We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pack of oversized sidewalk chalk they'll be *so* excited over they might just forget to pester you about extra screen time — encourage them to create all kinds of art in your driveway or leave funny messages for passersby.
Urban Infant is a Chicago-based small business run by a brother/sister duo making unique and useful parenting products.
Promising review: "Our 1-year-old loves these. It was his first time using chalk and he had no trouble with them. They are pretty thick; doesn't matter how he holds them, there will be contact with the surface and there will be color!" —JW
Get it from Urban Infant on Amazon for $11.95 (also available in glitter chalk).
2. GeoSafari kid binoculars kids will love using to get *up close and personal* with nature without actually getting all that close — a must-have for littles who are curious but a bit skittish about bugs and what-not.
Promising review: "I bought two of these as gifts. If your child likes the outdoors or looking for bugs, anything like that, then these are a must-buy. The children I gifted these to loved them and used them right away. They're a nice color, durable, and easy for little hands to hold." —melissa
Get them from Amazon for $11.99.
3. A giant bubble kit, so enchanting, even the most angsty of kids won't be able to resist giving them a go.
The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator! Wowmazing is a small business.
Promising review: "Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my 6-year-old son figured it out pretty quick — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." —Thomas Durant
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in six styles).
4. Or a bubble machine that'll have your kids scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they're used to using — this one will take playtime to the next level without filling the house with extra noise.
See this bubble machine in action on TikTok here.
This bubble maker includes: bubble gun, two bottles of bubble solution, a rechargeable battery, a charger, and a plate to place the bubble solution. My sister got it for my son for his birthday and we've been using it through all the seasons — bubbles don't discriminate!
Promising review: "I ordered this for my daughter's birthday and she has always loved bubbles! So when I found this bubble gun on TikTok, it was a no-brainer. The amount of bubbles that you get out of that is so fun and it lights up. It's easy to use and pretty inexpensive for what we wanted. Even the adults enjoyed it." —Tina
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in six colors).
5. A Radio Flyer racing car and ramp your little one will want to ride again and again (and agaaaaaain! Toddlers, man). The ramp and car also fit into the base for easy storage.
This product is designed for kids ages 3–5.
Promising review: "Highly recommend for an active, thrill-seeking toddler!! My daughter has used this daily since she was 16 months old. At first she just wanted to walk up and down the ramp while holding my hand and push the car down (without riding it), or she would ride it with me on it too (I'm 120 lbs and she's around 25 lbs and we never had an issue). But since around 18 months...she climbs up the steps, plops down on the car, and rides it down the ramp...over and over again. Granted, I'm always right there beside her JUST in case, but she's become a 'me do it myself' kind of girl, so she insists on doing it all by herself now. I think we'll get years of use with this toy and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $109.99.
6. A classic Little Tikes slide you may have had when *you* were a kid — it's extremely easy to set up and will provide your mini-me with hours of fun (just wait until they discover they can climb back up the slide all on their own).
My son got this as a gift for his first birthday and he loooooves it. It took my husband literally 5 minutes (if that) to put it together, as it's only two pieces. It's been very durable in the few months we've had it outside and it's very simple to clean (we use the leaf blower to quickly get rid of any debris from the trees above). It's a simple toy but it brings my kid so much joy!
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
7. A Doona Liki Trike that'll grow with your tyke — first you can push them along in it as a stroller, then transform it into a push tricycle, and finally turn it into a toddler tricycle. Your kiddo will have so much fun in the sun with this trike. ☀️
This vehicle has been such a godsend for us in the toddler years. Whenever we go on a walk this is the first thing we grab — especially when we don't want our son to fall asleep (which he's prone to doing in a stroller). He loves pushing it around himself when he's not riding in it, he doesn't fight having his lil' feet strapped into the pedals (they don't move on their own at this point) or having the harness clipped on, and he loves being able to have a close-to-the-action view during our walks. I personally love the visor that comes down to protect him from the sun. It's a must-have!
Promising review: "We love our Doona Liki Trike and since purchased we’ve not taken the large stroller out a single time. It’s easy to unfold, a bit trickier to fold. I needs better storage. I wish it could recline for a nap. But my 10.5-month-old son has gone from hating strolling to giggling and squealing when he gets into his trike. He’s now completely a part of the action and that definitely outweighs the few downsides of the trike. Also, we get stopped every single day to talk about it…if you live in NYC and you find that sort of thing annoying, don’t purchase lol. We don’t mind the interaction and engagement at all, especially for building social skills." —DRMo
Get it from Amazon for $250 (available in three colors).
8. An incredibly useful sandbox with a lid that opens up to double as benches for kiddos to sit on while they play. The lid will ensure you can keep it up and running throughout the fall without leaves and other outdoor debris sneaking in.
Promising review: "I ordered this for my granddaughter's fourth birthday. It was easy to assemble and has that great cedar smell — it's also light weight, but well made. My granddaughter, along with her 1 and half year old brother, has already gotten a lot of play time in the sandbox. They love it!! It is beautiful and my son loves the fact that it closes up to protect the sand then opens up for benches for the children to sit on. He has sent me a couple of pictures and videos of them playing in it. I highly recommend this sand box." —lisa burroughs
Get it from Amazon for $119.99.
9. A kids' bow and arrow with foam-tipped arrows, so your tween who just finished reading The Hunger Games for the first time can embrace their inner-Katniss and indulge in some (safe) target practice.
Marky Sparky is a small business crafting games you and your kid can play outside.
Promising review: "Our 5-year-old son loves to take this to the park with dad. Even dad loves to shoot the arrows! It attracts all of the other kids at the playground/ park so be prepared to share, haha." —J.
Get it from Marky Sparky on Amazon for $29.99.
10. A playhouse for your kids that'll make the backyard a go-to destination for all the neighborhood rascals...or provide them with the perfect opportunity to play House Hunters.😅
Promising review: "I really liked that I was able to put this together within 30 minutes by myself. Everything was pre-drilled and the directions were extremely easy to follow. We have had some crazy storms recently that have taken the cottage flying through the wind and landing upside down and it hasn’t broken anywhere! It’s very light to where I can pick it up and toss it if I needed to and big enough for my kids and their friends to play in. Overall a great buy!" —melinda
Get it from Amazon for $119.41.
11. A Minnie Mouse–themed picnic table complete with an umbrella so kiddos can color or enjoy a snack outdoors without the sun getting in their eyes.
Promising review: "So incredibly happy with this super cute Minnie Mouse picnic table. 💞 Besides it being incredibly cute, it’s made from weather-resistant plastic, is easy to assemble/disassemble, sturdy, and the perfect spot for the kids to eat their food and snacks!" —d.sievers
Get it from Amazon for $74.99 (available in three styles).
12. A swing set, so if you're lucky enough to have a yard for your kiddos to play in you can send 'em right outside to burn all kinds of energy and have a blast hanging out on their at-home playground.
The swing set has pinch-free coating on the chains, so no need to fret about those tiny fingers getting caught.
Promising review: "This swing set is a good value for the money. The instructions were clear and assembly was easy. The lumber was sanded and finished. The metal pieces were well coated and the hardware is stainless. The chains are rubber sleeved and the seats/bars are well made. This is not a heavy piece of playground equipment, but it is, I think, good for my kids. Anchoring it securely is an important part of the installation and since we have it down right, I don't see it moving around very much at all. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and it surprises me how much my kids, who get way too much screen time, go out into the yard to use this." —tmkreutzer
Get it from Amazon for $237.09+ (available in two styles).
13. A 2-in-1 checkers and tic-tac-toe game with checkers on one side and tic-tac-toe on the other, a must-have for any family who would rather exercise their brain muscles.
The game mat measures 4' x 4' and is machine washable! It comes with a carrying bag and 24 jumbo playing discs (12 red and 12 black). The discs are made of non-toxic recycled EVA foam.
Swooc Games is a small business that makes fun games for family and friends. The company is committed to maintaining a net zero footprint by planting trees to offset 100% of its carbon emissions.
Promising review: "This 4' x 4' reversible game mat is great for indoor and outdoor fun! I love that you can play checkers or tic-tac-toe and all of the supplies fit in a portable bag that is perfect for storage and/or traveling. The mat is machine washable and the pieces are made of foam that is eco-friendly. The best part about this game set is how easy it is to set up and put away. I am looking forward to using this game with friends, family, and in my classroom." —Sixth Grade Teachers
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
14. A supersized version of Connect Four that'll provide your squad with hours upon hours of simple fun in your yard. The only downfall is you might never want to play the regular version again!
Promising review: "Best purchase! We bought it for the kids but my husband and I stayed up until 1 a.m. playing!! It was a hit at our party! Great quality. Yes, you can hit the bar and release the discs, but it hasn't happened to us and wouldn't be a big deal if it did! Totally worth it! So glad we got it!!" —Rechel B
Get it from Amazon for $70.99+ (available in two sizes).
15. A ring toss set to help you all work on your hand-eye coordination and encourage some ~friendly~ competition.
The set comes with five rope rings, five blue rings, five red rings, a sturdy wooden base, and a carrying case.
Promising review: "Great for the whole family. It's so simple, but good to get the kids outside having fun as a family." —Jessie Lee
Get it from Amazon for $19.61.
16. A hook and ring game that'll take up minimal space — if you don't have a huge area to work with you'll still be able to set up some outdoor fall fun for your kids.
Tiki Toss is a small business that took a classic hook and ring game to the next level by creating several unique ways to play it.
Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes).
17. A miniature golf set you can use to create a course right in your backyard — no need to spend a bunch of money taking the entire family out for mini golf. You and your kids can get crafty and set up all kinds of challenging obstacles to make it different each time you play.
Set comes with nine holes, four golf balls, and a dry-erase scorecard. To play at night like the reviewers above, grab some light-up golf balls. And don't forget clubs!
Promising review: "We tried to set it up in the grass, and that's not really ideal but on a patio or down a hall — it's so much better. The silicone molding is so lightweight and the little flag centers are marvelous to make you feel like you are more than a new learner! The set is complete with four foam balls and a score board that you use a dry-erase marker on. GREAT to use only a few of the pieces for a short game for kiddos or the entire set for a more competitive experience." —Momakookie
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
18. A ball pit, tunnel, and tent combination designed to look like a castle — a must-have for anyone whose child asks them constantly to play pretend with them. You can take play time to the next level with this exciting toy!
GeerWest is a small business! Note: you'll need to purchase balls for the ball pit separately.
Promising review: "This was so easy to set up! Our little one loves to play around in it. It is great indoors and outdoors! It is also very easy to fold up. It stores nicely in the little zipper bag that comes with it. I expect hours of fun!!" —JH
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in six styles).
19. A "Bouncy Pals" hopping toy for your mini-me who has LOTS of endless energy — this inflatable but sturdy toy will keep them bouncing around the house instead of on top of your couch.
Promising review: "It was super easy to inflate, came with an extra 'plug,' and is sweet enough to give a T-rex a cavity. The material is VERY sturdy…reminds me of what you would make an inflatable raft with…really tough! My granddaughter loves it, even just to sit on and watch TV. The cover is easy to clean (by hand, allow to air dry) and not difficult to put back on and zip. I’m pretty sure it will be around for a long time!!!" —Athena L.Stallman
Get it from Amazon for $29.87+ (available in two styles).
20. An affordable drone to take playtime to *~new heights~*. You might just find yourself reaching for the controller when your little tech-lover goes down for a nap.
Promising review: "Awesome, easy to use and learn drone that entertains me and my 2-year-old for hours. Very steady, fast, and with two long-lasting batteries with two chargers. I bump it into walls. Sometimes drops from 10-plus feet without issues. It goes pretty high outside without issues but I think it's intended as an indoor drone. Very sturdy. Bottom has soft plastic rubber pieces for soft landings and bumpers around blades help protect it. Love it!" —Laura Pena
Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in two colors).
21. A remote control stunt car with the ability to spin 360 degrees and zip across carpet, hardwood, grass, dirt, or gravel — your kiddo is going to be shocked when you present them with this fun activity.
Promising review: "My 6-year-old son played with this every day since we opened it up! He has brought it to the neighbors to show it to them and everyone thinks it's such a fun little toy with all the tricks it can do. I am quite impressed with how easily it glides from concrete to the grass, and over obstacles without getting stuck. Hours of fun! —Rebecca A
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors; clip the coupon on the product page to save 30%).
22. A geode-breaking activity from National Geographic that'll give you and your kids an excuse to pick up a hammer and smash rocks in half. The best part? The cracked-open rocks will reveal stunning crystal centers you can learn about together.
This science kit includes 10 natural crystal-filled geodes, one pair of safety goggles, three display stands and one learning guide.
Promising review: "My daughter is 10 and this kept her busy for HOURS! She had so much fun and was excited every time she got a glimpse of what might be inside. A couple of them were pretty cool, while the rest were just white. She didn't care, she loves them all. She was so proud to gift them to her grandparents." —Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes).
23. Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers that'll gain you MAJOR cool points with your kids (since, you know, you're usually the one telling them *not* to run into things). They'll have a blast bumpin' into each other all over the yard while you'll have the time of your life watching them look sillier than ever.
Promising review: "My grandsons and neighbor kids have had a blast with these body bumpers. They've been well worth the price for the amount of fun they've had and are still having!" —Texas Belle
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
24. A 4-in-1 convertible scooter your baby can use from 15 months to 6 years as it'll transform from a toy they can sit on and be pushed to one they'll learn to maneuver all on their own. I'm not crying, you're crying.
I got one of these for a friend's kiddo and even though she's only 12 months she's easily pushing herself around the house on it! She looks freakin' adorable while doing so and I love that this toy feels more like an investment than something they'll grow out of.
Promising review: "LOVE THIS SCOOTER!!!!! We ordered this for my 9-month-old daughter for Christmas intending to use this summer. She is now 15 months and we got the scooter out just this week, she LOVES it! :) So worth the money! I do recommend getting a helmet for babe as they can fall off, especially if they don't hold on well or have good balance." —Glenna
Get it from Amazon for $113.99 (available in three colors).
25. A lawn mower your mini-me will love because it'll release bubbles as they push it and they'll get to pretend they're just like whichever lucky parent cuts the lawn every weekend.
This toy is ideal for ages 24 months–6 years.
Promising review: My daughter loves this toy! It requires no batteries and blows a lot of bubbles out really well. My 3-year-old has had no issues pushing it around, even on grass. It was very easy to assemble and it's holding up." —Kacie
Get it from Amazon for $21.46
26. A platform swing that'll help you make the most out of that suuuper old tree in your yard while also giving your child a place to burn off some energy without leaving the confines of your yard.
This toy acts as both a swing and a climber thanks to the 4-inch staggered platforms. It's suggested for ages 3+ and has a 150 pound weight limit. Jungle Gym Kingdom is a small business!
Promising review: "Love this swing! It is so easy to set up and my kids love it. This swing is so easy to take on and off we even bring it with us for picnics and set it up in trees at the park. It definitely helps if you have kids that are tree-climbing age. Love love love! Would definitely recommend!" —Shoe
Get it from Amazon for $34.49 (available in four colors).
27. A 20-piece nature exploration kit, a must-have for the kiddo who is always picking up worms and other creatures.
This kit comes all the items you'll need to teach your child about maps, bird watching, and backyard insects — perfect for kids ages 4–10.
Promising review: "This is such a fun explorer set. Comes with everything. My sons favorite thing to do is catch bugs so he is so thrilled with the cage, and the magnifying glass! He also has really enjoyed the compass and being able to put all of his belongings in a sack! We love sets like this and find that we need to replace them every year because they get used so well! Soooo worth the small amount of money you pay here on amazon! We love getting our kids off their electronics and outside! It’s amazing." —Always a Mom
Get it from Amazon for $26.97.
28. A foam pogo stick that'll give you an extremely good reason to introduce "Jumpin', Jumpin'" by Destiny's Child into your kids' lives.
It can hold up to 250 lbs and can be used both indoors and outdoors (though reviewers note if you are going to use it outside try to stay away from concrete). Flybar is a small business.
Promising review: "My 4-year-old loves it. She uses it inside and outside and hasn’t managed to hurt herself or break anything in the process. She’s fairly lightweight for her age, so it doesn’t squeak every time she jumps. This works out perfectly for us as it’s an additional challenge for her to make it squeak. She plays with it often! I’d give it 10 stars if I could." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 17 styles).
29. Kan Jam, an outdoor flying disc toss game that'll start as a casual game of catch and most likely evolve into a SUPER competitive battle for greatness.
This is a game my friends have been playing in the outdoors since we were in high school — it's always been a big hit. The rules are quite simple: break into two pairs but position yourselves across from one another. Then all you have to do is aim your toss at the "kan." If your teammate deflects the frisbee to hit the kan, you get one point. If the disc hits the kan on its own, that is two points. If your teammate taps the disc into the kan that's three points. If by some lucky chance you throw the disc RIGHT INTO THE SLOT, you win!
Promising review: "This is a ridiculously fun and easy lawn game. It's got the strategy of horseshoes with the fun of a team activity. The rules are simple, the equipment is made to last — if you are looking for a semi-active game to bring to the beach, family barbecue, or even company picnic, this is it!" —J. Caldwell
Get it from Amazon for $39.97+ (available in three styles).
30. A jumbo set of tower blocks that, just like the ones you played with as a kid, will probs stress you out as you strategize and keep you entertained for an entire afternoon — only this time you'll get some fresh air while you're at it.
Promising review: "Purchased these for 'game nights' on the terrace during the summer and they were much more popular than I expected. These are solid and seem like they will last quite a while. Solid set and bag makes storing a breeze!" —Josh
Get them from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes)
31. And an outdoor wooden double chaise lounge for your little ones to kick back and relax on. Give 'em their favorite drink a tiny tumbler, a picture book, and giggle over your tiny influencer-in-the-making.
We've been seeing people's pets enjoying these all over TikTok! It is designed for kids ages 3–8.
Promising review: "I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this item and the matching picnic table and chairs. However the cabana is much more difficult to assemble then the picnic table set. There was a step in which two people were absolutely required and you need a cordless screwdriver and hammer. My granddaughter loves them and I absolutely would recommend this purchase to anyone." —Terri
Get it from Amazon for $121.07 (also available in tan or gray).
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.