These Are the Best Toys for Outdoor Play

As spring begins to roll in across the country, parents of young kids in every state are celebrating the ability to get their stir-crazy kiddos outside. If you’ve been cooped up all winter and are looking forward to the free outdoor play that warmer weather allows, consider investing in some outdoor toys that will keep your child occupied from the first day of spring until the last day of summer!

{ MORE: It's Almost National Puzzle Day: How Will You Celebrate? }

An outdoor play yard

While not a toy in itself, a covered outdoor play yard will allow your little one to enjoy whatever toys they want in the fresh air without the risk of either sunburn or wandering somewhere they shouldn’t be. This play yard is ideal for little ones who are not yet mobile or who are newly mobile and ready to spend some time outdoors.

A pirates spyglass

This pirates spyglass will offer your little explorer the extra spy power she needs to get acquainted with the bugs, trees, and leaves in her environment. Easy to carry and hard to break, this spyglass is sure to offer hours of outdoor fun and make the perfect addition to any sort of fort!

{ MORE: Tips to Motivate You to Get the Kids Outside (Even Though it Gets Dark So Early) }

A sandbox full of toys

There no better outdoor play toy than a classic sandbox. Filled with toys for scooping and building, an outdoor sandbox will encourage your little one’s creativity and help them enjoy their time in the sunshine.

A garden for keeping friends

If you’ve got a preschooler who's into bugs, they’ll love this sweet ladybug house. After collecting their sweet friends and filling the habitat with leaves and other treats, they’ll get to enjoy watching their new companions eating, relaxing, and living their lives until you release them back into the wild.

A sprinkler for splashing

While it might not be quite warm enough to head to the pool yet, on a sunny afternoon it’s likely pleasant enough to break out the sprinkler and let your little one splash and play in the sun. A sprinkler is a fun, safe way to let your child engage with water play and, trust us, they’ll enjoy splashing in it through the spring and well into summer!