Best Outdoor Toys and Gifts for Kids Ages 6–12 (2026)

Once little kids graduate to big kids, the fun really begins outdoors. Kids in the 6-to-12 range are adventurous, enthusiastic, and psyched to emulate their favorite adults—aka you—with rad outdoor activities. The best outdoor toys for kids feed that wild streak, so they’re ready to bike, climb, hike, or rip down a backyard zip line with aplomb.

We polled our editors and colleagues at Outside to find the best outdoor toys for kids in that post-toddler, preteen age bracket. Here are their favorites, every one tested by their own kids.

Backyard Toys for Kids

This is the kit we all wish we’d had as kids: 36 feet of line, a roller wheel, a handlebar, and an end-of-line bumper. Offer to help set it up as a bonus gift—as long as you get the inaugural ride, of course.

What Outsiders Say: “My neighbors have this, and it’s my boys’ favorite! They feel like Indiana Jones, and it fuels all kinds of imaginative play.”

Tentsile Safari Stingray 3-Person Tree Tent

Best for: Families with kids of all ages

A tree house, but make it a tent (and slightly lower to the ground). We’re obsessed with this tent-hammock hybrid, which takes uneven ground out of the equation when deciding where to set up camp.

What Outsiders Say: “My kids loved this thing!”

Skipulk Icebox Igloo Tool

Best for: Families with kids of all ages

This brick-making tool turns a snow day into a full-blown engineering project, and a backyard igloo they’ll brag about all winter.

What Outsiders Say: “It has been so fun to make legit igloos with kids, both in the front yard and in the sidecountry. So fun!”

Outdoor Gifts for Kids Who Bike and Climb

Norco Charger Youth Bike

Best for: Ages 6–12

This lightweight bike is versatile enough for both trails and sidewalks, with a low standover height designed for kids. It’s one of our favorite outdoor gifts for kids ages 6 to 12, from 6-year-olds just hitting the trails to tweens ready for the bike park.

What Outsiders Say: “My 10-year-old daughter loves this bike! It really inspired her confidence, and now she rides it on blue trails at Killington Bike Park.”

Kids Ride Shotgun MTB Tow Rope

Best for: Ages 5–12

Say goodbye to mid-climb meltdowns. This shock-absorbing tow rope gives tired legs a boost on the uphills, and it’s rated for up to 500 pounds, so even big kids can hitch a ride.

What Outsiders Say: “A bike tow rope is the best way to get your kid out on the trails. It removes the aerobic burden of the climb and lets them revel in the fun part: cruising downhill! Bonus: You (or your e-bike motor) get an even better workout.”

Trail Utility Grom Sling

Best for: Ages 2 and up

Pro tip: Fill this kid-size snack pack with your favorite trail snacks and a handwritten invitation to go for a hike together.

What Outsiders Say: “The No. 1 way to keep kids happy outdoors is to have plenty of snacks! This kid-size, adjustable hip pack carries all the gummy worms and M&M’s your kid needs to keep the vibes high on your outdoor adventures.”

8BPlus Monster Chalk Bag

Best for: Climbers of all ages

Part monster, part chalk bag, all motivation: This fuzzy sidekick helps take the scary out of scaling new heights.

What Outsiders Say: “This [chalk bag] is one of the main reasons my kid is into climbing.”

Gifts for Kids Who Love Snow

Salomon QST Blank Team Skis

Best for: Ages 8–14

Ready to go all-out? This is our favorite ski for kids making the jump from greens to blues and beyond.

What Outsiders Say: “This ski is forgiving enough for kids who are still learning, but solid enough that it rips under a kid who knows how to make a turn.”

Flylow Youth Baker Jr. Shell Bib

Best for: Ages 4–14

A waterproof, non-insulated shell bib that lets kids layer up on frigid days and shed layers when the sun comes out, whether they’re skiing, sledding, or building snow forts.

What Outsiders Say: “If your winter recreation tends to happen in warmer climates, like the sunny Sierra, your kids will be way more comfortable with a layering system that lets them ditch insulation when temps rise without sacrificing a waterproof outer layer. Waterproof, non-insulated snow pants for kids have historically been hard to find, so I’m super excited to see this new offering from Flylow.”

Smartwool Kids’ Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew

Best for: Ages 2–14

Warm, cozy basics never go out of style—even if your kid outgrows them by next season.

What Outsiders Say: “Want your kid to enjoy skiing? Get them high-quality base layers that keep them warm, breathe, and won’t fall apart when kids abuse them.”

Gear for Family Adventures

Rocky Talkie Walkie-Talkies

Best for: Ages 6 and up

The happy medium between tin cans and cell phones, these walkie-talkies are fun toys now but tough enough to last well into adulthood, with a shatterproof screen, rugged thermoplastic housing, and a carabiner and backup leash so they won’t go missing on the trail. They’re one of our favorite outdoor toys for 6-year-olds, and tweens love them just as much.

What Outsiders Say: “Pure old-school fun here. Kids love playing with walkie-talkies on camping trips. Plus, there’s the safety factor of easily staying in touch with your budding explorer, whether they’re down the street or skipping ahead on the hiking trail.”

Victorinox Swiss Army Evolution Junior 9

Best for: Ages 8–12, with adult supervision

A real Swiss Army knife built for smaller hands, with a saw that’s perfect for whittling marshmallow sticks. (Maybe check with the parents first. Just a thought!)

What Outsiders Say: “First things first: knives are tools, not toys. And experts generally agree it’s best to start teaching kids how to use knives with fixed blades in the kitchen. When they’re ready, get them a kid-specific multitool that’s made for smaller hands and has a removable knife if they’re not quite yet ready to have their own blade. It will give them confidence to do all sorts of tasks—and help you with your helicopter-parent tendencies.”

Neso Grande Portable Beach Tent Sun Shelter

Best for: Families with kids of all ages

Beach days can quickly go awry when the sun is too strong. This spacious beach tent solves that problem so you can stay out all day.

What Outsiders Say: “It’s pretty easy to put up and break down. It’s not great on windy days, but when it’s not windy, it’s perfection. It’s super spacious and, honestly, it just looks really good.”