The Best Active Toys for Stay at Home Fun and Learning
March 4, 2020/ Shelah Moss / Parenting, Gift Guide, Gross Motor, Summer / 0 comments
Active Toys to Keep the Kids Busy and Learning
“Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” -O. Fred Donaldson
Looking for the best kids Active Toys to Keep the Kids Busy and Learning for this summer? Discover outrageously fun new outdoor toys for kids in 2019 with our mega list of the ultimate list of toys they’ll ACTUALLY want to play with. As a parent, it makes our hearts happy to spend a sunny day outside playing with the kids. As therapists, we know that physical exercise is crucial for a child's development. Enticing your children to use their muscles and explore their environment is one of the best ways you can keep them healthy and encourage them to build skills.
“Summer, after all, is a time when wonderful things can happen to quiet people. For those few months, you’re not required to be who everyone thinks you are, and that cut-grass smell in the air and the chance to dive into the deep end of a pool give you a courage you don’t have the rest of the year. You can be grateful and easy, with no eyes on you, and no past. Summer just opens the door and lets you out.”
― Deb Caletti,
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Outdoor Toys to Keep the Little Ones Busy
Little Tikes Garden Table is a versatile toy that will keep kids busy pretending and playing for hours. You can use it for gardening or you can use it as a sensory bin. You can even use it to store outdoor toys. It's a toy that kids will play with for years. Ages 18 months - 8 years old.
My daughter was a water baby, she would have loved this toy. The BANZAI 54In-Diameter Sprinkle & Splash Play Mat is a great way for young tots to enjoy water play. Ages 18 months and up.
Doesn't every child want construction vehicles to play with? Scoop it! Mix it! Dump it! These Green Toys Construction Vehicles are durable and as a bonus they are made of 100% recycled plastic with No BPA, phthalates, or PVC. Recommended for ages 2 years and up.
Okay, I know that there is a lot of glitter hating parents out there. And for good reason, glitter never seems to go away. No matter how careful you are, those shiny little pieces can be found months later in the most interesting places. But kids love glitter so if you have a glitter craving child why not take it outdoors with Crayola Special Effects Sidewalk Glitter Chalk and let them get their glitter on in a place where you won't mind the mess? Ages 12 months - 8 years.
Take the cooking outside this summer! The Little Tikes Cook 'n Play Outdoor BBQ is great for creative and imaginary play while promoting social interaction for everyday fun. Ages 24 months - 10 years
Splash and Play Sensory Fun!
Little adventurers can create a cascading waterfall on this multi-level sensory Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table. It's the perfect outdoor toy for multiple children to splish and splash around in as they enhance their fine motor skills. Parents will be happy with all the time kids will spend playing with water and having fun. Ages 18 months - 8 years
Kids love going to the water park. With this Blast Zone Pirate Bay Inflatable Combo Bounce and Slide Water Park, you can turn your backyard into your own private amusement park. It's fun for kids of all ages and one of the best ways to spend a sunny summer day. Ages 36 months - 12 years
If you can't get to the beach you can bring the beach to your house with The One and Only Kinetic Sand, Beach Day Fun Playset with Castle Molds, Tools, and 12 oz. of Kinetic Sand . A wonderful sensory experience for children ages 3 and up.
Diving Masters Treasure Chest Pool Diving Game is a dive and grab treasure hunt. The new sunken treasure from Prime Time has you ready for an underwater treasure hunt. The new Sunken Treasure Chest sinks and rests on the bottom. Dive to the bottom, crack open the chest and collect the treasure pieces as fast as you can. Kids will strengthen their swim skills while having fun collecting treasure. Ages 5 - 12 years
Doesn't every pool need a giant flamingo? We think so, and your kids will have hours of fun playing with The Mega Flamingo, Inflatable Island Best for kids that can swim or are under careful adult supervision.
Let the Kids Climb, Slide, and Swing!
The Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center is more than just a climbing toy. Kids will play pretend as they conquer the dome. You can add a swing or if you have a Parachute for Kids put it over the climbing dome to make the perfect hideaway house. Best for Ages 3 to 10.
Children love having a backyard play structure and parents will love how it keeps the kids busy and active. The Backyard Discovery Monterey All Cedar Wood Playset Swing Set is an ultimate swing set with both a clubhouse and a play fort with slide, a swing glider, and 2 swings. The tree house inspired fort with “knotholes” to peep out of is perfect for hours of pretend play. This outdoor kids playset has a lower level clubhouse, with working door, leading to an activity stand and bench seating. It also includes a slide and a challenging solid rock climbing wall for kids. For the price, this play structure is a great deal.
Best for ages 3 - 10 years
Here's the perfect toy for Ninjas and monkeys. So if you have a little one who wants to be a Ninja this Slackers Ninja Line Combo including Intro Kit and Climbing Rope is a great toy for them to practice their skills. It's a great toy for building upper body and core strength. Ages 5 years and up
Give your kids endless hours of fun right in the comfort of your home with the Gym Dandy Teeter-Totter Home Seesaw . The teeter-totter employs a patented pendulum system to create a rocking motion, along with large bumper absorbers that significantly reduce impact. This makes it safer than traditional teeter-totters, so you don't have to worry about your kids getting hurt while in the backyard. Good for kids ages 3-10 years old
We often recommend that our clients buy a climbing toy. It's great for motor planning and sensory input. The HearthSong® Triple-Wide Climbing Rope Ladder has three sturdy ladders to climb and conquer, kids can now climb up, across, and diagonally with this Triple-Wide Climbing Rope Ladder. A great outdoor activity for kids, it will provide years of climbing enjoyment for one child or three. Ages 4 years and up.
Kids can sit, stand, or lay down on the SkyCurve Platform Swing. It's big enough for more than one child so the kids can enjoy the fun together. Swinging is so beneficial for children with ASD or SPD and this swing will feel safe and sturdy. Don't be surprised if it's hard to get your child off this swing.
Ages 4 Years and up.
Here is another swing you may want. You can also find it on our popular post: Favorite Outdoor Toys for Kids. Part merry-go-round and part swing, the HearthSong® Vortex Spinning Ring Swing for Multiple Kids Outdoor Play Equipment for Tree or Stand adds the thrill of floating in the air to any combination of sitting, standing, spinning, and swaying. There's room for up to four kids to share this exciting ride and even parents can get in on the fun. Transform your backyard from boring to a blast with this one versatile swing. Ages 5 and up.
Zip and Zoom on the Slackers 70' Hawk Series Zipline w/ Spring Brake kit! Ziplines help improve strength, athletic skills, and balance all while riding just a few feet off the ground. Kids love the feeling of soaring through the air and this toy will quickly become a family favorite. Ages 8 years and up.
WARNING! If you get the Hammock Chair Swing for Patio, Porch, Bedroom, Backyard, Indoor or Outdoor - Includes Hanging Hardware and Drink Holder you may find the family fighting for their turn. It's a super comfortable hammock - it practically feels like laying on a cloud. This is a must-have item for kids on the autism spectrum or sensory processing disorder. It helps to calm the system and bring Zen into their lives. It's difficult to put an age to this product. Children who cannot climb in and out by themselves should always be under adult supervision.
Balls and Battles!
Boochie, A Whole New Ball Game is an award-winning toy that takes ball play to the next level. You may have to toss between your legs, behind your back, or even with your eyes closed. Kids will practice following directions, body movement, counting points, taking turns, estimating and measuring distance. It's a great toy for groups of kids of different ages. Ages 5 and up.
Capture the Flag is a classic game that people have played for over 90 years. It's a game that develops teamwork, social skills, and strategy. Capture the Flag REDUX: a Nighttime Outdoor Game for Youth Groups, Birthdays and Team Building is a toy for today's generation using glow-in-the-dark LED lights! Ages 8 and up
Do you remember playing scoop ball when you were a kid? There's something very satisfying as you zip the ball into the air. The Fun-Air Scoop Ball is a great toy that you can play at home or bring to the beach. It's a fun way to get the kids moving and practicing their hand-eye coordination. Ages 5 and up.
The Glow Battle: A Light-Up Sword Game comes with 10 different games perfectly designed to challenge groups of kids. Kids will think they are just having fun, but you will know that this toy can bolster team building and develop strategy skills. It's serious fun and physical exercise becomes enjoyable as boys and girls do their best to run, swing, tag and use teamwork to win. If you have a child who struggles with group interactions this toy can break the ice and build connections. Ages 8 and up.
Playing soccer has become a rite of passage for our kids. They can play for hours while practicing their skills. Little Tikes Easy Score Soccer Set w/net + Ball + Pump is great for learning the fundamentals of soccer while improving motor skills, coordination, and social skills. Ages 3 and up.
There are endless amounts of toys that we can buy for our kids. We hope this list makes your shopping a bit easier.
Tags ParentingGift GuideImaginary PlayGross MotorOutdoor PlaySummer Fun