10 Best Outdoor Toys for Kids 2024

Toys can be valuable resources for developing a child’s imagination, logic, motor skills, physical fitness, and curiosity. This is particularly true for outdoor toys, which represent a great way of keeping your child healthy, as well as entertained.

An early introduction to fun outdoor activities helps contribute to a child’s all-round development. Plus, they can help your child avoid spending an excessive amount of time staring at screens.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best outdoor toys available right now.

Factors to Consider When Buying an Outdoor Toy for Kids

The best outdoor toys can support intellectual development in children, build self-discipline, strength, endurance, problem-solving skills, confidence, and independence. But when choosing the best outdoor toys, it’s important to check for all of the following.

Durability

Outdoor toys will prove to be a waste of money if they don’t have a long-lasting build/design. Durable toys can be passed down to siblings, effectively saving the parents money and eliminating the need to replace parts, etc.

While compiling this list, toys that can’t survive abuse by children of the product’s recommended age range failed our selection standard. The Flybar Foam Master Pogo Stick For Kids is a good example of a durable, outdoor toy.

Age-Appropriacy

We understand that feeling when you spot an amazing product at the toy store, only to find the label says the product is recommended for children just a year or two above or below your child’s age. We advise that you resist the temptation to buy these toys, as just a year can make plenty of difference.

That’s to say, your child may not have the balance, weight, motor skill, attention span, or coordination to use a particular toy, and ultimately, they won’t get much out of it. To help, we have listed the appropriate age range for every toy in our product list.

Safety

The joy of toys can quickly be replaced with regret if children end up in hospital emergency departments due to exposure to toxic materials, injuries caused by sharp edges, or avoidable falls.

Plus, toys often have small detachable parts that can put smaller children at risk of choking. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ensures that toys made or imported for sale come with non-toxic, flame-retardant, lead-free paints, and washable materials.

We’ve made sure to only include toys that are unlikely to prevent any serious health risks. Of course, it’s impossible to mitigate risk entirely, and you should supervise your children at all times during play.

Educational Benefit

The best toys engage and improve intellect in a manner that is so much fun that kids do not even realize they are being “schooled." Educational toys can teach STEM subjects, life lessons, and valuable skills. The Outdoor Explorer Kit is an excellent example of an outdoor toy that provides an educational benefit.

Top 10 Best Outdoor Toys for Kids 2024

1. ESSENSON Outdoor Explorer Kit

For Ages 3-12
Why it made the list All the tools and gadgets are functional, including the compass and binoculars.

Bring out the adventurer in your child with this outdoor explorer kit by ESSENSON. This kit packs enough tools to inspire, educate, and even help children develop a love of nature. The highlight of this kit is the binoculars with a 5x power magnification and a 30mm objective lens diameter. It also comes with a lanyard and soft rubber eye cups that makes them safe for use with eyeglasses.

The bug catcher in this kit is particularly useful considering that kids who dislike outdoor camping are usually afraid of bugs. Children can start off studying the insect book and playing with the plastic insect included in the kit.

This kit is perfect for backyards and front lawn exploration. The family can also bring the kit along during camping and hiking trips to keep children engaged with nature, day and night. Kids are sure to be excited when presented with their very own exploration kit containing a flashlight, butterfly net, magnifying glass, whistle, compass, critter case, a hat, backpack, tweezers, and bug containers.

Even children that dislike bugs will be lured by the fantastic pieces in this kit and will be catching bugs of their own in no time. The included net can be used to catch butterflies, tadpoles, and small fish. All the tools and gadgets are functional, including the compass and binoculars. These binoculars have manually adjustable focusing and come with a portable carrying case.

Although the flashlight has an internal battery, the power is recharged by squeezing the flashlight’s handle. That’s a thoughtful way to help children build hand and finger muscles. The functional compass allows parents to teach children about navigation and how to read a map. This is an open-ended toy that provides endless fun and learning for young ones.

2. The Original Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes

For Ages 5+
Why it made the list This model is an upgraded version featuring 3 unique, aerobatic stunt planes that flip, turn, soar, and glide.

The Original Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes is a STEM outdoor toy. This model is an upgraded version featuring 3 unique, aerobatic stunt planes that flip, turn, soar, and glide. The planes’ angles can be adjusted to factor in the head and tailwinds and get different trajectories. Planning the trajectory, velocity, and aerodynamics to achieve the cool stunts promotes STEM learning for kids.

This toy is still an excellent fun learning tool in indoor spaces like school gyms, etc. After all, these foam planes will struggle in strong wind weather conditions.

The Original Stomp Rocket planes are designed by actual aeronautical engineers. These planes may not be the posterchild of durability, but they’re made of foam, which is a welcome material for child-safety.

The 3 planes include a Glider, a Looper, and a Wildcat; all of which can soar for over 100 feet in the air while executing all sorts of amazing tricks. This toy promises plenty of fun for the whole family.

The running, jumping, and stomping on the stomp pad to launch the planes help kids burn extra energy, build leg muscles and improve cardiovascular health. The adjustable tripod stand that connects the air hose to the stomp pad is sturdy and durable, too. Paired with the Stomp Rocket Science Book, kids can keep on learning and having fun for a long time.

The Original Stomp Rocket is a multi-award-winning toy including the Creative Child Magazine 2020 Top Toy of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Awards, Mom’s Choice Award, Dr. Toy’s Best Classics Winner, Good Housekeeping 2019 Best Toys Award, Good Housekeeping Lab Pick, and VeryWell Recommends Award.

3. FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Camping Gear Set

For Ages 3-9
Why it made the list This tent features a collapsible technology that makes it easy to pop-open and fold down.

Unlike the Outdoor Explorer Kit that’s equipped for adventurous explorations, the FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent is designed and equipped for pure camping fun. You can tell from the tools in this kit that this product is more than just a play tent to be set up in basements and bedrooms, even though the mini-sized plastic equipment makes this kit strictly for role-play.

Both indoors and outdoors, play tents encourage role play. It’s easy to fire up your child’s imagination with a play tent and set the stage for adventure. This kit has the necessary accessories and equipment to familiarize children with basic outdoor survival skills.

The FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent kit contains a pop-up tent, gas stove, oil lamp, binoculars, functioning wristwatch, utility knife, a multifunctional whistle (the whistle combines a compass, flashlight, and thermometer), cooking pan, plates, and a shovel.

The stove is battery-powered. After all, the manufacturer recommended age for the use of this kit is 3 years and up. You don’t want 3-year-olds burning themselves or burning the tent down. The battery-powered stove and functional oil lamp put out enough power to light up the immediate surroundings.

All the pieces in this camping kit are made of plastic, including the wristwatch with an adjustable watchband to fit various wrist sizes. You can easily adjust the watch’s time by pressing and holding down the button. The binoculars also feature an adjustable radian to fit different eye sizes, as well as adjustable barrels that swing in a semicircle at fixed points.

The utility knife combines a plastic fork, spoon, and a bottle opener. Furthermore, the FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent features collapsible technology in its construction that makes it easy to pop-open and fold down the tent. Do you want to raise a little camper who isn’t afraid of the outdoors? Get them started with the FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent. The lamp and stove each require 2 AA batteries.

4. Starlux Games - Capture the Flag REDUX

For Ages 8+
Why it made the list Capture the Flag REDUX is the perfect game to get everyone outside, no matter how old they are.

Capture the Flag, the original glow-in-the-dark outdoor game is a fantastic outdoor activity played by two teams who can be tagged, frozen, or jailed in their territories. Capture the Flag REDUX is the perfect game to get everyone outside, no matter how old they are, for an hour-long fitness-building exercise. The Starlux Capture the Flag Redux is a multiple award-winning toy, perfect for birthdays, youth events, church events, BBQs, gym sport, etc.

The game is a battle concept where ‘soldiers’ capture their opponent’s flag (a glowing orb in this case), and the skirmish is considered settled. Just be sure to return the captured crystal to your home side without been tagged on your way home. Tagged soldiers go to jail and stay in jail until a team member breaks them out without being tagged themselves. This toy guarantees plenty of cardio fun as well as helping kids to develop social skills.

Teams are made up of all kinds of military personnel for espionage, scouting, and defense. If you are looking for the perfect toy to get kids to cut screen time and put their phones down, this would be the right choice. The kit comes with battery-powered jail markers, territory lights, light-up wristbands, and a glowing orb that serve as each team’s flag.

The game can be played by a team of 4 to 20 players; an excellent tool to cultivate social skills while building mental and physical fitness, strength, cardiovascular health, and confidence.

The glowing orbs and other game pieces make the Starlux Capture the Flag game cool to play at night. Starlux Capture the Flag REDUX offers twelve different modes of play- Ghosts in the Graveyard, Fugitive, Ninja, and others.

5. Flybar Foam Master Pogo Stick for Kids

For Ages 9+
Why it made the list This model features a wider tip that provides a more stable and consistent pogoing experience.

Once again, Flybar proves to be the ultimate leader in pogo stick manufacture with the Flybar Foam Master Pogo Stick for Kids. This pogo stick features an advanced design that’s suitable for preteens and adults. This model can support a weight of up to 160 lbs.

If you are looking for a pogo stick for beginners (children 3-years-old and above), then we highly recommend the [amazon url="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WTDXBO8″]Flybar My First Pogo Jumper[/amazon]. Until you’ve tried a pogo stick, you’re missing out on a lot. You know it, and your child should know it. The persistent bouncing helps kids build balance and coordination. This toy helps children build confidence, gross motor skills, upper body strength, and more.

Pogo jumpers are one of the most fun ways to burn as many as 600 calories in an hour. Just hop on the footholds and let the fun begin. The Flybar Foam Master Pogo Stick features a foam-covered hand grip and center bar promoting the safety and comfort of the jumper’s palms and shins. The foam-covered metal frame also helps protect the stick from rust, chips, and cracks.

This model has a premium look that you’ll notice before you even feel the stick. As always, the Flybar Foam Master Pogo Stick is built with high-quality, durable materials designed for longevity and extreme use.

The widely separated footholds also make this model suitable for kids with larger feet. Plus, the spring is sturdy and unlikely to break. Just don’t get this model for users who weigh less than 80 lbs. or the spring is unlikely to budge at all. This is a taller, heavier pogo stick model designed for children 9-year-old and above.

When using this pogo stick, be sure to bring your helmet and elbow pads along. As an additional safety measure, this model features a wider tip that provides a more stable and consistent pogoing experience. This, together with the sturdy non-slip pegs and extra-wide footholds, promotes stability and balance while allowing advanced users to execute a variety of pogoing tricks and moves.

After 100 years of making pogo sticks, the Flybar Company can be counted on for superiority. The stick comes in 8 mixed colors for you to choose from.

6. RoyalBaby Kids Freestyle Bicycle

For Ages 3-12
Why it made the list Wide 2.4” pneumatic tires, together with the sturdy steel frame and crank, offer incredible stability during movement.

Give your kids a royal invitation to own one of the most fantastic kids’ bikes with a wallet/purse-friendly price tag. This RoyalBaby Kids Freestyle Bicycle does not disappoint.

The bells and whistles include a reliable kickstand (for 12 – 16 inches wheel sizes, the smaller sizes have training wheels instead), an adjustable ergonomic seat with saddle bar, a unique child grip-friendly brake lever, 2 brake systems (front caliper and rear coaster brakes), a water bottle/water bottle holder, no-slip pedals, protective chain guard, back wheel light, front headlight, and wide tires. These wide 2.4” pneumatic tires, together with the sturdy steel frame and crank, offer incredible stability.

The RoyalBaby Freestyle Bicycles come in several wheel sizes (12 to 20 inches) for different age groups between 3 and 12 years. This bike is made with very durable components with solid welds and a perfect finish.

We’re impressed with the back coaster brake that helps kids just learning to balance on a bike master hand coordination and take better control of their ride. The wide tires enable the bike to ride smoothly on different terrains. Just make sure kids are wearing the best protective cycling gear.

The quick-release feature of the adjustable seat comes in handy for helping your little one find their best sitting position. The bike comes to you 95% assembled, so all you have to put together are the pedals, handlebars, seat, and accessories. Installation tools and an assembly manual are included.

Unlike similar brands under $200, the parts of this bike align perfectly, and the tires stay stable, without noticeable wobbles. Cycling provides a health building exercise for children, and the RoyalBaby Freestyle Bicycle is your best choice for this. You have seven colors to choose from: white, red, pink, orange, green, fuchsia, and blue.

7. Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball

For Ages 5+
Why it made the list The ball’s weight provides sufficient momentum to make accurate passes, crosses, shooting, and enough rebound for dribbling.

Playing soccer has numerous health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, endurance, better hand-eye coordination, speed, and agility.

Kids are likely to do most of their soccer practice in the backyard and front lawns, so you want to make sure the ball does not have excessive loft, weight, or rebound. The Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball ticks all these boxes. This Wilson soccer ball comes from a traditional American soccer brand, and you get Wilson’s trademark black and white alternating panel design.

If you were disappointed with the previous versions of the classic Wilson soccer balls, be reassured that the quality of this latest 2019 version is much improved. With its headquarters in Chicago, USA, the Wilson sporting company is a trusted brand in sporting goods covering tennis, basketball, soccer, and so on. This soccer ball is one of the company’s finest products.

The ball’s weight provides sufficient momentum to make accurate passes, crosses, and shots. Do you want a child to up his or her soccer game? Then this is our number one recommendation.

A little rain or wind shouldn’t bring a soccer game to a halt. This ball holds well under varying weather conditions including, wet grass and mud. You can trust the durability of the Wilson classic traditional soccer ball with its impact-resistant synthetic leather on the outer cover, and butyl rubber bladder underneath for better air and shape retention.

The synthetic leather feels soft, yet it’s very strong. This ball is built to last even under extreme use, provided it is not used frequently on concrete. The synthetic leather doesn’t do very well on sidewalks, although it can handle extreme temperatures just fine.

This is an excellent budget-friendly soccer ball for backyard fun and standard soccer pitch practice. The ball is machine-sewn and comes with a standard inflation level of 8 or 10 PSI, which can be easily achieved with a hand pump.

8. Meketec Cruiser Retro Skateboard

For Ages 3-12
Why it made the list This board comes in a variety of attractive design options.

When it comes to a beginner skateboard built sturdy with good quality materials that you can buy without feeling a hole in your purse or wallet, don’t hesitate to go for the Meketec Cruiser Retro Skateboard.

This skateboard is built to take all sorts of hits and falls and also comes in an array of cool design options. The board itself is noticeably thinner than other brands, although it is made with 3.25-inch heavy-duty aluminum.

The thin size is a reminder that this board is for kids, but the heavy-duty aluminum ensures the board’s durability and strength. Weighing only 3.8 lbs., kids can pretty much slip the Meketec Cruiser Retro Skateboard in a backpack and take it with them to school or the park.

This skateboard is recommended for kids 3 to 12-years-old and can support up to 200 lbs. in weight. With a deck that is nearly 6 inches wide and 22.5 inches long and with high-speed ABEC-7 bearings, young riders enjoy extra balance and a stable ride. Riding feels a lot better with the ABEC-7 bearings.

The deck is also made with bendable high-quality Polypropylene. The Meketec Mini Cruiser Retro Skateboard is an affordable beginner skateboard that is as sturdy as it is stylish. The eye-catching designs, with 26 stylish colors to choose from, adds to the cool factor and allows kids to roll around the streets in style.

The Meketec Cruiser Retro board is not electric. It runs on 60*45mm PU wheels with a 78A hardness, which further provides a stable ride. This product is made with quality materials, is CE-certified, and suitable for beginner to advanced young riders. This board is an excellent choice for kids to learn and master skateboarding skills.

9. Selieve Walkie Talkies for Kids

For Ages 3-12
Why it made the list This is a very durable communication tool with clear sound transmission for children.

Why should you get a kid a walkie talkie and not a smartphone? Walkie talkies offer plenty of intellectual, emotional, social, and developmental benefits. The Selieve Walkie Talkie set is a 22 channel 2-way radio toy with a backlit LCD flashlight, and a 3-mile range for outdoors, camping, and hiking adventures. This device could very well be mistaken for the real deal if it wasn’t for the bright colors that give away its toy status.

The Selieve Walkie Talkies is an excellent gift that comes in gender-neutral colors for boys and girls fascinated by radio chatter. The set comes with two radios painted in the same color.

We like the extended button design, as they won’t get stuck when firmly held down. The box also comes with a portable dock for the radios, although the device is lightweight and has a secure belt clip feature. A walkie talkie toy will teach children an alternative to shouting or screaming when they need help. This toy will also familiarize kids with effective two-way communication in large meetings and emergencies.

The backlit LCD makes the screen easy to read for small eyes, and the buttons are child finger-friendly. Additional features that make these Selieve Walkie Talkies stand out from similar brands include the VOX function, which allows the user to make a voice-operated switch, and the LED flashlight.

The Selieve Walkie Talkies sport an ergonomic design that feels nearly indestructible when you hold them in your hands. You will get crisp and smooth sound quality with a high anti-interference function.

The device runs on 4 AAA batteries. More than just a communication tool, the Selieve Walkie Talkies delivers plenty of interactive fun.

10. GoBroBrand Bow and Arrow Set for Kids

For Ages 3-12
Why it made the list The bow features 3 lighting settings that light up at night, adding to the “cool” factor.

Whether the child you’re buying for is a boy or girl, they’re more than welcome to be archers and archeresses. No, that’s not a typo. Many modern dictionaries now have a definition for the word “archeress.” Although the USA Archery recommends the age of 8 as the minimum age to enroll children in an archery program, the GoBroBrand Bow and Arrow Set for Kids is suitable for the drawing strength of children that are 3 to 12-years-old.

Although this toy can be used inside the house, its potential is limited indoors. Archery practice can be a health-building hobby and a great way to prepare children for competitive archery sport. The practice can sharpen valuable skills that will benefit children in their adult lives.

This archery set includes six suction cup arrows, an arrow quiver, a target, and a bow. The bow features 3 lighting settings that light up at night, adding to the “cool” factor. Archery has a history of hunting and combat equipment. The skill requires dedication, patience, focus, and discipline, and that’s what this toy can help kids develop and improve.

The GoBroBrand Bow and Arrow Set fill your child’s quiver with 6 suction cup arrows allowing him/her more shooting fun and less time retrieving shots. The set is manufactured with premium, non-toxic and safe materials ensuring suitability and the total safety of the family.

This arrow set will provide very limited fun indoors, which makes the toy perfect for luring kids outside. Consistent use of this arrow set will help children build hand-eye coordination, aiming skills, and fine motor skills. Aiming and firing the arrow increases focus and balance, and each successful shot builds confidence as well.

Go Outside and Play

According to Sanford Health, on average, “American children spend four to seven minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play compared to seven or more hours in front of a screen.” Scientific studies have shown that kids need to have a healthy dose of outdoor activities in proportion to the time they spend in front of the tv, computer, and smartphone screens. In other words, excess screen time can be harmful to children.

Fun outdoor activities provide the support that a child’s growing mind and body need. Plus, children are more likely to have healthier emotional, social, and communication skills by spending quality time outdoors. Toys can play a vital role in encouraging kids to go outside and play. With fun outdoor options available, like the Capture The Flag Redux, no family member, neighbor, or friend will want to be left out.