The best garden and outdoor toys for babies and toddlers (2024)

No matter how old your little one is, creating a garden space for them to enjoy is a great way to encourage them to be outside and entertained, whilst also helping to reduce any screen time (such as watching nursery rhymes on TV). You just have to pick an outdoor activity that they'll love, and the garden fun can start.

Children love to learn and explore and the garden is the perfect place to do that. Garden and outdoor toys don't have to be big play areas that take up the whole space, they could be something simple like a mud kitchen, bubble machine, or even just a ride-on toy. They should also fit within your budget and child's interests. Even if it's a bit chilly outside, just wrap you and your little one up warm withthe best toddler welliesand a good waterproof coat, and you can still have fun with some garden activities.

Editor's Choice:

• Best overall garden and outdoor toys for babies and toddlers: Plum, My First Play Centre
• Best sand pit garden and outdoor toys for babies and toddlers: Store-it Wooden Sand Pit
• Best garden play tent for babies and toddlers: Kids Play Tent and Tunnel Set

These toys can be truly versatile, so to help you find the right one for your little one, we've put together a list of the best garden and outdoor toys for babies and toddlers. We've considered price, design, and features when selection our favourites below.

The best outdoor toys and garden toys 2023

Design Features: Are there any added safety elements? Does it come with any fun accessories? Is it easy to pack away? Will it be easy for your child to use and enjoy?

The Size: Bigger isn't always better, especially if you have limited outdoor space. Consider what can easily fit into your garden and if it will fit into your storage space too.

Their Preferences: What kind of colours or patterns do they like? What do they typically like to play with? Can you get them involved in the choosing process?

The Cost: A quality garden or outdoor toy doesn't have to break the bank. There are lots of affordable options out there, so stick to your budget when you shop.

Can outdoor toys be left outside all the time?

This of course depends on the type of toy, but most outdoor toys, particularly playhouses, swing sets, and climbers are built with durability in mind. However, with the uncontrollable outdoor elements, constant exposure can lead to colour fading and damage, so investing in outdoor toy storage is worthwhile.

Keeping outdoor toys covered or indoors in the home or shed when not in use is for sure the best way to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.

How do you keep outside toys clean?

With summer only so long, the harsh and unpredictable weather conditions we get here in the UKare not the best for outdoor toys to stay clean outside. Here are some of our top tips to ensure you get the most out of your little one’s outdoor toys:

Cover up - The best way to ensure your outdoor toys stay clean when not in use is by covering them up. Garden furniture covers are a great way to ensure your toys are kept clean and dry in even the worst weather conditions. If you’ve got the space, then of course bringing toys inside or placing them in a shed, playhouse, or garage is perfect until the weather warms up again.

Cleaning solution - Are toys already dirty and in a state that's too stubborn to hose down? No problem, baking soda is your best friend – so handy for almost any cleaning task. Baking soda is great for removing grime, dirt, and even odour. Create a paste with baking soda and water, scrub the mixture onto the surface of the outdoor toys, and let it sit for a couple of hours. Then, using a clean cloth, wipe the residue and rinse with a hose – as easy as that, and works on the toughest of stains.

Do outdoor toys require maintenance?

Outdoor toys are built to be weather resistant for the most part andsorequire minimum maintenance. Basic maintenance could be oiling swing sets to avoid any squeaking and checking any nuts and bolts from time to time, to ensure the utmost safety for your little one.

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.