We’ve rounded up the best outdoor toys for kids so they can get the most out of the warmer weather this year.
When the school holidays roll around, it’s a good idea to have plenty of things to do with kids lined up – whether that be easy crafts to keep them busy or days out with the National Trust – so you can avoid the ‘mum, I’m bored’ complaints.
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s the perfect time to get children outside playing with outdoor toys for kids. Garden games for kids are a great way to keep them entertained in the back garden for hours, and we all know that plenty of fresh air makes for a good night’s sleep at the end of the day too.
From wooden toys and puzzles to the latest and greatest of sports-inspired garden games, check out the best outdoor toys for kids in 2021.
Best garden games and outdoor toys for kids 2021
1. Swingball 7101 Classic
Credit: Amazon
What’s more fun than an original Swingball set? Even small gardens can handle one of these. They also pack up and down fairly easily as well, so there’s plenty of fun guaranteed even if you’re just taking it out for a few hours.
Suitable for ages: 6+
2. No Fear Spirit Skates
Credit: Sports Direct
Hot on the tails on one of 2020’s biggest trends, these inline skates are a sure fire way to liven up a weekend and come up high on our list of the best outdoor toys for kids. They’re available in sizes 1 to 3.5 or 4 to 6.5 so as your little ones grow, the skates will grow with them.
These ones are available in pink and white but Sports Direct also stock a similar pair in green.
Suitable for ages: N/A – shoe size one and over
3. Wishtime Kids Adjustable Portable Basketball Set
Credit: Getty
Basketball hoops are fun for the whole family! This one is adjustable so the taller the kids get, the higher the hoop goes. This set comes with a mini basketball, a base, pole, backboard, hoop and net. The base can be easily weighed down with sand or water too, so there’s no chance of it falling over – no matter how many times it gets used.
Suitable for ages: 5+
4. Moon Shoes
Credit: Argos
Defy gravity with these incredible mini-trampolines! These unique shoes are made of quality, high-density plastic with adjustable Velcro closure straps. Safe and durable, ready for plenty of bouncing around the garden.
Suitable for ages: 7+
5. Chad Valley Inflatable Bouncy Castle
Credit: Argos
Suitable for everything from a low-key birthday to a Sunday afternoon in the sun, this Chad Valley Bouncy Castle has a 2-in-1 valve for easy inflation and deflation. It’s made from durable and puncture-resistant material, so you don’t have to worry about this being a one-year wonder toy either.
6. Pogo stick
Credit: Amazon
Take a trip round the garden on this pogo stick, available from Amazon in a wide variety of colours. It’s suitable for kids and offers hours of fun, as the stick comes with an attached ball rather than the classic pole. This makes it easier for littler ones to get involved too.
Suitable for ages: 7+
7. Nerf Super Soaker XP100 Water Gun
Credit: Argos
For a classic garden toy pick, go for Nerf’s Super Soaker. Ideal for those boiling British summer days, when the temperature climbs unexpectedly. One for every member of the family should see everyone entertained (and soaked) for a few hours at least.
Suitable for ages: 6+
8. Early Learning Centre Soft Ball Pack
Credit: Early Learning Centre
These super squishy balls are copies of the classic basketball, football and American football. They’re perfect toys for small ones who might not be ready to play with the harder sports balls. They’re perfect for games, as well as helping them to develop good hand-eye coordination skills.
Suitable for ages: + 18 months
9. Nerf Vortex Aero Howler
Credit: John Lewis
The Aero Howler is back for 2021 and coming up high on our list of best outdoor toys. Ideal for trips to the beach or an afternoon spent at the local park. Perfect your quarterback throw, stand back and watch this toy hurtle through the air at incredible speeds. It’s an essential for any sports-lovers out there!
Suitable for ages: 6+
10. Dolu My First Moto Racer Motorbike
Credit: Early Learning Centre
Watch them speed around the garden, the local park or down the road on this roaring red motorbike from the Early Learning Centre. It’s got chunky black wheels to keep small kids stable as they go tearing off, helping them to practice balancing as well.
Suitable for ages: 2+
11. AquaPlay LockBox
Credit: John Lewis
There’s plenty of fun to be had with this lockbox, as well as teaching kids about how canals and waterways work! They can steer the boat through the canals and let the water make it float, then use the crane to shift the containers between the boat and the car. Ideal for any budding engineers out there!
Suitable for ages: 3+
12. Bestway Summer Set Pool
Credit: John Lewis
This John Lewis paddling pools has been a favourite of ours for a few years now and it continues to be one of the best paddling pools out there. It’s super easy to inflate and deflate with its 3 air chambers and fills up to 110 litres, making it perfect for a refreshing splash when the temperature goes up.
Suitable for ages: 2+
13. Chad Valley Inflatable Goal Set
Credit: Argos
An inflatable goal set like this Chad Valley one from Argos costs only £11. It’s ideal for the changeable English weather as you can blow it up and then take it down whenever you want. Plus with the build in goals, it’s a level up from the classic football net.
Suitable for ages: 5+
14. Giant chalks
Credit: Amazon
Get creative with your kids and these amazing giant chalks from Amazon. Create a giant snakes and ladders board or a hopscotch grid on your garden pavement. And don’t worry, the chalk can be easily washed away with some warm soapy water.
Suitable for ages: 3+
15. My Living World Safari-Nature Explorer Bug Catcher Set
Credit: Amazon
Wannabe nature experts will love this easy-use bug safari kit. Included in the set is everything they need to catch, study and identify common garden creatures. They can take it out to the beach or the local park too, as there’s a full colour booklet to help them use the equipment in different spaces and charts to help them figure out what they’ve caught.
Suitable for ages: 5+
16. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
Credit: Argos
Calling all racers! We couldn’t miss out this classic outdoor toy off the best outdoor toys list, as it’s been serving up hours of fun for little ones for decades now. It comes with a working horn and a contained storage area (perfect for taking toys on the road) as well, so there will be smiles all round.
Suitable for ages: 18+ months
17. Garden Four In A Row
Credit: English Heritage
Fun for all the family and great for entertaining large groups of children, this Connect 4-style four-in-a-row game from the English Heritage Shop is £38 but by buying this set, you’ll be supporting English Heritage sites across the country this summer.
Suitable for ages: 3+
18. Hedstrom Neptune Swing Set
Credit: Argos
Can’t go to the park? Bring the park to you! Complete with swings and a see-saw, this set is completely unique and more affordable than some of the big name brands out there – but just as good quality. It’s the perfect addition to any slightly larger garden and family home.
Suitable for ages: 3+
19. Wicked’s Mega Jump Rope
View at Amazon, £8.50
Kids can learn to jump faster and master more tricks with Wicked’s Mega Jump. The specially designed rope release mechanism makes it easy to adjust the length of the rope, meaning it’s a great outdoor toy for kids of all ages and suitable for both beginners and advanced jump ropers. There’s also a longer length version for multiple skippers and Double Dutch play so the whole family can get involved.
20. Waboba Moon Ball
Credit: John Lewis
Whether you’re a fan of basketball or just throwing and catching, the Waboba Moon is perfect. It has a gravity defying bounce created by a lightweight design, made up of flat-edged sides. These add spin to the ball and make it possible to bounce the ball perfectly on walls, pavements and any other surface you want!
Suitable for ages: 6+
21. Insect Lore Butterfly Garden
Credit: Getty
This insect lore butterfly garden from Amazon (with free delivery for Prime members) is a great way to teach the kids about life cycles. This set provides your children with 5 baby caterpillars and allows them to track the insects’ progress as they grow into butterflies.
Suitable for ages: 4+
22. ToyerZ Darts Outdoor Game
Credit: Amazon
Nothing quite beats a classic darts set – except a lawn darts set. Suitable for kids and adults of all ages, this set is ideal if you’ve got some outdoor garden space and can really have a go at throwing those darts as far as possible.
Suitable for ages: 5+
23. Smoby Nature Playhouse with Kitchen
Credit: Argos
This playhouse is one of the best toys in our selection because it comes with everything little ones will need for a whole day out – in the garden. Along with the house and adjoining plastic sink, it comes with two glasses, two plates and cutlery. You’ll have trouble getting them back inside with this one!
Suitable for ages: 2+
24. Chad Valley 6ft Outdoor Kids Trampoline with Enclosure
Credit: Argos
Year after year, we always come back to this Chad Valley trampoline as it’s definitely one of the best trampolines out there. At 6ft, it’s perfect for most gardens – even smaller ones, as long as you’re prepared to part with the space. It’s also super easy to assemble and take down, so you could even just have it up one day and down the next.
Suitable for ages: 3+
25. Twister
Credit: Amazon
This classic game of Twister from Amazon is perfect to play in the sunshine. With challenging balance positions and unpredictable changes in the game, Twister is a great outdoor board game.
Suitable for ages: 6+
26. Brookite Phantom Kite
Credit: Argos
A windy day out at the beach (or in the back garden if there’s enough space!) isn’t complete without a kite. This one is a sports kite, making it speedy and reactive when you pull the strings. It’s made from high-quality nylon so won’t fall apart easily and glides through the air with little trouble.
Suitable for ages: 7+
27. Chad Valley Bubble Lawn Mower
Credit: Argos
Kids won’t be able to resist this bubble blower. Your little one will be able to ‘mow the lawn’ and create a whole load of bubbles in the process. Our favourite thing about this toy is that as you push it around the garden, more and more bubbles are created – so the faster they go, the better!
Suitable for ages: 3+
28. Traditional bowling pin set
Credit: Amazon
A traditional bowling pin set is a real garden essential for the summer. Colourful and bright, you won’t these in the grass!
Suitable for ages: 4+
29. Kinetic sand
Credit: Amazon
If your little one normally loves playing at the beach, this one on our best outdoor toys list is a twist on classic sand for them to play work. This kinetic sand pack lets kids create their very own garden using the four different shaped moulds. There’s no chance you’ll find this sand stepped into the carpet indoors either as it sticks to itself.
Suitable for ages: 3+