Toddlers love to be fully active and want to discover the world. It's great if they have a small garden where they can let off steam. Hiding, playing tag, discovering grass and dirt – a heavenly pleasure for the little ones. But children are also happy if you provide a few toys. Our twins love to swing, jump on the trampoline, or push the toy lawnmower around!
Here I have put together a list of which toys for the garden have been very well received by our children:
- Tricycle
- Swing and slide
- Sandbox and accessories
- Trampoline
- Large truck
- Lawnmower
- Wading pool
- Small playhouse
- Tractor
- Balance bike
The 10 best toys for toddlers for the garden
Tricycle for toddlers
This is a hit. They love driving around with it. In the meantime, we still have to push, which is why I recommend a tricycle with a push handle. It's also great if there is a small tray behind the seat; in our case, branches, stones, and flowers are carried along here!
You can buy tricycles in almost every toy store, at discounters, or on Amazon:Tricycles
Swing and slide for children in the garden
Our two love our swing set. We have baby swings for the beginning so they can swing safely. Now they have to be swung really high, and they can do that for hours. We also have a slide and a climbing frame included, which I think is great. It's also nice if there's a small gondola where the children can swing together.
You can buy swings and slides in hardware stores, toy stores, or on Amazon:Swing
Sandbox and accessories for children
The sandbox was great from the start; finally, they could dig in the sand to their heart's content with a shovel or a small rake. Of course, the sand was also distributed throughout the entire garden. Which brings me to the accessories: we naturally bought the classics like a shovel and rake. I think a wheelbarrow is also great (they can also help with gardening – carrying weeds around was a hit!), as well as a sand or water wheel.
Sandboxes are available in almost every hardware store, sometimes at discounters (Hofer!), toy stores, and on Amazon:Sandboxes
Trampoline for children
The trampoline was primarily for my husband, who wants to keep fit. But our two love being in it so much now and are already jumping so nicely high that I absolutely had to include it in this list. I am very curious to see how they will jump later on! I find the trampoline with the safety net practical. We have a zipper and additional fasteners so that no one can fall out.
Trampolines are available in toy stores, Metro, or on Amazon:Trampoline
Large truck for children to play with
We happened to be given our truck as a gift and the children love it. It is filled and driven around again and again. A clear recommendation from me!
A large truck for the garden can be bought in almost every toy store or on Amazon:Truck
Toy lawnmower for children
When Dad drives with the big lawnmower, they are unfortunately afraid, but the small toy lawnmower is a hit. They love driving around with it and making a noise. Sometimes even now, when Dad drives with 'his' lawnmower, they 'mow' at a safe distance on the terrace.
You can find lawnmowers for children in almost every toy store, hardware store, at discounters, or on Amazon:Lawnmower
Wading pool for children
Our two love water, and it was clear that we would set up a wading pool in the summer. They play eagerly with water and splash around. We have our wading pool with an animal that you connect to a hose and then it sprays water – brilliant!
You can find wading pools for children in almost every toy store, hardware store, at discounters, or on Amazon:Wading pool
Small house in the garden for children
Our children like it when they can hide; in such a house, they can disappear again and again. Our daughter also loves to open and close the doors and windows all the time. A fun play experience for children!
You can find playhouses for children in almost every toy store, often also at discounters or on Amazon:Playhouse for children
Small tractor for children to ride
Our children are totally fascinated by tractors, so it was a great joy when they could finally ride one. At 2 years old, pedaling doesn't quite work yet, so we tied a string to the front so we can pull them, but soon they will be able to zip around on their own.
You can find tractors in almost every toy store, at discounters, or on Amazon:Tractor for children
Balance bike for children
The balance bike is a great way to prepare children for cycling; they learn to keep their balance and move forward with the bike. My children are still a bit skeptical at 2 years old and prefer to be pushed on the tricycle, while some of my friends' children are already zipping around.
Extra tip: Pay attention to the size of the bike; for two-year-olds, a 10? bike, for example, is usually high enough! If you buy it in a store, just let the child get on it!
You can find balance bikes in almost every toy store, at discounters, or on Amazon:Balance bike
Extra tip: I would also like to say that you don't always have to buy everything new. For me, flea markets are a very good way to purchase toys. There are usually parents and children there who can give you very good advice. Many things can also be bought used via eBay or Amazon and therefore cheaper.
I hope these tips were helpful and there is something for everyone. If something is missing, please write an email or a comment right away so that this list becomes complete!
Also read: Toys for three-year-old toddlers
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
