With the summer holidays fast approaching, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite outdoor toys to help keep the kids entertained. Whether you’re heading outdoors, staying local, or looking for ways to fill those long afternoons. From creative activities to energy-burning games, these tried-and-tested toys are perfect for making the most of family time over the summer break.
Emotion Shells
We’re big fans of Learning Resources in our house.
The Ocean Emotion Seashells is such a lovely playset. It’s colourful, sturdy and perfect for introducing emotions through everyday play in a gentle and engaging way. The clear facial expressions on each shell help spark natural, child friendly conversations about feelings, and can be especially supportive for autistic children. They’re also great for sensory play with the raised patterns on the shells, and they are fab for sorting, matching or using them in water.
Another bonus is that the set is made from post consumer recycled plastics, which makes it a more eco conscious choice too. A thoughtful, hands on resource that’s ideal for younger kids.
You get 19 pieces in the playset, these include –
- 6 x 2-piece clam shells
- Jellyfish
- Pufferfish
- Octopus
- Starfish
- Crab
- Axolotl
- Bucket
Giant Dobble
We love a good family game, and Dobble Giant by Asmodee has quickly become a favourite of ours. We already have a few versions of the original, so this supersized take was an instant hit. The giant 22 cm cards are tough, wipe-clean and perfect for both indoor and outdoor play and ideal for garden games, picnics or even rainy-day fun indoors.
With four different game modes, it’s easy to pick up and play, but still keeps everyone on their toes. It’s brilliant for encouraging quick thinking, sharp observation and best of all, it gets everyone up and moving.
Designed for 2–12 players aged 6 and up, Dobble Giant is a fantastic way to bring the whole family together, ditch the screens, and enjoy some fresh air and friendly competition. Whether you’re racing to spot the match or just enjoying a laugh together, it’s one of those rare games that works just as well for younger kids as it does for adults.
Pop Rocketz
Looking for a fun and active way to get the kids outdoors? Pop Rocketz from Brainstorm Toys is a fantastic choice. This pocket-sized, air-powered rocket launcher sends soft foam rockets soaring up to 50 feet into the sky. Slide the rocket onto the launch tube, point it upwards, and squeeze. The harder you squeeze, the higher it flies!
It’s a brilliant way to encourage outdoor play, improve hand-eye coordination, and have a blast with friends and family. Plus, it’s safe for both indoor and outdoor use, making it versatile for any setting. Whether you’re aiming for maximum altitude, distance or trying to land a shot through a hoop, Pop Rocketz offers endless fun and excitement. Ideal for kids aged 5 and up, it’s a great addition to summer play.
Headphones
Perfect for keeping kids entertained over the summer holidays, the JLab JBuddies Studio Wireless and Wired Kids Headphones in Graphite/Blue offer a comfortable and safe listening experience. With soft Cloud Foam™ ear cushions and a lightweight, foldable design, they’re easy to take along on family trips, long car rides or quiet afternoons at home. The volume limit of 85dB helps protect young ears during extended use, while over 24 hours of Bluetooth playtime means they’ll last through days of podcasts, audiobooks and music.
The built-in microphone is handy for video calls with friends or family and the Shareport feature allows siblings or friends to listen together, making them perfect for shared summer fun or even a silent disco. Whether used wirelessly or with the wired option, these headphones are a practical and enjoyable companion for kids during the holidays.
Mitre Scribble Balls
Scriballs are a great mix of creativity and active play, ideal for keeping kids busy over the summer holidays. Each ball comes with a set of pens so children can colour in their own designs before taking it out for a proper kick-about. Whether it’s in the garden or the park, they’re built like any Mitre football, so they’re made to be played with, not just displayed.
The Star Wars™ range adds something a bit special for fans, but all the designs are fun and easy for kids to personalise.
The range includes –
- Scriballs Zoids
- Scriball Floopz
- Scriball Ooodles
Smart Ball Soccer Bot – The Ultimate Indoor Football Challenge
The Smart Ball Soccer Bot is a great option for keeping kids active on rainy days without resorting to more screen time. Designed for indoor use, this clever training set includes a size 1 football and a motion-sensing “bot” that glides across the floor, encouraging kids to pass, aim and shoot with increasing speed. With three difficulty levels and a built-in score tracker, it turns solo play into a fast-paced challenge that builds coordination and sharpens skills.
It’s compact enough for use in living rooms (whatever the size) or play areas. The sports activity set comes with four smart discs to help set up play zones. Ideal for ages 6 and up, the Soccer Bot is an easy way to keep energy levels up when outdoor play isn’t an option plus, it encourages a bit of focused movement and friendly competition without needing a screen in sight.
The playset requires the following batteries (not included) – Bot (4x AA) and Ball (3x AAA).
Lights Alive
The Tomy Megasketcher Lights Alive instantly took me back to my childhood! These were everywhere when I was little in the 80s! It’s lovely to see this updated version still capturing kids’ imaginations, just like it did back then. The light-up feature adds a fun twist, and it’s still as mess-free and satisfying to use as ever. A great screen-free option for creative play, and kids can have fun using the wheel tool to create fun shapes on the megasketcher board!
The kit comes complete with a Pen with Roller and two Stencils and there are 8 colours to have fun with!
Yoto Player
Where do I start with the The Yoto Player? We love it! It has become such a handy part of our routine. On slower mornings, my youngest loves starting the day by popping in the daily podcast. It’s a really easy way to ease into the day without screens, and they actually look forward to hearing what’s new. It’s also brilliant for those inevitable rainy afternoons when outdoor plans fall through. They’ll pick a card maybe a story, maybe some music and get totally absorbed.
At bedtime, it’s become part of the wind-down for my youngest. He will choose a story or some relaxing sounds, and it really helps signal that the day’s coming to a close. I love that they can use it independently and that it’s something they actually want to come back to. Whether we’re at home or taking it with us on a trip, the Yoto Player feels like a simple, screen-free way to add lots of fun to our day.
I’ve also got a post coming up soon with a full rundown of the Yoto Player, as we love it so much!
What’s your favourite from our round-up?
I didn’t realise they did an outdoor version of Dobble! We love that game!
I did not know giant Dobble was a thing, how cool! We love the original, small game.
That Soccer Bot looks like so much fun and that Lights Alive toy is such a blast from the past! x
Loads of fun – love the scribble balls – outdoor entertainment perfect
I think Giant Dobble is my favourite out of all of these. Those emotion shells look fun too. Perfect for getting out in this fabulous weather and keeping the kids entertained.
I have not heard of any of these but they all look like such great options for outdoor play, especially as our own Littles (grandkids) get a bit older! Thanks for sharing, Jayne!
Dobble is a great game, really makes you concentrate.
The emotion shells are quite cute!
Playing ▶️ 🤽♀️ outside is great fun!
Double giant is a great idea! Although I know I’d lose…
Having fun in your own backyard sounds like its practical–and economical.