The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids (Durable + Affordable)

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Nothing beats outdoor play with our kiddos. But no kid wants to swing on a swing that might fall apart or throw a deflated ball. Outdoor toys for kids should be durable, safe, weather-ready and, most importantly, fun. 

At GoodBuy Gear, we like to help families make the most informed decisions when it comes to purchasing children’s gear. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best outdoor toys for kids to make your outdoor games and activities more exciting (and affordable) for the whole family.

1. Joovy Tricycoo

GoodBuy Gear price: $89.99

Best for: 

• Children 1 to 5 years old

This beginner tricycle is a good alternative to a stroller on those afternoon or sunset walks. These tricycles are a great way to introduce your little one to bike riding, especially since the tricycle can be modified to give your kid more autonomy with their riding as they get older. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• Since ride-on toys can be dangerous, kids must be supervised by an adult while playing
• This is a heavy toy that may not be easily transported 

2. Radio Flyer Scoot to Pedal 

GoodBuy Gear price: $23

Best for: 

• Children 1 to 3 years old 

The Scoot to Pedal does just that: scoots and pedals. Kids can use their feet to scoot the bike along, then when you’re ready you can fold out the pedals and let them ride it like a bicycle. That means the Scoot to Pedal will grow with your child through multiple stages of life, as they learn to scoot around the house to when they take their first steps towards riding a big kid bike. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• Some kids may quickly exceed the weight limit and not get to use it for as long

3. Gathre Mat

GoodBuy Gear price: $100

Best for: 

• Children (and families) of all ages 

This durable, multi-purpose mat is not only for kids, but it can also be used by the entire family. Lay it down on the ground and the whole family can sit on it. Use this mat in your own backyard or take it to the park, pool, beach or sporting event, where your family can use it as a home base for the day’s play. (You can also use the mat as walls or a roof for a fort or playhouse if you want to get creative!) 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• May be bulky in your tote bag or backpack 
• Not directly entertaining for kids — so other toys may be required as well

4. Little Tikes Dual Zone Twister

GoodBuy Gear price: $15

Best for: 

• Kids ages 2 to 5 

This indoor/outdoor toy can be a hit for both sunny summer days outside and rainy days in the living room. Your kids can twist and spin while seated on this toy—in the yard, you can hook it up to the garden hose to make a fun waterpark-like experience from home. 

 Things to Keep in Mind: 

• May be bulky 
• May spin fast, so children should be supervised while using it 

5. Joovy Noodle Helmet

GoodBuy Gear price: $15

Best for: 

• Kids of all ages 

A helmet is a great investment for your kids’ safety. Paired with outdoor sports equipment or games, you can rest assured that your child is not only having fun, but also being safe while doing it.

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• May need to purchase additional equipment (like a bike) to make it fun
• Make sure you purchase the right size

6. Radio Flyer Wagon

GoodBuy Gear price: $38

Best for: 

• Kids 1.5 to 4 years

Ride in style around your neighborhood or park with this sizable wagon. Your kids can enjoy relaxing and watching the world go by as they sit in the comfort (and shade) of this pull wagon. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• Bulky and may be hard to transport
• May be hard to pull when filled with too much weight (the weight limit is 150 pounds)

7. Jump Ropes 

GoodBuy Gear price: $5

Best for: 

• Kids ages 3 or older

Jump ropes are a classic outdoor activity for kids. With games to play (like double dutch, single jumping or partner jumping), jump ropes are a great outdoor toy for 3-year-olds or older. They not only promote hours of fun, but they also promote exercise—a win/win. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• Kids need to be taught how to use it and supervised when they’re learning

8. 3-in-1 Climber, Rocker and Bench 

GoodBuy Gear price: $20

Best for: 

• Kids ages 3 to 7 years 

A combination climber, rocker and bench is a versatile outdoor tool that can serve as a snack table, climbing gym, playset and rocking chair all in one. Kids can find many different ways to play with and enjoy this outdoor toy. Plus, it will keep them entertained for hours. 

Things to Keep in Mind: 

• Kids may not be able to convert it between uses easily 
• Bulky and not easy to transport

9. Other Outdoor (and Indoor) Toys to Get Creative With

Aside from outdoor gear you can purchase, there’s also a lot of imaginative play little kids can come up with all on their own, whether you’re looking to entertain 2 year olds, 5 year olds, 8 year olds or big kids.

Bring your kiddos to the local playground to expel energy on the trampoline, swingset, monkey bars or in the sandbox with their toy dump truck. You can also bring items that are light to carry such as sidewalk chalk, bubble wands for giant bubbles, a t-ball set or other lawn games such as cornhole—as long as someone is willing to carry the bean bags! For the older kiddos, it’s always fun to challenge them to work on their hand-eye-coordination and motor skills if you want to go bigger with an archery set, pogo stick, or even set up your own obstacle course.

On hotter summer days fun games can be played with simple water toys such as a sprinkler, inflatable pool or splash pad in the backyard—bonus points if you break out some water balloons! And on hot days when going outside if just too much, you can never go wrong with board games in the AC (one of our family faves is jenga).

At the end of the day, quality playtime should be just that: quality. That’s why families deserve to have high-quality outdoor gear that is fun, cost-effective, safe and will last for multiple seasons. You can trust the GoodBuy Gear marketplace to offer just that. 

Check out our selection of outdoor toys for toddlers, including water tables, scooters, bikes, wagons, and other outdoor space play items, to see how we can help make your outdoor days not only more enjoyable for the kids, but for you too.