Best Outdoor Toys For Toddlers 2023

Outdoor time is important for growing bodies and minds, but families need the right gear to entice young kids and to make it as fun as possible. The best outdoor toys for toddlers maximize outside playtime while being able to withstand all the rough play little ones can dish out.

Whether you’re shopping for a gift or just looking to add to your home collection, there are a few things to keep in mind. "Toddlers are still exploring and experimenting with the world through play," says Robert Keder, a pediatrician who specializes in developmental behavior at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. "They like to watch what we do and imitate. They like to climb and tumble but are not the most nimble at this age and do not always have the best safety awareness." Because of this, he recommends that outdoor toys for toddlers be "safe and sturdy," especially if the toy is something your child might climb or lean on (including toy walkers).

The best outdoor toys for toddlers encourage active play, no matter the weather.

Of course, you want something that will appeal to your pint-sized audience, too. "Above all else, toddlers love color, sound and things that move," says Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "That's good for their development as well."

Pretend play starts to emerge at this age, Keder points out, so toys that mimic grown-up items, like mowers, gardening sets, play kitchens and cars are often winners. Stock up on these adorable—and fun—outdoor toys for toddlers, to have a blast outside with your little one. Don't miss our favorite water tables and kiddie pools, too.

Little Tikes

Little Tikes aces adorableness and function in one package with this sturdy sandbox. Made of heavy duty plastic, it can house up to 150 pounds of sand—plenty to entertain a toddler or two for a while. The "shell" is actually a lid that helps keep out moisture and insects. I got this several years ago for my now-6-year-old, and it has been passed down to his 3-year-old sister, who plays with it regularly. A nice perk? The domed lid leaves plenty of space underneath for toys and buckets you want to keep stashed inside. (Note: This turtle sandbox has sold out at Target and Amazon and now has limited availability at Walmart. You might consider similar looking crab cousin sandbox if the turtle box sells out or this related castle-like Step2 plastic sandbox.)

Amazon

Buckets can be cumbersome for little ones to grip and lift, but these pails from Skip Hop Zoo are considerably smaller than average. At just 3.5 inches in diameter, your little one will easily be able to haul these around. The buckets have three different sprinkle effects for sand, dirt or water, in case you want to use them in the bath or pool. Cute animal designs on the buckets help these toys double as pretend friends.

Amazon

I live at the beach, and this ice cream play set is a fixture among the toddler set. Little ones can scoop up treats in one of two different patterns, and add "sprinkles" on top. The bucket's lid also doubles as a shell sand mold, giving you lots of options. One mom of two said that her favorite feature is that everything fits inside the bucket for easy hauling.

Amazon

Younger toddlers are still working on their grip and that can make shoveling a tricky task. These scoop claws are easy to use—they just slip their hands inside and get to work. The claws come in four designs: lobster, squid, dinosaur and crocodile for pretend play. They also stack neatly on top of each other when the work is done.

Target

Let your little one help you around the yard with this gardening kit. It features a patterned tote that holds a small rate, shovel and spray bottle, all made from sturdy plastic. The center of the carryall has room for stuffed animals or small plants in case you want to put them to work.

Amazon

My 12-month-old is a new walker who is a little unsteady on her feet, but she loves pushing this wagon around. She’ll load it up with stuffed animals, her big sister's dolls, balls and whatever else she can find before pushing it around our yard. The wagon features resistance clickers to keep it from moving too fast, along with a furniture bumper in front to protect your home, car, trees and more. Remove the wooden side panels for another style of wagon.

Amazon

The Cozy Coupe is about as steady as they come for toy cars your child can ride in. This cute car can be pushed around by you or an older sibling, or your child can use their feet to scoot themselves along, Flintstones-style (there's a removable floorboard in case your child isn't ready to use their own feet yet). Cup holders on the side ensure drinks and snacks are ready whenever the need strikes. A door on one side swings open and latches shut—that alone provides plenty of entertainment.

Amazon

This sweet set has plenty to keep your child entertained. Enjoy an adjustable height tee, along with an oversized bat to teach your little one the basics of baseball. The kit comes with five plastic balls, so you don't have to chase one down after every hit. A nice feature: The set breaks down easily and stores all the parts in a base that can be hung on the wall.

Target

Get a hand when you’re working outside with this kiddie lawn mower. It includes a storage compartment under the shell for extra toys, a plastic fuel can, dials that turn and a pull cord with a motor sound. It's sturdy enough to support new walkers, with a handle that folds down when play time is over.

Walmart

Sidewalk chalk is a crowd-pleaser the whole family can get into, from toddlers on up. Enjoy making designs for your little one, or hand off the chalk for them to create their own drawings. You can even practice letters and numbers in a fun setting, or play some simple games, such as hopscotch. The best part: This easily washes away in the rain or with a hose.

Amazon

Is there anything more fun than a water table? This bestselling option from Step2 is packed with different elements for your toddler to explore. There's a bucket to scoop up water, a waterfall tray to create a light sprinkle, maze-like spinners, ramps and buckets and a variety of toys to splash around with. Once the fun is done, simply dump out the water and wipe it down.

Amazon

This inflatable dinosaur doesn't just look cool—it doubles as a sprinkler to truly keep the whole gang chill. The 6-foot BPA-free plastic structure attaches to your hose to cool off your child when it's steamy out. It's also huggable and soft in case of accidental (or intentional) bumps.

Target

Splash pads are usually made from flimsy materials that can be slippery, especially for new walkers. But this splash pad is sturdy and made from solid plastic with a small lip to create a wading pool. Just hook up your garden hose to get the fun started. It’ll create a 45-degree rainbow of water. The manufacturer recommends this splash pad for ages 2 and up.

Amazon

Everything in this sweet aquatic play center is built for toddler fun. There's a petite water slide, inflatable arch, flamingo ring toss, a built-in inflatable hippo and crocodile and five balls that neatly fit into an inflatable wall. A landing mat at the bottom of the slide adds extra padding and, once the fun is done, just pull the drain plug at the bottom of the pool. Intex makes a number of our favorite kiddie pools, so you know it's sturdy. The manufacturer recommends this water zone for ages 2 and up.

Amazon

This ferry boat toy from Green Toys is surprisingly versatile. It can cruise around a wading pool, garden bucket or adult-size pool, and can also come indoors for tub time. Your little one will love having the cars drive on and off the adjustable ramp. This toy is free of BPA, phthalates, PVC and external coatings and can be tossed in the dishwasher if it gets dirty.

I’m a mom of four kids, ranging in age from 12 months to 10 years. I’ve had nearly a decade of experience with outdoor toys for toddlers (we live in a warm area where we play outside year-round) and know which ones can stand up to years of use, along with which products just can't stand the test of time. To choose this list of outdoor toys for toddlers, I consulted two pediatricians for safety information to keep in mind, along with their top picks. I also spoke to several parents across the country to get their favorites and tracked down the most popular outdoor toys for toddlers online. The field was narrowed based on feedback from parents as well as reviews to see how well these items perform in different households over time.