The Best Toys to Get Kids Outdoors
Spring is here and as those daffodils begin to poke up out of the ground, it's time to poke your heads out the door and find more creative ways to play in your backyard and in nature. We've put together a list of some of our favorite outdoor toys - according to the experts (parents and kids), to help your family explore, move and learn through play this spring and in every season!
All of our outdoor toys are made to be open-ended, extra durable, and able to withstand all kinds of weather and outdoor adventures. With the right tools and toys, we believe kids will fall in love with being outside and then work throughout their lives to protect nature. So get ready to investigate, get a little bit muddy, see their eyes light up, and experience the wonder of the natural world with our collection of kids outdoor toys.
Our Outdoor Picks for 2026
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Terra Kids Catamaran DIY Activity Kit
Age 8+
Why this Toy Boat is a Great Pick for Outdoor Fun: Complete craft set to keep kids creative and engaged.
Ship ahoy! The Terra Kids Catamaran DIY Activity Kit sets young explorers on a hands-on journey into the world of sailing and STEM play. Kids ages 8 and up can build their very own floating catamaran using environmentally friendly materials including cork, beechwood, linen sails, and sisal rope.Why Parents Like it: "With this creative craft kit, you get a lovely boat for playing and crafting. You can decorate the boat with sticks and leaves to give it a really rustic look. Or paint it with acrylic paints. It won't capsize and floats steadily on a rushing forest stream as well as in the salty sea. Really beautiful!"
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Terra Kids Camping Lantern
Age 5+
Give young explorers a reliable light source for their outdoor fun with the HABA Terra Kids Camping Lantern! Designed to be easy to use, lightweight, and durable, this battery-operated lantern provides 40 lumens of bright light for camping trips, backyard adventures, and nighttime exploration.Why It's One of the Best Spring Toys: Whether kids are setting up a tent, reading under the stars, or navigating a trail, this lantern is a must-have addition to their camping gear.
Why Parents Like it: "I was looking for a camping lantern for my child and came across the Terra kids one. Its small handles are great for the kids and so easy to use. When the lantern is closed it’s off. When it’s up it’s on and very bright and provides much needed illumination to what you need going to the bathroom, read a book or even for walking plus it’s battery operated just unscrew the bottom part add your batteries and screw bottom back on. It’s so lightweight for the kids and my child loves to just use it in their room at night if we aren’t camping."
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Terra Kids Binoculars
Age 5+
Encourage young explorers to discover the world around them with these durable, kid-friendly binoculars. Whether they’re birdwatching, scanning the treetops, or looking for hidden critters, these binoculars make outdoor adventures even more exciting.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Outdoor Toys: A perfect tool for outdoor learning, promoting curiosity and nature exploration.
Why Parents Like It: "My son absolutely loves these binoculars. They come in a durable pouch that I clip to his hiking backpack. The binoculars have a string that allows kids to wear it around their neck. I was honestly shocked at how clear the view was! These are high quality binoculars, especially for being a children's toy! Definitely recommend these to any mamas with children who love to explore"
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Terra Kids 22" Maxi Hand Glider
Age: 6+
Soar into spring with this lightweight, high-flying glider! Designed for thrilling outdoor action, this easy-to-assemble plane performs loops, dips, and smooth flights that will keep kids entertained for hours.
Why It’s One of the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: Combines active play and STEM learning, as kids adjust the wings for different flight paths.
Why Parents Like It: "This thing is loads of fun for all ages! My husband and kids had a blast putting it together and adding all the stickers. I was skeptical about the looping, but the plane really does loop-the-loops with the tail in the top positioning slot (tip: flying it into the wind gives it more lift and is easier to be successful). Even I had no trouble getting it to loop! The heavy rubberized nose keeps it so the plane lands flat or on the nose almost every time, making it durable to crash landings and worth the price point. A very innovative and fun item!"
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Spilling Funnel Sand and Water Mixing Toy
Age: 3+
Take sand and water play to the next level! This innovative funnel toy lets kids create patterns, trails, and even secret messages in the sand while experimenting with gravity and flow.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Toys 2026: Sparks creativity and hands-on problem-solving, making it a must-have for beach and sandbox fun.
Why Parents Like It: "My kids take this thing everywhere. It’s fun to use at the beach and works well even with just sand or in the pool. You place sand on one side and water on the other and it mixes well. Fun to make creations with."
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Terra Kids Beaker Magnifier
Age: 5+
Bugs, leaves, and tiny treasures come to life with this beaker magnifier! Designed for little scientists, this tool makes backyard discoveries even more fascinating by enlarging their finds for closer inspection.
Why It’s One of the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: Encourages hands-on learning, turning every backyard into a science lab.
Why Parents Like It: "If you have a little one who loves discovering the world around them then this toy is for you! It has a magnifier that helps the little ones see their creepy crawlers more clearly. It even comes with its own spider to start the adventure! Any little one would love this toy. It’s adorable and I highly recommend."
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Terra Kids - Scoop Net
Age: 5+
From catching insects to scooping treasures from a pond, this adjustable telescoping net is an essential tool for any outdoor explorer.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Toys 2026: Perfect for active play and nature discovery, inspiring kids to observe and interact with their environment.
Why Parents Like It: "The Terra kids scoop net is a blast. My kids use it outside to catch bugs and butterflies to examine and re-release into the environment. It is very heavy duty for a toy and has the capability to extend up to a foot. My kids have played with this every day for a week and haven't gotten tired of it. I can't say that about other toys. I highly recommend this toy."
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Terra Kids Cork Boat DIY Activity Kit
Age: 6+
Build it, launch it, and watch it sail! This hands-on DIY boat kit allows kids to construct their own floating vessel, combining creativity with outdoor water play.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Toys 2026: A great way to get kids off screens and engaged in hands-on building and outdoor adventure.
Why Parents Like It: "My grand daughters ages 6 and 8 loved their boats. Once they opened the box and took out the pieces their creativity took over and with a little help from Grandma and Dad their boats were ready to sail in no time. We found a swift moving brook emptying into Lake Huron and the real fun began! They loved catching their boats as they almost entered Lake Huron. They happily chased their boats in the brook as they travelled quickly along with the current. The sails were made of paper and designed by the girls as they saw but the paper did not hold up well in the water. There are plans to make sails out of cloth over the winter to be ready for more fun as the family gathers next summer! Thank you for a wonderful toy anyone of any age can enjoy!"
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Children's Long Handled Heavy Duty Beach Shovel
Age: 2.5+
Dig big with this extra-sturdy beach shovel! Perfect for sandcastle architects and backyard excavators, this heavy-duty tool makes digging more fun and frustration-free.
Why It’s One of the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: Built for durability, giving little diggers the tools they need for serious play.
Why Parents Like It: "These are worth every penny. The shovels/scoops are the most durable sand toys you'll ever encounter. We've gotten loads of use from them in both the sand and the snow and they show no sign of wear. They're sturdy, functional, and big enough for little ones to feel like grown-ups!"
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Dinosaur Digger Sand Toy
Age: 3+
Transform any sandbox into a prehistoric dig site with this dinosaur skull sand toy! Kids can bury, unearth, and even animate their dino discoveries.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Toys 2026: Brings imaginative play outdoors, making the sandbox an adventure-filled excavation site.
Why Parents Like It: "Bought this for an impromptu beach trip and it was worth the buy. My kids played with this so much that the other toys almost didn’t exist to them. One would bury it and another would find it and then dig a massive hole with it. Best money ever spent."
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Spielstabil 2 Piece Garden Set
Age: 2.5+
Grow their love for nature with this child-sized gardening set! Whether planting flowers or helping in the veggie patch, this set encourages responsibility and hands-on learning.
Why It’s One of the Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: Helps young gardeners develop fine motor skills and a lifelong connection to nature.
Why Parents Like It: "My 3 year old plays with this set almost every day in the garden! Even used it to plant an entire vegetable garden." -
Terra Kids Block and Tackle
Age: 6+
Introduce kids to the basics of physics with this working pulley system! Whether lifting supplies to a treehouse or experimenting with simple machines, this set turns outdoor play into an engineering lesson.
Why It’s One of the Best Spring Toys 2026: Hands-on STEM learning disguised as fun, making outdoor play both active and educational.
Why Parents Like It: "This product is a great hands-on learning activity for children. It’s great for kids to use their imagination and physical activity outdoors. Plenty of possibilities when using this kit. My kids enjoy using it to pull up buckets of toys."
Looking for more outdoor toys? From beach toys to gardening toys, our durable toys for kids will last for years and withstand the toughest of play. Shop our entire collection of Outdoor Toys for Kids »
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