The coronavirus pandemic might mean that we’re all staying in our homes as much as possible – but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the garden.
Get the kids away from their TV and computer screens with the best garden toys to keep them entertained.
Claire Russell, Early Years Specialist and playHOORAY! Founder, says: “As well as the obvious benefits of fresh air and exercise, playing outdoors is vital in encouraging our children’s curiosity around the natural world, giving them the opportunity to question and learn while also teaching them about the importance of caring for the environment, not to mention boosting their gross motor skills.”
Whether your kids are more sandpit and Swingball, or pogo and paddling pool, we’ve got the best garden toys for young kids rounded up below…
Best garden toys for young kids
1. Original Stomp Rocket
Some of the best garden toys are the simplest as this rocket-launcher proves.
The high-flying, air-powered stomp rocket doesn’t need batteries, simply run, jump and stomp… And see how high your rocket can fly!
Great for young kids but, let’s be honest, you’re totally going to be giving it a go too.
Price: £11.99, Amazon – buy here now
2. TP Toys Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen
Outdoor fun has never been so… Muddy! This luxury mud kitchen is a great choice for top mud chefs.
It comes with a fun DIY stencil to create hob rings and a mud kitchen logo, an easy-open and shut door, a big blackboard space to write down recipes, a starter set of stainless steel pains with mixing whisk for mud-mixing, and a shelf to store pans – and mud pies!
“Mud kitchens enable children to experiment with garden flora and fauna while boosting their cognitive and fine motor skills,’ says Claire.
Price: £149.99, John Lewis – buy here now
3. Vykor Outdoor Explorer Kit Toys
Let the kids get back-to-nature with this great starter kit for exploring and playing nature games.
They’ll love exploring bugs and crawlies and looking for birds with the binoculars. Bug-catcher scissors are great for wriggly worms, while bug-catcher nets and magnifying glass allow them to observe insects.
Includes binocular, a torch, compass, whistle, shovel, magnifying bug collectors, butterfly net, bug catcher acissors, magnifying glass, tweezers, 12 pretend bugs, and a drawstring bag.
Price:£19.80, Amazon – buy here now
4. KreativeKraft Tin Can Alley Game
It’s fun for everyone with this simple throwing game.
Set up the cans in a pyramid formation, give a bean bag to each player, aim and start throwing the bean bags. Then add up your points and the winner is the player with the highest combined score after three rounds.
What are you waiting for? Get that throwing arm moving.
Price: £10.95, Amazon – buy here now
5. Zerhok Inflatable Reindeer Antler Hat Toss Toy
What’s not fun about donning giant inflatable antlers? While one child dresses up as the ‘deer’ others then have to throw inflatable rings and land as many as possible on the antlers.
The player that gets the most rings on the antlers wins. Simple? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. Play the best of five (or more) to keep the giggles going.
Price: £5.99, Amazon – buy here now
6. Atopdream Toptoy Foam Pogo Jumper
Hop to it! This safe and durable pogo stick has an anti-slip foam material base and provides heaps of fun in the garden (or indoors!).
It’s a brilliant way to develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills, helping to boost dexterity and balance.
As well as being exciting, it also helps get the little ones exercising. Why not buy one for each of your children, and let them do pogo races in the garden? Boing!
Price: £27.99, Amazon – buy here now
7. Green Turtle Paddling Pool and Sandpit
Kids generally love animals, so this friendly turtle makes the spot to play in.
This hardworking toy doubles up as a paddling pool or sand pit – just add water or sand to get the fun started!
It comes with two integrated seats and a cover, and is ideal for kids as young as 18 months old.
Price: £35, George – buy here now
8. Mookie Toys Early Fun Young Children All Surface Swingball Game
Now even the little ones can enjoy Swingball! Designed specifically to allow the youngest players to be included, it has a tangle-free spinner top, a foam ball to avoid injuries, and lighter ‘little hands’ bats with a larger face to help them hit the ball.
This special edition of Swingball also comes with a Tailball attachment. Tailball is the easy-to-play, fun racquet sport, which is perfect for developing children’s tennis skills. Judy Murray approves of… Need we say more?
Price: £19.99, John Lewis – buy here now
9. Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor
Kids will have endless fun creating their own battle field in the garden with this Nerf rotating-drum blaster.
The quick-draw blaster holds six darts, and you can release one at a time or unless all six at once.
Suitable from age eight upwards, and if your little one isn’t quite ready for full-on Nerf action, this Nerf water gun is also super-fun.
Price: £9, Amazon – buy here now
10. Outdoor Youth Recurve Bow and Arrow Set
Get you’re child practising their aim with a fun archery set.
The set includes arrows with suckers, a bow, target board and arm guards for a healthy way to bring out their competitive side.
Great for building your child’s hand-eye coordination, precision and fine movement skills. They can also use their imagination and create their own narratives alone or with family.
