I’m a toy expert, and these are the best outdoor toys for 2023
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
AS the sun begins to get his hat on (with the occasional reminder of our wayward weather system), and with the end of the school term looming, it's time to improve your arsenal of outdoor toys.
Of course, there's fun to be had with a simple kickabout, but there is so much more to get everyone off their screens and outdoors.
The outdoor toy market got off to a slow start this year due to the inclement conditions, and retailers have been a little more cautious as to how much they’ve taken into their warehouses. But as temperatures rise stocks will disappear at speed, and it is a case of getting them while you can.
Prices range from £5 right up to £400, with toys suitable for kids of all ages and plenty of family fun.
The benefits of outdoor play can’t be underestimated. There is, of course, the activity aspect, but it also improves general well-being and gets people together with others, with plenty of feel-good fun to be had.
Most outdoor toys require zero set-up time apart from a few click-togethers, a few minute builds and perhaps the insertion of batteries, but this is usually ready-to-go gear.
Do ensure you’ve got a decent place to store your kit when it isn’t in action or it’ll decrease the lifespan. A basic solution is to wrap it in a bin bag or invest in a few plastic boxes.
Lying out in the sun for too long can cause outdoor toys to discolour; keep yours tidied away so you can enjoy them in pristine play condition for longer.
Best outdoor toys, at a glance
- Best outdoor for toddlers:
- Best water-based outdoor toy:
- Best football outdoor toy:
- Best family outdoor game:
- Best wooden outdoor toy:
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
- Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, £64.99 from Very -
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Into its 40th year, the Cozy Coupe is one of the most iconic cars around. It has sold over 10 million worldwide over this time, and for its birthday it's a few updates: a new friendly face up on the front, a handle up at the back of the roof for easy parent pick-up, a removable floor and updated wheels that spin better than ever.
Aimed at kids from 18 months up to about five years old, grown-ups will need a little patience to put it together - but it's well worth the effort.
Wooden indoor and outdoor mud kitchen
- Wooden mud kitchen, £99 from Great Little Trading Co -
This beautifully designed mud kitchen is packed full of features for little hands.
There are spaces to 'cook', draw and store toys, along with a weather wheel on the side for hours of fun in the sun (here's to hoping!).
The kitchen is made from stitched pine and is resistant to light weathering, but should be covered up if left outside to protect it from the elements.
It's suitable for children three and above.
NERF Super Soaker Blast Slider
- Nerf Double Blast Water Slide 2 Blasters, £40 from Argos -
There are plenty of variations on water-powered slides, but this one really grabbed our attention, and we think it offers the most water-based fun.
It's a 16-foot slide that you launch yourself on, slowed by the padded splash pool at the end. During your journey down the slide, you’ll be getting blasted with the attached blaster, meaning there's no way to escape a soaking.
We’d love to see a version that was longer, we’ll settle for this right now; it's great fun in the sun.
READ MORE:
Smart Ball
- Smart Ball, £19.98 from Amazon -
This is a football that can count your keepie-uppies, so you can entertain yourself alone outdoors or take the challenge to your friends.
The Smart Ball lights up and the LED counter registers each time it makes contact with your head, legs, chest or shoulders, counting up to 100.
Just unscrew the counting sensor and replace it with the included rubber bung and you have a regular kick-about ball.
HYPR Extreme Power Rocket
- Wow Stuff HYPR Extreme Power Rocket, £20 from Argos -
Big bold claims are being made about this new HYPR rocket by its maker, Wow Stuff: namely, that it can go higher, faster and further than others in its class.
It has been in development for three years, and can reportedly reach 500 feet in turbo mode.
Better still, using the expansion platform you can attach up to four more and see who the highest flyer is.
CANOFF!
- CANOFF!, £44.95 from Amazon -
This flying disc game has a simple premise, yet it is really quite a unique piece of kit.
It's a combination of a few other types of outdoor games but this one is a real attention grabber and quite addictive to play.
Each carry bag contains two poles, two base stands, a flying disc and the all-important cans. Select your difficulty levels (the distance you have to throw) and try and knock the opponent's can off. It sounds easy – but it isn’t.
You can also buy extra branded cans or of course, use your own.
Koosh
- Koosh Classic Colourful Ball, £5 from Selfridges -
This toy's name derives from the sound the inventor heard when it landed in his hand.
Each one is made up of rubber filaments all bound together; they fly like a ball but are far easier and easier on the hand when caught.
Available in a range of colours, the line-up will soon be joined by branded lacrosse sets, paddle-bats and a slingshot to enhance your Koosh-based fun.
The Lawn is Lava
- The Lawn is Lava, £20 from The Works -
Starting life as an online viral challenge, this became a TV show, then a game, and now The Floor is Lava has an outdoor version.
The idea is to keep off the Lava (Lawn); just place the foam stepping-stones and flick the game spinner and get to safety without touching the grass.
Adding peril to your progress is the inclusion of water balloons in the box which opponents can of course use to distract you from your task.
With plenty of physical activity, this is a great fun game that is also great for taking to the beach.
Giant Pass The Pugs
- Giant Pass The Pugs,
£19.99£19.11 from Amazon -
Here is the giant-sized inflatable version of a game based on the original Pass the Pigs, but this set features inflatable Pugs.
It's playable just about anywhere — lawn, pool, beach or patio — you simply launch the Pugs skyward with either a bounce or a throw. See how you’ve scored by the way they land; the first player to 100 points is the champion Pug flinger.
Gazillion Tornado
- Gazillion Tornado, £19.95 from Amazon -
Load up your Tornado with the included solution, flick the switch and simply enjoy the bubbles drifting in the breeze or turn it into a frantic catch-and-popping game for the kids.
Blowing out 4,000 or so soapy spheres every minute you’ll just need to keep it topped up, but, with a little experimentation, you can create your own at-home solution.
Mölkky
- Mölkky,
£39.99£37 from Amazon -
This is a Finnish throwing game you can play as individual or in teams, with the aim to knock over the wooden pins from about four metres away.
It isn’t just about brute force — that would be far too straight-forward — it is the team or player with exactly 50 points first who wins. If you miss three times you’re out of the game.
The rules are simple, but you’ll need some strategy and a solid underarm throw to master the game – there is also an app to help you track scores.
Jump it
- Stay Active Jump-It Wipe Out,
£59.99£49.99 from Very -
Part of the Stay Active range of outdoor toys, this musical machine offers up tunes whilst keeping you fit and laying down challenges for you to beat.
The aim is to be quick enough to react as the foam bar makes its way around to your ankles. You can play with multiple players or on your own, setting the speed to one of three settings in normal mode. There is also a challenge mode, where things speed up over time and a reverse mode, which speaks for itself.
Add in some water balloons and blindfolds for added excitement.
Gel Blaster Surge
- Gel Blaster Surge, £59.99 from Firestorm Games -
Load up this blaster with the specially created "Gellets" and blast away mess-free (they start to dehydrate immediately upon impact).
This starter set comes with 10,000 Gellets to get your target practice started. The Blaster's rechargeable battery lasts up to four hours, just select semi or fully automatic mode and get blasting.
How to clean and store outdoor toys
Outdoor toys are generally hardy, but it is always best to dry them off if needed; them fold or store them in large bin bags and stick them in the shed.
If you can keep them inside and they’re dirty just give them the once-over with a damp cloth. It sounds dull, but this way everything will just last that bit longer.
Where to buy outdoor toys
If you want to get hands-on or a little closer than seeing imagery, we suggest a trip to a toy shop such as Smyths as many of its stores have a large display of their outdoor offerings.
Some garden centres also feature toys and in some cases, there might be a specialist manufacturer with a play space outside their retail unit.
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If you're looking to buy online, we'd recommend heading to: