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29 Games And Activities To Keep Your Kids Busy Inside And Outside This Fall
Best get all of the outdoor fun in before winter hits!
1. A set of indoor/outdoor stepping stones with a non-slip bottom that your kids will love using to craft a challenging obstacle course. Hop along the stones, run across the yard, climb the slide, go down it — THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE FENCE WINS! When it gets too cold to hang outside bring ’em in for a whole new way to play.
Promising review: “Our kids love this stepping stone set of building bricks to play the floor is lava. They are bright and easy to clean. Stack beautifully in the corner when done. Lots of fun to play with and learn motor and balancing skills. Completely waterproof, so you could float them in a pool and play games with them. Very strong and sturdy material. Loads of fun for the kids and great to see them invent new games to play with.” —††† Have Faith †††
Get them from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in four colors).
2. A massive 160-piece pack of sidewalk chalk they’ll be *so* excited over they might just forget to pester you about extra screen time — encourage them to create all kinds of art at the playground or leave funny pictures for passersby.
I can confirm my toddler will happily plop down and play with chalk for longer than you’d think. A set as big as this one will help entertain the entire block’s worth of kiddos!
Promising review: “If there’s one thing kids love, it’s drawing and unleashing their creativity! This chalk box is perfect for turning any sidewalk or backyard into a giant canvas. The colors are vibrant; the chalks are durable, and best of all — hours of screen-free fun! It helps develop motor skills while encouraging imagination and outdoor play.” —Familia Black Belt
Get it from Amazon for $27.99.
3. A rainbow kite you and your family can break out and live your best Mary Poppins life (as long as there’s enough of a breeze). Alexa, play “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
Promising review: “This kite was simple to put together and just so bright and colorful against the blue sky. The bunting really makes this kite stand out. Really a joy to fly, got lifted easily. Absolutely a pleasure. We will use it for years to come.” —Lulu
Get it from Amazon for $17.80 (available in eight styles).
4. A Mickey Mouse–themed bounce house that shockingly won’t take up TOO much space and will bring all kinds of magical fun to your yard. It even has a built-in miniature ball pit, so you can continue to avoid germ-filled play places at all costs without depriving your kids of a good time.
Amazon, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
My sisters bought this for my 1-year-old and 3-year-old for their birthdays last year and it’s possibly their favorite thing to play with in our yard. It fits three jumping toddlers comfortably, has a built-in basketball hoop, and truly takes about 30 seconds to inflate. It comes with an air pump, so no need to worry about acquiring one! It folds up really easily as well (which was rather surprising) and is also a cinch to store (this makes my husband VERY happy). It’s the perfect size and helps tire out my tykes.
Promising review: “This product was very easy to set up and break down. It came with everything we needed. We did buy more balls. It is well-made and the characters on the house are perfect for toddlers who love Mickey Mouse. It’s a great height and could be used indoors too.” —samuel buchanan
Get it from Amazon for $279.
5. A giant bubble kit, so enchanting, even the most angsty of kids won’t be able to resist giving them a go. It even comes with two packets of biodegradable bubble solution and a tips and tricks booklet to help you make the best (and biggest!) bubbles ever.
www.amazon.com, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator! My husband (pictured above, right) had a blast figuring out how to make these HUGE bubbles. I will say, they don’t really float great or last very long, but my kids were amazed regardless. Also, Wowmazing is a small business!
Promising review: “Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my 6-year-old son figured it out pretty quick — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did…) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic.” —Thomas Durant
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in six styles).
6. And a bubble machine that’ll have your toddler scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they’re used to seeing — this one will take playtime to the next level without filling the house with extra noise.
Amazon, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
This bubble maker includes: a bubble gun, two bottles of bubble solution, a rechargeable battery, a charger, and a plate to place the bubble solution. My sister got it for my son for his birthday, and we’ve been using it through all the seasons — bubbles don’t discriminate! We broke it out during a Labor Day BBQ with a bunch of toddlers present, and they all were bursting with excitement! I mean, just look at the GIF above — the bubbles really come atcha!!
Promising review: “I ordered this for my daughter’s birthday and she has always loved bubbles! So when I found this bubble gun on TikTok, it was a no-brainer. The amount of bubbles that you get out of that is so fun and it lights up. It’s easy to use and pretty inexpensive for what we wanted. Even the adults enjoyed it.” —Tina
Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in six colors).
7. A ring toss set to help all the neighborhood kiddos work on their hand-eye coordinator and encourage some ~friendly~ competition.
The set comes with five rope rings, five blue rings, five red rings, a sturdy wooden base, and a carrying case.
Promising review: “Great for the whole family. It’s so simple, but good to get the kids outside having fun as a family.” —Jessie Lee
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
8. Flickin’ Chicken — a game that will have your family cackling from the first time you play. Players are encouraged to make up their own rules so you’ll have a different experience every time. Boredom? I don’t know her.
Promising review: “So yes, the chickens bounce everywhere. But that’s what makes it fun! Get creative and put a Hula Hoop around the target to create levels of points awarded. It really is impossible to get the chicken on that small red target, so make a wider range. These are fun on the lawn or in the pool. They float, and you can try to toss them into donut-shaped pool floaties. These chickens are all-around fun to play with, and you can make a game out of them in so many ways. The kids played with the chickens for hours, and the adults had fun with them too.” —E. Barnes
Get it from Amazon for $17.49.
9. An incredibly useful sandbox with a lid that opens up to double as benches for kiddos to sit on while they play. The lid will ensure you can keep it up and running throughout the fall without leaves and other outdoor debris sneaking in.
Promising review: “I ordered this for my granddaughter’s fourth birthday. It was easy to assemble and has that great cedar smell — it’s also lightweight but well-made. My granddaughter, along with her 1 and half-year-old brother, has already gotten a lot of playtime in the sandbox. They love it!! It is beautiful, and my son loves the fact that it closes up to protect the sand and then opens up to benches for the children to sit on. He has sent me a couple of pictures and videos of them playing in it. I highly recommend this sandbox.” —lisa burroughs
Get it from Amazon for $109.98.
10. Or a smaller (but equally fun) Step2 sandbox that won’t take up as much space in your backyard but will have more than enough room for your minis to play in all afternoon. It comes with a lid to keep the sand dry when not in use (and prevent little critters from hanging out in it overnight).
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Walmart
I have this sandbox for my kids! As of this writing, they are 1 and 3 — they both love it! It has tiny seats built into the corners that my toddler and his friends love using. My daughter (the baby) will spend an hour scooping sand in and out of it (yay, sensory activities!) It’s low maintenance and great for killing some time during the witching hour.
Promising review: “I would recommend this to anyone who has a child or grandchild who is as young as 2 years old. My granddaughter is 2 and loves the sandbox. It doesn’t have sharp edges like some of them do. It is plenty big enough for her to play, and I purchased a bag of sand toys with it, and she plays for hours. The lid is light and might blow away if not anchored down when it is off but it pushes down on the sandbox when you close it up and seems sturdy.” —lisabn
Get it from Walmart for $95.19 or Amazon for $109.99.
11. Banzai Bump N’ Bounce Body Bumpers you can count on to elicit full blown belly laughs — from both kids and adults. How could you not? You’re gonna want to have your phone at-the-ready for this one.
PSA: Make sure helmets are worn during bump-offs.
Promising review: “Great for the kids. The kids have been playing with this for hours. One of them even asked if they could sleep in it. It’s great for winter indoor fun. I highly recommend this product.” —RyanAndFaith
Get it from Amazon for $22.90.
12. A geode-breaking activity from National Geographic that’ll give you and your kids an excuse to pick up a hammer and smash rocks in half. The best part? The cracked-open rocks will reveal stunning crystal centers you can learn about together.
This science kit includes 10 natural crystal-filled geodes, one pair of safety goggles, three display stands and one learning guide.
Promising review: “My daughter is 10 and this kept her busy for HOURS! She had so much fun and was excited every time she got a glimpse of what might be inside. A couple of them were pretty cool, while the rest were just white. She didn’t care, she loves them all. She was so proud to gift them to her grandparents.” —Michelle
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
13. A lawn mower your mini-me will love because it’ll release bubbles as they push it and they’ll get to pretend they’re just like whichever lucky parent cuts the lawn every weekend.
Amazon
This toy is ideal for ages 24 months–6 years.
Promising review: My daughter loves this toy! It requires no batteries and blows a lot of bubbles out really well. My 3-year-old has had no issues pushing it around, even on grass. It was very easy to assemble and it’s holding up.” —Kacie
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
14. And a gardening set complete with a shovel, a rake, a hoe, a leaf rake, gloves, and a spray bottle, because you’ll need all the help you can get once that huge tree in your yard rains all of its leaves down all over your yard. Your tyke will have a blast joining you in what would otherwise be a lonely chore.
Promising review: “Light but sturdy. My 1-year-old has fun with them while he helps in the yard, plus they are strong enough for us adults to actually use them. The little rake was perfect for getting between the pavers! Highly recommend.” —Ellen Benes
Get it from Amazon for $23.74.
15. And! A Radio Flyer wheelbarrow — those leaves aren’t going to carry themselves! Your little helper will get a real kick out of having a mini version to push next to you during this year’s big yard cleanup.
Promising review: “This wheelbarrow is well-made and perfect for my 3-year-old grandson. He loves helping in the yard.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $45.99.
16. A saucer swing that’ll quickly become your kid’s favorite place to hang (literally). It holds up to 700 pounds (WHOA!) so feel free to let several tykes pile on for some fun!
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com
We recently added this to our swing set, and my son and his friends LOVE it. It’s been the biggest hit with kids of all ages. They love that they can swing together and even have been lounging on it and relaxing (it’s the cutest). The swing kit comes with a wrench, two carabiners, and additional straps if you want to hang it as a tree swing. My husband ended up purchasing some separate chains to attach it with, but only because the ones that it came with were too long for it to swing properly where we wanted to hang it.
Promising review: “Love this swing! All my boys love to use it, as do I! It seems very sturdy which makes me feel like it’s safe. It was very easy to put together, and it all went together without any issues. It’s super comfortable for anyone who’s used it so far! The color is vibrant and everything seems to be good quality. Especially for this price, I would recommend it!” —Sky
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors).
17. A Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster your little one will want to ride again and again (and agaaaaaain! Toddlers, man). The ramp and car also fit into the base for easy storage.
This product is designed for kids aged 2–5. I have a similar one I’m planning to surprise my son with for his birthday and cannot wait!
Promising review: “This was an awesome purchase. Super reasonably priced. Came in a huge box, which is also a bonus for our toddler, we are using to store it when not in use. Super easy to put together and as well as break down to store. The car runs smooth on the track and our little one had a blast!” —Kar
Get it from Amazon for $139.99.
18. A splurge-worthy balance bike that’ll have your restless mini-me boppin’ out the front door and speeding down the block the minute you say, “OK, FINE!” It’ll teach your kiddo to learn how to ride pedal-free (so impressive).
Promising review: “Easy to assemble. Great size for 5–6-year-olds. The color is pretty and vibrant. Lightweight frame. Great balance bike for older children. The seat is easy to adjust. We purchased for our 5-year-old, and he has adjusted as he turned 6. There is still room as he grows a bit (if the need is still there).” —jacob
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in five colors).
19. A classic Little Tikes slide you may have had when *you* were a kid — it’s extremely easy to set up and will provide your mini-me with hours of fun (just wait until they discover they can climb back up the slide all on their own).
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
My son got this as a gift for his first birthday and he loooooves it. It took my husband literally five minutes (if that) to put it together, as it’s only two pieces. It’s been very durable in the few months we’ve had it outside and it’s very simple to clean (we use the leaf blower to quickly get rid of any debris from the trees above). It’s a simple toy, but it brings both of my kids so much joy!
Promising review: “This slide was worth the money! So glad I made this purchase. Perfect for toddlers. My girls are one and two. Sturdy. Comes in a good-sized box. The slide comes in two pieces. Easy to put together and easy to store. Perfect height. Will keep kids busy and having fun.” —Kwood
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
20. A kids’ bow and arrow with foam-tipped arrows, so your tween who just finished reading The Hunger Games for the first time can embrace their inner-Katniss and indulge in some (safe) target practice.
Amazon
Marky Sparky is a small business crafting games you and your kid can play outside.
Promising review: “Our 5-year-old son loves to take this to the park with dad. Even dad loves to shoot the arrows! It attracts all of the other kids at the playground/ park so be prepared to share, haha.” —J.
Get it from Marky Sparky on Amazon for $29.99.
21. A Doona Liki Trike that’ll grow with your tyke — first you can push them along in it as a stroller, then transform it into a push tricycle, and finally turn it into a toddler tricycle. Your kiddo will have so much fun in the sun with this trike. ☀️
Amazon, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
This vehicle has been such a godsend for us in the toddler years. Whenever we go on a walk, this is the first thing we grab — especially when we don’t want our son to fall asleep (which he’s prone to doing in a stroller). He loves pushing it around himself when he’s not riding in it, he doesn’t fight having his lil’ feet strapped into the pedals (they don’t move on their own at this point) or having the harness clipped on, and he loves being able to have a close-to-the-action view during our walks. I personally love the visor that comes down to protect him from the sun. It’s a must-have!
Promising review: “We love our Doona Liki Trike, and since purchasing it, we’ve not taken the large stroller out a single time. It’s easy to unfold, a bit trickier to fold. I need better storage. I wish it could recline for a nap. But my 10.5-month-old son has gone from hating strolling to giggling and squealing when he gets into his trike. He’s now completely a part of the action and that definitely outweighs the few downsides of the trike. Also, we get stopped every single day to talk about it…If you live in NYC and you find that sort of thing annoying, don’t purchase, lol. We don’t mind the interaction and engagement at all, especially for building social skills.” —DRMo
Get it from Amazon for $300 (available in four colors).
22. GeoSafari kid binoculars kids will love using to get *up close and personal* with nature without actually getting all that close — a must-have for littles who are curious but a bit skittish about bugs and what-not.
Amazon
Promising review: “I bought two of these as gifts. If your child likes the outdoors or looking for bugs, anything like that, then these are a must-buy. The children I gifted these to loved them and used them right away. They’re a nice color, durable, and easy for little hands to hold.” —melissa
Get them from Amazon for $14.89.
23. A classic Little Tikes basketball set — you’ll finally be able to show off your *~skillz~* to your kids while teaching them how to shoot some baskets. This addition to your yard will surely be a slam dunk. 😉
Promising review: “I went out and bought this after my grandkids showed interest in basketball. It was so easy to put together, it is sturdy enough for the kids to slam dunk and its durable enough to leave outside in the weather. Very happy with this purchase.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $51.48.
24. Plus, an adjustable tee ball set so your little slugger can practice their swing whenever the mood *strikes* (hehe) — no need to schlep to a batting cage!
Amazon
Don’t forget to add in a baseball mitt so they can practice their pitching as well!
Promising review: “My 4-year-old niece loves this. It is adjustable for different heights and durable. Best of all, it stays upright. Kids don’t always hit the ball squarely, but because of the four legs, this stand stays upright when it is hit.” —Kayaker
Get it from Amazon for $20.94+ (also available in pink).
25. A 2-in-1 checkers and tic-tac-toe game with checkers on one side and tic-tac-toe on the other, a must-have for any family who would rather exercise their brain muscles.
The game mat measures 4′ x 4′ and is machine washable! It comes with a carrying bag and 24 jumbo playing discs (12 red and 12 black). The discs are made of non-toxic recycled EVA foam.
Swooc Games is a small business that makes fun games for family and friends. The company is committed to maintaining a net-zero footprint by planting trees to offset 100% of its carbon emissions.
Promising review: “This 4′ x 4′ reversible game mat is great for indoor and outdoor fun! I love that you can play Checkers or Tic Tac Toe and all of the supplies fit in a portable bag that is perfect for storage and/or traveling. The mat is machine washable and the pieces are made of foam that is eco-friendly. The best part about this game set is how easy it is to set up and put away. I am looking forward to using this game with friends, family, and in my classroom.” —Sixth Grade Teachers
Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in two sizes).
26. A miniature golf set you can use to create a course right in your backyard — no need to spend a bunch of money taking the entire family out for mini golf. You and your kids can get crafty and set up all kinds of challenging obstacles to make it different each time you play.
Set comes with nine holes, four golf balls, and a dry-erase scorecard. To play at night like the reviewers above, grab some light-up golf balls. And don’t forget clubs!
Promising review: “We tried to set it up in the grass, and that’s not really ideal but on a patio or down a hall — it’s so much better. The silicone molding is so lightweight and the little flag centers are marvelous to make you feel like you are more than a new learner! The set is complete with four foam balls and a score board that you use a dry-erase marker on. GREAT to use only a few of the pieces for a short game for kiddos or the entire set for a more competitive experience.” —Momakookie
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
27. A playhouse for your kids that’ll make the backyard a go-to destination for all the neighborhood rascals…or provide them with the perfect opportunity to play House Hunters.😅
Promising review: “I really liked that I was able to put this together within 30 minutes by myself. Everything was pre-drilled and the directions were extremely easy to follow. We have had some crazy storms recently that have taken the cottage flying through the wind and landing upside down and it hasn’t broken anywhere! It’s very light, so I can pick it up and toss it if I need to, and big enough for my kids and their friends to play in. Overall a great buy!” —melinda
Get it from Amazon for $122.99 (available in three styles).
28. A lightweight Veer All-Terrain Cruiser stroller/wagon with a ton of practical accessories and configurations that’ll make it an integral part of all your outdoor excursions from now through the fall! Load it up and hit the playground like you would have the *~clurb~* back in the 2010s.
Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed, Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
Veer is a small business that sells awesome, parent-friendly wagons and other outdoor family products. This specific wagon (which also comes in a four-seater style) has so many incredible accessories you won’t believe it. We’re talking adaptable beach wheels, customizable colored siding, coolers, fans, and canopies (just to name a few). I recently got this wagon and my family LOVES it. It’s so easy to get both kids into (1- and 3-year-old) and they’re so happy to go on a walk across from each other — feels more like an adventure! I live in the ‘burbs and it’s been easy breezy to navigate it through my sidewalk-less neighborhood and grassy parks.
BuzzFeed writer Mallory Mower also has this and says, “I have never seen my husband gush over a product for our daughter more than he has with this wagon. And I’m just as big of a fan! There are *so* many useful accessories you can get to customize your ride specifically to your family’s needs. We have a canopy, a cushioned toddler seat, extra storage nets, a cooler, and more. There are different attachments for season changes and a range of ages – so this truly grows with your child. It is easy to get through doors, swivel around pedestrians, and roam around uneven surfaces at the park. I can’t think of a more useful product for parents in a city, or families who are often out and about. And, most importantly, my daughter *adores* it. She laughs, cheers, and giggles the whole ride (plus the cup tray attachment means she can snack on her own while we’re on the move). This wagon is the sort of thing that makes me glad I’m a parent in 2025. Parenting products have come a *long* way!”
Promising review: “We are so excited to have this Veer Cruiser XL for our little one. It is perfect for the outdoors, and we love its portability and ease of setting up and closing. It’s also super easy to clean and will last a very long time.” —Veer Customer
Get it from Amazon or Veer for $699.
29. And a splurge-worthy playset with a modern vibe you won’t mind seeing every time you look out your kitchen window — it has two swings, a fun slide, and an enticing climbing tower your kids will want to plot all their schemes inside.
Avenlur is a small business!
Promising review: “Got this swing set for my kiddos and they love playing with it!! It’s beautiful and sturdy and fits so well in our backyard. Great for getting the kids outdoors and fairly simple to put together, it just takes time. Highly recommend! Also, a major plus is that Avenlur has amazing customer service!” —LC
Get it from Amazon for $1,495.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.