Best Active and Outdoor Toys for Preschoolers: 6 Classic Picks

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• Soft Foam Balls
• Bean Bags and Target Toss
• Low Balance Beam
• Tricycle or Balance Bike
• Bubbles and Bubble Wands
• Sand and Water Play Set

Why Active and Outdoor Play Toys Help

6 Classic Active and Outdoor Play Toys

Each toy shows what it is, how it helps your child, how to use it safely, and the hazards to watch for. Pictures are our own illustrations.

Soft Foam Balls

• Ages 3 to 5
• Throwing and catching
• Coordination
• Large motor

Soft foam or cloth balls that are easy to catch and throw.

• Small-ball choking hazard

Advantages

• Builds throwing and catching skills
• Encourages active play and cooperation
• Safe to use indoors

Safe use

• Play away from stairs, windows, and streets.
• Use balls bigger than 1.75 inches across.
• Pick up balls after play.

Cautions and hazards

• Small balls 1.75 inches or less are choking hazards.
• Balls on the floor can cause trips.
• Keep balls away from streets and water.

Look for: Balls larger than 1.75 inches and soft to the touch.

Use only with adult supervision.

Bean Bags and Target Toss

• Ages 3 to 5
• Aim
• Throwing
• Counting

Small cloth bags filled with beans or pellets, thrown at a target.

• Choking hazard: small parts
• Throwing injury

Advantages

• Builds aim and coordination
• Counting points builds math skills
• Easy to play alone or in a group

Safe use

• Check seams often.
• Toss at a target, not at people.
• Wash according to the label.

Cautions and hazards

• If a bag splits, the filling is a choking hazard.
• Do not throw bean bags at faces.
• Throw away torn bags.

Look for: Double-stitched seams and larger bags.

Use only with adult supervision.

Low Balance Beam

• Ages 3 to 5
• Balance
• Core strength
• Confidence

A low, wide beam for walking, balancing, and jumping off.

• Falls or tipping
• Slipping

Advantages

• Builds balance and core strength
• Boosts confidence and body awareness
• Children can invent games

Safe use

• Set up low to the ground on a soft surface.
• Stay close to your child.
• Wear grippy shoes or go barefoot.

Cautions and hazards

• Falls can cause injuries, so use a mat or grass.
• Wet beams are slippery.
• Make sure the beam does not wobble.

Look for: A wide, non-slip beam close to the ground.

Use only with adult supervision.

Tricycle or Balance Bike

• Ages 3 to 5
• Balance
• Leg strength
• Coordination

A three-wheeled or two-wheeled bike with no pedals for learning to balance.

• Helmet required
• Falls or tipping

Advantages

• Builds leg strength and balance
• Great exercise outdoors
• Prepares for riding a bike

Safe use

• Always wear a helmet that fits well.
• Ride on flat, safe areas away from traffic and water.
• Wear closed-toe shoes.

Cautions and hazards

• Falls can cause head injuries, so a helmet is a must.
• Keep away from streets, driveways, and pools.
• Check tires, brakes, and loose bolts.

Look for: The right size, with a low seat and a wide wheelbase.

Use only with adult supervision.

Bubbles and Bubble Wands

• Ages 3 to 5
• Breath control
• Visual tracking
• Large motor

Bubble solution and wands for blowing and chasing bubbles.

• Not for mouths or eating
• Slipping

Advantages

• Blowing builds breath control and mouth muscles
• Chasing bubbles builds movement and tracking
• Simple science of colors and shapes

Safe use

• Use non-toxic bubble solution outdoors.
• Wipe spills right away.
• Close the bottle.

Cautions and hazards

• Bubble solution is not for drinking and can sting eyes.
• Spills make floors slippery.
• Small wand parts can be choking hazards.

Look for: A non-toxic label and a spill-resistant bottle.

Use only with adult supervision.

Sand and Water Play Set

• Ages 3 to 5
• Sensory play
• Measuring
• Cooperation

A bucket, shovel, and molds for sand and water play.

• Water: stay within arm's reach
• Sharp or pointed

Advantages

• Scooping and pouring build hand strength
• Teaches full, empty, more, and less
• Builds cooperation and imagination

Safe use

• Stay within arm's reach near water.
• Empty buckets and tubs after play.
• Use shade and sunscreen outdoors.

Cautions and hazards

• Children can drown in just a few inches of water, so stay close.
• Sand in the eyes or mouth can be harmful.
• Shovels can poke, so use rounded ones.

Look for: Sturdy plastic with rounded edges.

Use only with adult supervision.

Safety Notes for Active and Outdoor Play Toys

What to Look for When Buying

• Choose balls bigger than 1.75 inches across.
• Pick bikes and trikes that fit your child.
• Always buy a helmet that fits.
• Choose sand toys with rounded edges.

Play Ideas to Try Together

• Toss bean bags into a bucket.
• Walk the balance beam like a tightrope.
• Blow bubbles and pop them.
• Build a sand castle and a moat.

Active and Outdoor Play Toys FAQs

How much active play do preschoolers need?

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans suggest active play throughout the day for ages 3 to 5.

When can my child ride a tricycle?

Many children ride a tricycle around age 3. Always use a helmet and an adult nearby.

What size ball is safe?

Choose balls bigger than 1.75 inches across, which are too big to block a child's throat.

More Toy Categories

• Building and Construction (6)
• Puzzles and Problem-Solving (6)
• Letters, Numbers and Early Learning (6)
• Fine Motor and Hand-Skill (6)
• Pretend Play and Social Skills (6)
• Music and Sound (5)
• Art and Creative (5)
• Active and Outdoor Play (6)
• Science and Nature Exploration (5)
• All Preschool Toys

Sources

• CPSC: Summary of the small parts regulation (16 C.F.R. Part 1501)
• CPSC OnSafety: Small parts, what parents need to know
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Toy safety
• Wisconsin DATCP: Toy safety labels (ASTM F963 and ASTM D4236)
• CPSC: Toy safety standards
• Michigan State University Extension: What are the best toys for children?
• Mother.ly: Summary of the AAP report on selecting toys in the digital era
• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans