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Play is an important part of every child’s proper development. Through play, kids learn a diverse range of skills, both physical and mental. From learning to socialize and fully engage with other kids, to developing and strengthening their physical bodies and emotional well-being. However, the time and age we live in have made it hard for many parents to motivate their kids to get outside and play with other kids. This is mostly due to the fast technological advancements that have a huge impact on how we operate on a daily basis.
Still, it is not impossible to make your kid go outside and simply enjoy being a child, by getting dirty and doing all kinds of activities meant for their age. But how do we make that happen? Well, what better way to achieve that than by giving your child the perfect outdoor toy? But how do know what makes a good outdoor toy?
What Makes a Good Outdoor Toy?
Before getting into our specific recommendations, we will go through some of the attributes that experts say are necessary for an outdoor toy to be great. First and foremost, a good toy needs to be durable and safe, too. Besides, it needs to be able to spark your kids’ creativity, let them unwind, and be in their own element. Therefore, most experts advise on choosing toys that will not only encourage kids to get outside but also help to get them moving, by being able to tap into the child’s inherent desire for play, physical movement, and creativity.
Types of Outdoor Toys for Kids
Now that we gave you a definition of what makes a truly great outdoor toy, let’s take a look at our picks of some of the best outdoor toys designed for kids.
Beach Toys
Beach toys are a great way to turn a mundane afternoon on the beach into a truly imaginative and exciting experience. There is a wide variety of beach outdoor toys for kids, including various types of playsets with a diverse range of tools inside. Then, we have surfer dudes, pool slides, playhouses, and many other outdoor games that can get your child moving.
A cool beach set, for instance, will supply your child with everything to start building his or her own beach castle offering a wide variety of carving tools, rolling tools to flatten surfaces, and tons of other diverse moulds, shovels, and buckets to create their unique structures. Besides, this type of play can encourage parent-child bonding so you will be able to create fun and memorable moments with your child.
Flying a Kite
Flying a kite is probably one of the most exhilarating experiences and the most exciting outdoor toy your child can have. It is also considered one of the most popular and social activities enjoyed by many kids. Learning to fly a kite is also especially useful for developing good hand-eye coordination, as your child watches the object they’ve built fly up into the sky. Moreover spending time outdoors can have a truly calming effect on your child’s mind, as it reduces stress levels and promotes mindfulness as well.
Playhouses
Among all the above mentioned, playhouses are high on the list, as they are considered one of the most beloved outdoor play toys meant for kids. Not only are playhouses excellent retreats for kids to engage in make-believe, and let their imaginations run wild, they are also the perfect places where kids can learn to socialize with other kids, which is a valuable skill they will need in the future.
Blowing Bubbles
Blowing bubbles is awesome oral sensory and motor activity that teaches kids to coordinate properly limp movements, and stay focused on their breathing to generate the bubbles. This activity stimulates their brain in a distinctive way as it keeps your child engaged and interested while tracking the bubbles as they float away. Besides, they are very practical, as you can easily slip a bubble bottle with a bubble blower wand into your pocket whenever you decide to go outside, to keep your child entertained.
A bubble-blowing wand is one of the most inexpensive toys you can buy for your kids that can make them enjoy spending time outside by themselves and with other fellow friends as well. Besides, it is considered one of the most positive, stress reliving outdoor toys for kids of all ages, and even for adults who love to relive some great childhood memories,
Kiddie Pool
There is no kid who doesn’t love splashing around in the water on hot summer days in the comfort of their own backyard pool. There are many colourful great designs of inflatable kiddie pools you can find on the market today. Many also feature bigger dimensions that can fit a whole family inside, which is a cool and effective way for spending some good and quality family time as well.
Moreover, these outdoor toys for kids encourage kids to love spending time in water and learn to swim from an early age. Besides, they are cost-effective and easy to assemble and disassemble, as all you need is a little outdoor space so your kid can enjoy having a great time.
