The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: Summer 2026 Edition

The benefits of outdoor play are numerous: developing motor skills, building stamina, strengthening muscles, improving self-awareness and social skills, encouraging brain development, enhancing sensory skills, and providing essential vitamin D. There are even some surprising, lesser-known advantages to outdoor play, such as reducing the risk of myopia (near-sightedness) in kids.

From tablets and TVs to video games, screens are competing with sunshine more than ever. Despite the plethora of health benefits, parents are struggling to get their kids outside. These toys are here to rescue outdoor time. From pool toys to play structures and everything in between, these are the top outdoor toys for kids of all ages. Be sure to check out these healthy screen time guidelines for kids, too.

The 30 best outdoor toys for kids this summer

Water toys

BANZAI Giant Inflatable Duck Blast Water Park

Bring the water park to your very own backyard with this inflatable playground. This splash park is packed with features: a waterslide, climbing wall, duck-blasting game, inflatable duck floater, water cannon and kiddie pool. With the included air blower, it inflates in just 3 minutes.

SplashEZ Non-Slip Splash Pad for Kids & Dogs

If you want the perks of a water park without spending hundreds of dollars, consider a splash pad. This is a budget-friendly way to keep kids cool in the summertime. With paw-resistant materials, even Fido can join in on the fun! Plus, it's got a non-slip design for parents' peace of mind.

Quanquer 3-Pack Water Guns

Water fight! These soaker guns have a 30-foot shooting distance and come in an affordable pack of three. They're easy to use, even for little kids.

Tlitlimom 16-Piece Reusable Water Bomb Balloons

These reusable water balloons are trending right now—and for good reason. Not only are they more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional water balloons, but they also eliminate the tedious cleanup of broken balloon pieces scattered across the yard. They come in packs of 16.

Pool toys

JOYIN 18-Piece Diving Pool Toys for Kids

Diving toys are fun to retrieve and great for developing swimming skills at the same time. This 18-piece set includes four diving rings, four water torpedoes, four diving sticks and six jewels—so kids can pretend they're diving for sunken treasure!

INTEX Lil' Sea Turtle Inflatable Pool Float

If your kid has ever dreamed of riding a giant sea turtle, this is their moment. This inflatable turns pooltime into an aquatic adventure. It's got heavy-duty handles to keep kids secure, and there's a repair patch included in case play gets a bit rough.

GoSports Splash Net Air Inflatable Pool Volleyball Game

Pool volleyball will forever be one of our favourite pool games. Getting to practice your spike while splashing around? The best. This set comes with an inflatable 9.5-foot net, a pump, and two volleyballs: one oversized and one regular to accommodate different skill levels.

Fin Fun Mermaid New Rainbow Fantasy Starter Mermaid Tail with Monofin

For your Little Mermaid-obsessed kiddo, this fin will keep them occupied for hours. They can live out their mermaid dreams with this beautiful rainbow tail featuring printed jewels, shells and pearl embellishments. The monofin is made of comfortable, dive-grade neoprene. For the sake of pool safety, make sure your child is a strong enough swimmer to use this toy.

Lawn games

Spikeball 3-Ball Original Roundnet Game Set

Of all the backyard games for kids, teens and adults alike, Spikeball is hands down one of the most popular. It's a highly entertaining, fast-paced four-player game that'll have your kids begging for more outdoor time. This set comes with three balls and a storage bag.

Ayeboovi Toss and Catch Ball Game

This simple toss-and-catch game is straightforward enough for even little kids to play. This set comes with four paddles and four balls. It's easy to take on the go from the backyard to the park, beach, or playground.

VAVOSPORT Kids Soccer Goals for Backyard Set

Kids can hone their soccer game, just in time for the FIFA World Cup. This all-in-one set comes with two foldable pop-up nets, a ball, a pump, 10 training cones and a carrying bag for taking it all on the go.

Giantville Giant Tumbling Timber Toy

This stacking game is fun for the whole family! Made from sturdy pine wood that'll withstand years of tumbles, it's easy to play and suitable for kids and adults alike.

Outdoor STEM toys & active play

Kinderific Gardening Set for Kids

Kids with a budding green thumb will delight in this gardening set. It comes with a spade, watering can, rake, fork, trowel, gloves, and a tote bag to carry all the tools around in the backyard. This Kinderific set is made of wood and metal, meaning the tools are robust enough for kids to get some *actual* gardening done with the grown-ups.

National Geographic Bug Catcher Kit for Kids

If your little one is fascinated by creepy crawlies, this bug catcher kit will keep them occupied all summer. With this National Geographic kit, kids can catch bugs and observe them up close. It comes with a net, tweezers, and a clear bug habitat with 360-degree visibility and two built-in magnifying glasses for observation.

Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course for Kids

Little ninjas in training can improve strength and balance while getting plenty of outdoor exercise, thanks to this obstacle course. It's highly adjustable, meaning you can customize the obstacles in any order and at any distance.

B. toys Balance & Groove Set Balance Beam for Kids

For little kids, this balance beam set can help improve coordination. Build it however you like with the 8 wavy beams, 5 sensory stepping stones and a musical stone that adds whimsy to playtime.

Toddler outdoor toys

Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

A water table is a delightfully enriching sensory experience for babies and toddlers—and a way to stay cool as the weather heats up. This popular option from Step2 features a rain shower effect, spinners, buckets, and 13 included accessories for splish splashing fun. There's room for multiple kids to play together, and the large basin holds up to 5 gallons of water.

Little Tikes Dirt Diggers Excavator Sandbox for Kids

This isn't your average sandbox. From Little Tikes, this construction-themed sandbox comes with an excavator, a dump truck, a lid that doubles as a truck ramp, plus more digging accessories. We love that it offers imaginative outdoor play and construction role play all in one!

Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Cedar Wooden Kids Playhouse

Another role-playing toddler favourite: an outdoor playhouse! This one from Backyard Discovery is well-built, featuring weather-resistant cedar construction. It includes a play kitchen, cookware and utensils, a cordless phone, a working doorbell, a hinged half door, a snack bar window, and window planters (flower pots must be purchased separately).

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Ride-On Toy

This ride-on toy has been beloved by toddlers since it was first released in 1979. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe transitions from parent-controlled to kid-powered mode, thanks to the removable floorboard. It's fully interactive, featuring a steering wheel, horn, key,  cupholders, and a trunk with storage. Your little one can cruise around just like you!

Swing sets & play structures

Backyard Discovery Beach Front All Cedar Swing Set

From Backyard Discovery, this is our top pick for swing sets. The cedar frame will last through years of play, and the design is packed with features to keep kids engaged: a slide, monkey bars, swings, trapeze rings, a ladder, a telescope, and a steering wheel. There's even a covered playhouse and a shaded sandbox area with a built-in picnic table, adding even more play opportunities.

Sportspower Arcadia Metal Swing Set for Kids

If you're looking for a budget-friendly swing set, this metal one from Sportspower is a great alternative. It's got six play stations: two non-slip adjustable swing seats, a trapeze bar, a two-person glider, and a wavy slide. It's made of durable steel that will last through many seasons of play.

Step2 Naturally Playful Woodland Climber II

This outdoor jungle gym is designed for younger kids, helping them develop climbing and fine motor skills.  It's full of enriching features—two rock-climbing walls, ladder stairs, and an open play space with steering wheels—with a compact footprint that won't take up much space in the yard.

Eezy Peezy Climber with Top Active Indoor Outdoor Play Set

Lightweight and easy to assemble, this UV-resistant plastic climbing dome is conveniently portable. Kids can climb, hang, and swing to their heart's content. The safe, sturdy design of the interlocking tubing means parents don't have to worry about this play structure.

More outdoor toys

Best Choice Products 12V Kids Ride-On Truck

If we had to pick the toy of the summer for younger kids, an electric ride-on vehicle is at the top of the list. No need to head to the DMV! This ride-on truck has plenty of realistic features: an adjustable seatbelt, LED headlights, lockable doors, a grid windshield, traction tires—even an AUX outlet, so they can play tunes as they cruise around. Kids can drive manually, or parents can operate the vehicle via remote control.

JUMPZYLLA Trampoline Outdoor

Bouncing on a trampoline under the summer sun—does it get better than that? This JUMPZYLLA trampoline was designed with kids' safety as a top priority, featuring galvanized steel tubes, a thick reinforced jumping mat, a net enclosure, weatherproof padding, and a sturdy ladder. It comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 8 to 16 feet.

Crayola Ultimate Washable Chalk Collection

Kids can practice their drawing skills and make beautiful outdoor art—without all the mess. This Crayola chalk is easy for little hands to grasp, thanks to the crayon-like shape. With an anti-roll design, parents won't have to chase runaway sticks down the sidewalk. This 64-pack also includes special chalk varieties, including tie-dye, neon, and glitter sticks!

Bluey No Spill Musical Bubble Machine

This musical bubble machine will be the hit of the summer for Bluey fans. It plays a musical excerpt from the TV show, and the bubble machine is designed to look like Bluey himself. It comes with a non-toxic bubble solution and requires three AAA batteries (not included).

Stomp Rocket Original Dueling Rocket Launcher

Who can stomp their rockets higher? This rocket launcher game is a fun way to encourage healthy competition. The rockets are 100% kid-powered—capable of launching up to 20 feet in the air—and require no plugs or batteries.

Razor A Kick Scooter for Kids

From rides around the block to ice cream truck runs, a scooter is both handy transportation and a way to stay active. This Razor A scooter is made of lightweight yet durable aluminum and folds when not in use. The handlebars are adjustable so kids can find their ideal ride height.