15 answers

E.F. asks from Pittsburgh, PA on May 25, 2011

Outside Ideas

My "backyard" is all concrete-- it's our driveway. I'm looking for ideas for a summer toy for my 3.5 yo for outside. A sandbox is a possibility, but I was hoping for something else because the little girl next door has a sandbox and we play there a lot. So I'd like to have something different. We don't have room for a playhouse, and can't have anything to climb on because of the concrete. Any ideas? What do your kids like to play with outside that would work in a small, concrete backyard?

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Thanks guys. I love the sheet and water table ideas!

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C.P. answers from Albuquerque on May 25, 2011

I second the chalk! My girl loves to draw all over the driveway! Also, what about a sand/water table, a picnic table, or an inflatable pool (put it on top of those foam mats for padding)? If you're looking for a more unusual idea, you can buy or make a planting bed for flowers or veggies? (Or call it a bug garden?) :)

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J.F. answers from Boston on May 25, 2011

Water table provides hours of fun.

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K.B. answers from Pittsburgh on May 26, 2011

I vote for a water table. Hours of fun, easy clean up!

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E.S. answers from Asheville on May 25, 2011

swingset, wading pool, bubbles, tether ball, hopscotch

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C.P. answers from Albuquerque on May 25, 2011

I second the chalk! My girl loves to draw all over the driveway! Also, what about a sand/water table, a picnic table, or an inflatable pool (put it on top of those foam mats for padding)? If you're looking for a more unusual idea, you can buy or make a planting bed for flowers or veggies? (Or call it a bug garden?) :)

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S.K. answers from Denver on May 25, 2011

I would do as other mommas suggested, sidewalk chalk, a sand box, water table, bubbles, you can get a small sprinkler head too and let them play in the water since they are still pretty young and dont quite need a slip'n slide or anything

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M.P. answers from Raleigh on May 25, 2011

I third the sidewalk chalk. My 4 yo LOVES it. And I noticed they make glow in the dark sidewalk chalk now- pretty cool!

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J.G. answers from Springfield on May 25, 2011

Riding toys! We are very fortunate with our backyard, but our driveway is all rocks. My boys only use their riding toys at my parents' house. Can't wait till they're old enough to use them on our driveway.

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B.R. answers from York on May 26, 2011

My son loves using his lawn mower and riding toys on the concrete area of our back yard. He loves the cozy coupe car, and his tricycle. A water table could be a big hit, since there's already a sand box next door. I've seen them with water wheels and fun gadgets to fill and move.

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S.H. answers from Honolulu on May 25, 2011

Side walk chalk
Tricycle or bike
Scooter
Basket Ball set (there are toddler sizes). Like this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Little-Tikes-TotSports-Easy-Sco...
My Son has this one. He loves it. He is 4.

Wading Pool

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K.B. answers from Philadelphia on May 25, 2011

A riding toy.
You can have a climber if you can afford to buy some foam mats to put around it.
Basketball hoop.
Sidewalk chalk.
Bubble machine.
Water table (vs a sand table).
Picnic table for snacks and coloring and playing.
Teeter totter.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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M.S. answers from Philadelphia on May 26, 2011

I would get a cheap kiddie pool and one of those neat water tables. It's going to be SO hot!

Another fun thing is to get a huge back of balls (Target has a bag of 100 on sale in the outside toy aisle) and fill up a kiddie pool with it. (not water needed) My little guy loved that!

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M.W. answers from Philadelphia on May 26, 2011

What about putting up an old sheet and letting him create a giant art project by spraying the sheet with food-colored water? My son looooooves spray bottles!!

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B.W. answers from Pittsburgh on May 26, 2011

my daughter loves her water table. We got her the sand & water table but i fill both sides with water.

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T.S. answers from Philadelphia on May 26, 2011

My son loves his water table. It's a pirate ship so he has a blast playing with the pirates and splashing in the water. It's good that it keeps him cool too. There are some tables that you can do half water and half sand.

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S.B. answers from Philadelphia on May 26, 2011

I would buy some foam flooring mats & a small hard plasti pool. Put the pool on the mats. Our little pool is my 2 & 3.5 yr olds favorite outdoor toy.

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