Whether a classic game of chase or a miniature trampoline, outdoor activity is good for young and old. When toys and games can encourage outside play, they are bound to be good for the whole family.

Experts recommend that children get at least one hour of outdoor activity every day, which can be difficult in this electronic age. Prying a child away from the TV or computer can require something really impressive.

That’s why we compiled this list: to help sort out some of the best outdoor toys and games to entice those children of all ages out to play.

Riding Toys

Some standards in the fun outdoor toy section are the riding toys: trikes , bikes , scooters , and so on. These come in a variety of sizes and skill levels ( skateboard , anyone?) and offer hours of entertainment and exercise.

Safety gear for heads , elbows, and knees reduce the number of trips to the first aid kit. Other options in this theme include skates, which have classic wheel styles and inline versions as well as ice skates for those places with ice rinks during the cold months.

Classic Outdoor Games for Kids

Outdoor games to introduce or re-discover include Bocce ball , croquet and horseshoes . These classic games develop aim and other skills while offering a great opportunity for an afternoon of fun.

Hula Hoops and jump ropes require enough space that they are often considered (by moms at least) to be outside toys and for a child with an imagination these hoops and ropes can be the inspiration for many other games.

Outdoor kids toys include tossing games and balls of all shapes and sizes, such as Gertie Balls . A favorite ball for preschoolers and elementary age children are the ride-on balls or hopping balls , which are basically large inflatable balls with a handle.

Other inflatable outdoor toddler toys include bounce houses , which offer safety nets and come in a variety of styles from trampoline to water slide bouncers .

Safe Fun with Outdoor Playgrounds

Little Tykes and Step 2 outdoor toys include sandboxes , sand & water tables , slides , seesaws , bounce houses , playhouses and tricycles . An outdoor playground often contains at least one of these sturdy pieces, which are great toddler toys whether indoors or out.

Outdoor activity toys such as the sand and water tables get the kids outside for fresh air while keeping the less active ones busy with scooping and floating fun.

Wooden outdoor toys include swing sets that can be simple or elaborate including forts and climbing walls . Many of these swing sets can be customized to include outdoor baby toys such as infant swings.

Classic teeter-totters and merry-go-rounds are often metal and wood structures and usually survive the abuse offered by years of growing children.

This Toobeez Fort is great for older kids

And remember tree houses? These wonderful individual creations can be made from scraps of wood or created from a kit. Wagons are another option in wooden or me...