For my son, the excitement of going to the playground begins before we’re even out the door, when he chooses which toy he’s going to bring. Brandon especially likes taking a bulldozer or dump truck to the sandbox and will sit there happily driving the truck around the rim. While I love the break from chasing him around, I also love that he is learning to share, often trading with other kids and making friends in the process. If you need some inspiration for toys to bring along on your next playground excursion, here are some great ones that have been particularly popular with my son and his playground buddies.
Kids love bubbles! While a basic bottle and wand are enough for you to blow bubbles for your child to watch and chase, this toy is great for toddlers who have reached the point of wanting to do everything themselves but get frustrated at the difficulty of blowing bubbles. My son gets much satisfaction out of using the motorized bubble blower to create a steady stream of bubbles himself. As a special treat, let your kids stay in the playground past sunset so they can light up the bubbles with the included flashlight. $7.
Green Toys Sand Play Set. The classic beach and sandbox toys are perennial favorites, but Green Toys goes the extra mile by making theirs out of recycled milk containers, reducing waste and saving energy. This eco-friendly four-piece set contains a bucket, a sand castle mold, a shovel and a rake. Even children who aren’t yet walking can enjoy the opportunity to scoop sand into a bucket by themselves! $22.
Kettler Happy Air Navigator.
The playground can be a great location for children to practice riding their tricycles or scooters without you needing to worry about them bumping into pedestrians or veering too close to the street. The Happy Air Navigator tricycle is a popular design with several important safety features, including a seat belt, low center of gravity and limited turning radius to help prevent it from tipping over. It also comes with a push bar, so that a parent can be in control of the tricycle on the way to and from the playground. $259.
Senso-Dot Balls from Edushape. Whatever their age, kids will find countless ways to have fun with these– rolling, bouncing, or throwing them around. The brightly colored balls come in a set of four are covered with little nubs, providing both tactile stimulation and an easier grip for very little hands. The perfect playground toy! $24.
Fisher-Price Steel Force Mini Loader. My son would bring all his trucks to the playground if he could, but this construction truck is especially good for sandbox play. The Mini Loader features a large digging scoop, solid-plastic construction, and a simple design with nowhere for sand to get in and cause problems. $15.
Crayola Giant Sidewalk Chalk. Even though babies and the majority of toddlers aren’t able to draw Lightning McQueen or Dora the Explorer on their own, they’ll love watching you draw some of their favorite characters as well as write their name on the ground. They love scribbling themselves too, but chalk can be a choking hazard, so close supervision is required. $6.
