The weather is warming up nicely and we love spending lots of time outdoors. It's so nice to head out into the garden for a few hours and sit in the sunshine soaking up the vitamin D whilst the little one plays. Set up your garden for play and fun and your little one will have a great time. Here are some of the best outdoor toys for 2 year olds that I would recommend.
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Paddling pool
No hot day is complete without a paddling pool. You don't have to get a huge one for young kids but they will love splashing around in it. I have a tap adaptor so that we can fill it with warm water so my little one doesn't get cold. You can fill the kiddie pool with water, bubbles, water balloons and other sensory items and they will have hours of fun playing. It goes without saying to make sure that they are supervised the entire time, even if there is only a small amount of water in the pool.
This rectangular pool is a great buy as it will last until they are older and suit a family with older siblings or friends too. Honestly a paddling pool is one of the best outdoor toys for kids of all ages!
Or if you are just looking for something small, this little circular paddling pool would be perfect for a 2 year old and would be great for messy outdoor play too. A bargain at only £9.99! You won't find a cheaper in terms of backyard play upgrades for kids. Don't forget an electric pump to inflate them and save your breath and energy on a hot day!
Sidewalk Chalk
Your little one will be entertained for ages with some simple chalk which they can use to draw on your outside walls or patio slabs. Their artistic creations will wash off when it rains so no need to clean up afterwards. You can get nice chunky chalks in different colours and you will have great fun making marks and drawing pictures on the floor with them. This activity is a great way to practice mark making and their pencil grip and one of the cheapest garden toys for 2 year olds you can find.
Garden sprinkler
Your toddler will love nothing more than running in and out of the sprinkles of water that this garden sprinkler creates. Create a splash pad area and your little one can run in and out as they please. The perfect outdoor toys for toddlers for keeping them cool but active on a hot day.
Trike / Bike
If you even only have a small garden your toddler will love scooting around on a little trike. This Scuttlebug is small and lightweight and suitable for up to age 3. It also folds for easy storage or to make it easy to take out and about with you. This is one of the best toys for 2 year olds as you can use it indoors as well as outdoor use. As your child gets older you can consider moving onto a balance bike. Cycling is a great physical activity so fostering a love of going on bikes at a young age will pay off in the future.
If you have a big enough garden take a look at a Little Tikes coupe car - toddlers LOVE these and often fight over them at parties!
Sand and water tray
A sand and water tray will provide lots of entertainment. Your 2 year old will love scooping up the sand and making sandcastles and sand sculptures. You can also practice letter shapes in the sand table too. Hide small toys in the sand and provide scoops and tweezers for them to dig out the surprises and work on their fine motor skills. Choose a sand and water tray with a lid so that you don't have to clean it out all the time and it is protected from rain and neighbourhood cats who might like to dig in the sand.
Balls
This sounds really obvious but a ball can provide hours of entertainment. Get a soccer ball that your kids can kick about the yard or garden, they can practice goal shooting, keepie uppies, passing, dribbling, throwing, catching, their only limit is their imagination. Balls are a great option for outdoor toys that will last beyond the toddler years too.
Keep some smaller balls too and they can practice bat and ball games, throwing and catching and lots of other games and it is a great way for them to learn new skills.
Gardening equipment
There is no reason why young children can't help you with the gardening. At this age they love to get involved and copy what you are doing so why not get them some small gardening equipment so that they can play gardening with you. They will love being involved in planting, digging and watering and seeing new plants grow. It is a great imaginative play activity.
You can even get toy lawnmowers that spill out bubbles as they are pushed along!
Tuff Tray for sensory play
A Tuff Tray for sensory play is a great addition to your repertoire. You can make all number of sensory experience set ups with this - look on Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. They are great for messy play in the garden too. This is one of my little boy's favorite outdoor toys - you can really use it so many different ways. You can also bring the tuff tray indoors when the weather takes a turn for the worse so you will be able to use it all year round.
A playhouse
We have a wooden playhouse that we painted and it has lasted us years. The children love it and it is great for pretend play, it has been a doctor's surgery, a vets, a shop, a cafe, all manner of things! If your budget or garden won't stretch to a wooden playhouse don't worry, a pop up portable play tent will provide just as much fun.
Quoits
Quoits is a great game best enjoyed by children a little older but that shouldn't stop you from getting it for your two year old. They will still have lots of fun throwing the hoops over the sticks and it is great for working on their throwing skills and hand eye co-ordination. When they get a little older then they will be able to learn the full rules of the game.
Bubble Machine
A bubble machine is great fun for younger children and toddlers. We bought one when our little boy was a baby as he would love to sit there and watch the bubbles and try to catch them with his little hands - a great activity for working on that hand - eye co-ordination.
Water pistols
Your toddler will absolutely love soaking you with water in a water fight! These water pistols are soft and easy for little ones to use and again will be good for their hand eye co-ordination and gross motor skills. There will be no stopping the big kids from getting involved too!
I hope that you found this post full of ideas for the best outdoor toys for 2 year olds useful. Please share it with your friends and Pin it for later...
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