Categories: Lifestyle

Active Play – Top 5 Outdoor Toys Kids Will Love

Physical activities are an essential part of a child’s day. As their minds and bodies are constantly developing, they need to take part in active play that can help hone their fine motor skills, strengthen muscles and bones, and improve balance and flexibility. Not only that, but physical activities also enable children to grow their confidence as they learn new skills and discover talents.

As such, you should take the time to engage your kids with energetic play for at least an hour a day. Needless to say, the best place you can do this is outdoors, where they will have an opportunity to run around and explore the area—with your supervision, of course.

If you’re looking for more ways to encourage the young ones to add physical activity into their routines, try incorporating outdoor toys to make playtime more exciting! To give you ideas on which toys to invest in, keep reading for the top five outdoor toys kids will love.

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Foam Water Blasters

Is the weather too hot for you and your kids’ liking? Cool off by bringing out foam water blasters! While these toys may look like the typical pool noodle, don’t underestimate the amount of fun you can have with them. Plus, they’re easy to use too. Just pull back the handle to load your blaster with water, aim, and push the handle forward to blast your target.

As the name suggests, foam water blasters are made from foam, so they’re lightweight and soft enough for kids to join in on the fun safely. Without a doubt, these water blasters are the cheaper and safer alternatives to other water guns in the market right now.

Scooters

There’s a reason why parents love getting their children scooters. They help develop kids’ balance and gross motor skills, enabling them to be more active and burn off physical energy. Moreover, scooters are less bulkier than bikes or trikes, making them easier to keep at home.

However, parents should remember to get scooters appropriate for their children’s ages. Regular-sized kid’s scooters are recommended for children aged six years old and above. On the other hand, micro scooters and mini micro scooters are more appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers. To know more about the range, you can check out https://myhappyhelpers.com.au/ and browse for micro scooter models for your children.

Mini Basketball Hoop

You know what they say; you gotta start ‘em young. So, if you’re a basketball enthusiast and want to bond with your kids, a mini basketball hoop is the best way to get them introduced to the sport. Not only do you get to share your interests with them, but you also enhance their hand-to-eye coordination skills, endurance, and flexibility.

Of course, choosing the right hoop for your child is important. An adjustable basketball toy set, for example, is great for little children as it can be used for both sitting and standing play. In addition, it allows you to raise the height and increase the difficulty of the game when they grow taller in the future.

Playhouses

If you want to let your children’s creativity and imagination run wild, you should definitely get them a playhouse in your backyard. The little house can act as whatever they want to be: a clubhouse, clinic, castle, restaurant, or whatever tickles their fancy!

Playhouses bring many advantages to growing kids. For instance, letting them fill the space with toys and furniture allows them to develop a sense of independence and responsibility. It also cuts down their screen time, which is a common challenge parents face nowadays.

Likewise, sharing their house with other friends and siblings also improves their social skills, which creates the vital groundwork for other relationships they might have eventually. Furthermore, pretend play also helps children strengthen their language and communication skills as they try to express their thoughts with others.

Jump Ropes

Don’t overlook the benefits of jump ropes! They’re inexpensive, don’t require a lot of space, and can be played solo or as a game with other kids. Moreover, anyone, regardless of skill level or age, can learn to play it.

A group of kids can play jump rope rhymes such as “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” and “Down the Mississippi.” Even little children who have trouble with their timing when jumping can play too! Just wave the rope gently like a snake in the ground, and have them jump over it. If you see your child become really good at it, perhaps you can even have them join a competitive team and hone their talent!

Takeaway

Playing outdoors is one of the best ways to promote your child’s health and physical development. To make playtime more enriching, join children, have them take the lead, and offer them toys to explore and experiment with. If you’re unsure which ones your kids might like, you may start with the five outdoor toys listed above.