Kids Outdoor Toys

Types of Outdoor Toys

There are many different types of kids outdoor toys available, from giant playsets with swings, slides and places to climb to riding toys and plastic playhouses.

The main distinction between toys that should be used inside the house and those that are designed for outdoor play is that the outdoor toys tend to be more rugged, durable and weather safe. They are usually made of plastic, wood, metal or some combination, allowing them to stay outside through all kinds of weather and still be usable years down the road.

Choosing Kids Outdoor Toys

The kinds of outdoor toys you will want for family will vary widely depending on how many children you have, what their ages are and what their interests are.

If you have just one child who loves to climb things, you might try to find a playset with a climbing wall, while someone with multiple kids that has lots of different interests might choose a swingset, a playhouse and a couple of riding toys for the kids to share.

Whenever you're thinking about buying new outdoor toys, try to involve your kids in the decision making process. You might not want to take them to the store with you, as they may beg for the most expensive playhouse in the store, but you can look at a catalog or a toy website together and get an idea of what your child would like (and, presumably, use).

Saving on Outdoor Toys

Another aspect to think about, of course, is cost. There are a wide range of outdoor toys available for kids these days, and even the inexpensive ones can put a good dent in your budget.

One way to save a little money on outdoor toys is to shop sales, particularly end-of-season sales. You'll often find that last year's models are on sale in the winter and early spring, while closeouts and overstocks can be had for a deal at the end of summer.

If you're shopping online, try to take advantage of free shipping deals or percentage off coupons that can get you a break on the price.

Be sure to check places like Overstock.com and Amazon.com for promotions and special deals on overstocked toys.

When you're shopping locally, check out the discount retailers like Wal-Mart as well as the big toy stores. You might find a similar product without the big brand name at a substantial discount.

In addition, if you're not too picky about getting the exact brand or a perfectly new kids outdoor toy, look at local resale shops and on eBay. You really do never know what you might find on the auction sites or at resale stores (or garage sales, for that matter) and you may be able to get something that was barely played with that your child will love.

Other Places to Find Outdoor Toys

If you're not so worried about your budget you can buy toys just about anywhere. Here are some websites to check out for more great ideas for kids outdoor toys:

• Growing Tree Toys
• Little Tikes
• Fat Brain Toys
• Discovery Store
• Step2
• Teeter Totter Toys

Also, be sure to check out local toy stores and children's boutiques. These places might not have as many options as the big chain stores, but the odds are good the money you spend is staying in the local economy, which is always a good thing.

Using Toys Outdoors

When it comes to playhouses and swingsets, you want to set them up once and keep them in basically the same place as long as you use them. That usually means a flat spot in the yard that is not too close to the house or any surrounding trees. You can even build a flat spot if need be and cover it with sand or another soft substance if you want to make it nice and safe for your kids.

Other outdoor toys can be used throughout the yard, but make sure to teach your children to put them away after each use and not leave them all over the yard.