a large bucket for scooping water into the top tier, which trickles back into the pond to create a realistic rainfall effect. My kids can’t get enough of this table, and even I get excited when we pull it out for playtime. The table is low to the ground, allowing little ones to access all the fun features. It’s also very stable, making it hard to tip over. The removable plug at the bottom of the table allows for easy draining, too. Just a note on assembly: The instructions aren’t the clearest. Still, I managed to put it together in 30 minutes and it’s been in regular use ever since.
Our community says:
The water table is always a huge hit! – Laura B., mom of two
I love the water table!! Keeps him occupied for so long even if it doesn't have water in it. – Rebecca T., mom of one
Best gardening set
- Looks like adult gardening set
- Tools and accessories are functional
- Included tote bag
- White tote bag is likely to get dirty
Help the entire family get in on gardening with this sweet set from Zicoto. It’s packed with functional accessories, including two shovels and a rake, gloves, and a watering can, all of which your little one can use to help you take care of your outdoor space. There are even potting plants so they can grow their own creations. Your toddler can carry the entire set around the yard with the included tote bag, which also helps keep tools from getting lost.
Jaclyn B., a mom of one, had high praise for this set, telling us, "We do a lot of work in the garden this time of year (planting veg and flowers) so we got my one-year-old daughter this kit and she loves sitting outside and working with us. This year she’s just toting around the bag, chewing on handles, and digging around in the dirt but I know it’ll grow with us and she’ll be able to use it more intentionally in the coming years as well."
About the writer:
Korin Miller is a journalist who has written several health and shopping features for The Bump. Korin specializes in commerce, wellness and lifestyle trends. Her work appears in Women’s Health, Prevention, Yahoo News and more. Korin is a mom to four young kids, who tries to spend as much time as possible outdoors with her family. She has a master’s degree from American University.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Healthy Children (AAP), Playing Outside: Why It’s Important for Kids, May 2024
The Bump April 2025 Survey. The Bump editors conducted a survey of almost 350 parents and asked about their favorite outdoor toy, and what they did and didn't like about it.
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