The weather is getting warmer, the kids are getting louder...it's time to play outside, right?! To help encourage your children to do just that we have compiled a list of great outdoor toys for your four year old. We have categorized the toys by price:
$20 or Less
Crayola Sidewalk Chalk 16 Count (Amazon: $7.99)
What we love:
Most importantly, this chalk is non-toxic making it safe for your child to use.
It is thick and good for smaller hands to grasp, this also means that it does not break as easily.
There are so many colors which means your child's inner artist can really come out!
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.7 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
The chalk is chunky and square-shaped so it does not roll away.
The chalk does not crumble when left in the rain.
The vibrant colors the chalk comes in.
Raters don't love:
The black chalk is not easily washable.
The colors of the chalk were much lighter than shown on the image.
Some people received their chalk broken.
What we love:
Jump ropes are a great form of exercise for people of all ages.
The jump ropes are adjustable so they fit for every child.
The handles are a great size and shape for children's hands.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
The jump ropes are sturdy.
They are a good weight for preschool-aged children.
The colors the ropes come in are nice.
Raters don't love:
It is a little difficult to adjust the size.
The ropes seem a bit long for children.
You need a tweezer to adjust the size.
What we love:
1. It encourages kids to explore
2. It is easy to use
3. The neck strap means less chance of it falling
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.5 star rating on Fat Brain.
Raters love:
1. Easy for kids to use
2. 3 Year Old loves it!
3. Works easily as intended
Raters don't love:
1. Did not magnify properly
2. Blurry
To check price on Amazon click here
What we love:
It's a fun way for your child to dig at the beach (or in the snow!).
It comes with a five year guarantee.
The plastic is durable so it won't break it your child decides they should step on it.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is adjustable and can fit small and large hands.
It holds up very well.
It is a fun toy for digging, get lots of compliments.
Raters don't love:
Some children had difficulty using it.
It is loud when the mouth closes.
What we love:
A kite is a great way to enjoy a windy day.
The rainbow colors are fun to watch fly.
It is big enough to enjoy but small enough to store away.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.5 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is fun to fly.
It packs away very easily.
Kids love it!
Raters don't love:
The string isn't super long.
The kite spins upside down easily.
Kids need adult assistance if it is super windy.
What we love:
Kids can use this to acutally help out in the garden.
This set is a great way to introduce your child to the science of a garden.
The bag is a convenient way to store all of the tools.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.7 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
The tools are sturdy.
The set seems to be high quality - kids can actually use it.
Child loves this gift.
Raters don't love:
The gloves are too big for small hands.
The ends of the tools seem a bit thin and may bend if a child puts a lot of force behind them.
What we love:
It will encourage your child to kick a ball around.
It is weather resistant so it will do well if left outside.
The stakes keep it from blowing away in the wind.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.4 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is easy to set up.
It is a good size.
It folds up easily.
Raters don't love:
If you step on the rods they may break.
Some people had difficulty folding the net to transport it - reviewers gave advice on how to do so properly.
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$30 or Less
What we love:
It comes with three planes so more than one child may use at a time (note it does only come with one launcher).
It is made with foam so if it hits something it should not break.
It comes with fun, colorful lights.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.3 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
Fun for kids and adults to play with.
Child was able to play with this toy on their own.
It is easy to use.
Raters don't love:
They don't feel super sturdy.
You have to be careful when loading the plane so you don't break it.
The planes don't last super long.
What we love:
This toy is a great way to practice hand-eye coordination.
It comes with a bag for easy storage.
It is made with water proof liner so it will hold up if left in the rain.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
Great game to play catch with kids.
Older and younger kids can play together.
The balls stick about 99% of the time.
Raters don't love:
The seam on the paddles started to give out when used a lot.
The balls started to come undone.
The velcro is a bit too strong to easily pull the balls off of.
Explorer Kit: $27.97
What we love:
It is a fantastic way to promote science learning.
It comes with many different "tools" to help your child explore the outdoors.
It comes with a convenient bag for storing everything.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.7 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It seems high quality for the price.
Kids love the explorer "costume."
It is cute.
Raters don't love:
The binoculars don't magnify much.
The tools don't seem very sturdy.
There was not a book included.
What we love:
It is a great way to introduce your child to the sport of baseball.
It can adjust based on skill/age of child using it.
The balls are light enough that they won't go flying out of your yard..
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.3 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
Child loves the toy.
It sounds real.
The exact toy their child wanted.
Raters don't love:
It is too small for bigger children.
The battery compartment is difficult to open.
The blower blows very lightly.
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$35 or more
What we love:
1. It is a comfy place to sit outside
2. It encourages being calm
3. It is strong and difficult to fall out of
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.5 star rating on Fat Brain.
Raters love:
1. Child loves it
2. It is something new and different
3. Will last a long time.
Raters don't love:
1. Was too small.
2. Bottom is not rigid enough
Realistic Lawnmower $36.92
What we love:
It is a great toy for pretend play.
It looks and sounds realistic.
It will get your child outside.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.5 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
Children love to play with it.
Good customer service.
Easy to assemble and adjust.
Raters don't love:
It is expensive.
It comes apart easily which is annoying if you move it.
It is a great starter set but is a toy.
What we love:
It is a great way for children to engage with nature
It allows you to magnify things on the go
It comes with two free Ebooks
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.8 Star Rating on STEM Kids
Raters love:
The magnification is great
Easy for small hands 3-5 to grip
Kids love it.
What we love:
It's a fun way to cool off on a hot day.
3 kids can slide on it at once.
It is easy to fold and put in storage when it gets cold out.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.1 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is fun for the whole family, adults included!
It fills up quickly with water.
The boards included are fun to use.
Raters don't love:
The nozzle the hose connects to leaks.
It is better for smaller kids.
Wish the slide were longer.
What we love:
It has a high weight capacity meaning children and adults can enjoy this swing.
It is padded so children don't hurt themselves on any edges.
It is a fun toy to either swing on or simply lay on and read a book!
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
Kids love to play on it.
It feels very solid and safe.
It is colorful and fun.
Raters don't love:
Some people did not get the hanging straps included.
Wish it were a bit bigger.
Younger children may have trouble balancing.
What we love:
1. It burns a lot of energy!
2. It is safe to use - children can easily brake
3. The average adult can ride on it too!
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.7 star rating on Fat Brain
Raters love:
1. It is not battery operated
2. Easy to assemble
3. Children play with it constantly.
Raters don't love:
1. Only works well on a smooth surface.
2. Could not get steering wheel to stay on
What we love:
The sandbox comes with benches that you and your child can sit on.
It comes with a cover to protect from rain and animals.
It is sturdy and will last for years.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is easy to assemble.
At least 4 children fit in it at once.
It fits plenty of sand.
Raters don't love:
The cover does not fit as snugly as desired.
Water can get in.
It looks bigger in the pictures than it actually is.
What we love:
It is great exercise for kids.
The handle is adjustable.
The wheels are sturdy and can easily "drive" over sticks and rocks.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is easy for children to learn to ride.
The lights in the wheels are cool.
It is light so children can easily move it around.
Raters don't love:
Some people received a used product when they purchased a new one.
A few reviewers mentioned their brake broke.
The lights die after a while.
What we love:
The table comes with an umbrella so kids don't have to sit directly in the sun.
It comes with two tubs if children would like to use both sand and water.
It can seat four children comfortably.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.7 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is easy to put together.
It is big enough that larger children can sit comfortably as well.
It smells nice like cedar.
Raters don't love:
The umbrella tore in the wind - be sure to take it down if windy.
You may want to stain the wood to protect it if used outdoors.
The edges are pointy for toddlers.
What we love:
Children can begin to use a hand break while still having the ability to use the pedal breaks.
The frame comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
It features a chain guard to help keep kids from getting hurt.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is very well made.
Very easy to put together.
Good customer service if you have any difficulties with the bike.
Raters don't love:
The training wheels loosen up with time.
The hand break does not work great.
The color of the bike was different than anticipated based on image.
What we love:
1. It is sturdy
2. It is a fun way to be active outdoors
3. Children work together to use it
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.9 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
1. Used by kids up to 12 years
2. Great for inside or outside
3. A toy for children to use together
Raters don't love:
1. The entire thing lifts off the ground, seems a bit flimsy
What we love:
The "patio" comes with a canopy so children aren't directly in the sun.
It is large enough for multiple children to play in at once.
It features various outdoor "cooking" portions making it great for pretend play.
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.8 star rating on Amazon.
Raters love:
It is sturdy and feels like it will last a long time.
Children really enjoy playing in it.
It comes with a bag for all of the small parts when not in use.
Raters don't love:
It is not so easy to assmeble, there aren't pilot holes in it.
The grill cover seems flimsy.
Wish it came with play food.
What we love:
1. It encourages fun, active play
2. It is easy to assemble
3. The color will not fade in the sunlight
Star Rating: This product gets a 4.6 star rating on Fat Brain
Raters love:
1. Well built and fun
2. Perfect Backyard toy
3. Great for climbers
Raters don't love:
1. Disassembling is difficult
2. Smaller than expected - kids may outgrow it
Want to continue the fun all year long? Try out a Think Outside Subscription Box! Each box is packed with outdoor activities and tools for your little explorer to use. These boxes start at $28 a month!
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That's all for now, as we discover new products, we will update our list. Have anything to add? Let us know!
PS if you are looking for even more toy suggestions for your four year old, click here for some great ideas!
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