Play equipment that makes the park more fun. Popular outdoor play toys.
When you get bored with the playground equipment at the park, what do you play with?
In this article, we introduce tools and toys that make playing at the park even more fun!
From easy-to-find, kid-favorite toys like jump ropes and bubbles to items suited for larger parks and adults, such as RC cars and flying balls, there’s a wide variety to choose from.
Try finding something you and the people you’re going to the park with will enjoy together.
Please note that some items may be prohibited depending on the park, so we recommend checking the rules in advance.
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Play equipment that makes the park more fun. Popular outdoor toys (1–10)
soccer ball
Ball play has important meaning for children.
They say that by sensing the center of the ball, motor skills improve.
And by kicking or rolling a soccer ball, children can learn to balance on one foot and understand how far the ball will travel depending on how hard they kick it.
It’s best to choose the ball’s size and material according to the child’s age.
Please be careful, as it can be dangerous if an over-energetic kick sends the ball out of the park.
soap bubble
Speaking of soap bubbles, they’ve long been featured in children’s songs and TV program titles, showing just how much Japanese people love this pastime.
Here, we’re introducing electric bubble-making machines.
You can find them at 100-yen shops for around 200 or 300 yen, and despite the low price, they’re quite high-performance and churn out bubbles nonstop—looks like a lot of fun.
The results vary quite a bit depending on the bubble solution, so try a few different kinds.
It’s great that both adults and children can enjoy them.
skateboard
Skateboarding—properly called a skateboard—is easy to enjoy for everyone from small children to adults, yet it was recognized as an official event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In recent years, skate parks—sports facilities designed for enjoying skateboarding—have been built, and some ordinary parks now include areas where you can skate as well.
Even if you can’t land impressive tricks, simply riding is fun, so try finding your own way to enjoy it.
Play equipment that makes the park more fun. Popular outdoor toys (11–20)
airplane
Toys that you can launch—like bamboo-copter spinners and paper airplanes—have always been popular.
A modern take on these is the build-it-yourself glider.
Similar products have been around for years, but recent improvements mean they really fly well now.
Among them, the gliders sold at Daiso are especially recommended.
Despite their low price, they fly great and are sturdy and hard to break.
They’re also safer than radio-controlled models, making them perfect for playing with young children.
flying disc
Since long ago, balls and Frisbees have been famous as things you throw and dogs bring back.
The Frisbee, perfect for playing under a blue sky, is actually a brand name; the general term is “flying disc.” This sport originated from people tossing pie tins for fun, and it was commercialized as early as 1948, making it a very long-standing toy.
Beyond casual throwing, it’s also an official sport featured in the World Games.
It might not be long before it appears in the Olympics, too.
jump rope
Jump rope is a game you can enjoy anywhere as long as you have a single rope.
However, it’s often harder for children than you might expect, and many can’t jump consecutively.
The reason is that they have to do multiple things at once—jumping while turning the rope.
To make it easier, it can help to practice just hopping or just turning the rope.
Even if they don’t do it perfectly, jump rope is great for developing motor skills.
And if you have a large space and a lot of people, long-rope jumping (double dutch) can be lots of fun, too.
pokkuri
Pokkuri, can-pokkuri, pakapoko…
There are lots of names, but they all refer to a classic children’s toy that’s been loved for ages—you can probably picture it, right? You stand with a foot on each “step” and walk forward one side at a time, using the strings you hold in your hands for support.
Little kids might be unsure the first time they try, but once they get used to it, it’s a lot of fun, and even though it’s simple, it’s one of those toys you end up playing with for a long time.
Many parents might remember making them out of cans back in the day.
These days there are ready-made plastic versions, and for younger children, you can stuff newspaper into milk cartons to make a slightly lower version that’s easier to play with.
