Best Outdoor Toys for Kids: How to Bring Outdoor Play to Your Backyard

Spring has officially sprung and it’s time to put some bounce into your backyard with these best outdoor toys for kids of all ages.

We could all use a little bit of exercise, fresh air and outdoor play after the isolated winter we’ve endured. Not just for us, especially for our extra-energetic kids who are driving us CRAZY inside. Browse our picks for best outdoor toys of 2020 and check out the deals too. We’ve got discounts on trampolines, mud kitchens, bikes, buggies, cubbies and so much more.

The importance of outdoor play

Whether you’re still in lockdown or relaxing under eased restrictions, it’s been one heck of an isolated winter! We’re all feeling a little bit anxious and antsy, including our kids, which is why outdoor play is so important now more than ever.

Here are just some of the reasons why outdoor play is so important:

Fuels Imagination – Children are more likely to invent games when they play outside, and as they do, they learn important skills such as decision making, negotiation, organisation and autonomy.
“Outside” is nature’s art gallery – Children develop aesthetic awareness and an appreciation for the beautiful planet the natural world provides by being immersed in it.
Gives busy bodies the most space to move – Not to mention run off some of that crazy kid energy!
Exposure to nature reduces stress – Being outdoors in nature prevents attention fatigue and children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces. It’s been scientifically proven!
Most importantly, it’s great fun! – There is nothing better for kids than a bit of sunshine, fresh air and freedom!

And watching our little ones explore the great outdoors and enjoy our own backyards, well, that’s a refreshing change of pace for us too.

We ALL deserve a bit of a refresh right about now. Ourselves, our kids, and, with these top picks for best outdoor toys, our backyards too. Happy shopping!

Best outdoor toys to bring back outdoor play – and revamp your backyard too!

[mc_block_title custom_title=”CUBBY: Aarons Outdoor Castle Cubby”]

Cubby houses don’t get any better than the ones at Aarons Outdoor – they’re quality, weather-resistant and Australian made and owned! Our top pick is the Castle Cubby, but there are plenty of great cubbies to choose from including the Bungalow if you’re short on space or the massive Taj Mahal if your kids need more space or climbing options.

The Castle Cubby is the perfect play space for kids with a gable front design, allowing for easier entry and standing room for parents. There’s plenty of space inside for a pretend play kitchen, BBQ and a table, plus there’s also room for free play too. You can choose heaps of fun add-ons including a steering wheel, slide and rock climbing wall. Your kids will be in outdoor cubby house heaven.

READER OFFER: Mention Mum Central to receive 20% OFF, PLUS Free Cubby Upgrade pack. Offer only available on all orders placed from September 25th to October 18th, 2020. Shop now and save 20% OFF, PLUS a free cubby upgrade pack.

BUY NOW: You can shop the whole range of cubby houses online at Aarons Outdoor. The RRP for a Castle on the ground is $3,750. With five elevation heights to choose from, there are cubbies of all prices and sizes to suit every budget and space. Finance options available including layby and AfterPay.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”TRAMPOLINE: Plum® Junior Trampoline”]

Let them bounce the extra energy away with the super durable and extra-safe Plum® Junior Trampoline. This sweet little trampoline is the perfect size for backyard adventures and is designed for kids 3-6 years. It features a super-safe enclosure with soft mesh netting and thick foam pads. The frame is made from galvanised steel, with zinc coated springs and rust-free protection meaning it’s built to last season after season!

Available in 6ft and 7ft variants, these trampolines are to easy to put together and won’t take up too much space in the backyard. They’re also a breeze to move and make a great gift for Christmas. Best of all, they will provide the kids with hours and hours of jumping fun.

READER OFFER: Save $30 using code MUMCENTRAL at checkout.

BUY NOW: You can PRE-ORDER the Plum® 6ft and 7ft Trampoline at Swing and Play in either pink or blue. Using code above, you can save an additional $30 on the already discounted price of $299 (RRP $329) for 6ft and $399 (RRP $449) for 7ft.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”BIKE: Funny Wheels Rider”]

Funny Wheels is an exciting and innovative European brand that is new to Australia. Their two-in-one Rider Sport bike is sure to be a huge hit with kiddies aged 1 to 5 years! It’s a ride-on trike that easily transforms into a two-wheel balance bike in minutes and is the perfect first bike for your toddler.

Super speedy, and easy to both ride and assemble, this bike is lightweight, comfortable and comes in five fun colours! It features adjustable axle heights (front and rear) to grow as your child grows, a reflective sticker in front, and an extra rear axle to convert the bike from three wheels to two, grippy tyres to prevent sliding out and handlebar grips to protect little hands. Leave the pram at home and discover the fun of pathways and parks with Funny Wheels Rider.

READER OFFER: Save 10% on your Funny Wheels Rider. Use code MUMCENTRALFW at the checkout.

BUY NOW: Get your Funny Wheels Rider today and enjoy the fun with Funny Wheels, priced a $119.95.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”SWING SET: Plum® Tamarin Swing and Slide”]

A swing set is such a great investment for any backyard and can provide your kids with hours and hours of play! Plum®’s Tamarin Swing Set comes with everything they need for a swingin’ good time including two swings and a wave slide.

The Tamarin Swing Set is constructed from sturdy Chinese Fir timber and uses height-adjustable swing seats to suit little ones as they grow. It is recommended for children aged 3 to 10 years and is sure to be a welcomed addition to your outdoor area.

READER OFFER: Save $40 using code MUMCENTRAL40 at checkout.

BUY NOW: You can PRE-ORDER the Plum® Tamarin Swing Set at Swing and Play. Using code above, you can save an additional $40 on the already discounted price of $549 (RRP $599).

[mc_block_title custom_title=”OUTDOOR KITCHEN: Plum® Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen”]

Calling all creative chefs! Head to your very own outdoor kitchen and whip up a treat! Mud Kitchens are all the rage right now and our top pick goes to The Plum® Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen. This beautifully-crafted kitchen combines hands-on play and learning, perfect for outdoor STEM and nature play.

Your little one can discover living things, tinker and experiment as they mush, mix and mould a mud pie. Paint and create on the easy clean painting screen and keep the mess outside. Made from FSC® sustainably sourced wood, the Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen includes handy shelves to store all woodland finds, holders for potted shrubs and a built-in planter for little green fingers.

READER OFFER: SAVE 10% OFF the Plum® Range, including the Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen (excludes sale items). Simply use the code MUMCENTRAL10 at checkout. Offer ends 11 October 2020 and discount exclude sale items and spare parts.

BUY NOW: These kitchens retail at $579.95 and are available for pre-order now at Plum. Afterpay and ZipPay are available.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”PEDAL KART: BERG Buddy”]

Oh, the places they’ll go with their very own pedal kart! BERG has been inspiring active play since 1985 and their European designed pedal karts offer high-quality outstanding performance and years of enjoyment. You should see this thing move!

The BERG Buddy is made for fast and fun outdoor play and is the world’s best selling pedal kart line. It’s ideal for kids 3 to 8 years and is designed to grow with them with an adjustable seat, plus plenty of durable features including a long-lasting steel frame and pneumatic air-filled tyres. Suitable for both on-road and off-road conditions, BERG lets kids rediscover the power of the pedal.

BUY NOW: The BERG Buddy Pedal Kart retails at $425 and you can grab yours now from Fun Wheels. AfterPay is available.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”YARD GAMES: Giant Snakes and Ladders Game”]

Looking to keep all the family entertained this summer? Then this supersized version of Snakes and Ladders makes the perfect gift with a difference. Players physically move around the board when the huge inflatable dice is thrown. The winner is the first to move from one corner to the opposite avoiding the snakes and using the speeding up ladders. Expect plenty of belly-laughs along the way in this larger than life yard game!

This game can be played both indoors and outdoors and is perfect for family gatherings, camping trips or rainy days indoors. The game includes a 3m x 3m thick PVC playing mat , foldable for easy storage, 8 corner pegs to hold the mat in place, a giant inflatable dice, easy-to-follow instructions and a handy Cotton Tote Storage Bag.

READER OFFER: SAVE 20% on this best selling game by using code ZMUM at checkout. Offer ends 12 December 2020.

BUY NOW: Check out the full range of other great outdoor games at Yardgames and pick up your own Giant Snakes and Ladders for $120. AfterPay is available.