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‘Tis The Season To Play Outside And These 30 Toys Will Keep Your Kiddos Entertained
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More I’m willing to bet you’ll be pretty obsessed with this Flickin’ Chicken game, too. I am a contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find me curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to my own cart in the process). The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator! Promising review: "Fantastic product!! My 8-year-old son played outside with them for two solid hours... Unplugged... Happy as can be! I definitely recommend and will buy again!" —Pxysis Get it from Amazon for $14.45+ (available in seven styles). Promising review: "My toddler is loving this scooter! It gives him the independence he wants while also helping him practice his balance for future bike riding. It was easy to assemble and is very durable. The storage in the seat was a nice addition as well!" —Cev197 Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in three colors). Dreamer Kids is a family-owned small biz that sells unique wooden toys for kids. FYI: This kit requires some assembly and includes 10 plastic flowers. Promising review: "We love it! We enjoyed the plastic flowers that came with the kit, but had the most fun when we started adding natural objects — flower petals, tiny ferns. Lots of creative play ahead." —martharich3 Get it from Dreamer Kids on Etsy for $55.05 (originally $68.81; available with two quote options or no text). The set includes four rechargeable guns, four rechargeable vests, and one charging station. You can play approximately eight games per charge. The cool LCD screens on the vest keep count of how many lives you have and the vest vibrates when you get shot, aka tagged. Play with up to four teams and eliminate your enemies to win the game. Recommended for ages 8+. Promising review: "Let’s just say I’m officially the coolest mom in my kids' eyes! We played for hours and ran around the house, and they didn’t even realize they were exercising. They are so easy to set up that my son figured it out immediately. I love the charging station it comes with because there is no need to worry about batteries. No complaints here." —Julie Gutierrez It comes with 12 rings, 12 bean bags, six cones, and one carrying bag. Promising review: "This is so cool. You can set up an entire obstacle course in your yard or home. So many options to create fun, exciting games! My girls have hours of play, creating their own games and using this product. Highly recommend." —Nichole This game includes four rubber chickens, a tracking sheet, and a disc. To play, toss the disc and then see who can get their chicken closest to it. Players are also encouraged to break off from the rules and create their own! Promising review: "Our grandkids and family have had lots of fun with this game." —Joe mama Promising review: "This works like magic! It's easy to use and makes a beautiful gift from the kids!" —Sj773 Promising review: "The adults in this house love water balloons but not the mess… Plus, with toddlers around, it didn’t quite make sense to have water balloons, but we saw a random TikTok video and HAD to find reusable water balloons to try. These were the first ones we bought to try out, and WHOA, we were blown away! Super easy for the 2- and 3-year-olds, too, which means more fun for all of us!! Do not think twice or continue with regular water balloons, you’ll waste precious time cleaning up and filling that could be used to make memories." —Taurus Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.74+ (available in six pack sizes). Promising review: "I searched through many water table options on Amazon and landed on this one because, honestly, it looked like the best quality for the price. Bingo! I’m glad I didn’t pay more for something else. My 1.5-year-old son had a blast. He’s very active and doesn’t usually stay focused on toys for more than 10 minutes, but he stood at this table for over an hour playing the first day I set it up. It was easy to set up and pretty intuitive. The colors are bright and fun! The water doesn’t have a pump to pour from the top, but that’s part of the fun. The kids learn cause and effect by pouring water and watching it fall through the cracks or spin gears. It’s durable for outdoor play and suitable for young toddlers. My son really enjoyed playing with the colander scoop, too. Don’t waste money on an unnecessarily expensive water table. The point is a focused water play area that’s engaging, and this one checks all the boxes." —Amazon Customer The set comes with nine holes, four golf balls, and a dry-erase scorecard. To play at night like the reviewers above, grab some light-up golf balls. And don't forget clubs! Promising review: "We tried to set it up in the grass, and that's not really ideal, but on a patio or down a hall — it's so much better. The silicone molding is so lightweight, and the little flag centers are marvelous, making you feel like you are more than just a new learner! The set is complete with four foam balls and a scoreboard that you use a dry-erase marker on. GREAT to use only a few of the pieces for a short game for kiddos or the entire set for a more competitive experience." —Momakookie Promising review: "The card game was a great choice for my kids. They had a blast playing it both indoors and outdoors. The game cards are colorful and easy to understand. It encouraged them to explore and sparked their curiosity. The cards' durability is impressive, and the storage box is handy. Overall, I highly recommend this game for hours of fun and active play." —UMmba Promising review: "I purchased these for my son, and I think I'm enjoying them just as much as he is! We opened them up, and we've been outside running around from the front to the back yard for three hours. Lol... Love them so much! Can't put them down!" —ladybug Get them from Amazon for $22.49 (available in seven color combinations). I'm gonna go ahead and recommend wearing helmets, too! Promising review: "Absolutely hilarious to watch! I got these for my kids (7 and 8) because I thought it would be a perfect way to blow off steam and get out some energy... It was great! They ran at each other pretty hard, but it didn't pop and no one got hurt! If your kids do a lot of bickering as mine do...Get these! 😅" —Sky Get a pack of two from Amazon for $22.99. Promising review: "A must have!!! My little one is absolutely obsessed with this and fit perfectly inside my home!!! Keeps him super entertained for hours, and it was pretty easy to build. The quality is amazing, the colors are nice." —S. Marie Get it from Amazon for $89.98+ (available in six colors/styles). This comes with a canvas tote, a large watering can, gardening gloves, a rake, a shovel, and a fork. Each tool has wooden handles and a metal head. Promising review: "Toddler recipient LOVES this. Sturdy and just the right size. Went immediately to the watering can and filled it with the hose to water the flowers. Played nonstop for over an hour with the various tools." —Prime Member Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in seven colors/styles). Promising review: "My child absolutely loves the Nerf Vortex Aero Howler Foam Ball! This foam ball has provided endless hours of fun and excitement. Its unique design allows it to soar through the air with a satisfying howling sound, making every throw a thrilling experience. The soft foam material ensures safe play, making it perfect for kids of all ages. It's a great way to encourage outdoor activity and friendly competition." —Drippy Get it from Amazon for $11.29+ (available in three colors). For ages 2–5. Be sure to grab a helmet, too! Promising review: "This is a great scooter. We have four kids and have tried several different brands. This one is worth the money. It’s a smooth ride and easy for little ones to steer. It was also simple to assemble. 5 out of 5 would recommend!" —Unity Lunn Promising reviews: "My 3-year-old nephew loves — LOVES — this toy. He chooses it when he has a number of other toys that he could choose to play with at any time. It has helped with his coordination and gives him plenty of exercise!!!" —Snklf8 "Bought this for a highly active 3-year-old boy who absolutely LOVES this thing. I couldn't have picked a better gift!!!" —Sandra J. Pease-Simon Promising review: "So first off, my kids LOVE this swing! It has been one of the greatest purchases I have made so far for their playroom!!! We use it inside to keep them busy on rainy days or when they need to burn off some energy! I give the swing itself 5 stars for sure!!!!" —Samantha Brooke Main Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in two sizes). This set includes binoculars, a compass, a butterfly net, a magnifying glass, a backyard exploration critter case, a whistle, tweezers, bug containers, a hat, and a backpack. Promising review: "The binoculars are great quality, as well as the awesome flashlight that doesn’t require batteries. It has everything you need for your little explorer. Cute camo hat that fits great. An awesome bag to hold all the items. The magnifying glasses are of great quality. Love that it includes fake bugs to play with. My son loves the small bug container and the larger netted one. He also loves the bug net and the little gripper tool that holds bugs. This could have easily been priced way higher, so it’s a great find for the price!" —Beth Get it from Amazon for $29.99. Clip the coupon on the product page to get it for a discounted price. Promising review: "These are absolutely the best for preschool-aged children. There is no need for adjustment. You just look into the binoculars and see a clear image. My son used these this past summer for getting a closer look at the hummingbirds at our feeder. We also took these with us on nature walks. He really enjoyed using them, and after a full summer's use, they are still in great shape. Anything that makes a child curious about nature and the environment gets an A+ in my book." —Rachael P. Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two colors). This set includes four high-flying stomp rockets and an adjustable rocket launch stand. Stomp Rocket is a small business creating fun blaster toys that are powered by kids! Promising review: "My 4-year-old is obsessed with this. He’s so loud with excitement, it draws out the neighborhood kids, and next thing I know, the neighbors are over chatting outside with me while their kids are COMPLETELY occupied playing this thing. The assembly is EXTREMELY easy. The rockets launch well above my two-story home that I have to make sure it’s not too close so one doesn’t land on the roof. It’s actually fun for the adults as well. My son loves to watch me really launch one. This is a great outdoor activity for any boy or girl. You don’t have to chase the kids around, and they get plenty of exercise running to get the rockets after they’ve landed. Fun for everyone. Well worth the 20 bucks I spent on it." —Geno Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five versions). Promising review: "I got these to help my grandson burn off some energy, and we have such a great time with them! They're easy to use and glide so beautifully through the air. We have fun trying different ways to throw and catch them." —phausner Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three color combos). Urban Infant is a Chicago-based small business run by a brother/sister duo making unique and useful parenting products. Promising review: "Our 1-year-old loves these. It was his first time using chalk, and he had no trouble with it. They are pretty thick; doesn't matter how he holds them, there will be contact with the surface, and there will be color!" —JW Get a pack of five from Amazon for $11.95 (available in seven color combos). Promising review: "Love it and both my kids do as well. Perfect for starting out, WAY better than getting a scooter!" —Steven Benike Get it from Ookkie for $139.99 (available in six colors). Promising review: "I ordered this for my granddaughter's fourth birthday. It was easy to assemble and has that great cedar smell — it's also lightweight, but well-made. My granddaughter, along with her 1-and-a-half-year-old brother, has already had plenty of playtime in the sandbox. They love it!! It is beautiful, and my son loves the fact that it closes up to protect the sand and then opens up to benches for the children to sit on. He has sent me a couple of pictures and videos of them playing in it. I highly recommend this sandbox." —lisa burroughs Get it from Amazon for $98.99+ (available in seven colors). Several reviewers shared that this little pool kept their kids engaged for hours. Promising review: "My kids love this. It is sooo easy to plug the hose into and turn the water on, and the kids can have hours of fun. Once the kids are done playing, I disconnect the hose, let the water drain, and hang it over the porch." —Austin Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six styles and sizes). Promising reviews: "If you have little ones, this is a practical toy that keeps them busy for hours, especially if they love cars and racing." —Cindy Hamann "This is light enough to take apart and move or store. My 2-year-old grandson loves this not just for riding down in the car itself, but also for the ramp portion, which he uses for his own entertainment (i.e., racing his toy cars down it or using it like a balance beam). It's very sturdy, and I feel it is worth every penny spent." —PL Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in two color combinations). Promising review: "I got these for my kids to play in the pool with, and they most certainly didn't disappoint. The maximum range on these (around 30 feet with a little elbow grease put into it) surpasses any Super-Soaker that I've ever tried, and they're extremely easy to use. Granted, they have no water reservoir, so you have to use them in the pool, lake, ocean, etc., for them to be effective, but aside from that, they are a fantastic water toy. Plus, they're brightly colored and float on the surface of the water, so almost impossible to lose." —iEspresso Get a pack of six from Amazon for $22.96. Hilltop Wood Shop Co is a small biz is located in Oregon and owned by Kelsie, who makes custom name signs, puzzles, and other woodcut crafts. Promising review: "Colors are very vibrant! It is such a neat idea and gift, and it came exactly as ordered!" —Tori Get it on sale from Hilltop Wood Shop Co on Etsy for $24+ (available with or without paint). * If You Need Help Entertaining Your Kids All Summer, These 35 Products Will Surely Keep Them Busy * Subscriptions For New Parents Who Don't Have Time To Shop For Baby Gear Plus, finds from Uncommon Goods, Target, and Walmart. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.