The 9 Best Garden Toys For Kids To Play With This Summer

With spring underway and the weather getting better each day, it’s time to start thinking about getting you and your little ones back outside and having some good old-fashioned family fun.

And what better way to have some family fun than just mucking about in your own backyard? They’ll have a ball running around and playing, and you’ll be desperately trying to catch your breath as you wonder where they get all that energy from.

So, to make sure that you’re all set up for a summer of outdoor fun, we’ve pulled together a list of the best garden toys for kids of all ages. We’ve included some that are perfect to play as a family as well as ones that you can just give them to play with friends or own their own whilst you take a well-needed rest.


The Best Garden Toys For Kids
 

Playworks Bubble Machine & Solution

Playworks Bubble Machine & Solution

 

Let’s face it- bubbles are magical! Whether they’re running around trying to catch them as they glisten in the sun or you set it up to fire across their paddling pool -  all kids love bubbles. This bubble machine is super easy to use and is suitable for any children over the age of five years old. To use the bubble machine, all you need to do is make sure it has its batteries in it (3 x AA), pour the solution in it, turn it on and watch it kick out a load of bubbles for your kids to frolic in. And do you know what the best thing about bubble machines is… There’s absolutely no cleanup required, and that alone makes them one of our favourite garden toys.

 

Build Your Own Play Den Kit

Build Your Own Play Den Kit

 

Making your own den is a right of passage. Whether that’s constructing some sort of pillow fort in your lounge, rearranging covers in your bedroom to create a place for you and your toys, or creating a hideout for your friends in the woods, we’ve all at some point created a den. This Build Your Own Play Den Kit allows kids to construct their very own one in your back garden. Letting them create their own little space, away from Mum and Dad's prying eyes. Toys like these are the perfect garden toys because they’re not only fun but also have loads of developmental benefits. They help to develop fine and gross motor skills, let them explore their imagination, and improve cognitive skills. And the best part is that when it’s all done, you can take it down and store it neatly away in its own box for the next sunny day - whenever that is.

 

Yello Round Bucket 9 Piece Set

Bucket and Spade

 

Sandpits can provide kids with hours of fun. They’re brilliant for sensory play and something that even older children can get involved in by building more complex creations. If you’ve given yours a clean-out from last year and replaced the sand, then you’re one step ahead. But you’ll need some toys to go with it - while there are tons of fantastic sand toys on the market these days, you can’t go wrong with a bucket and spade. This is a classic for a reason. They’re inexpensive, but they open up endless opportunities for their imagination. Kids can build structures that you couldn’t even dream of with the right spade and bucket. And it doesn't stop there, this set comes with a bucket, rake, scoop, watering can, and four moulds just in case they want to add a little flair to their latest creation.

 

PlayWorks Large Water Gun

PlayWorks Large Water Gun

 

One of the oldest parenting hacks in the book is that ‘when kids are fussy, put them in water or take them outside, and if you can do both at the same time, that’s ideal! Kids love splashing around in water, and on a hot day, it can be a brilliant way to cool down. Set up a water fight by arming family members or your kid's friends with water guns, and let everyone go at it! What better way to get everyone running around when the sun is shining. If you have a paddling pool set up, water guns make for great paddling pool toys as well- you could set up an aiming game as a fun way to build skills if you don’t fancy getting chased around and squirted yourself. 

 

Best Garden Toys For Family Fun

 

Giant Wooden Tumbling Tower (Jenga)

Giant Wooden Tumbling Tower (Jenga)


You’ve never felt pressure like trying to pull that awkwardly stubborn last block as the tower tilts to one side. Jenga is high stakes, which makes it one of the best garden games for your family to play. It’s perfect for getting the competitive juices flowing and people chatting and laughing, as well as helping to develop motor skills for younger kids as they need a steady hand. There are also barely any rules, which makes it a super simple game for any family member to pick up and play. Good fun all round!

 

Stuck for outdoor games to play? Then check out our post on the best outdoor games to play with your kids.

 

Twister Splash

Twister Splash

 

Twister is chaos. Twister Splash is slippery chaos as you try to keep your balance as limbs are entwined and the mat gets wetter and wetter. The added element of water just takes a classic family game and makes it that much more fun, as it becomes more difficult and unpredictable. Making this garden game the perfect option for a family who are looking for some giggles on a hot day.

 

Get Set Play Family Fun Box

Get Set Play Family Fun Box

 

Do you know what’s better than one garden toy? A box full of them. The Get Set Play Family Fun Box comes with 8 different garden toys for your family to play with. It includes toys like catch ball, sticky dart boards and water balloons, so you’re not short of games to play with this toy. 

 

Royal Court Wooden Garden Quoits

Royal Court Wooden Garden Quoits

 

Quoits is a brilliant outdoor game for families. Its simple setup includes a game frame, push-in pegs, and weighted quoits, so it's easy to start playing right away. The game encourages friendly competition, coordination, and outdoor activity—the perfect choice for bringing people together for fun and entertainment when the sun is shining.

 

Zoom Ball

 Zoom Ball

 

You can’t go wrong with ball games in the garden, from football to basketball to mini golf. But if you want to really liven things up, how about Zoom Ball? It’s fast-paced and exciting, something that older kids will love (age 8+) and a great way to have you all running around. With Zoom Ball, the aim is to launch the ball towards your opponent by pulling the handles apart, and the ball flies fast! For two or more players but something the whole family could play together. 

 

Enjoy!

Getting out into the garden has so many benefits for the whole family. It improves mental and physical health, allows you to make memories with the people who matter most, and helps kids learn skills that aren’t taught in the classroom.
If you’re not quite ready for the good weather yet, head down to The Works, where you can find a huge range of garden games and outdoor toys to tick all of your boxes. 

Other posts you'll love

7 Budget-Friendly Indoor Family Games

Let's face facts. We live in the UK, so we're going to get the odd rainy day or two, and it's then likely we'll need some go-to indoor family activities to keep the kids entertained.

10 Pocket Money Toys For Your Little Ones

Picture this. You’re out in town, strolling around the shops, you with a coffee in one hand, your little one with their pocket money ready to be spent in the other hand.

Fun Creative Rainy Day Activities For Kids

As the wind howls and the rain pelts against the windows, the idea of coaxing your little ones outdoors becomes increasingly daunting. However, fear not, as in the face of these dreary and damp days, we have a backup plan: indoor activities.