12 Outdoor Toys For the Ultimate Toddler-Approved Backyard Space

Whether it’s drawing on the paths of your local park or scribbling on the driveway, sidewalk chalk is a must-have when it comes to outdoor toys. The bright colors and thick, easy-to-grip sticks will spark your toddler’s creativity and encourage open-ended, independent play.

Pro tips: stash a few pieces of chalk away in a small bag to keep in your diaper bag; you’ll never know when it will come in handy for last-minute toddler entertainment. And if the weather permits, give them a small bucket to “dip” the chalk in for a different drawing experience.

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best toys, and these little buckets make the most of their simple design. Just add water or sand and watch your toddler scoop and dump the day away. Each bucket has a different sprinkle effect to keep little eyes entranced. To help limit cleanup, have your little one play with these buckets in a sandbox or kiddie pool. They also work great in the bathtub!

Nothing says summer quite like a kiddie pool. This one from Target’s Sun Squad brand is affordable and perfectly sized for toddlers—and for you, too. It’s a cinch to inflate and empty. making it easy to cool off and have fun splashing around on a hot day.

There’s a reason this ride-on toy has been around for 40 years and counting. The Cozy Coupe is a total classic toy—it’s bright, fun and just the right size to encourage toddlers to hop in and take a ride.Features include a removable floorboard for younger toddlers and a handle on the back for parent-controlled rides. There are even two cup holders in the back to keep your kiddo hydrated on the go. There are also other types of Cozy Coupes besides this classic, like this lady bug option or princess truck.

Running through the sprinklers is a key part of summer for any kid, but some toddlers might be nervous about the water pressure from regular sprinklers. Start them off with this, friendly sprinkler toy that provides a gentle upward stream just tall enough to get a quick soak.

A sandbox is an investment your family will use for years. This one takes a bit of effort to put together, but we think it’s well worth the work. The cedar sides give it a natural look and are made to withstand weathering. At 51 inches by 59 inches, it’s large enough to hold two to three kids and up to 350 pounds of sand (sold separately), and it comes with a cover to keep everything clean.

If you’re looking for a few extra features and are okay spending a bit more money, we love this option that comes with a full sun shade and two built-in tubs for holding toys, water or more sand.

If you have a sandbox, your toddler is going to want toys to dig with (and to bury, of course). This dump truck is made from recycled milk jugs, but it’s sturdy enough to cart around piles of sand and mud and drive smoothly over miles of dunes. And when the truck has reached its destination, the trailer lifts up to dump the load.

Truth: toddlers like to hit things. So why not build those future sports skills while you’re at it? This beginner T-ball set has everything you need for your first ballgame. The set comes with an oversized bat and two XL baseballs, and it all stores inside the base so everything stays together. Batter up!

Not keen on getting an entire pool? If you don’t have the space, or if your little one doesn’t like to get super wet, a water table is a great alternative. This one takes up a lot less space (and a lot less water) yet it’s packed with fun features.

Love the idea of a kiddie pool but don’t want to deal with the hassle of inflating it, filling it with water and then watching your toddler lose interest in five minutes? Meet the splash pad, your new backyard BFF. This sprinkler + (very) shallow wading pool + learning pad all rolled into one equals tons of fun for older babies and toddlers who aren’t quite ready to take the kiddie pool plunge but want more water than a sprinkler offers.

Want something that’ll keep them entertained for hours and that you can enjoy too? Enter the Market Splash from Smol. This bounce house has two water features (a small wading pool and a sprinkler above the slide), making it great for hot summer days. While there are weight limits for the bounce house and slide parts, the shallow pool area is big enough for you to cool off too. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’ll last through the toddler years and you can skip the water play and use it dry once colder weather arrives (or even indoors if you have the space!). It pairs well with Smol’s Tide water table, too.

A playhouse is a great way to get toddlers—and even older kiddos—out the door and encourage imaginative play. Features like a picnic table, mailbox, chalkboard and play grill make this the perfect outdoor play space. It’s a splurge, but remember it’s an investment toy that will go the distance for years of play.