Seesaws are this summers hottest outdoor toys according to new data

Outdoor toys are making a comeback, with searches rising by 54% over the past quarter. However, with a wide range of toy products available, it can be difficult to know what to opt for as a parent. 

That’s why The Entertainer has done the hard work for you, ranking the top 20 trending outdoor toys for 2024, according to Google Trend data.

The toys trending in 2024

The study discovered that seesaws have exploded in popularity, ranking as this year's most popular outdoor toy - with searches rising by a massive 68%. 

Seesaws have been revealed as this year’s most popular and trending outdoor toy. These products average around 339,000 searches and peak in April

Additionally, fishing rods and gardening tools ranked in the top ten trending outdoor products this year. These items can provide entertainment while teaching children important life skills and developing key skills such as hand-eye coordination.

Moving on, it’s encouraging to see ball games on the list, with rugby balls increasing by 23% while basketball and volleyball saw similar rises in searches by 12%. These products promote active play which can improve physical fitness and encourage social interaction.

Interestingly, despite not experiencing its peak month until December, cricket sets have already received a 17% increase in searches in comparison to 2023’s data, averaging 14,000 every month.

Child development expert, Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor, MBACP of www.georginasturmer.co.uk commented on the benefits of outdoor play on mental and physical health: “Playing outside encourages us to flex our muscles and run around. This is good for our physical health and has a knock-on impact on our mental well-being too.

“Playing outside requires us to engage all of our senses.  As we experience the outdoor world, nature and fresh air, it can calm our nervous system or lift our mood, reminding us to retain perspective over any stresses or worries.”

Additionally, Georgina explains how outdoor play can introduce children to risk-taking while inspiring creativity: 

“Outdoor play often incorporates elements of careful risk-taking. Seeing if we can jump high enough, reach far enough, balance well enough. This is a natural way for children to develop their confidence and self-esteem. They learn to attempt new things, to experience setbacks and to challenge themselves to keep trying something new.  

“Outdoor toys and games can be played in many different ways.  They encourage us to think creatively, to design new games, to collaborate with others, to role play imaginary scenarios.”

Speaking on the study, David Westman, Recreational Play Expert at The Entertainer said: “As we approach summer, it’s always intriguing to explore the outdoor toy product trends to spot the items generating the most interest. Overall, our research yielded some fascinating results, including the growth in popularity towards seesaws and gardening tools for children. 

“It was also encouraging to see so many products that promote active play, such as tennis rackets and balls. These toys are great for remaining physically healthy outside of school months when children tend to be less active.

Explore the full findings of the Outdoor Toy Index Here