Mega List of Outdoor Toys for Epic Year Round Play

Outdoor play has become a way of life for us, and as such, outdoor toys get even more play than most of the toys in our playroom. As a homeschool family located in Colorado, we are able and accustomed to getting outside all year round. No matter the time of year, time of day, or type of weather, you can find us outside, and most of the time, we have outdoor toys within quick reach!

a pin image that reads year round play outdoor toy guide with 4 images in a gride of squares. Top left has a girl building a fort in the grass in the spring, top right shows a girl sledding down a hill in winter, bottom left shows a preschooler on a blue scooter in the fall, bottom right shows a toddler on a swing in the summer

Outdoor toys are just as important as playroom toys

We have been participating in the 1000 hours outside challenge for a few years now, and I feel like my tastes in toys have shifted over the years. The beautiful playrooms filled with silks, felt, and wooden toys just aren’t practical for days filled with mud pies, chalk dust, and pool play. So while we do have a playroom that dose have some beautiful open ended materials in it our outdoor play shelves see the most action.

Outdoor Toy Rotation

You can rotate outdoor toys just the same way you do with the toys in your playroom. I’ve been doing it for years and it works wonders for us! If you want to see what our outdoor toy shelves look like make sure to check out the posts down below!

Outdoor Toys are for All Ages

We have been curating our collection of outdoor play supplies for a little while, and I’m sure our must-haves will evolve over the years as my crew gets older, but some of the things they love the most are things that we’ve had since they were little toddlers! Don’t get rid of something just because you think they should have outgrown it, you’d be surprised what they will use long after the suggested age range!

a pin image that read the ultimate list of toys for outdoor play with three images on the left hand side. The top images shows a toddler hammering at a piece of chalk. the middle image shows a preschooler wearing pink goggles lounging in a pool. the bottom image shows an elementary girl building a fort in the grass

Things to consider when shopping for outdoor toys

When I am shopping for outdoor toys, I am looking for a few things. Is it waterproof/washable? Will it be fine to leave out in the elements? Am I okay with loosing pieces or parts of the set? Just some things to start considering.

This post contains some affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a small commission from if you follow and decide to purchase. There would be no additional cost to you!

Big Outdoor Toys but Worth It

Not every yard/home/family can make these all work for them, but all deserve a shout-out as great options

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, Big but worth it with an image of two kids climbing and hanging from the dome

Trampoline – _{^{stick to a smaller one, less risk of double bouncing and injury}}
Climbing Dome
Tuff Tray –_{^{this replaced the table that we built years ago. It’s larger and more weatherproof, but you could totally make my DIY and weatherproof it better than I did, and it would be fine!}}
Tuff Tray Stand –_{^{an adjustable height stand to turn the tray into a table that will grow with us}}
Slide
Picnic table – _{^{don’t buy the Jr. model, kids outgrow it SO fast, opt for this larger one}}
Sandbox
Mud Kitchen – _{^{ours is DIY but if you want to make it easier on yourself these are a great option!}}

Swing Set Accessories

If you have somewhere to hang swings, these have all been well-loved!

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, swing set fun with an image behind the text that shows three kids on a disk swing laughing as the swing swings forward

Disk swing
Swing
Trapeze bar
Spinner bar
Hammock
Sensory Swing – _{^{to be totally honest our sensory swing lives in the basement, but you definitely could have it outside, and this thing has been consistently one of the most loved toys we have.}}

Outdoor Toys that are Perfect Obstacle Course and Fort Supplies

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, obstacles and forts with an image behind the text that shows an elementary girl building a fort in the grass

Cones – _{^{I love that these can be hurdles or just cones}}
Tunnel – _{^{if you’re looking for something sturdier or more flexible, check out dog agility tubes!}}
Balance beams
Stepping stones
Kids stilts
Silks –_{^{flags, capes, fort walls, the list of options for silks seems to never end!}}
Clips
Blanket Fort Kit
Fort Building Kit –_{^{1 is okay, but 2 sets would be ideal, especially if more than one kid wants to play.}}

Outdoor Toys for Sand & Mud Play

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, sand and mud fun, with an image behind the text that shows a toddler dumping sand out of an orange bucket

I’ll go into all our favorite Mudkitchen tools in another post!

Outdoor Toys that Fly Through the Air

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, flying fun with an image behind the text that shows two girls standing in front of lounge chairs right after they have launched finger kites.

Outdoor Toys for Water Play

Water play is a major factor for us during the summer months but we honestly are playing with water year round just in different ways!

Pool Related Items

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, pool play with an image behind the text that shows a preschooler lounging in an inflatable pool wearing a purple swimsuit and pink goggles

General Use Water Toys

These are not seasonal or location-specific, you could use them at the pool or during spring melt days or the heat of summer, or the dead of winter. Water is nearly always worth the mess to add when it comes to outdoor play!

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, water play with an image behind that shows an elementary girl in a silver coat using a water squirter in the gutter during a spring melt

At-Home Water Play

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, water play at home with an image behind the text that shows two girls playing in a wading pool with a bunch of ball pit balls

Outdoor Toys for Chalk Play

Buy it in bulk and set them loose

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, chalk play with an image behind the text that shows a toddler hammering a pieces of teal chalk and surrounded buy more chalk crumbles

Outdoor Toys with Wheels

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, anything with wheels with an image behind that shows a preschooler on a bike looking back over her shoulder at the camera

Micro Scooters
Scooter board
Balance Bike
Ride on toy
Kids Wheelbarrow
Push wagon
Small wagon
Remote Control Jeep
Dump Truck
Pull back cars
Hot Wheels cars
- Way to play Roads _{^{– this doesn’t have wheels itself, but is very wheel adjacent}}

Outdoor Toys for Snow Play

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, snow play with an images behind the text that shows a preschooler on a blue sled sliding down a hill

I have a whole separate post on our favorite winter gear and supplies, so I will just shout out our MVPs here, and if you want more inspiration, definitely check out the other post!

Everyday Toys that are Perfect Outdoor Toys

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, everyday meets outside with an image behind the text that shows a toddler playing with a little people house on a porch

Little People sets –_{^{look for battery-free sets or keep away from water, but the figures are good to go}}
Playmobil Jr _{^{– standard Playmobil would be fine outside as well, just smaller and harder to keep track of}}
Littlest Pet Shop
Bluey figures – _{^{or whatever guys your kids have}}
Dinosaurs
Unicorns – _{^{We have been collecting Schleich for years and I don’t generally let them leave these outside, but we do play with them outdoors. I just keep tabs on them}}
Animal figurines

Blocks Are Not Just Indoor Toys

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages blocks overlayed on an image that shows a wire basket tipped over spilling a collection of brightly colored silicon building blocks scattered on the patio pavers

Lego duplo
Mega blocks
Silicone building blocks
Magnetic tiles –_{^{great fun if you have a metal garage door, and can get wet, but make sure they dry out}}

Manipulatives That Are Great Outdoor Toys

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages manipulatives overlayed an image of three girls sticking colorful suction cup toys to a glass door

Outdoor Toys for Nature Walks

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, nature walk fun with an image behind the text that shows three little girls sitting at the edge of a lake with a golden fall tree to the left

Outdoor Toys for Sports

I will add this section with the caveat that my crew isn’t into sports at this point, so I don’t have a lot of experience with these items, but it feels weird not to include them

a pin image that reads outdoor toys for all ages, sports fun with an image behind the text that shows an elementary girl kicking a blue soccer ball at a pop up net with a preschooler standing goalie

Outdoor Toys Should Be a Must-Have in Every Home

a pin image that reads 1000 hours outside outdoor toy list with an image of three girls on a disk swing laughing as the swing moves forward

It doesn’t have to be a massive challenge or undertaking to find some outdoor toys; you likely already have some! Go raid your kids’ Duplos, Bluey figures, and bath toys, and you are well on your way to success!

What started as a simple challenge to encourage more time outside has led to a complete shift in our family values. We eat outside, we read outside, we do school outside and most importantly, we play outside! Outdoor toys are an invaluable addition to our home and I hope you grab some of your toys and head outside for some fun!