Find the Right Outdoor Toy for Your Active Child

Sometimes it can be hard to get the kids to stop playing video games and go outside to play. While I don’t have kids yet myself, I have seen this phenomenon in action on multiple occasions, and I’ve always found it incredibly perplexing—especially seeing as how back in my day most parents couldn’t get their kids to come inside, even if it was getting dark or the weather outside was nasty. And believe me, we had video games back then too, so it wasn’t like there was nothing to do inside. These days it may be a bit more challenging to make the outdoors appealing to kids, but thankfully there are a number of fun toys and devices that make the outside an attractive place to be active and have fun. If you’d like a little help with encouraging your kids to head outside and be more active and healthy in the coming Spring and Summer, keep on reading for a few useful suggestions. Many of the ideas in today’s list are absolute classics, so they’re truly can’t miss items for encouraging healthy activity.

The Bicycle

The most obvious outdoor activity device there is has got to be the classic bicycle. The model in the photo above is the Titan Wildcat 38.1 cm 12-Speed Mountain Bike (in Teal, White, and Black), which is more of an adult’s model than most of the other items I’ll discuss here today, but that just goes to show that it’s not only kids that need to get outside and be active. This particular model (a women’s mountain bike) features a durable 15-inch steel frame, 26 inch alloy wheels, and a 12-speed gear system that makes up-hill riding considerably more manageable. It’s also equipped with an adjustable seat and handlebars for a more perfect fit. With a bicycle like this, you can get out and ride virtually anywhere, from your local paved streets to beautiful backwoods trails where you’ll be surrounded by fresh air and nature.

For a great child-sized bike (that both kids and adults can ride), look no further than the Kobe Mini BMX Bike. This fun bike, with its hi-tensile steel frame, freestyle “Big Boy” handlebars, and 10 inch rubber tires, is primed and ready to tackle any terrain, from the loosest gravel road to the smoothest skate-park cement. It’s even up for some cool trick riding if you’re so inclined. With this awesome little BMX bike, your child will not only head outside for some highly exhilarating exercise, but they’ll also have some serious fun in the process!

The Scooter

Another great active toy for outdoor use is the fun and fast scooter. Take the Razor A5 Air Scooter as an example. This extra long scooter is height adjustable; features a strong aluminum frame; has anti-rattle handlebars for a smooth, vibration free ride; and can accommodate riders weighing up to 220 pounds. With specs like that, pretty much any child can get out and about with this handy scooter. They can use it for going to school, trips to the corner store, or just plain old riding for fun. And any of these uses will ensure that your child is more active than ever this Spring and Summer.

The Hoverboard

If your child would prefer a ride-on device that operates under its own power while still providing an opportunity for outdoor fun as well as the promise of some beneficial exercise in the form of quality balance training, then nothing beats a modern hoverboard. Sure, these boards don’t literally hover above the ground, but your child will feel as though they’re hovering when they climb aboard the Hoverzon S Electric Hoverboard. This self-balancing board is not only UL 2272 certified for safety, but it also features a special ABS casing that’s super durable, high grade (and even higher traction) aluminum wheels, 2 different speed modes for a broader range of skill levels, and a top riding speed of 12.8 Km/h. Although this particular model features special gyroscopic technology (hence the “self-balancing” comment above), your child will still get a great core workout as they ride about town, making sure to keep their weight in the best possible position to always remain on the board. Additional features of this board include responsive control design elements, a Smart Battery Management System for enhanced battery performance, and the ability to carry riders weighing up to 220 pounds. Overall, the Hoverzon S sounds like a top notch board.

The Skateboard

For those that want to provide all the power themselves, there’s always a traditional skateboard, just like this extremely cool Tony Hawk 32″ Nautical Blue Skateboard. This board features a sturdy, seven-ply maple wood deck; 58mm PU wheels; ABEC-7 skateboard bearings; and anti-slip grip tape on the upper surface to keep riders tight to the board no matter their speed or angle of cornering. Coming in at 32 inches long by 8.5″ wide and just 2.2 pounds of total weight, this board is the perfect size for toting around in places where riding isn’t permitted, and it’ll provide hours of active fun for your child whether used at the skate park or for cruising about the town. I personally never got into skateboarding, but looking back, I now wish I had. It would have provided great balancing practice for use in other areas of life, such as skating for hockey (or even just walking around). If you want your child to get outside and be more active this Spring and Summer, a traditional skateboard might just be the answer. And those that become proficient in skateboarding get heaps of quality exercise, considerably improve their coordination, and generally become better all-around athletes. It’s a great way to get outside and have fun in a way that’s both active and social!

Additional Active Toys

For more examples of great active toys and products that your kids can use to be more active this coming Spring and Summer, check out Best Buy’s Bikes, Scooters & Ride-Ons page. Additional active toys and product types include Outdoor Games (such as Badminton and Volleyball), gear for Camping & Hiking, and a variety of different Sporting Goods. In other words, there’s no shortage of ways for kids to engage in active play this year, and there’s no excuse for not having a highly active outdoor childhood. So if you occasionally have trouble convincing your kids to go outside and play, take a look around Best Buy online and rustle up a few good ideas that will potentially appeal to them and get them out and about.