1. A Strider convertible bike so your kids can get their balance down before throwing pedaling into the mix, because learning to ride shouldn't require tears (yours or theirs). It starts as a balance bike and can be upgraded later with a pedal kit when they're ready to level up.

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I have two toddlers — one's nearly two (he uses the appropriately sized Strider 12 Sport) and the other is three and a half (and uses the Strider 14x Convertible) — and they are obsessed with these bikes. Every day, they're outside riding them, and I love how confident they seem because they get to use their feet to move.

Several toddlers in our neighborhood have them too, and my kids have basically formed a tiny Strider bike gang. They all ride together, and it's sooooo cute. I'm never too worried, since there's no pedaling to lose control over, and when the time comes, I'm sure they'll take to pedaling easily because they're already so comfortable on these bikes.

And yes, they wear my kids out. After 30 minutes to an hour, they're totally exhausted, which is ideal because the last thing I want at the end of a long day is a wound-up toddler. Win-win.

Get the orange bike from Amazon for $229.99 (you can get the pedal conversion kit here; there are also blue and fuchsia options). And don't forget to get a toddler helmet! I'm a big fan of the spiky dragon ones.

2. Asplash pad that's basically a backyard sprinkler, baby water park, and sneaky educational tool all in one. It has the alphabet printed on the play mat and a bunch of adorable animals, too, so your toddler can splash, shriek, and maybe even shout out a few letters while they play. 

www.amazon.com

SplashEZ is a small business!

Promising review: "This looked like it might be pretty cheap, but so far we've used it five or six times this summer and it's great! The fountain can get pretty high, and there's enough room for three or four kids to splash at the same time. It can get really slippery though, so water shoes are recommended." —Ms Helpful

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four styles).

3. A colorful tree swing for creating Hallmark movie–level memories. It's waterproof AND has a weight capacity of 900 pounds, so the whole gang can comfortably and safely use it together.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "We've had this swing hanging in our tree out back for two years now. Our kids, and their friends, LOVE it. I love that it's large enough to accommodate a number of kids/people, and that it's held up so well over time. Would totally recommend." —Krystal

Get it from Amazon for $51.47.

4. A high-output bubble machine that cranks out 18,000+ per minute (yes, really), so you can officially stop blowing them yourself. It works with batteries or a plug, has a big ol' tank for longer play sessions, and fills the yard with nonstop floaty joy, basically the MVP of summer afternoons and backyard birthdays.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I recently purchased this bubble machine and it has exceeded all my expectations! One of the standout features is its dual power options. You can use either batteries, which is perfect for outdoor fun, or plug it in for endless bubbles without worrying about running out of power. The bubbles are plentiful and consistent, creating a magical atmosphere for my kids. It’s also incredibly easy to use and set up. We’ve used it for parties, playdates, and even just a fun afternoon in the backyard. Highly recommend this bubble machine for anyone looking to add some extra joy to their events!" —Marissa

Get it from Amazon for $26.95+ (available in five colors)

5. An inflatable dinosaur water play center for transforming your backyard into a miniature waterpark. It has a slide with a landing pad and a movable dinosaur arch water sprayer to keep everyone cool.

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Promising review: "Was looking for something to keep us busy and cool in our backyard. This is incredible, and my son (20 months) absolutely loves it! There's so much to keep us busy, from the ball toss to the misting slide. I even laid on it to sunbathe, and it was comfortable, lol. Really excited to use this for the summer and have people over to enjoy it with us!! If you’re on the fence, let this be your sign to buy! ☀️" —Ashley Edberg

Get it from Amazon for $50.43.

6. A flower-building activity set so they can build their own wildflower bouquet without waiting for anything to bloom. It comes with bright, mix-and-match pieces that help toddlers learn the parts of a plant while working on their tiny fine motor skills. Bonus: everything's washable and packs up into a handy little storage box.

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Promising review: "My niece is still playing with this toy a year later. I don’t fill out reviews, but this actually deserves one. Kids will definitely have fun playing with this and making their own creations." —L Dalton

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two color options).

7. A pop-up camping play set packed with 17 pretend tools, from a lantern and gas stove to a shovel, whistle, and binoculars. The tent pops up in seconds and doubles as a reading nook, nap zone, or very important kid headquarters.

Amazon

The Fun Little Toys Store is a small business that sells, you guessed it, fun toys!  

Promising review: "Cannot believe the great deal we got. We got this for our 2-year-old's birthday and both boys LOVED it. There was so much included with it — the pretend lantern and cook stove that LIGHT UP, and the food toys, and fake watch my 4-year-old wouldn't take off for a day. My run-on sentence could go on and on. They love it. They were entertained for hours, so I love it too." —Bianca

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles). 

8. A wooden sandbox with built-in benches that flip down into a lid when playtime's over, so the sand stays clean and dry (and doesn't become a neighborhood litter box). Made from durable cedar and lined on the bottom to help with drainage, it turns any patch of yard into a full-blown digging, building, and snack-sharing operation.

amazon.com

Promising review: "My daughter plays in this sandbox every day. 10/10. I close it when it rains and open it as soon as it stops raining to dry the sand out and prevent mold inside the box. As long as you take care of the sandbox, it should last." —Nina

Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in five wood finishes). 

9. A Twister Ultimate Splash game so your tiny one can twist, stumble, and laugh their way through a backyard sprinkler party. It works like the classic game but sprays water from the colored spots, so every move turns into a splashy, wobbly adventure. 

www.amazon.com

The game comes with an inflatable splash mat, hose connector, waterproof spinner, and gameplay instructions.

Promising review: "I chose this item because I was in desperate need of something fun for my kids to do outside during the summer. What better way than water twister?? The material of the mat is thick enough to withstand the texture of grass. Not at all is it hard to get set up. This is a great purchase for the kiddos in this summer heat!" —Erika

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

10. A dinosaur-themed Cozy Coupe that lets your kids ride around like a tiny prehistoric VIP. It's got a working horn, a gas cap that opens and closes, and a removable floorboard so you can push or let them power it with their feet.

Amazon

Promising review: "We have bought this one several times over the last four years, the grandchildren love them. The dinosaur is cute, and the car is made well; it's heavy-duty. This car has lasted for years, from 18 months to 6-year-old kids' daily wear and abuse. It still works as it did the day we put it together. I love these cars, they are worth every penny you pay for them. Definitely will and have recommended this to everyone." —mfeatonjr

Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (also available in another style)

11. A foldable play set if you want a literal playground in your backyard. It has a slide, climbing wall, swing, monkey bars, rope wall climbing net, and a wooden ladder.

Amazon

The Avenlur Store is a small business that sells indoor and outdoor play sets.

Promising review: "Bought this for my 2-year-old's birthday. It was a HIT at her party. She uses every section regularly. We set it up outside for the summer and just brought it in for the fall! It can be used by several kids at once. As a buy-nothing queen, I was hesitant about the price but am satisfied." —Jonathan D

Get it from Amazon for $499+ (available in two sizes).

12. A nine-pattern sprinkler to keep your lawn in great shape while providing your kids with endless entertainment. Just connect it to a hose and boom, it's ready to go.

Amazon

Promising review: "My toddler claimed this as 'his sprinkler.' He loves running through it on various modes. I like it, as it is VERY versatile all over our yard (small garden, large garden, raised bed garden, HUGE lawn areas, long/lean lawn areas, etc). There's literally a setting for each location. Wonderful purchase." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $21.47+ (available in six colors).

13. An ice cream chalk set by Melissa & Doug so your kiddo can take their sidewalk art *and* pretend play to the next level. The chalk is shaped like popsicles and cones, so they can serve up "flavors" while decorating the driveway. No melting, just masterpieces. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I bought this for my 3-year-old daughter's Easter basket. We were out of chalk and looking for something fun. All three of my daughters (ages 3, 5, and 11) loved these and played 'ice cream shop' outside for almost three hours, and then off and on the next few days. We will be buying again to give as gifts to friends for birthdays." —Reil07

Get it from Amazon for $24.18.

14. A wooden outdoor mud kitchen that'll let your bb whip up gourmet mud pies, leaf soup, and whatever else their imagination (or your backyard) cooks up. It comes with working water features and pretend cooking tools so that they can splash, scoop, and stir to their heart's content.

Amazon

Promising review: "I bought this for my granddaughter's fourth birthday. She and her 2-year-old sister play outside with this mud kitchen for hours. They absolutely love it! It's sturdy and great value for money. I will give this as a gift again." —H.E.

Get it from Amazon for $61.99.

15. A pack of acrylic paint pens so your toddler can turn rocks, seashells, flower pots, and basically any other surface into their next original work of art. With 12 vibrant colors, these pens make outdoor crafting way less messy than the usual brush-and-cup situation, and way more fun. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Note: These acrylic paint pens are made of water-based ink that is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and acid-free.

Promising review: "These paint pens are really great and easy for all ages! I purchased them for rock painting at my son’s birthday party and they were a big hit! Both of my kids wanted to do the project again the next day too! Love these!" —mabozich

Get them from Amazon for $9.99.

16. A toss-and-catch ball set for toddlers who love throwing stuff but aren't quite ready for baseballs flying at them. The velcro paddles make catching way easier (and funnier) and it's basically the perfect intro to hand-eye coordination without any tears or bruises. 

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The set includes two Velcro paddles, two balls, and a storage bag.

Promising review: "It was recommended to us by an occupational therapist. It's a great toy for improving the gross motor skills of a toddler!" —Elena

Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in 10 colors).

17. A paint and plant your own garden set so your kid can decorate and dig. They'll paint the planter, plant the seeds, and (hopefully) remember to water it, giving them a front-row seat to the magic of watching something grow because of them. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

The kit comes with a tin planter, plastic liner, soil, three seed packets, six-color paint strips, two paintbrushes, paint palette, three wooden plant markers, shovel, watering bottle, and an instruction booklet.

Promising review: "Got this for my daughter for her birthday! She loves it! It was such a good idea and we did it together! I think it’s a perfect spring/summer gift because it gives kids something to take care of all summer long!" —Kuira

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).

18. A SunPrint paper kit for little scientists, artists, or kids who just like putting leaves on things. All they have to do is arrange objects on the special paper, leave it in the sun, and then rinse it with water to reveal their creation. Part craft, part science experiment, and fully magical to a young kid's brain. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My kids and I are having so much fun with these! My little artists have made some great images, and are making stationery to write family and friends, they even made ones of their tiny hands which I will always cherish. We bring the pages inside after the suggested time and immediately (and carefully) rinse them down briefly in the sink and lay flat to air dry; this seems to make the images permanent. I also cut the pages in half to be able to make more, rather than fewer large ones. Great little craft for the kids, and us grown-ups too." —My2Cents

Get it from Amazon for $16.69.

19. A plastic playhouse with working doors, shutters, and just enough charm to make your kid feel like they've got real estate. It's lightweight, easy to assemble, and has a sweet cottage look that fits right into any backyard setup. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This playhouse is very cute! My toddler loves it so much that we bought one for my niece as well. It's the perfect size for a couple of smaller children to play in. They love the shutters and having two doors. For the price, it is a great toy. We kept ours in the house for the first year, and it has since been moved outside." —Megan Sexton

Get it from Amazon for $122.99+ (available in three colors).

20. A bubble toy lawn mower for kids who love to push things and cause chaos in the cutest way possible. Just fill it with the included bubble solution, and every step sends out a flurry of bubbles — no batteries needed. It even makes pretend mowing sounds, so they'll feel very important while "cutting the grass" for the 800th time. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Lots of bubbles! We bought this for our 2.5-year-old, as the one her big sister has (the more expensive brand everyone knows) doesn't blow bubbles anymore, and we wanted her to be able to have one that worked. The first time they used it, I only put in maybe a third of the bubble solution, and they were out there FOREVER chasing bubbles and 'mowing.' We are very, very happy with this purchase!" —Jennie

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

21. A beanbag toss game because toddlers love throwing stuff, and this gives them three different ways to do it. One side is a dinosaur bean bag toss, the other's a turtle sticky ball game. It's lightweight, foldable, and easy to set up inside or out, which means you're never far from a mini carnival moment. 

Amazon

Promising review: "These have completely transformed our family’s circle time and outdoor activities! Forget about fancy gadgets – these mini beanbags are now the hottest item in our house. My toddler thinks he’s training for the Olympics, while my preschooler insists she’s now a “professional beanbag tosser.” 

Perfect size for little hands, but be warned: you will 100% step on them at least once a day. Still, totally worth it. I give this product 5 stars for the endless laughter, competitive spirit, and the occasional moment of peace while the kids are busy aiming for that perfect throw. Buy them. You won’t regret it – except maybe when you’re searching the house for stray beanbags." —Casey A.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (be sure to clip the 50% off coupon; available in two styles). 

22. A pair of kid binoculars with oversized, comfy eyepieces and 2x magnification so your little explorer can get a closer look at birds, bugs, clouds, and whatever else grabs their attention. No focus dial, no batteries, just grab-and-go nature spotting at its finest.

Amazon

Promising review: "Even a year later this toy is going strong in our household. It was a gift to our then 2-year-old and she LOVES it. Its made to last, so no matter the beatings, its still going strong." —Jarynette Montejano

Get them from Amazon for $9.69+ (available in two colors).

23. A magnetic fishing game set with 30 colorful ocean creatures, two fishing rods, and nets — perfect for water tables and kiddie pools. The pieces float, the poles "catch" with magnets, and the whole thing is surprisingly great for hand-eye coordination (and keeping busy for more than five minutes).

amazon.com

Promising review: "Super fun and easy to use. They can basically get placed anywhere and they’re ready to go! My daughter is almost two and was able to get a good couple of minutes of fishing!" —Nohely Alcala

Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available for two or four players)

24. A jumbo four-to-score game even if your toddler has no idea how to play. I have this for my two toddlers, and it's honestly absurd how long they'll stay entertained just dropping the discs in. Once it fills up, I pull the release bar and they start over, again, and again, and again. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is equally loved by kids and adults. Playing the tabletop version is boring (to me), but I love this oversized version! If you have the space for it, buy it! When computer time is over, this is the first thing my kids want to play. I was a reluctant buyer because I wasn't sure it would keep their interest and was afraid it would take up too much space. But we are still playing it over a month later, and it easily slides out of the way. Looking forward to when we can again use it during backyard barbecues with friends." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $161.21+ (available in 12 color combos).

25. A set of two dino-themed remote-control cars with big button remotes, flashing lights, and music because one zippy little vehicle isn't enough. They charge quickly, run on different frequencies so they can race together, and come with interchangeable dino drivers for twice the prehistoric fun.

amazon.com

MindSprout is a small business that makes cool toys for kids. 

Promising review: "I’m pretty sure I love these more than my daughter. These are so cute and so fun to play with. They’re very easy to control and the batteries last a good while. Very well-made and bright, in case you wanna play in the dark." —Ryan Riggs

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

26. A scooter board with handles so kids can scoot, spin, and glide their way across the driveway or basement like it's gym class in 1994.

Amazon

Promising review: "My toddler and I have a ton of fun on this scooter board! It glides very easily and is very sturdy, even for a grown adult of average size. The value is/was totally worth all the smiles and fun I’ve seen from playing with this scooter board." —Felicha

Get it from Amazon for $28.69.

27. And a set of 120 jumbo sidewalk chalks in every color you could want, including glitter and neon, obviously. The pieces are easy for small hands to grip, rinse right off with water, and turn sidewalks into ever-changing murals of smiley faces, rainbows, and whatever else their little hearts dream up. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If there’s one thing kids love, it’s drawing and unleashing their creativity! This chalk box is perfect for turning any sidewalk or backyard into a giant canvas. The colors are vibrant; the chalks are durable, and best of all — hours of screen-free fun! It helps develop motor skills while encouraging imagination and outdoor play." —Familia Black Belt

Get it from Amazon for $25.47.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.