Play & Progress​

Outdoor play builds bodies, minds and most importantly, wonder! There are heaps of developmental benefits of outdoor play for physical, cognitive and emotional health, but the real magic is the freedom the great outdoors invites.

Whether building forts in the forest or turning pebbles into potions, there’s no ceiling on imagination under the open sky. This unstructured, active play lays the groundwork for everything from resilience to social skills and emotional regulation.

That’s the real importance of outdoor play in early childhood.

Different kinds of outdoor toys support different aspects of your child’s development, but good toys for outside play all have something in common. They don’t just entertain, they guide and extend a child’s natural curiosity, sparking new kinds of movement, creativity and discovery.

Here are a few ways toys for outside play help your child make the most of the great outdoors:

• Encourage time outside – If getting your child to go outside and play is an uphill battle, something new to play with can make the outdoors feel more exciting.
• Unlock new ways to play – From arts and crafts ideas to experimenting with water, new garden toys introduce fresh ideas for play.
• Support social interaction – Many toys for outdoors naturally encourage playing with friends and learning things like turn-taking and listening.
• Add learning to the mix – Even in unstructured moments, the best toys for outside play guide children to explore science, maths and storytelling.

Different toys come with unique developmental perks. That’s why it’s best to offer a variety of play options – it helps support well-rounded growth. You don’t need a garden bursting with toys, either. Just a few well-chosen favourites can invite a range of activities.

Here are the bases you want to have covered:

Outdoor sensory toys help children explore the world through touch, sound and sight. From muddy hands to rustling leaves, this kind of play supports focus, calm and emotional growth – especially when paired with simple tools like scoops or trays.

It can also boost creativity by adding arts and crafts elements like painting with mud or making leaf prints. Our Flower Press Art DIY Kit is a lovely way to turn dried leaves and flowers into colourful works of art.

With just a few props, children can become chefs, gardeners, or even woodland witches brewing potions. These toys invite storytelling, role-play and experimentation – all of which help build language, empathy and creative thinking.

Our Outdoor Kitchen set is perfect for this kind of messy magic, with space to mix mud, collect leaves and even grow your own plants in the included pots.

Balance bikes, scooters, swings and ball games all encourage big body movement and help develop strength, balance and coordination. These toys are ideal for building gross motor skills and letting off steam. Plus, they help children learn how to take safe physical risks and feel proud of what their bodies can do.

A great example is the Off-Road Rider Set, which pairs a rugged balance bike with a safety helmet and protective pads – perfect for building confidence and coordination on any outdoor terrain.

Gardening is a wonderful way for children to connect with nature while learning how things grow. Digging, planting and watering are calming, purposeful activities that help develop fine motor skills, responsibility and a gentle sense of patience.

Our Growing Gardeners Greenhouse is ideal for budding green thumbs, with bamboo moulds to create little paper vases and a see-through cover to help children care for plants from seed to soil.

Bug viewers, magnifying glasses, binoculars and explorer kits help children slow down and notice the little things. These toys support early science learning and inspire a love of nature, turning pebbles, puddles and plants into treasures worth investigating.

For children eager to dive even deeper, our Field Microscope lets them explore the microscopic world in crystal-clear detail.