Favorite outdoor toys for a 2 year old

[sail731]

What outdoor toys did you find to be must have for your 2 year old?

We currently have a swing set with a toddler swing and it has a large 2nd story club house with slide. It's fun to play with, but at this age either DH or I must be there at all times.

Our neighborhood does not have sidewalks and our driveway is inclined so I worry about bikes a little. We also have an inflatable swimming pool.

We have lots of grassy area in back and a large deck also.

All suggestions are welcome. TIA.

[clc053103]

sand and water table- though we do ours with just sand as the sand was always in the water anyway. DS is 3 1/2 and still loves it.

[The Review Mommy]

We have and would buy again:

*The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe-Pick up Truck version with flip down tail gate. Taller and roomier then the others. Comes with hard hat and tool box with tools. Exclusive to LT.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oQxFkQY9Eg&feature=channel_page

*Step2 Sand and Water Table-Sam's Club has it for $52. Constant Play!
http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Playful-Water-Activity-Center/dp/B0000WXGL8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1239986857&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005U8TE/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

We are curently looking at:

Step2 Coaster-looks extra fun if your yard is a bit slanted. Sort of like a slide but with a car. Cool! 2 different versions. The extreme is higher/faster.
http://www.amazon.com/Step2-GEEal711400-Down-Roller-Coaster/dp/B00005KBVD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1239986888&sr=1-1

Little Tikes Adjustable Mountain Climber or similar with a large slide. We like the Step2 Skyward Summit but its too tall for our Home Assoc.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Adjustable-Mountain-Climber/dp/B00030EPIU/ref=cm_lmf_tit_8_rsrsrs1

http://www.step2.com/product.cfm?product_id=1546

Depends on your kid. Mine are climbers and very active. They wouldn't use a playhouse AT ALL. So it would be a bust for us. ;)

[brittone2]

Naturally Playful sandbox (the one w/ the sun on it...I assume it is still being made) gets great reviews. My 5 year old is still using it 4 years after we bought it (and his 2 year old sister has been using it for over a year now).

Bubble mower

pool

sidewalk chalk

We have an indoor easel (wood) and then a $3 yardsale plastic easel (step 2 or little tykes) that lives outside on our deck. The kids were out painting on it today in fact. Relatively easy cleanup w/ keeping it outside vs. inside.

We never got a Cozy Coupe but that's a good suggestion from the PP. DD likes other ride on toys, and she likes her trike (was DS's before he moved to a balance bike).

Bubbles

swing set

My kids like a dishpan or rubbermaid underbed storage box filled w/ water, and then I give them scoops, a turkey baster, measuring cups, etc. to play with. We also have a little wash board and they'll "wash" (clean ;) ) small hand towels, etc. and hang them on a little wash line. I think the washboard was $8 or so at the local small hardware store. I give them a little soap and let them play with that kind of thing. You could also use something like plastic play dishes and let them "wash" them outside.

[Asianmommy]

Bubbles, bubbles, & more bubbles.
Kangaroo Climber
Cozy Coupe
sandbox
sidewalk chalk
playhouse

[C99]

I don't think there is a lot that qualifies as "must-have" for outdoor playthings for a 2-year-old. My children have all enjoyed our sand table at that age, as well as the usual suspects -- balls, trucks, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles. DS2 likes the plastic playhouse we have, and wishes he could climb on our Step2 Big Climber to go down the slide (can't quite get the vertical climb yet), but we did not acquire these things specifically for him. He does also enjoy the Cozy Coupe and other simple ride-on toys and the found Little Tykes Activity Garden we take out of the garage from time to time.

My in-laws and parents have none of these things; yet, he can happily spend hours in their respective backyards with a garden spade and a pile of dirt.

[Naranjadia]

We just got the Little Tikes mulching lawn mower for our twins - and they play with them every day. Love 'em. And they get lots of exercise.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-4375-Mulching-Mower/dp/B00004Z58D

[Happy 2B mommy]

A sandbox or sand water table. I also strongly second the step 2 roller coaster. We got it last year and it's DD favorite toy. This spring she's big enough to play with it alone (last year she needed help pushing the car up and needed a push down).

[DietCokeLover]

Cozy coupes are a huge hit with my kids.

But honestly, my kids seem happiest with "God's toys" --- leaves, rocks, grass, branches, etc.

We do have an inflatable pool and we are looking into getting a sand table, but right now, we have a very small yard with a play house, 2 coupes, a little tykes picnic table and some balls.

[alirebco]

We have a Step 2 water table for our deck and a Step 2 All Star Climber with slide for out back. We're looking at getting a Cozy Coupe too. Do you have some playground balls? Maybe a sprinkler thing?

[Jen841]

We made J a sandbox for his 2nd bday and it has had some great summers! Outdoor toys that have been loved over the years...
Slide/climber (Little Tykes one I bought at a garage sale - great for putting into the pool)
Sprinkler
Swing (you got that covered)
Cozy Coup
Trike (freebie from a former co-worker)
Ride on various things
Bubble blowing machine
Lawn mowers (gifts)
Weed Whacker (kid version of course)
Leaf Blower
Balls of all sizes
Basketball hoop (inside during the winter and outside in the summer)

This year for ages almost 3 and 6 we are going to get some goals since the guys are sport obsessed.

[KrisM]

I'm not sure things are a "must", but here is what mine enjoy(ed):

Cozy Coupe
Step 2 Roller Coaster
Slides
Sandbox
chalk
bubbles
soccer balls