The Best Outdoor Toys For Toddlers And Preschoolers
The Best Outdoor Toys For Toddlers And Preschoolers
It’s about that time in Chicago when we are getting ready to spend all of our time outside. Our family pretty much lives outside most days April-October and our backyard is used more than our living room in the summer. We have found a few of the best outdoor toys for toddlers to stay occupied for hours while you soak up some much needed sunshine.
We put a lot of thought into the toys that we bring into our homes, but the toys that we have outside are just as important. I love when the girls can use their imaginations and just explore, but having some go-to toys outside always extends the time we spend out there. Here is a list of things that we go back to again and again when the weather calls us outside.
We got this when Maeve was one, and this is probably the most played with toy that we have in our backyard.
Dan built the girls a playhouse based on these plans, but there are so many cute ones already made. The girls love to play house, color on the chalkboard they have in there, and sit on their front porch.
This is great if you have more than one kid and they both want to swing at the same time, but you don’t have a full blown swingset. They love to lounge on here together or by themselves.
We just ordered this for Maeve for her 4th birthday, and I already know it will be a huge hit. I love this one because it is neutral colored and will blend in with the backyard a little better.
The girls love to help me plant flowers and veggies, and pick them when they are ready. They also love to just play with dirt and scoop it into different buckets/pots.
Let me tell you - these girls really get their steps with all the walks they take their babies on around the yard and along our street.
This is also up there with most played with toy, ever. There is something about playing with water that will keep kids occupied FOREVER. Water runs through this so that it seems like a real sink.
We have this one and love it because there is a piece on the back to help push your toddler before they are able to independently pedal, but it is removable once they figure it out.
Both girls can fit on this at two and four years old and it teaches them how to ride a bike without pedals so that maybe we will be able to skip the training wheel stage.
This is a pricier scooter, but it is REALLY good. Again, both girls can fit on this at two and four years old and love riding it around our caul-de-sac or to the park.
A great way to keep your toddler occupied while you actually mow the lawn.
We have had this one for a few years and have loved it. I also don’t mind sitting in it on days that get up to 100 degrees.
Who doesn’t love a bubble machine?? Also you will not have to blow bubbles constantly.
Self explanatory. A classic. Also fun if you are a doodler.
These are amazing and we make a big batch of them to put in the water table or a plastic kids pool for outdoor play.
Baby dolls and stuffies take a lot of rides in this through our backyard, along with anything they want to transport from the patio to their playhouse.
We have little tree trunk slices that we actually used as centerpieces at our wedding that we set up as stepping stones from the playhouse to the garden, but these plastic ones seem way easier to keep clean.
The girls love these and use them at the pool, the beach, or just outside in the yard. It’s less scary than the sprinkler to our two year old.
We have borrowed this from family before and the girls love it. It’s a manageable size and is great for parties to keep little kids occupied.