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STEM ToysBest Outdoor Learning Toys Every UK Parent Needs
There's something magical about learning under an open sky. Garden play refers to any outdoor activity, with or without outdoor learning toys, whether it’s in a backyard, balcony, or local green space.
Garden play fosters independence, observation skills, confidence and a deep appreciation for nature. The blend of physical activities, open-ended exploration, and real-world learning in a safe and familiar environment makes it truly special.
With an emphasis on why garden play is one of the most effective forms of experiential learning and the top Skillmatics outdoor learning toys for garden play, today's blog helps you turn your garden space into an adventure-packed learning hub.
What Research Has to Say?
According to research, outdoor play can:
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Reduce stress and boost creativity.
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Prompt positive emotions.
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Improve concentration and attention
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Encourage children to be more physically active and fit.
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Positively impact social and communication skills, perseverance, and self-regulation.
7 Skillmatics' Suggestions for Garden Play
1. Found It: Outdoor Game (Ages 4-7)
Type: Smart scavenger hunt game.
Skills Enhanced: Observation, logical thinking, phonics, numbers and counting, shapes & spatial relationships, self-awareness & emotions, and more.
Why It’s Great: Turns your garden into an exciting treasure trail of learning.
Variants: The travel and Mega Pack (5 in 1)
2. Magical Sun Art (Ages 4-12)
Type: Hands-on STEAM discovery kit.
Skills Enhanced: Cause and effect, scientific thinking, creativity, fine motor skills, visual perception, and early STEAM concepts.
Why It’s Great: Let's kids explore the wonders of sunlight, chemistry, and art all in one fun activity.
Variants: Animals and Out in Nature.
3. Jump and Learn (Ages 2-5)
Type: Multi-sensory flashcards.
Skills Enhanced: Letters, numbers, shapes, and colour identification.
Why It’s Great: Combines movement and learning to keep little ones engaged and energised.
4. Marbling Magic (Ages 6-12)
Type: Marble painting kit.
Skills Enhanced: Creative thinking, fine motor, process planning, focus and attention.
Why It’s Great: Let kids paint on water and turn their imagination into stunning art pieces. Perfect for a calm garden play!
5. Sidewalk Chalk Activity Kit (Ages 3-10)
Type: Repeatable chalk stick activities and games.
Skills Enhanced: Creativity, strategy and learning games.
Why It’s Great: Uses CPSIA-compliant, odourless, non-toxic chalk sticks designed to fit in small hands comfortably.
6. To The Top! (Ages 6+)
Type: 2-4 player matching, balancing, and strategy outdoor game.
Skills Enhanced: Fine motor, strategy, and decision-making skills.
Why It’s Great: Keeps your children active and engaged in outdoor play in the summer heat through limitless replayability.
7. Magical Scratch Art (Ages 3-8)
Type: Scratch art book.
Skills Enhanced: Hand-eye coordination, creative expression, creative thinking, fine motor skills, and spatial reasoning.
Why It’s Great: Travel-friendly, DIY activity that turns long summer hours in the garden into a creative expression.
Variants: Unicorn & Princesses, Animals, and Dinosaurs.
5 DIY Garden Game Ideas
With a few household items and a little imagination, you can transform your garden into an exciting playground for movement, coordination, and teamwork. Here are 5 DIY outdoor learning game ideas that you can try with your children this summer.
1. Obstacle Course
Supplies: Garden ropes, carton boxes, buckets, hula hoops, old tyres.
How to Play: Set up a custom track with fun challenges like crawling under, hopping over, zig-zag, or balancing through the course. Add mini riddles, trick questions, 1-minute puzzles, or a short rapid fire between the courses to mix physical and mental play.
Skills Enhanced: Motor skills, balance, and confidence.
2. Tin Can Toss
Supplies: Empty cans, softball
How to Play: Stack empty cans in a pyramid and use a soft ball to knock them down from a distance. Draw a starting line using chalk or a rope to guide the balling effort. Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon!
Skills Enhanced: Eye-hand coordination and aiming skills.
3. Shadow Tag
Supplies: Nothing! Just bring yourselves 100%!
How to Play: One player takes the chance at being 'It,' the chase master. Instead of touching others to tag them, the 'It' has to tag the shadows. It is a fun family outdoor learning game that gets even better in large groups.
Skills Enhanced: Motor skills and agility.
4. Water Balloon Bowling
Supplies: Partly filled water bottles, chalk or rolls, and water balloons.
How to Play: Arrange the partly filled bottles in a triangular pattern like bowling pins. Draw a line using chalk or ropes and try to knock the bottles using a water balloon.
Skills Enhanced: Hand-eye coordination, gross motor, teamwork, problem-solving, spatial awareness.
5. Ring Toss
Supplies: Empty bottles or cones, paper rings
How to Play: Arrange empty bottles or cones in rows. Aim well and toss paper rings to hit as many bottles or cones as you can. Bonus points if you theme the toss, like flowers, animals or numbers.
Skills Enhanced: Hand-eye coordination, fine and gross motor, and spatial awareness.
Let the Games Begin!
Are you ready to turn summer into a fun learning experience for your children? Watch their faces light up with joy as they find answers, hit targets, and create new art! You can get as creative as you want. A good way to go about it is to collaborate with your children.
Let them brainstorm on the themes they like and come up with unique game rules to make it more exciting! Browse the Skillmatics outdoor range to pair DIY play with purposeful learning. Let’s make playtime magical together!
Found It: Outdoor Game (Ages 4-7)
Sidewalk Chalk Activity Kit (Ages 3-10)
Magical Scratch Art (Ages 3-8)