What iPad? These Outdoor Toys Under $30 Will Keep Kids Busy For Hours

I grew up in rural Oklahoma (my hometown’s population is just over 1,000), so being outside was part of my everyday childhood. Now that I’m a parent, I want to instill a love of the outdoors in my own child. What I love most about the outdoors is that it doesn’t matter if your backyard is dozens of acres or the concrete jungle—it has so much to offer to kids. 

It’s a blast watching my 5-year-old play with his sand and water table (instead of requesting his tablet), and my 9-year-old niece loves to show off her skills with her skip ball toy. And I can’t praise a toddler bubble lawn mower enough if you want to just sit back, relax, and watch your kid play while you get your own little moment of peace. Below, you’ll find 13 of my favorite, and the most popular, outdoor toys for kids on Amazon—all under $30. 

Hewog Skip Ball 

This skip ball toy brings back so many memories of my ’90s childhood. Kids today still love it just as much: My 9-year-old niece doesn’t miss a chance to show me her impressive skills! Kids put one foot inside the ring, swing it around, and skip over the ball. I have to admit, though—the one I used 20 years ago didn’t have the awesome LED lights like this one.  

John Deere Bubble Lawn Mower 

My son faithfully pushed his bubble lawn mower nearly every day as a toddler, and, honestly, that kid should have been paid for how much pretend work he did. It’s so easy to fill the mower with the included bubble solution, and you don’t need any batteries to make it work; kids power the mower when they push it. Plus, when kids put the hard work in, they’re rewarded with realistic mowing sounds, so they can feel just like a grown-up. 

Melissa & Doug Hiking Gear Play Set 

I received the Melissa & Doug Hiking Gear Play Set as a sample from the brand about a year and a half ago, and it’s still one of my son’s favorite toys. It’s part of the brand’s National Park collection, and it includes a working flashlight, binoculars with discs showcasing various animals, plants, and scenes from the Grand Canyon, and more items kids will need on a pretend (or real!) hike. I love that everything has a slot in the included belt, so storage isn’t a problem. 

Mint’s Colorful Life Delta Kite 

A kite is a classic toy that kids will never tire of. This Mint’s Colorful Life Delta Kite is the #1 best-selling kite on Amazon because it’s great for fliers of any skill level and is durable against strong winds. “From the moment I launched it, it caught the wind with ease and stayed steady in the sky,” shared one Amazon shopper. “The colors are bold, vibrant, and super easy to spot, even from a distance—it definitely turns heads at the park.”

Kidoozie Kids’ Water and Sand Table 

If there’s one thing that’s kept my 5-year-old busy for hours (for years), it’s a sand and water table. We own a table similar to this one that’s no longer made, and my kid will spend as long as I let him playing with construction vehicles in the sand on one side, and pretending there’s a rescue mission on the water side. What I love most about this toy is that it’s super lightweight and easy to clean because each side holds just the right amount of sand or water. 

SplashEZ 3-in-1 Splash Pad 

It was 80 degrees the other day here in Oklahoma, so naturally I busted out my son’s sprinkler. Occasionally, I like to join in on the fun, but other days, I just want to sit back, relax, and watch him have a blast. He can easily drag his current octopus sprinkler toward me, which is exactly why I love this alternative; it’s a combination of a splash pad and sprinkler, meaning he likely won’t attempt to soak me. It has a sweet alphabet theme and is for ages 12 months and up.

Mattel Games Toss Across Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Throw out everything you thought you knew about tic-tac-toe. This outdoor version puts a fun spin on the classic game, as players toss bean bags to rotate the triangles on the board to show either X or O. Whoever gets three in a row wins. 

“It is super sturdy, and the bags seem to also be pretty tough (not easily broken),” praised one Amazon reviewer. “It is small and compact and can easily be traveled with!”

Little Kids Bluey Gardening Set 

Want to keep kids busy outside? Let them dig in the dirt. Take it a step further by introducing them to gardening with this Bluey-themed kids’ gardening set. It includes a watering can, gloves, two shovels, a rake, and a bag to store all the tools in. The bag and watering can feature an adorable picture of Bluey and Bingo, so they can take their favorite characters with them along for the adventure. 

Little Tikes T-Ball Set 

Your kid doesn’t need to be involved in T-ball to enjoy this Little Tikes outdoor toy. It features an adjustable height, allowing kids to play with it as they grow, and includes five plastic tee balls. My son used to have a T-ball set similar to this and would play with it for hours. While my family is the furthest thing away from a sports family, I swear this cute toy is a home run. 

Qriptey 5-Pack Sports Balls Set  

This ball set is like five sports in one, with a basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and soccer ball. They’re not full, standard-size balls, but mini versions, ultimately taking up less space in the garage. And as a parent who can hardly ever find the pump when I need it, I appreciate how this set includes one that’s simple to store—with all the balls—in the mesh carrying bag. 

National Geographic Bug Habitat Kit

As a girl who grew up in the country, most bugs don’t bother me. But there are some I have zero interest in touching—and those are the ones my son says he needs as pets. (I’m not kidding when I say we currently have a plastic bin with dirt and about six worms in it on the kitchen counter.) The National Geographic Bug Habitat is our compromise for more extensive creepy crawlies because it includes tweezers for picking the bugs up and gives kids a 360-degree view of their creatures. 

Hasbro Twister Splash 

Twister Splash is a 2022 Toy of the Year winner that’s still being added to Amazon carts years later (2,000 shoppers bought it in the past month!). It’s the classic Twister game, just hooked up to a water hose. Cover the spots with your hands or feet when it’s your turn and watch water shoot out at your competition. 

This popular game is currently 45% off. 

Cat Construction Little Machines 5-Pack

Remember how kids love digging in the dirt? Let them with these mini construction vehicles. My 5-year-old has played with this set for over a year now, and I’m happy to report they’re all still in fabulous shape. They’ve been in water, his sand table, and some serious mud in the backyard. This set includes a front loader, dump truck, bulldozer, excavator, and backhoe, and yes, there is a difference.