Top 30 Outdoor Toys for 3-year-olds – (2023 Top Picks)

Getting kids to put their iPads aside and step outside is quite a task these days. The older they get, the harder it will be for you to get them to leave their house and soak up some natural Vitamin-D.

As we already know, outdoor play is a great way for toddlers to explore and develop their gross and fine motor skills, and improve creativity, and problem-solving skills.

A wide assortment of unique outdoor toys can be a great incentive for them to finally pause the video game and go outside to play.

Having a hard time choosing the right outdoor toy for your tot in your budget. I got you. Here are my top 30 picks for the best outdoor toys for 3-year-olds.

30 Awesome Outdoor Toys For 3-Year-Old

1. Eastern Jungle Toddler Swing Set

Who really doesn’t love swings? I have seen the fussiest toddlers calming the heck down when placed on a swing set. The Eastern Jungle swing set, thanks to its statement-making aesthetics, could easily be the focal point of your baby’s outdoor activity. 

The chains are 66†long which is likely more than most setups require. Some users have also reported that one chain is longer than the other. However, quality-wise, the chains are as good as they get. 

They are coated, therefore, won’t pinch those tiny fingers. The good thing is you can easily swap the chain out. Perhaps the best quality of the swing set is its seat.

It’s just the right amount of soft and flexible, allowing 3-year-olds to sit comfortably for a prolonged period. Moreover, it comes fully assembled, so your toddler doesn’t have to wait more than a couple of minutes to hop on it. 

 

 

2. Jasonwell Splash Pad Sprinkler

Sprinklers are the ultimate cheap thrill for toddlers in summer. It’s something they can enjoy with the entire family and all you need to make it work is a functioning water supply. 

The package includes the necessary attachment required for fitting this sprinkler to the garden hose. At optimum water pressure, the spray can be as high as 5-6 feet. 

However, if that’s too overwhelming for your toddler and pet, you can always turn down the water a bit. It even comes with a splash pool to double up the fun. 

It’s spacious enough for 4 toddlers to splash around the water that pools at the center. It can hold max 5 inches of water, hence completely safe for little kids. 

 

 

3. Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

Here’s another fun outdoor toy gift for three-year-olds who love to play with water. Its rain feature is something that could keep them occupied for hours. The water table has the perfect height for 3-5-year-old kids.

Even though the instructions aren’t clear-cut, it’s a pretty straightforward process and anyone with a little common sense can assemble it in just a few minutes. All the parts are extremely sturdy and capable of withstanding heavy abuse.

The rain table would be a great gift for toddlers who are crazy about playing with water and are fascinated by rain.

 

 

4. HITOP Water Guns

Looking for an affordable water gun to lure the boys into playing outside? Check this one out then. The medium size water gun can hold a decent amount of water (10 fluid ounces to be precise) and is easy to refill.

You just have to open its cap to fill the water. With that much water, you can shoot about 10-12 times before it runs out of water.

It can shoot up to 27 feet which is quite a long range for a water gun at this price point. Ask the kids not to shoot anyone directly in the eyes or face with it.

 

 

5. Little Tikes 3′ Trampoline

Trampolines are unarguably one of the easiest ways to get toddlers to get some exercise and have lots of fun while doing so. The Little Tikes trampoline is carefully engineered keeping in mind the safety of the kids. It’s rated for 55 lbs, so only one kid can jump on it at a time.

I would advise not to let anyone over 55 lbs jump on the trampoline for their own safety. Storage is a little more difficult than I’d have liked since the unit doesn’t fold. You will have to disassemble the whole thing in order to unscrew the bars.

However, the trampoline doesn’t take a lot of space, so you might not have to store it away if it’s going to be used daily.

 

 

6. Toy Rocket Launcher

Yep, the toy is as cool as it sounds. It is a great way to let kids spend all that pent-up energy on a beautiful sunny day. Everything about this toy is so well-made that it’s hard not to appreciate.

The launcher stand has a steady base and it features a knob that lets you adjust the angle of the foam rockets. Even though I doubt the rockets can go up to 100 feet, the height they can reach is still pretty amazing.

Even older kids can play with it and if you run out of the rockets, fret not. The refill packs are easily available.

 

 

7. FUN LITTLE TOYS Kids Play Tent

This camping tent is the perfect little gift for a toddler who loves to explore nature. Remember that the tent isn’t waterproof.

When inflated, its approx dimensions are 30.7 X 30.7 X 35.5 inches which should be okay for a 3-year-old and an adult, even though it’s going to be a bit snug.

The kit includes a host of exciting camping essentials such as a compass, a Celsius thermometer, lantern, torch, telescope, whistle, and my personal favorite – the gas stove for making s’mores.

It’s a fantastic toy for allowing kids to develop fine and gross motor skills, strengthen their communications skills, and explore nature in a way she’s meant to be explored – all these at the comfort of their own backyard.

 

 

8. Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper

Next up on this list of the best outdoor toys for active 3 year olds would make a great gift for super active toddlers. The pogo jumper could be a great way to encourage kids to step outside and play in the sun for a bit.

It’s a great little workout for the entire body and is especially useful for strengthening leg muscles and improving hand-eye coordination. The pogo stick will also teach the toddlers how to balance themselves on wheels which would come in handy when they switch to a bike.

It’s heavily built, can easily hold up to 250 lbs, and can be folded away in a snap for easy storage Only con is the loud squeaking noise it makes but that’s something I can live with.

 

 

9. Lydaz Bubble Lawn Mower

The electronic lawn mower makes realistic gear sounds and releases tons of bubbles when pushed around. It’s not really the sturdiest toy you can find but it will last long enough as long as the kids aren’t too rough with it.

You can use any bubble solution with it and it runs on 3 AA batteries which aren’t included. The product arrived with 3 bottles of bubble solution. Even if you run out of bubble solution, the children can just push the toy outside, pretending to mow the lawn.

The only real flaw with the toy is that there’s no cap on the bubble tank. So, if the kid trips and turns the mower upside down, the bubble solution will spill and create a mess.

However, that shouldn’t be much of an issue since they will be playing outside.

 

 

10. SLIDEWHIZZER Kids Teeter Totter Outdoor Seesaw

The small but heavily built seesaw would make any toddler jump with joy. Its seats are made of high-quality soft material, therefore, are gentle on the bums. The base is hefty and you can place it on the grass without compromising the safety or the seesaw’s rocking ability.

Assembly is a cakewalk. All you need is a screwdriver and Allen wrench to put it together. It’s rated for 154 lbs weight capacity, which makes it safe to use even for older kids.

It also comes with a little spot at the center for safekeeping toys and stuff.

 

 

11.Step2 Clubhouse Climber

The next entry on this list is rather on the expensive side, so if you want to splurge a bit on your toddler, this one’s worth having a look.

The clubhouse playset comes with rails, tunnels, lookout towers, skylight and a bunch of other goodies to ensure a memorable experience for the kids. It stands steadily on grass and the climbing ladder is carefully built to prevent slippage while climbing.

The unit is quite sturdily built and can effortlessly hold upto 300 lbs. It does take a couple of hours and a good deal of patience to put it together, but the outcome is absolutely worth the hard work.

Climbing up and down the clubhouse, finding the way out of the tunnels is a fantastic way to speed up the motor, cognitive, and language skills of preschoolers and toddlers.

 

 

12. Little Tikes First Slide

Slides are something more or less every kid enjoys playing with, making it a safe gifting option for birthdays and holidays.

The Little Tikes brand is known for their uncompromising quality and this product is a testament to that.

The easily portable slide can be set up in a snap in the backyard, without needing any tools. It doesn’t take up a lot of space either.

It can handle up to 60 lbs and is safe to use for kids up to 50 inches tall. When not in use, you can just fold it and store it away vertically in a corner.

 

 

13.Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower

The monkey bars climbing tower is ideal for daycare, kindergartens, as well as for homes inhabited by multiple children. It’s a breeze to assemble, thanks to the detailed instructions.

The parts are tough and can handle children going rough on them. It’s portable, so you can move it inside too when the weather gets bad.

The climbing tower can be used in the pool as well. It’s a great investment for parents who want to encourage their kids to step outside and burn all that energy in a safe but fun way.

 

 

14. Elite Sportz Ring Toss Games

Equally suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the ring toss game stand is yet another affordable way to ensure unlimited entertainment for kids.

Ring tossing is a great little handle muscle workout and it helps with early stage hand-eye coordination development as well.

The wooden sticks can withstand a dog chomping on it, so I guess that’s a good enough proof of its durability. It’s also the perfect size for small kids.

 

 

15. Strider Sport Balance Bike

Balance bikes are essential for teaching toddlers and preschoolers the fine art of balancing themselves on wheels before they graduate to a bike and/or ATV.

The balance bike will help your toddler gain confidence while also receiving a good amount of leg and core muscle workout. It is super easy to put together and is lightweight enough for a 3-year-old to carry around on their own.

 

 

16. The Big Dig and Roll Ride-On Working Excavator

A working excavator toy – how awesome is that? Owning and playing with this ride-on excavator would be any toddler’s dream come true. Heck! It will earn them legit bragging rights.

The toy can be used in the backyard, beach or playground for digging around the sand. The 360 degree swivel action is amazing and the digging-dumping action works just as expected.

Owing to a high weight capacity of 350 lbs, it can safely accommodate older kids as well.

 

 

17. Marvel’s Spider-Man Premium Toddler Quad

The perfect gift for 3-year-old Spiderman fanatics – the toddler quad meets all the required safety criteria. It’s an electronic quad powered by a rechargeable 6V battery and can go as fast as 1 ½ mph.

The spidey bumpers extend and retract when the quad bumps into anything. It’s a pretty cool touch!

The wheels are solid and ensure a smooth, hitch-free ride. I wish the seat was a bit softer but other than that, no complaints!

 

 

18. Meland Kids Golf Club Set

Kids don’t usually play golf but if you let them, I’m sure they will enjoy it just as much as splashing water or digging stuff.

The toddler-sized golf set is basically a cute and tiny golf cart with a bunch of golf essentials (golf balls, clubs, holes etc) in it.

The cart is super easy to move around the backyard. On the downside, except the putting, none of the clubs are left hand compatible.

 

19. Royal Oak Saucer Tree Swing

Let your toddlers make memories of a lifetime with a tree swing. A pleasant addition to any backyard, the swing comes with heavy-duty chains that guarantee complete peace of mind to the parents.

It’s rated for 700 lbs on paper and in reality, it can safely handle the weight of a kid and an adult or fit 3-4 kids at a time.

Assembly is fuss-free. It will probably take you less than 30 minutes to put it together and get it ready for a spin.

 

20. Franklin Sports Kids Mini Soccer Goal Sets

Get your little human hooked to soccer with this toddler-sized soccer goal set. It includes an inflatable ball and a goal post as well as a pump to inflate the ball.

Once the playtime is over, you can fold it all the way down for easy storage. The goal post height is just about right for toddlers and the build is tougher than it looks.

 

 

21. Outdoor Explorer Kit

Here’s a reasonably priced learning outdoor toy for a 3-year-old. The outdoor explorer kit can spark curiosity in their minds about nature.

You will find a bunch of nifty tools for insect collection and observation in the set, including a magnifying glass, binoculars, and compass.

The binoculars offer 5 x 30 magnification, which is pretty awesome for something primarily designed for kids. It would make an incredible gift for the 3-10 age group.

 

 

22. LED Light Airplane

It’s a 17.5″ foam plane with LED lights on it and two flying modes – horizontal and reverse. The assembly is easy enough for toddlers to learn after a few tries.

Thanks to the flashing LED lights, the planes are especially fun to play with at night. Jumping and throwing the plane with the parent or caregiver can significantly improve the child’s sense of direction, observation ability, and muscle manipulation ability.

Playing with an interactive toy like this could be a great way to bond with the little ones as well.

 

 

23. Kick Scooters

Made from eco-friendly materials, the kick scooter is just the right size for an average 3-year-old kid. They can either scoot either standing or sitting down by simply pulling down the built-in seat.

It allows you to fold down the entire unit by pressing a button on the scooter, making it an excellent travel-friendly outdoor toy at a reasonable price.

The coolest part about the scooter is that the wheels light up and the built-in speaker plays music automatically when the kids are riding the scooter.

 

 

24. Activ Life Kid’s Flying Rings

The frisbees are the appropriate size for small hands and can be easily thrown and caught by toddlers. It flies far enough and at a remarkable speed. The soft material makes it one of the safer frisbees for little kids.

Each disc is around 9 â…” in diameter. They even glow in the dark – a feature that will definitely fascinate toddlers and encourage them to play with it for hours.

 

25. Best Choice Products 12V Kids Ride On Truck Car

This is a kind of toy your child is going to remember for life. The truck has realistic steering wheels and pedals for an unforgettable experience. It even comes with a remote control for parents, allowing them to control the direction of the vehicle.

There’s a built-in aux outlet as well as Bluetooth connection, allowing the kids to jam to their favorite music while driving the vehicle. Children can easily maneuver the steering wheel after some practice.

Overall, a brilliant purchase if you want to let your kids enjoy hands-on driving experience without risking their safety.

 

 

26.Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster

The 4-piece track is always a big hit in birthday parties. It’s over 9 ft long and allows only a single rider at a time.

The included coaster car has all the necessary features to ensure complete safety of the rider as well as a footrest and high back for optimum comfort.

If you’re looking for a toy to ease your toddler into STEM learning, you won’t regret buying this.

 

27. Little Tikes Slam ‘n Curve Slide

Here’s another adorable backyard waterplay toy for kids who are crazy about slides. It will take you just a couple of minutes to inflate the water slide and splash pool with the included pump.

The slide allows the kids to burn up their energy and have a gala time with the family without having to travel all the way to the beach.

 

28.HearthSong Inflatable Indoor and Outdoor Easel

Let your toddlers flaunt their creativity with this outdoor-friendly inflatable canvas. The thick vinyl doesn’t get conspicuously wrinkly after a few washes. Children can both fingerprint or use a paintbrush to draw stuff on it.

The set includes 4 paints, paintbrush, and sponges. Clean-up is fuss-free, kids can do that on their own. If you don’t want to purchase extra washable paints when you run out, you can switch to dry erase markers.

 

29. Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk Set

Children love doodling on just about any surface within their eyesight. The Crayola Washable Chalks allow them to indulge in this hobby without the fear of getting scolded by their parents or neighbors.

The set includes 48 vibrant shades. I am amazed by the quality of the pigments used in this chalk. The chalks don’t break that easily and last quite long. Cleaning up is fuss-free. Overall, a steal for the price!

 

 

30. RaboSky Bean Bag Toss Game

Appropriate for both toddlers and pre-teens, the bean bag toss game can keep a group of little ones occupied for hours. Thanks to the foldable design and carrying case the bean bags are easy to travel with.

The pieces are lightweight but can withstand a good amount of torture. It takes very little space, making it a good indoor toy for small apartments as well.

 

How to Choose the Right Outdoor Toy for Your 3-year-old?

Good question. Buying outdoor toys for a 3-year-old boy or girl might seem harder than it actually is. I don’t blame you, kids are whimsical beings. 

Moreover, not every toy that is advertised for this demographic deserves to be anywhere near a 3-year-old. 

To help you make an informed choice, I have prepared a checklist of aspects to think over before purchasing a backyard toy for a tot. It looks something like this –

Check the Age Limit

A lot of people don’t take the age limit specified by the manufacturer seriously. Well, the age limit is there for a reason. Toys designed for older kids sometimes have elements that aren’t exactly safe for toddlers. 

Durability

Most 3-year-olds are perhaps biologically wired to go rough on their toys, especially the ones meant to be used outdoors. Buying flimsy toys made of cheap plastic is equivalent to throwing your money down the drain. Outdoor toys should be made of heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials. 

Safety

If you are thinking of getting a toy that consists of tiny elements, keep a close eye on the kid during the playtime. If it’s a car toy or something similar, examine the toy thoroughly to check for exposed gaps and sharp edges. 

Budget

It’s highly likely that a toddler’s preferences of toys will change as they grow older. So, to ensure you get the maximum value for money, either invest in a toy that can grow with your tot or avoid overspending on something they won’t be able to use more than a few months, unless you can afford it. In that case, splurge by all means!

In Conclusion

We have finally reached the very end of this extensive list of the best outdoor toys for 3-year-olds. Kids aren’t complicated, and thus, choosing a toy for them doesn’t have to be complicated either. So, choose any toy you think they’ll like and there’s a high probability that they will.