Summer is officially here, despite the weather jumping back and forth. Even with the showers and occasional cold day, my children are out playing in our garden or on our road at every opportunity and I love it! At this time of year, I always invest in a few new outdoor toys for them and if you are in the same frame of mind, here are ten affordable outdoor toys you might like too.

1.  Children’s Gardening Tool Set – €5.99

This cool little tool set is made out of wood and metal so they are stronger than the plastic alternatives. They are perfect for gardening with, playing on the beach with or in a sandpit.

2. The Worlds Best Bug Viewer – €4.99

This little pot is made of clear plastic so once you have caught a bug you want to observe, you can look at them from all angles. The lid has a built-in magnifying glass, which allows you to view your bug in greater detail. Alternatively, if you don’t like removing small creatures from their habitats, invest in a magnifying glass (€2.50) to help your child observe them better.

3. French Skipping Ropes – €5.75

These are great if you have more than two children or if your kids have friends who play with them regularly. Two people put this elastic rope around their ankles and the others jump over it. Alternatively, if you have fewer people, you can put the rope around chair legs. Or, you could invest in a regular skipping rope either. I stock a wooden handle Bee one and a wooden handle Flower patterned one. They both cost €7.80. Sometimes kids are given skipping ropes before they are able to skip. Most kids seem to master skipping at about the age of six.

4. Kite – €7

These pocket kites are brilliant as they have no poles and they are light and easy to bring to the beach or park. They fly great too!

5.  Bruder Mini Dumper – €15.99

Some plastic toys get destroyed with sunlight and sand but not the Bruder range. They are made for real play and this Mini Dumper can be brought to the beach or the sandpit.

6. Build your own Bird Feeder – €13.95

Make up this bird feeder and attach it to your child’s window or your kitchen window and birds will come up close to feed out of it. It doesn’t quite encourage outdoor play but it does encourage an awareness of the birds that live in your neighbourhood.

7.  Paint your own Birdhouse – €10.99

This set comes with a wooden birdhouse, paints and a paintbrush so your child can decorate their own birdhouse and hopefully watch some small birds visit regularly.

8. Tea Party in a Tin – €13.95

Just like families like to go on picnics, dolls and teddies do too! This little porcelain tea set is perfect for imaginary play outside.

9. Chalk Bombs – €8

Children love messy play and these chalk bombs can make a chalky mess! Throw them on the ground randomly or in a pattern to make your own colourful chalk design.

10. My Garden Play Set – €13.95

Encourage your child to take an interest in gardening with this children’s garden play set complete with a trowel, gloves and much more.

I would have added two more items to this list if I’d had them in stock. These would be the Chunky Sidewalk Chalks and the Gymnastic Ribbons. Maybe by the time you are reading this, both of these will be back in stock!

The toys I’ve featured here are suitable for children aged eight and under. I plan on writing a similar blog next week featuring some outdoor toys for older children, so if you have older ones, keep an eye out next week.

Thanks for reading. Now, all we need is some summer weather!!

xx Suzie