Looking for toys to keep your kids busy and burning off that extra energy? This gift guide for active kids is full of interactive and engaging toys. Whether you have a busy toddler or an active tween, there is something on this list for everyone.
Toys that encourage physical activity and movement
As a “practical minimalist” I am not one to buy my children a ton of toys.
Instead, I look for high quality and engaging toys that my children will use for years to come.
Over the years I have created selection criteria to help me decide if a toy is worth bringing into my house.
Here are a few key features I look for when selecting toys:
- Encourage outdoor play
- Require movement
- Develop coordination
- Offer sensory input
- Inspire creativity and imagination
How Toys can Improve Behavior
Many toys on this list help to develop fine and gross motor skills.
Fine motor skills are small movements — such as picking up small objects and writing with a pencil — that use the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, and face.
Gross motor skills are the bigger movements — such as jumping and balancing — that use the large muscles in the arms, legs, torso, and feet.
As a teacher, I see more and more students struggling with these issues. Without these skills kiddos have trouble writing, skipping, tying their shoes, and playing.
When children struggle with these basic skills they become easily frustrated. This can easily lead to tantrums, anxiety and anger.
However, when they are able to to master these skills it also helps them to become more confident and tolerate frustration more easily.
Also, kids who are active and are able to “get their energy out” tend to be more relaxed.
This gift guide is perfect for children with lots of energy, ADHD or sensory processing disorder
At the same time they also work great just to keep kids busy so you can take a shower too 😉
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Active Toys for Busy Toddlers
Howdy Cow Inflatable Hopping Toy
A fun, healthy activity that develops their fitness, balance, and coordination. All while keeping them entertained. Perfect for ages 3 and up, they will definitely love this indoor/outdoor hopper! Made from extremely heavy duty durable eco-friendly material – soft rubber and phthalate free.
12’ Parachute for Kids
A super-fun parachute perfect for play and fort building. Promotes cooperative group play while helping to build muscles. Great for building upper body strength and can even be used as a beach or picnic blanket.
Moluk Bilibo
A simple, elegantly shaped and magically attractive toy. The Bilibo inspires creative, imaginative, limitless play. The shell shape and bright colors are immediately appealing, arousing curiosity, and attention.The award winning Bilibo was designed in Switzerland in conjunction with child development experts. Made from nontoxic, shatterproof polyethylene it is incredibly durable and appropriate for both indoor and outdoor play
Schwinn Transitional Toddler Bike
We have tried a lot of bicycles over the years and this was our favorite by far. There is a quick release seat post for fast growing kids. You can start off with training wheels and the “parent push” handle. Overtime, remove these and allow your kiddo to ride independently.
Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster Ride On
This toy has been my sanity saver for years.
We have used it inside, outside, down the hallway and for birthday parities.
It’s a 10-foot long roller coaster ride on track, built for years of play outdoors or in the playroom.
It has a recessed retainer well keeps ride on car in place during mounting. Also, the riding car has high back, handrail, and foot rests for riding securely down the track.
The Original Glow in the Dark Stomp Rocket Jr.
Your kids will have a blast as they run, jump and STOMP to launch these rockets up in the sky!
The Jr. Glow Stomp Rockets glow-in-the-dark, so you can even play at night!
The Best Toys for Active Kids (Age 5-8 years)
Gonge Riverstones
Perfect for the ultimate version of “The Floor is Lava”!
Each side of the stones vary in steepness and difficulty.
One of my favorite features is that the stones can be stacked for easy storage. There is also a rubber rim that prevents slipping – they thought of everything!
Sturdy Birdy Balancing Game
Winner of Preferred Choice Award by Creative Child Magazine and Parents’ Choice Award. This is a fun and silly game of striking poses and balancing seed bags. Helps children hone balance and coordination skills for better control. Improves gross motor skills, social interaction, self-esteem; No reading required, easy for the youngest in the family to join in the fun. Also helps strengthen number recognition and counting skills.
Step2 Skyward Summit Climbing Gym
Your little adventurer can explore and discover from the peak of the summit. Looks just like a real rock climbing wall! Four different climbing surfaces create endless options and challenges. Also has two climbing cargo nets, one mid-level platform net and 12 junior hand grips.
Step2 Extreme Roller Coaster Ride-On
This is the perfect option if your kiddo is a little older or taller if you were checking out the Step2 Roller Coaster above.
Doorframe Playground with Indoor Swing
Bring the playground indoors.
Hours of indoor fun climbing, swinging and hanging!
Let’s Go Code! Activity Set
Help your little learners learn early coding concepts in this engaging, non-digital game. Your kiddo will hop, turn, step and jump their way across the activity mat as they practice their problem solving skills. This step-by-step approach is the perfect way to help youngsters understand the basics of coding. Plus, they’ll build their gross motor skills along the way.
Ultra Dash Racing Game
My kiddos are always wanting me to “time them” as they run around the house. It is such a good tactic, that I even use it to get them to clean up or take baths “as fast as they can!” With this game they can set out the targets to design their own race course! Choose from 3 game modes: beat the clock, target tally and relay race!
Dueling Stomp Rocket
Perfect for older kids- with this version they can challenge friends or siblings to see who can launch their rocket the highest. Perfect for burning off extra energy.
Gonge TOP
A wonderful giant top for hours of fun.
Use it to rock from side to side, spin it, build a den, etc. Small children can even use it as a boat in the pool (only under adult supervision).
Develops children’s physical coordination while they play. Made of strong plastic for both indoor and outdoor play.
Gifts for Active Tweens
Twister Moves Hip Hop Spots
Older kids will love playing Twister Moves Hip Hop Spots. Each time a light flashes, a player hops on that spot. To get the best score, they have to make sure they hit the spot in time to the beat! Twister Hip Hop Spots has 3 levels – Beginner, Advanced, and Pro. Once players have mastered the moves to 3 songs in 1 level, they’ll unlock the next one. After the final level, players will unlock Freestyle mode. No rules now — they can just have fun dancing! Kids can play solo or challenge a friend with this game.
Super High Performance Stomp Rocket
The ultimate in Stomp Rocket performance! Kids 9 and older can launch these rockets up to 400 feet in the air — that’s longer than a football field, including the end zones! Stomp Rocket Super High Performance is strong and durable, and great for active, outdoor play. Stomp Rockets have won lots of awards from industry experts, including iParenting Media, Dr. Toy and Creative Child Magazine.
Zipfy Two Tone Series and Freestyle Luge Snow Sled
Zipfy is a uniquely designed rugged plastic snow sled with a distinctive lever used for stability and turning. With a low center of gravity and the rail design on the underbelly of the sled, riders can carve down the slopes simply by leaning into the turn while holding the center handle. Zipfy is compact, very light and easy to carry back up the hill.
Best Selling Sled on Amazon 2007, 2008, 2009 Top Toy of the Year Award 2009, 2010
Folding Ski Scooter for Use on Snow and Grass
Super versatile scooter that can be ridden on flat, smooth surfaces such snow, sand, grass (even carpet ), using one foot to push off the ground. Perfect for all season fun!
WODDice KIDS (Workout of the Day)
WOD stands for Workout Of the Day
The WODDice® KIDS set is perfect to help kids burn off extra energy.
These giant, brightly colored dice will attract kids of all ages who won’t be able to wait to pick them up and roll them.
All exercises have a demonstration video. The perfect gift for you little gym rat in training 😉
Slack Lines for Kids
The perfect slackline kit for beginners. It can be set up in the back yard, park, campsite…basically anywhere you can find two suitable trees or anchor points!
- Improve leg strength, abdominal muscles, and core fitness.
- Increase balance skills and develop acrobatic abilities.
- Great meditative practice which can help with depression and anxiety among many other things.
More toys for active kids:
There you have it mama! The best toys for active kids to keep them busy!
Allie says
Great post! Ok I might have to get those oddly shaped exercise dice… TheyAre awesome! Thanks for a wonderful list.
Rosie says
LOVE THIS gift guide so much! In fact I am going to order some things from your links! Great list ❤
Lauren @ Simply-Well-Balanced says
Thank you! I really put a lot of time into it and personally own many of the items, I’ve used in classrooms, or my kiddos have used them at friends houses.
mary says
Great list! We have cold winters in Ohio and I’m always looking for toys we can setup in the basement during the cold months…and preferably ones that will keep the kids active. So many of these are perfect for that! I love the roller coaster, hanging rings and river stones.
Lauren @ Simply-Well-Balanced says
We live in California and I am always jealous of all the midwest homes with basements for that exact reason. What a great place to play and get their wiggles out when it’s freezing outside!
alida venter says
Great post! Thanks for the ideas. With the holidays coming up, this post will help a lot!
Lauren @ Simply-Well-Balanced says
Glad you were able to get some great gift ideas!
Christina says
These are awesome ideas! Th makes for all the research
Lauren @ Simply-Well-Balanced says
Hi Christina! Glad you found this post helpful. I love being able to share the best ideas I can find with my readers. The toys on this list have provided my own children with hours of play over the past few years. Money well spent for sure!