I try to make sure the kids get one hour of active play a day. It’s easier now that they are playing a lot of soccer but the winter is much harder. Not so much the kids, but my husband and I — ex-Californians — had to embrace cold weather, snow, and snow sports. Sledding has become a family favorite.
We also recently emptied out our basement playroom for mixed-use as a TV kid retreat and open space to kick balls around or wield toy swords and boxing gear. The Inflatable “Hamster” Wheel would be a welcome addition. It also deflates for easy storage when the kids get bored with it to be put away and rediscovered at another time.
I also found some interesting toddler and preschool bikes and trikes with cool features like being able to convert to more than one toy or collapse into a folded origami packet. They can be used indoors or out too! My kids are too old for these now, but I can still drool over them.
What are your favorite toys for keeping your kids active year-round?
p.s. My Holiday Gift Guides are all here. Popular ones include:
Gift Guide: Best Toys for Math and Science
Gift Guide: Best Toys for Arty Kids
Gift Guide: Toys to Get Kids Reading More
Gift Guide: Best Blocks for Creative Play
Top 10: Best Fun and Educational Board Games
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Outdoor Toy Gift Guide
Best Toys for the Snow
Zipfy, Mini Luge Snow Sled, $30
This looks really fast. It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to carry up the hill. The age recommendation is for ages 5 and up with a weight limit of 250 pounds.
Snow Sled, $26
It took us about 5 kinds of sleds before we found the right one for kids who can sled without an adult sitting with them. This sled is light so your child can carry it without assistance, a real bonus when trudging uphill! This particular one has double handles so it can be used as a single or double.
Best Toys to Stay Active
Metro Inflatable Active Wheel (30 inch, $23; 48 inch, $40)
This inflatable wheel will turn your child into a human hamster. What is great about this toy is that it stores easily by deflating (which is nice when you need to rotate toys to keep kids interested). It can be used both inside and out. Finally, it’s a great toy for multiple kids to play with together. One or two kids push the wheel with yet one more inside it. There is no weight limit and it’s recommended for kids ages 3 and up.
Kickin’ Putt, $18
This toy combines soccer, kickball, flying discs, and golf! You get two kickin’ golf balls and a flying scoring disc made of natural rubber. It can be used indoors or out. Ages 3 and up.
Ogo Sport RAQ, $28
Another great toy to keep in the car, basement, or backyard that can be used indoors or out. Toss and catch the balls up to 150 feet.
WishBone Flip Rocker, $148
Made from sustainable wood, the Wishbone Flip Rocker grows with your child. It can start out as a rocker and then flip to a ride-on when your child gets ready to move. You can also convert it to a bike. Think of it as three toys in one (which helps to justify the price): a rocking horse, push toy, and bike. It converts easily as well!
Pogo Stick (Flybar Foam Maverick), $37
We’ve had a few pogo sticks but this one is our favorite. It’s the right spring-i-ness for kids in elementary school. We tried a few others but some were too stiff despite being within the recommended weight range, and others too short. Just like Goldilocks, we think this one is just right! The cushiony grip makes it easy to hand on to.
Super Powered Pogo Stick that Lets You Jump up to 6 Feet High! Vurtego, $369
Not for the faint of heart! This pogo stick uses patented air compression technology that lets the jumper defy gravity jumping as high as 6 feet in the air! Wear your helmets!!!
Razor Scooter, $30.
This seems like a new “classic” toy. We have three and it never seems like we have enough especially when friends are over. Just make sure everyone wears a helmet and labels your scooters because ours always seem to get mixed up with our neighbors! They come in different colors as well.
Mini Kick Scooter, $85
My sister in California gets the cool stuff. She raves about this. Similar to the Razor scooter but requires less balancing as it is 3-wheeled. Goes about as fast as a Razor Scooter she says! I’d use it for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for a Razor but maybe need something similar to keep up with older siblings. $80.
Rip Stick, $68
The Rip Stick uses wiggling motion back and forth on the board to move forward. It does take some getting used to but the older kid on our block seems to be able to go pretty fast. It’s a nice variation on a skateboard!
Speciality Learn-to-Ride Bikes Plus Cool Bike Accessories
Quick Start Ride on Bugs Tricycles, $40-$50
This trike is FOLDABLE so it’s great for small spaces like apartments or houses with limited storage like ours! It comes in various bug forms including Ladybug, Dragonfly, and Bug, and is perfect for ages 1-3. The bug themes are adorable!
Kazam, Balance Bike for Teaching Kids to Ride a Bike, $80
My son refuses to learn to ride a bike. The last time he tried, my husband wasn’t able to hang on to his bike so he ended up (gently) crashing into the plastic trash cans. He wasn’t injured but claims to be mentally scarred for life and says he never wants to try again. Yikes! It’s not like kids ride bikes so freely in our town. There aren’t any bike lanes for one thing. Still, this Balance Bike might be what we need to get him confident about riding a bike.
YBike, Extreme Balance Bike, $80
This is another interesting toddler or preschooler bike that helps kids develop a sense of balance. It’s recommended for kids ages 2 and up.
BikeGlow Safety Lights, $25
I thought this was a cool gizmo to keep kids safe if they ride their bikes at night. It’s a glow light string that you wrap around your bike.
WordLock Combo Lock, $7
Finally, a bike lock that uses words instead of numbers!
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Buying that sled! Lots of these look very fun- The Ogo Sport Raq I think my husband would play with for ever and ever. We use a mini exercise trampoline inside- It starts to get annoying to listen to after a while, but it’s great exercise and the use it all the time.
Hi Artchoo!,
The regular sled or that super loge sled speedster one? I’m thinking you mean the speedster one. That one does look fast and fun! I’m thinking about it for my kids but haven’t pulled the trigger yet until I’m sure it’s not going to make me worry more!
Kids need to be active outdoors too! These toys would make it more fun
Hi Aysha,
I’m totally with you! We were bad about winter activities because we are from California and didn’t embrace the cold. Then we realized our kids weren’t getting enough exercise so we’ve tried to do more winter sports as well as indoor soccer. We also cleaned out our basement so it’s pretty bare. The room isn’t that big but it’s big enough for indoor active toys like that blow up wheel thing. And winter is coming soon!! Brrrr!
Oh, I have to get one of those Zipfys!!! Such a great idea to clear out the basement for active fun in the winter!
Sleds have definitely come a long way since I was a kid. These sleds look like they will be a lot of fun this winter. But the active wheel caught my attention on this list. That will make a fun and unique gift for Christmas.
Hi Roger,
That loge sled looks crazy fun! I think my kids would love it but I hope they don’t go too fast on it. That scares me a little but then I find sledding to be slightly terrifying!