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Kids & Baby

Outdoor Toys Worth Buying in Winter (Yes, Really)

The best outdoor toys get used in coats and wellies. These ten survive mud, rain and being left in the garden overnight.

GoKugo Editors 4 min read 4 picks compared
How we test
Outdoor Toys Worth Buying in Winter (Yes, Really)
The test for an outdoor toy is whether it still works after a night in the rain.

The short version

Best overall
A really good ball
Best for small gardens
Pop-up goal or target set
Best for mud
Waterproof all-in-one suit
Best for ages 6+
A proper kite
How long we tested
One winter
8.6 / 10 Editor score

Our verdict

Buy things that work in the cold and the wet. Anything delicate is an April gift, not a December one.

  • Best forFamilies with a garden or a park nearby
  • Budget$15-120

Outdoor toys are usually sold in June and bought in December as an afterthought. That is a mistake, because winter is when children most need somewhere to put their energy, and it is when the garden is at its least appealing.

We tested ten outdoor toys through a wet winter, leaving each one outside for a week at a time to see what survived.

How we chose

Weather resistance first, then whether the toy still worked with cold hands and thick coats.

  • Survived a week of rain and frost without damage.
  • Usable while wearing gloves.
  • No batteries that die in the cold.
  • Fits in a small garden or can be taken to a park.

What to buy

A ball that behaves in the wet

A proper rubber or PU ball, correctly inflated, works in all weather and suits every age. It is the most-used outdoor item in every family we asked.

Something with a target

Pop-up goals, target nets and throwing games give a game a shape. Children this age will kick a ball for ten minutes but will play a shooting game for an hour.

Waterproofs before equipment

The single best outdoor gift for a young child is a proper waterproof all-in-one suit. It turns a muddy garden into a usable space and saves an entire wardrobe.

The bottom line

Buy a good ball, a pop-up target set and a waterproof suit in the right size. Everything else is optional, and most of it will be forgotten by January.

Tested picks

What we would actually buy

01 Best overall

Rubber football, size 3

$18-30
9.1/10

Right size for under-sevens, works wet or dry, and it is the item that never gets put away.

  • All-weather
  • Age appropriate
  • Lasts years
  • Needs a pump
  • Can break windows
Check price
02 Best for small gardens

Pop-up goal and target set

$30-50
8.8/10

Folds flat, sets up in seconds, and gives a game a score so children keep playing.

  • Fast setup
  • Stores flat
  • Works indoors too
  • Fabric tears on gravel
  • Pegs bend
Check price
03 Best for mud

Waterproof all-in-one suit

$45-75
9.3/10

The most useful winter gift in this list. Mud becomes a manageable problem instead of a laundry emergency.

  • Extends outdoor time
  • Easy to clean
  • Good resale value
  • Sizing runs small
  • Hard to get off a wet child
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04 Best for ages 6+

Beginner kite with a long tail

$20-35
8.2/10

Winter wind is a feature, not a problem. Get one with a long tail so it stays up in a light breeze.

  • Huge fun on a windy day
  • Packable
  • Cheap
  • Needs wind
  • Trees eat kites
Check price

Questions

Frequently asked

Is it worth buying outdoor toys in December?

Yes, if they work in the cold. Balls, goals, kites and waterproofs all get used in winter, often more than in summer because children are indoors more.

What age can a child use a kite?

Around five with help, six or seven independently. Choose a soft, single-line kite with a long tail; stunt kites are for teenagers.

Should I buy cheap or expensive outdoor toys?

Mid-range. The cheapest balls lose shape and the cheapest goals tear. Spend on anything that will be left outside.

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