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Outdoor exploration is essential for toddlers’ physical, cognitive, and social-emotional well-being.
The right toys can make outdoor time engaging, stimulating, and developmentally beneficial.
This guide examines the various categories of outdoor and sport toys ideally suited for toddlers both boys & girls and explains the developmental benefits they provide.
Plus, you’ll find expert videos and resources for even more insight into the power of Play & Toys!
Categories & examples of Outdoor and Sport Toys
| Toy Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Gross Motor Skill Development | Jump ropes, balls, frisbees, hula hoops, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, kids car, ride-on toys, slides, swings, sprinklers, water tables |
| Fine Motor Skill Development | Sandboxes, sidewalk chalk, gardening tools, buckets, shovels, magnifying glasses |
| Creative and Imaginative Play | Sandboxes, sidewalk chalk, water tables, imitation toys (lawnmowers, tool sets), natural materials (sticks, pinecones, rocks) |
| Social and Emotional Development | Balls, water guns, play parachutes, games (tag, hide-and-seek), swings, bubbles |
Popular & Trending Toddler Outdoor Toys on amazon.com
- Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox, for Boys and Girls Ages 1-6 Years $59 on amazon.com
- Crayola Ultimate Washable Chalk Collection $9 on amazon.com
- Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse $116 on amazon.com
- Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Dinosaur Ride On $64 on amazon.com
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Flower Sprinkler $9 on amazon.com
- Water Gun for Kids $15 on amazon.com
Gross Motor Skill Development
Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements essential for running, jumping, climbing, and balancing. Toddlers are rapidly developing these skills, and the following toys provide excellent support:
- Balls: Bouncing, kicking, and throwing balls of various sizes enhance coordination and build strength.
- Ride-on toys: Tricycles, kids cars, scooters, and other ride-on toys promote balance, coordination, and leg strength.
- Slides and swings: These classic playground staples offer climbing challenges and a thrilling sense of movement.
- Water play: Sprinklers and water tables provide a fun way to cool off while engaging in gross motor activities.
Fine Motor Skill Development
Fine motor skills involve precise movements of the hands and fingers, which are crucial for grasping, building, and creating. Engaging outdoor toys for refining these skills include:
- Sandboxes: Digging, scooping, and pouring sand build hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.
- Sidewalk chalk: Drawing and scribbling with chalk strengthens hand muscles and prepares toddlers for writing.
- Gardening tools: Child-sized shovels and rakes promote hand strength and coordination while nurturing a love for nature.
- Buckets and shovels: Perfect for beach trips or backyard play, these tools refine scooping and pouring skills.
Creative and Imaginative Play
Toddlers have boundless imaginations, and open-ended outdoor toys fuel their creativity and self-expression. Consider these options:
- Natural materials: Sticks, leaves, pinecones, and rocks spark imaginative construction and nature-based play.
- Imitation toys: Play lawnmowers, toolkits, and playhouses promote role-playing and dramatic play scenarios.
- Arts and crafts materials: Sidewalk chalk and bubbles encourage artistic expression in the outdoors.
Social and Emotional Development
Outdoor play offers valuable opportunities for toddlers to interact with others and learn important social skills. Toys that foster these interactions include:
- Balls and water guns: Engaging in chasing and throwing games builds cooperation and turn-taking.
- Play parachutes: Cooperative parachute games teach teamwork and collaboration.
- Swings: The calming, repetitive motion of swings can be a soothing activity for toddlers.
By providing toddlers with a variety of stimulating outdoor toys, parents and caregivers can support their healthy development.
Resources
- UNICEF Parenting – 21 learning activities for babies and toddlers
- Healthy Children Org – 4 Play Ideas to Get Kids Moving
- Harvard Health Publishing – The 3 kinds of toys that really help your child
- Zero To Three – At-Home Activity Guide
- National Association for the Education of Young Children – Why this Toy