Hey all!! I cannot believe that we are nearing the end of July!! Like so many of you, I have been busy keeping a young kiddo active and entertained this summer while also social distancing at home. In this post, I am sharing all the products that have helped us create some summer camp magic right in our own yard. These are the outdoor kids toys and games that have been big hits at our house this summer. Moreover, these are the toys that have given this Mama a little bit more time to concentrate on client art + interior design projects!
A Mom’s Wishlist…
My son is 6 and has been playing outside (while socially distancing) with a few neighbor friends who range in age from 4-9 years old. To create our very own summer camp, I was looking for outdoor kids toys that are…
- Relatively inexpensive
- Easy to set up & easy to take down
- Able to foster open ended play
Outdoor Kids Toys
These BALANCE STEPPING STONES… Just set these “stones” out in a wide circle or elongated path. After that, watch as young kids begin playing epic games of the-ground-is-lava. Bright colors, coupled with the thrill of a challenge, make these stones irresistible. Did I mention that they are also great for promoting coordination, balance, and strength?
This NINJA LINE… What a great addition to our yard! You just need two sturdy trees to hang this line between. And let me tell you, this ninja line is a work-out! Even if younger kids aren’t able to propel themselves across the line yet, they will love to hang from all the different hand holds.
This TREE SWING WITH CLIMBING ROPE… We love this simple, classic tree swing! You just need one solid branch to hang it from for endless hours of summer joy.
These GIANT INFLATABLE BEACH BALLS (set of two)… Why is oversized always more fun?! These balls have certainly been put through the paces in our yard! For instance, they have held up to kids kicking them like a giant soccer ball, as well as using them as human bumpers (imagine two kids running into each other with the balls in front to enjoy being bounced backward!).
This PORTABLE BADMINTON NET… We actually haven’t used this for Badminton! I bought this to go with the giant beach balls for easy and child-friendly games of “volleyball.”
These SOFT BEADED JUMP ROPES (set of two)… I am working on teaching my 6 year old how to jump rope this summer. This set includes one pink and one blue jump rope with beaded segments that are a much softer plastic than anything I remember growing up. Additionally, the length is adjustable for kid or adult use.
This PORTABLE SOCCER GOAL (set of two)… Easy to assemble and easy to store! These nets are a good size (even for bigger kids) and are held in place with small u-shaped stakes. This is a summer staple!
This PORTABLE MIST STAND… This isn’t technically a toy, but the kids love it. It hooks right up to the hose and provides a nice mist (no fan required!). The best part? This mister is posable and able to stand on its own. Perfect for kids to run through when they need a quick cool off (but not a total drenching)!
Kids Pool Toys
These SINKING TORPEDO DIVE TOYS… Inexpensive and fun to launch underwater (the motion that works best is kind of like throwing a dart, but in this case, there’s no risk of injury!). When you throw them just right, these little torpedoes can travel pretty far. My little guy likes to dive for them and we also launch them back and forth to each other underwater.
This WATERMELON BALL (jr. size)… I did not truly understand why this product had so many great reviews until we got one! You fill the watermelon ball up with water, which gives it the perfect weight and buoyancy for lots of pool time fun. This ball can be passed and dribbled underwater just like a basketball.
These UNDERWATER SWIM HOOPS… These look just like hula hoops. But when you toss them in the pool, a tiny hole allows them to fill with water. The result? These swim hoops will sink and stand upright at the bottom of the pool. Swim through one or swim through both. We have also used these as goals for games with our watermelon ball and as targets for throwing our torpedo dive toys.
This MELISSA & DOUG SHARK KICKBOARD… This little kickboard is just the right size for a 6 year old! Perfect for any kiddo learning to swim!
These COLORFUL SWIMMING NOSE CLIPS… So I know nose clips are not exactly a toy, but they deserve an honorable mention on this list. My son was having trouble with water going up his nose while learning to swim. These nose clips are comfortable, took care of the problem, and completely changed his confidence in the water! We love them!
Let Me Know…
What favorite outdoor activities and toys have your kids been into this summer? What is keeping them active and occupied? This Mama wants to know, so leave me all your ideas and suggestions in the comments below!
Need More Kids Activity Ideas?
Don’t forget to check out these great posts featuring activities, books, and craft supplies for creative kids!
Lauren Heller Art Consultant is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
2 Comments
Lauren your ideas are so fabulous it almost made me want to have kids again (almost LoL). Kudos to you and other young mothers who are the real rock stars of this crazy covid time. No one knows what it’s like to try to keep young people entertained in a healthy, developmental way unless they’ve lived the dream. Covid adds a whole new level to this. Your post has a bevy of creative, fun ideas to ease the way.
LOL, thank you! You are so right…COVID has definitely added a whole new level to this! I hope these ideas will help others! I know they have given me some much needed extra sanity time. What I love about these kinds of activities is how they can be reimagined and repurposed for so many different kinds of play!