As a Mom of three kids and a toy buyer for the Nature Shop for the past 15 years, I have lots of experience with toys that encourage kids to be outside and active.   I look for toys that are fun, durable, and will burn some energy.

1. Ninja Line: Backyard outdoor hanging obstacle course kit

2.  Swurfer Swing, surf and sail through the air on a maple swing.

3.  Hanging Crow’s Nest Organic Cotton Kids Hanging Nest with Suspension. The ideal place for children to play and retreat.

4.  Light Up Basketball: Shoot hoops day or night

5.  LED rechargeable Spinballs: Put on a show and light the night!

6.  Hammock:  Lightweight so you can take it with you anywhere – we take it with us backpacking and the kids always fight over who gets to swing in it!  It’s light enough that they can even carry their own.

7.  Stunt Plane: Run, jump and stomp to launch planes.

8.  Glider: Simple and fun.  Made in Germany.

9.  Zipline  A fun, thrilling adventure.  I have yet to see a child not have a huge grin when they are on the zipline.

10.  Slackline : Portable so you can set it up in camp, the park or your backyard. I’m not sure who has more fun on the slackline – kids or adults.  This slackline holds up to 250 lbs so it is ideal for all ages.

11.  Faux Bow  Safe and durable.  The arrows fly really far- once my kids tried the Faux Bow, they choose it rather than their real bow and arrows.

12.  Air Foil Kite: Easy to fly, and no assembly required. Our go-to kite for walks on the beach or windy days in town.

13.  Aerobie Skylighter  These fly far and are incredibly durable and accurate.

14. Kids Wheelbarrow  Gardening with the kids is a win-win for me. I get to be outside doing something I love with the kids and they actually help get the weeds out of the garden.

15.  Dreamcatcher Swing No assembly required. Holds up to 250 pounds! Watching a group of little kids giggle and play on this swing is an absolute joy.