Outdoor Toys for 4 Year Olds
4 year olds have lots of energy to burn off and there are lots of great outdoor toys which can help facilitate this. This article gives lots of ideas of outdoor toys based on what my 4 year old likes to play with outside in the garden. There are lots of suggestions and recommendations of toys to buy that will keep your preschooler occupied during both the Summer and Winter. Outdoor toys can be expensive so when buying a big toy its worth thinking about buying something that will last for the next couple of years or more. Or buy something which can be passed onto younger siblings.
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Trampolines
The big outdoor toy we bought for my son's 4th birthday was a trampoline. In my opinion it is essential to buy one with an enclosure for safety and piece of mind. We purchased an eight foot trampoline as at the time we got it at a reduced price. It is fairly big and takes a big chunk of our garden but both my boys do love it.
A 6ft trampoline like the one featured is a nice size for the garden as well - lots of space to bounce for young kids but it doesn't take up quite as much space. |
Trampolines are great for giving kids exercise and burning off that excess energy. My sons tend to use the trampoline almost every day, even if it's for just 10 minutes of bouncing.
Or you could get a trampoline with a handle which are also great for using indoors
Or you could get a trampoline with a handle which are also great for using indoors
Scooters
Scooters are the must have toy of the moment. If you go to a park or playground you will see them everywhere. My eldest son had a 2 wheel scooter by Lightning Strike at age 4. This comes in pink and blue and is great as a first two wheel scooter. It's quite a cheap scooter and lasted for a about a year before we traded it in for a better model.
My youngest son (who's no age 4) still uses his 3 wheel mini micro scooter that he has aged since age 2. It's a great scooter that has really stood the test of time and he whizzes round on it and loves it. |
Another great scooter I can recommend is the iscooter featured. It's a great 3 wheel scooter for older kids. A friend of mine has one for her two boys and it is a very cool looking scooter.
If you're looking for advice on buying a scooter. Check out this article on the best scooters for 4 year olds which has lots of options for this age group.
If you're looking for advice on buying a scooter. Check out this article on the best scooters for 4 year olds which has lots of options for this age group.
Sporting Activities
There are lots of sporting activities and games that are perfect for 4 year olds and that they will enjoy.
Some ideas include a basketball hoop for young children, a football goal set, an outdoor bowling set, croquet, hoopa or golf sets.
One I really love the idea of is the swingball set aimed at preschoolers featured below.
Some ideas include a basketball hoop for young children, a football goal set, an outdoor bowling set, croquet, hoopa or golf sets.
One I really love the idea of is the swingball set aimed at preschoolers featured below.
Swingball set
Mookie make some great outdoor toys for kids.
They make a swingball set (featured below) which has a big ball for preschoolers to hit easily. The ball is soft foam so you don't have to worry about little kids being wacked in the face by a hard ball. The bats are lightweight so easy for young kids to hold and bat. They have a large bat so it's easier for young ones to hit the ball and a small handle for little hands. It all packs into a case so you can put it away and store it if you want too. |
More Fun Games and Activities for the Garden - Stomp Rocket!
There's lots more fun games and things to do in the garden for 4 year olds. The super stomp rocket is really fun. Stomp on the launch pad at the bottom of the rocket and see how high you can shoot the rocket in the air. My son loves it.
We often take our stomp rocket to the park too as there is more space. Everybody takes it in turns to see how far they can send the rocket flying. They then have races to bring the rockets back. |
The last time we took it to the park, it generated a lot of interest among other kids who were there and we made a few friends who had a go too.
My 4 year old still love bubbles, running around popping them, trying to blow and chase them. There are numerous bubble toys and machines you can buy which are great fun.
Other ideas include pogo sticks for young children. Also don't forget gardening. 4 year olds love to dig, push round wheelbarrows and pour water with watering cans. They will be interested in what adults are doing in the garden so you could get them a garden tool set to hel
Other ideas include pogo sticks for young children. Also don't forget gardening. 4 year olds love to dig, push round wheelbarrows and pour water with watering cans. They will be interested in what adults are doing in the garden so you could get them a garden tool set to hel
Balance Bikes Vs Bike With Training Wheels
Bikes make great toys for 4 year olds. When buying a bike for a 4 year old you have two choices a balance bike (which is a bike without pedals). Four year olds will use their feet to push along on the bike. Or a bike with training wheels, where they will learn to pedal and then you take the training wheels of when they're are ready.
Which one you get is really up to you and the abilities and personality of your child.
Personally I think 4 years, is not too old to get a balance bike. They will love zooming around on them in the park and the playground. They are extremely good at teaching young ones to balance and they will find it much easier to graduate onto a pedal bike after using one. To help you make a decision read this article on Balance Bike or a Pedal Bike for a 3 or 4 Year Old.
If you go for a bike with training wheels, it may worth trying out a bike at a bike shop first to make sure that you are getting the right size. Then you could buy the right sized bike at the shop or online if you prefer. The right size of bike with depend on the height of the child. Their feet will need to be able to reach the pedals and push them around easily. Smaller 4 year olds will probably go for a 12 inch bike, average size 4 year olds for a 14 inch bike and taller children for a 16 inch bike.
Which one you get is really up to you and the abilities and personality of your child.
Personally I think 4 years, is not too old to get a balance bike. They will love zooming around on them in the park and the playground. They are extremely good at teaching young ones to balance and they will find it much easier to graduate onto a pedal bike after using one. To help you make a decision read this article on Balance Bike or a Pedal Bike for a 3 or 4 Year Old.
If you go for a bike with training wheels, it may worth trying out a bike at a bike shop first to make sure that you are getting the right size. Then you could buy the right sized bike at the shop or online if you prefer. The right size of bike with depend on the height of the child. Their feet will need to be able to reach the pedals and push them around easily. Smaller 4 year olds will probably go for a 12 inch bike, average size 4 year olds for a 14 inch bike and taller children for a 16 inch bike.
Bouncy Castles
Most people wouldn't consider having a bouncy castle for 4 year olds but actually its a great outdoor toy with many advantages. It makes a great alternative to a trampoline. You can pump it up and use it on sunny days, children's parties, when friends come to visit but unlike a trampoline you can take it down and pack it away leaving your garden free to enjoy the rest of the time.
Inflatable Pools and Paddling Pools
Most 4 year olds will love a paddling pool in the garden during the hot Summer months. You can get some quite large pools for excellent prices at the moment. Here are some different sized pools which are suitable for 4 year olds.
Classic Outdoor Garden Toys
Space Hopper are classic toys which many of us remember from our own childhood. You can now even get space hoppers for adults so you can hop around the garden outside with your 4 year old.
Don't forget that sometimes the simple toys are often the best. Kids just love playing catch or kick with a ball. They love playing with water in containers when its hot outside. They love running, walking, discovering, playing and moving. My 4 year old just loves taking his normal toys |
More Ideas
Still not found what you're looking for. Here is a round up of some more ideas:
Don't forget the traditional playground toys. You can get swings, slides and climbers suitable for garden use.
Ride on toys - you can get ride on toys for this age group. Check out this article on ride on toys suitable for 4 year olds.
Playhouses - my mother in law has a wooden play house at the back of her garden which all the grandkids love. My 4 year old loves to play in there with his cousins and they make up all kinds of imaginative games. They are expensive but they can last for years. They're great for younger siblings to play in too. My nextdoor neighbour also has one and they kitted it out with electricity so that their older child can go in their and play on his games console. It can make a great space for older kids or teens to have as their own. Or if you keep them in good condition you can also sell them second hand.
Playtents - if you can't afford a playhouse another option is a play tent. Play tents are great for imaginative play and games. They can be used indoors and outdoors. You can put them away when you don't need them so they don't take up space permanently. If used outdoors they are great to shade kids from the sun in the summer too.
Don't forget the traditional playground toys. You can get swings, slides and climbers suitable for garden use.
Ride on toys - you can get ride on toys for this age group. Check out this article on ride on toys suitable for 4 year olds.
Playhouses - my mother in law has a wooden play house at the back of her garden which all the grandkids love. My 4 year old loves to play in there with his cousins and they make up all kinds of imaginative games. They are expensive but they can last for years. They're great for younger siblings to play in too. My nextdoor neighbour also has one and they kitted it out with electricity so that their older child can go in their and play on his games console. It can make a great space for older kids or teens to have as their own. Or if you keep them in good condition you can also sell them second hand.
Playtents - if you can't afford a playhouse another option is a play tent. Play tents are great for imaginative play and games. They can be used indoors and outdoors. You can put them away when you don't need them so they don't take up space permanently. If used outdoors they are great to shade kids from the sun in the summer too.