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. 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 whatnot.
The set also comes with a sticker book filled with 40 bird species!
Promising review: "We bought one pair each for a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old. The colors are vibrant and the binoculars appear to be well made. The soft grips and the compact size make them good for small hands. They're easily adjustable to match the eyepieces to the eye width. The kids took to the binoculars immediately and used them a lot. It'll take the 3-year-old a bit of time and practice to get used to the idea of the focus wheel and how it works, but that's OK. The included carrying case and neck strap are very nice, as is the lens cloth. These seem to be very good binoculars for youngsters." —Jim in Hanover, Maryland
Get them from Amazon for $22.59 (available in two colors).
2. 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 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 $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
3. 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 $99.98.
4. 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).
5. 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).
6. Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers you can count on to elicit full blown belly laughs — from both kids and adults. How could you not? You're gonna want to have your phone at-the-ready for this one.
PSA: Make sure helmets are worn during bump-offs.
Promising review: "Great for the kids. The kids have been playing with this for hours. One of them even asked if they could sleep in it. It’s great for winter indoor fun. I highly recommend this product." —RyanAndFaith
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
7. 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 $19.99+ (available in four sizes).
8. A construction-themed folding play set complete with kinetic sand, a dump truck, a working crane, a wrecking ball, and bucket attachments to keep kiddos entertained for houuuuurs — it even includes a carrying kit to contain the mess to one space (ideally).
9. A splash-proof kids' smartwatch with the ability to take videos, pictures, and selfies kids can customize with built-in funny filters — great for all of their outdoor spring adventures. They won't be reaching for your watch anymore, now will they???
Promising review: "Super cute and easy to work for my 5-year-old. He loves that he can match mom now! It has games already installed, can take pictures, track exercise, and lots more. Entertainment for HOURS!! And you can even change the watch face like an Apple Watch! So cool!" —Brittany
Get it from Amazon for $51.99 (available in five colors).
10. A durable digital camera, because kids are definitely bored of being the one in front of the camera all the time. This will let them switch places with you for once and snap some cool pics of you instead.
The Kidizoom is a real digital camera that has photo and video capabilities, as well as a wealth of filters and games! It has 256 MB of built-in memory that is expandable with a MicroSD. Recommended for ages 3–9. Don't forget the batteries!
Promising review: "I got this camera for my 5-year-old as a birthday gift and he LOVES it. It's so much fun. You can take 'selfies' and it has fun stickers and filters (kind of similar to Snapchat). It also has games on it, so when he's not taking pictures, he is still getting used to the buttons by playing the games. It really helps kids get familiar with cameras and exploring creativity. I would highly recommend this for any kid! I'm planning on purchasing more for my other kids." —StoneySmurf
Get it from Amazon for $48.46+ (available in three colors).
11. A rainbow-colored saucer swing that'll quickly become your kid's favorite place to hang (literally).
Maximum weight is 260 pounds.
Promising review: "Very, very sturdy and easy assembly. We had a reunion and this swing kept the kids busy for hours. I definitely will be buying another." —msbakwudhic
Get it from Amazon for $57.99 (also available in a smaller size).
12. 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 on 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 $129.99 (available in three colors).
13. 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 $18.49 (available in four colors).
14. 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 $12.50
15. 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).
16. 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).
17. A Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster 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 aged 2–5. I have a similar one I'm planning to surprise my son with for his birthday and cannot wait!
Promising review: "This was an awesome purchase. Super reasonably priced. Came in a huge box, which is also a bonus for our toddler, we are using to store it when not in use . Super easy to put together and as well as break down to store. The car runs smooth on the track and our little one had a blast!" —Kar
Get it from Amazon for $139.99.
18. 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 six-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).
19. A bubble machine that'll have your toddler scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they're used to seeing — 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! We broke it out during a Labor Day BBQ with a bunch of toddlers present and they all were bursting with excitement! I mean, just look at the GIF above — the bubbles really come atcha!!
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 $29.99+ (available in six colors).
20. Collapsible buckets you'll love because they won't take up precious cargo space in your trunk — which you and I both know is packed to the brim when you bring your kids anywhere, let alone the park.
Top Race is a small business!
Promising review: "BEST BUCKETS EVER! I’ll be buying more! I love that they collapse! I bought them for the beach and I loved that they didn’t take up room during travel. And now they don’t take up room in our outdoor toy bin!" —KB
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.99.
21. 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.
22. 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).
23. 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.
24. A John Deere Ride On Tractor you won't be able to resist splurging on for your vehicle-loving kiddo — it'll be a great way to keep them entertained this spring while also teaching them how to help out around the yard. Sounds like a parenting win to me.
Promising review: "Would give 10 STARS if I could! Was received in four days! Grandson (not quite 2 years old) loves it and has PLENTY of room to grow with it. We locked in first gear because of his young age, drives great on gravel driveway and the yard, will unlock for second gear as he grows and can handle faster speed. The wagon is so cute! He loads with leaves, sticks, whatever grandpa needs 'help' with. We charged the battery overnight the day we received it, he's driven it for hours, and it's held the charge great! The radio works way better than we expected, very loud and clear, he turns it on as soon as he sits down. Great purchase, highly recommend!!" —Linda M.
Get it from Amazon for $249.
25. A Minnie Mouse–themed picnic table complete with an umbrella so kiddos can color or enjoy a snack outdoors without fully baking in the sun.
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).
26. 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 $116.99.
27. 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 $299.
28. 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.
29. A supersized version of Connect Four that'll provide your squad with hours upon hours of simple fun in the sun. 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 $78.99+ (available in two sizes).
30. A ring toss set to help you all work on your hand-eye coordinator 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 $25.99.
31. Flickin' Chicken — a game that will have your family cackling from the first time you play. Players are encouraged to make up their own rules so you'll have a different experience every time. Boredom? I don't know her.
Promising review: "So yes, the chickens bounce everywhere. But that's what makes it fun! Get creative and put a hula hoop around the target to create levels of points awarded. It really is impossible to get the chicken on that small red target so make a wider range. These are fun on the lawn or in the pool. They float and you can try to toss them into donut-shaped pool floaties. These chickens are all-around fun to play with and you can make a game out of them so many ways. The kids played with the chickens for hours and adults have fun with them too." —E. Barnes
Get it from Amazon for $24.16.
32. Spikeball, an easy-to-transport game that is kinda like volleyball and will have your kids asking you to bring it to every outdoor adventure.
My friends are OBSESSED with Spikeball. While I'm not super coordinated and prefer to be a cheerleader (I'm accident-prone, OK!), this game is one of the most fun beach activities I've seen in a minute. It has been described as "if volleyball and foursquare had a baby" and can be played in a variety of ways.
Promising review: "This is a great beach game. Its simplicity as a spin on volleyball will have you and your friends be the envy of the beach. On multiple occasions I was asked where I bought this game. Great fun, and a great product. Assembly was simple enough. It's just plastic clips and then finding a way to get the net tight enough onto the hoop. You might think it isn't springy enough but it will be. Remember... This isn't a trampoline!" —Btschultz
Get it from Amazon for $67.99.
33. 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 $30.49.
34. A Radio Flyer Play and Fold Climber that won't take up much space in your garage (it folds away!) and will keep your tykes entertained for hours. You can set it up inside or outside, making it a great addition to your "what-do-I-do-with-these-kids" plans.
This adorable toy is recommended for kids ages 2–5 years old.
Promising review: "This is a great portable option that can be collapsed fairly easily. We have this set up indoors currently and it’s nice having a little climbing and sliding structure indoors for rainy days. This took about 30 minutes to assemble so fairly easy and directions were easy to follow. I’d say this is good for age 3.5 and under maybe 3 and under if you have a taller kiddo. Lots of fun! Great reliable brand." —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $174.99+ (available in two themes).
35. A Veer Cruiser wagon designed for both babies and toddlers so your kiddos can adventure in *~style~*. It has two cup holders, a snack and drink tray, and can be easily hosed down after it inevitably gets dirty, It can also be folded down to be stored when not in use and can be checked like a stroller on most airlines.
Promising review: "After much consideration about what to do about carrying our growing family around, we decided to buy this wagon and I wish we'd done it sooner. This thing is incredible. Setup was a breeze and took under 15 minutes. It's really well built and the design is superb — taking it out of / putting it back in our car is simple and fluid. We can easily fit four kids in here when we're out with friends and our girls and their stuff fit in it no problem — and they love it! Had we known a wagon like this would work this well we'd have ditched the traditional stroller sooner." —Zachary Solomon
Get it from Amazon for $699.
36. 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 $99+ (also available in tan or gray or as a bundle).
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.