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Outdoor Toys for 2 to 4 Year Olds

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Great outdoor toys for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

This article gives a wide range of outdoor toys suitable for 2, 3 and 4 year olds based on those my eldest son and niece liked to play with between 2 and 4 years old. There are toys they played with at home, friend's and relatives houses, toddler groups, as well as parks and playgrounds.

Toddlers and preschoolers have so much energy and it's good to have a few outdoor toys so they can wear themselves out. As well as the traditional outdoor toys such as swings and slides, there are scooters, tricycles, balance bikes, trampolines, inflatable pools, basketball sets and gardening toys to name but a few. You also don't have to spend a lot of money. There are lots of simple outdoor games for 2 to 4 year olds you can play such as ring toss. Or, just invest in a ball and play ball games. Another cheap idea is big sticks of chalk, 2 to 4 year olds love chalking outside on walls or paving slabs and the rain or water will wash it away.

If you're looking for inspiration on what kind of outdoor toy to buy your child, hopefully you'll find some here.

Read on for great outdoor toys for 2 to 4 year olds

Up and down rollercoaster

This is a rollercoaster suitable for 2 - 5 year olds. Its a car that goes on a downhill ride with another smaller bump half way through. I have to admit we haven't tried this one but I had to include it in my list as it does look like a lot of fun. The reviews on Amazon are very positive. It can be set up in the garden in the Summer and in the playroom when the weather isn't too good.

Shopping from the UK, click here for Step2 Up and Down Roller Coaster in the UK
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Slides

What child doesn't love a slide? My son will go up and down the slide for a long time and then he likes to push different toys down there and see how fast they go. A toy that will last for quite a while.

If you're shopping from the UK, Toys R Us are currently have an offer on a giant slide suitable for ages 3 and up 9ft giant slide, was 149.99 pounds, now 99.99
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Little Tikes TotSports T-Ball Set

The little tikes totsports t-ball set is extremely popular outdoor toy with 2 to 4 year olds who love wacking balls of the tee. Its a great introduction to baseball and will also help improve basic batting skills along with motor skills and coordination. The balls and bats are plastic so kid friendly.
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Inflatable bouncers

Inflatable bouncers are a great toy to have in your garden in the Summer. Children between 2 and 4 will absolutely love jumping up and down and wearing themselves out.
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Inflatable pools

When the weather is really hot, there is nothing better than having an inflatable pool where the kids can have fun and cool off. Kids love water, they will be entertained for hours splashing and playing in a water filled pool.
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Push cars

My little boy and my 2 year old niece love the push car at Grandma's house. They both love to just sit in it or be pushed round and round the garden. My son also enjoys sitting in a similar car at his friend's house. A great toy for a 2 year old.

Shopping from the UK ,check out the Little Tikes Anniversary Edition Cozy Coupe Ride-on
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Wheelbarrows

My son and my 2 year old niece love the toy wheelbarrow at their Grandma's house. They run around pushing it, they put things in the wheelbarrow and push it around. They can also help with the gardening and copy Grandad!
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Basketball sets

If your child is like mine and loves balls, bouncing, throwing and catching they will love a basketball set. The best ones are those that allow you to adjust the height. This is a great family toy as everybody can have a go.
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Sand and water tables

If you can't get to the beach why not bring the beach to you with a sand and water table. Children can experience water and sand while you sit back and relax.
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Waterwheel play table

My 2 year old loves his waterwheel play table and spent ages playing with it with his 3 year old friend just the other day. It's a great toy on a Summer's day as the children can splash as much water and get as wet at they want. My son will play with it for a long time giving me the chance to have a break in the sunshine.
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Bowling sets

If you enjoy playing games with your children in the garden, consider getting a bowling set. My 2 year old son loves balls so enjoys playing with this toy but it may be better for 3 and 4 year old who understand the concept of knocking down all the pins to win the game. Bowling sets are particularly great if you're looking for an outdoor toy that you will enjoy playing with your child.
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Scooters, Tricycles and Balance Bikes

Scooters are the toy of the moment. They are great for playing with in the street or in the park. They are perfect for kids who don't like walking, as it can be easier to encourage them to get from a to b on a scooter rather than walking. They give lots of opportunity for exercise and are great fun too!

If you are shopping from the UK here is a Toddler Scooter for Boys and another Toddler scooter for girls
For more information on scooters read Scooters for Toddlers

Tricycles are another great outdoor toys for 2 to 4 year olds. They can use them to master pedalling which is great for later on when they learn to ride a bike.

Another great toy with wheels are balance bikes. These are bikes without pedals but they give young children the opportunity to master the balance and co-ordination needed to ride a bigger bike. The great thing about them is that they can get on them and use them pretty much right away.
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Play tents

Play tents are a great Summer toy to have outside. Depending on which one you choose kids will have fun crawling through tunnels and sitting and playing inside the tent. They're great to have outside to keep the Sun off when it gets too hot. Children will enjoy eating picnics inside. My son and niece love the tent at their Grandma's hat. They enjoy playing in it and will eat their lunch inside. When it's not used outside it can be easily put up inside in the Winter.
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Bubbles

Kids love bubbles. I take my son to the park and I blow lots of bubbles for him to chase after and he loves it. As well as the traditional method of bubble blowing you can also get bubble machines. There was one a toddler group we recently went to and the kids absolutely loved it. Older children enjoy blowing the bubbles too. Here are some bubble suggestions.
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Stomp rockets

These toys are such fun. Children as young as 2 will love them. Load the rocket onto the base and stomp on the pump to launch the rocket into the air. It will expend lots of energy and when the weather gets cold you can use it inside.
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Watering cans and gardening tools

Get the kids to help and enjoy gardening. A watering can is great fun for watering the plants or just for playing with if you don't mind them getting weight. There are also some great gardening kits for children to let them dig in the soil and help with the garden.
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Trampolines

My son loves bouncing up and down on trampolines (and our bed - although we are trying to discourage that). It's a great activity for young children as they get lots of exercise while having lots of fun.
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Hop Balls

Hop balls are great fun, great for burning off energy, improving balance, co-ordination, motor skills and generally having lots of fun. Probably best for kids who are 3 and 4.
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Drawing Outdoors

Get kids drawing and creative with these sidewalk crayons and chalk. Great for a quieter outdoor activity. Draw shapes, introduce letters, draw numbers and pictures.
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More Outdoor Toy and Games Ideas for Toddlers

Still not found what you're looking for. Here is a few more ideas:

  • Ball - just a simple ball can be enough to entertain a toddler. Practice throwing, bouncing, kicking and trying to catch can be lots of fun!

  • Balance bike - Balance bikes are bikes for toddlers. They don't need to be able to pedal to use them. It's a great first step to learning to ride a "proper" bike.

  • Ring Toss - The old fashioned games are often the best. Older toddlers will enjoy ring toss.

  • Bubble Mower - You can buy pretend mowers which toddlers will love to push around. Some even blow bubbles as you push them for extra fun.

    • More recommendations of toys

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    More Outdoor toys for 2 year olds

    Outdoor toys for 2 year olds
    This article gives lots more suggestions of outdoor toys that are specifically for 2 year olds.

    Any feedback or suggestions

    Please feel free to add any feedback on the recommendations I have made or make any suggestions of toys you think a 2, 3 and 4 year old would love.

    • Millionairemomma May 12, 2012 @ 3:36 pm | delete
      Great lens.
    • GOT Apr 29, 2012 @ 6:13 am | delete
      Nice collections.
    • MindPowerProofs Mar 31, 2012 @ 7:05 pm | delete
      Inflatable pools is the best way to entertain the children in summer. I can't take my girls out of the pool
    • smithlights Jul 17, 2011 @ 5:21 pm | delete
      My niece LOVES her roller coaster! You can play with it inside and out, and it's easy to store and put together!
    • kristymckeown Jun 29, 2011 @ 3:14 pm | delete
      I love summer, and have even resorted to handing the boys a bag and saying "fill it with ten interesting things!" Keeps them busy while they hunt and opens great dialogue for discussion!
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    Lou1842

    Hi my name is Louise and most of my articles are about toys for babies and children.

    I spend most of my time with my lovely boys. I have a 8 month...     more »

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