Is your outdoor toy collection looking a bit lacklustre? You are in luck; as we have compiled a list of ten fun outdoor toys to get your imagination going. These include:

1. Trampolines. Ever since the trampoline was first introduced to global audiences by its creators, George Nissen and Larry Griswold back in 1934, adults and children alike have been enjoying hours of bouncing fun. Originally intended as a training tool for tumblers and gymnasts, the pair soon realised the trampoline’s commercial value as an outdoor toy and began marketing it as such. And best of all – there is no need to dig a great big hole in your backyard. Most toy stores now carry collapsible trampolines that can be folded up for easy storage when it is not in use.

2. Skates, rollerblades and skateboards. Skating is a great way to stimulate hand-eye coordination and children enjoy it to boot. These fun outdoor toys come in a great variety of colours and styles, so shop around until you find a pair your child will enjoy.

3. Play centres. Adored by the preschool crowd, play centres are also a great way to keep your backyard tidy. Having a whole bunch of separate toys lying around can quickly get messy, that is why a toy centre is such a wonderful idea – it combines a variety of toys without taking up too much space. A handy tip: Little Tikes outdoor toys have a great range of affordable play centres that include the Climb ‘n Slide Castle, as well as the cute Turtle Sandbox. The latter even comes with a lid that you can close so that the sand doesn’t get wet in the event of an April shower.

4. Balls, bats and Frisbees. Heading down to the beach? Don’t forget the beach bats! And what about a Frisbee to keep the youngsters busy while you catch up on your tan? Frisbee no longer has to be a predictable, repetitive game either. Add a bit of excitement to your game with the Nite Ize FlashFlight Blue LED Frisbee. This fun outdoor toy boasts LED illumination and it is waterproof, making it perfect for swimming pool games.

5. Fort building materials. There is nothing like a great, big DIY project to pull the family together, so why not build a tree house this summer? Pick out a nice sturdy tree, get a plan off the internet and Bob is your proverbial uncle. Not lucky enough to have a great big tree in your yard? Then simply build a fort. Materials that will come in useful include rope, cold glue, hard board/chip board, plastic sheeting, water soluble PVA paint and a staple gun. (Please note that the use of a staple gun should always be supervised by a responsible adult.)

And there you have it – a few ideas that should spice up your outdoor toy collection in no time at all. What are you waiting for? Make a list and head out to buy those fun outdoor toys right now!

Unlike plastic toys, an eye for detail is needed to craft great looking wooden toys such as trains, horses, or even lady bugs. These toys are usually quite costly.

However, plastic eventually starts to replace wood when it comes to making toys and its cheaper for mass production. Hence, many toy makers switched to plastic.

In history, the Germans are well known to create high quality wooden toys since the seventeenth century.

These toys have been very popular because they are pollution free, and therefore friendly to the environment.

Young children can also benefit from wooden toys greatly because toys like wooden puzzles help a child’s mind to grow.

But do you know where to source for antique wooden toys? You can find some really great deals online. Deals come from auction sites or online toy retailers. If you are lucky, you may be the proud owner of a vintage wooden toy. But be forewarned, if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

In the education field, many wooden toys such as wooden beads, mazes, puzzles and blocks are used. This is because they don’t get damaged easily and can be used many times over. Also, it doesn’t matter if the child is a boy or girl. There will be wooden toys that is ideal for them. For example, boys can choose to play with wooden horses, while girls can choose to play with miniature wooden toys.

Now ask yourself: Why do you think wooden toys have always remained so popular? They have remained as one of the top collector’s choice because they come in so many different forms. The price of a wooden toy depends very much on its age and general condition. The older it is, and the better the overall condition, the more valuable it will be.

The one thing that separates wooden toys from all the other toys is that it seems to last forever. Small little wooden toys are the ideal candidate for gifts. Both adults and children will love them.

Compared to plastic toys, wooden toys are more durable, and can usually last for generations. There is also variety. Wooden toys range from toy trains, puzzle blocks, to rocking horses.

If the wooden toy is made for young children, make sure that the paint on it is non-toxic. In recent years, toys made from wood are making a come back. And for good reasons.

There is nowhere that wooden toys cannot exist – they can be found both indoors and outdoors. Maintenance for wooden toys is very simple. Use a wet cloth to clean the surface, and spray the toy with an inhibitor if you want. Wooden toys such as wooden furniture, doll houses, or kitchen play sets all allow children to development their imagination to the fullest.

Simplicity is never a bad thing. Battery operated toys are not as effective as wooden toys when it comes to encouraging young children to think. Toy collectors like collecting wooden toys more because they are more durable. And although plastic toys cost less than wooden toys, they often break more easily, making them less desirable to keep in a collection.