I am a Winter person, but even I am looking forward to some sunshine on my skin, so I can’t imagine how you Summer people are feeling! Oh to be a kid again with those long SUmmer days playing in the garden.
However, a recent study from the University of Exeter has found that 34% of children stay indoors instead of playing outdoors after school! But with warmer weather and longer evenings on the way, it’s the perfect time to change that.
Outdoor play helps kids build confidence, develop social skills, and improve coordination, and the right toys can make getting outside less of a challenge. From bikes and trampolines to playhouses, pools, swings and slides, Smyths Toys Superstores has everything families need to have fun in their gardens this spring, and make memories.
Here’s just a few of my favourites for some outdoor play ideas…
Trampoline
I don’t think I knew anyone with a trampoline when I was a kid. I wish I had! Now they are fairly common and provide loads of fun. They can grow with your child too, making it a worthwhile investment.
10ft Thorpe Sports Trampoline with Enclosure Net £129.99
Swing Set
I did however, have a swing, and I loved it. The closest feeling to flying! Although you can get all kinds of seats for swings now, to suit all ages.
Metal Swing Set with 3 Seat Units £89.99
Bouncy Castle
No longer just something you find at a Summer fair, you can have your very own bouncy castle in your garden. Loads of fun for little ones.
Happy Hop Bouncy Castle with Slide £159.99
Bikes
Riding a bike just sort of sums up childhood for me. Whether it was with my friends, cycling around a campsite, or heading off on a family picnic. Smyths have bikes to suit all ages, from this cute pink bike with an essential doll carrier, to these awesome mountain bikes for the bigger kids.
16inch Unicorn Bike with Doll Carrier £109.99
26 Inch Enduro Mountain Bike £199.99
Giant Games
Get the whole family involved with a giant 4-in-a-row game, or giant tumbling towers. Or how about some limbo at the family bbq! Lots of fun, no matter your age.
Giant 4-in-a-row Game £49.99
Giant Tumbling Tower £34.99
Playhouse
This was by far the best thing we ever bought our boys. So much playtime was spent in the playhouse, and it encourages endless imaginative play. Our playhouse has been a cafe (extortionately priced food though!), a home, a prison, a hospital, a garage, and so much more. And now the boys have outgrown it we have passed it on for their young cousins to use. I don’t think you will ever regret buying a playhouse.
TP Wooden Cubby Playhouse with Kitchen £129.99
Sand & Water Table
Best parenting advice I was ever given: “Just add water”. Particularly in the summer months. A sand and water table can provide hours of fun, and an added bonus is that kids love watering your plants!
Wooden Mud Kitchen with Accessories £59.99
Goal Post
For the football-obsessed kids, there are loads of great outdoor toys to fuel their passion and get them playing outdoors. From cones to practice skills to goal nets.
8ft x 4ft Pro Goal Post £39.99
Kite
What about some good old-fashioned fun with a kite? I dare you to fly a kite without singing “lets go fly a kite”. It’s impossible! Although safety first. Anyone else scarred for life by those terrifying public service advertisements in the 80’s? If you know, you know. #pylons
Try Stunt Kite £9.99
Skates
My husband can skate better than he can walk. Whereas I am more the Bambi on ice kind of skater. Skating around the park is a great family activity and a fun way to get everyone outdoors. Knee pads and elbow pads are recommended!
Mia Retro Roller Skates £34.99
What outdoor toys and games do you remember from your childhood?
We were gifted some outdoor play items from Smyths in exchange for this post
Prices correct at the time of publishing.
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