Our family plays games on a regular basis. In fact… almost daily. But when the sun comes out and all the snow thaws, we take those games outside.
I have these nostalgic memories of playing croquet in our backyard when I was just 4 and then as a teen literally carrying our pingpong table out into our front yard when the weather was nice. Yeah, it was a little crazy, but it is now a fond memory I can share with my kids.
My husband was then introduced to a game called Kubb at church back in 2012 and all the men of our community group would go out and play it each Wednesday night and laugh until their sides would hurt.
So why not combine all these memories and gather up some awesome outdoor toys and games our family can make our own memories with?
Spending time outside has so many benefits for our children, but also for us. Therefore getting the fresh air, maybe our toes in the dirt, and most of all spending time together is what summers and warm weather are made of for families.
15 Outdoor Summer Toys that are a MUST for all ages
With warm weather right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the endless hours that our children will be wanting needing to play outside.
Let’s face it…It feels as though this winter has gone on forever this year, so we are all anxious for the sun and the longer days. The longer the days, the more outdoor time we get to have on a daily basis. Being outside in the sun and warm air does wonders for everyone in our home.
We find great ways to interact together like hiking, biking, or just walking around and exploring all that nature has to offer. To say that nature is amazing is an understatement, really. Having the ability to step outside your door and find beauty immediately to explore and talk about as a family is a pretty great thing.
While our family absolutely loves being outside and learning about nature, our kids also like to play with toys as well when they are outside. It’s a given to have the staples that most have for their kids, like sidewalk chalk, jump rope, and hula hoops, but there are also so many other outside toys as well that deserve consideration!
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Great outdoor toys for little kids
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Kids Pop up Play Tent with Tunnel.
What child can deny an awesome play tent with tunnel? Hours of adventure and fun is going to be had with this awesome outdoor toy. It can be one piece or broken down into several as well, so it’s easy to give it a new look each and every time!
Big Bubbles Wand.
Everyone loves bubbles. Even as an adult, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in all the fun all of things bubbles, right? What if those bubbles that we all love could be made to be giant? It’s possible with this wand. Have fun challenging each other to see who can make the biggest bubble!
Jungle Ring Toss Game.
Some of the best outdoor toys are ones that can be played together as a family. With this game, it’s sure to provide endless fun for the entire family.
7 in 1 Outdoor Exploration Kit.
Many times, the best toys are those that encourage exploring and learning. Let them create their own story to play with this great imagination booster. If you’re looking or a fun and interactive toy for your little one, this may be the one you’re looking for!
Bungee Boing!
While this toy can be used indoors or out, it may be best suited for outdoors because of all the bouncy fun! Help your child learn how to pogo the easy way with this fun toy!
Melissa and Doug Sunny Patch Blossom Bright Sprinkler.
You can’t have summer fun without an awesome sprinkler, right? This fun toy sprays out water from multiple flowers and connects super simple right to your house. Your kids will have so much fun trying to dodge all the spraying water!
Grow’n Up Hercules Seesaw.
No outdoor play should miss out on the seesaw fun! What a great toy to have for siblings to enjoy together. Plus, it’s large enough for a variety of ages as well.
Monkey Bars Climbing Tower.
If your yard is lacking some good climbing trees, why not add a climbing tower of your own for your kids to play with? It’s lightweight but durable and easy to assemble as well making it a great toy to invest in for your child’s outdoor fun!
Outdoor games for kids and adults:
What to choose for family reunions and quality time together outside.
These are age appropriate for older AND younger kids… and adults will love them too!
Spending time outdoors doesn’t necessarily require any toys to make it a good time, but toys are a fun way to add a bit of variance from the day to day. You may find that you are joining in on the fun more as well, creating, even more, family bonding time… and these options are a bit more fun for adults!
Tree Swing
Swinging is still one of the best activities to do outside! With this awesome tree swing, your kids and even some of their friends can all fit on at once to swing the day away!
Kubb
As previously mentioned, this is something my husband learned to love with a group of guys, but easily could become your favorite backyard family activity.
Giant Connect 4
Enjoy some great family time with this game that any age can enjoy. Looking for some friendly outdoor fun for your family? Look no further than this easy to use game.
Slackline Monkey bar kit
If outdoor activity combined with a little bit of physical exercise is just what your family needs, then this fun and addictive monkey bar kit is certain to be a hit at your house.
Frisbee Golf
Frisbee Golf is not only a unique game in terms of fun, it’s also perfect for any age to play. Combining the winning combination of family time and fun is what this game is all about.
Inflatable Family Pool
Swimming together as a family is a great way to interact and get some activity in your day-to-day lives! It’s the perfect size for everyone to stay cool and have fun.
Spikeball
Not only does this game move every part of your body, it’s truly fun as well. You’ll be amazed at just how much fun you truly have once you and your family start to play this active game.
Want to implement game nights to connect as a family?
Research shows that reading together as a family has great benefits for kids of all ages and so does engaging together in gameplay. (No, not video games, board games, and outdoor fun!) Grab our free download of discussion questions and the benefits of reading together.
More family and outdoor fun ideas
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 4 children living in Boston, MA and believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience. She has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development and is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
peter clark
My kids love rocks too. It’s the first thing they play with when we go outside. So weird. They toss them all over the place, carry them around, smack them against other rocks…endless opportunities.