The summer is fast approaching, meaning that it’s time for fun and games in the great outdoors again. But why is playing outdoors in the fresh air so important and so good for children’s health? What cool and sustainable outdoor play toys and family games are suitable for open-air adventures in the park, garden or forest?
As early as a hundred years ago, the doctor and psychoanalyst Alexander Mitscherlich stated that “Young people need their own kind, namely animals, elemental things in general: water, dirt, bushes and space. You can let a young person grow up without all of this […], and they will survive, but you shouldn’t then be surprised if they do not learn certain basic social skills later on in life” – and his words still ring true in the present day.
Playing outdoors: why it’s so good for children’s health
In many Scandinavian countries, babies and toddlers have their afternoon naps outside in nature – even in the winter. This ‘gentle toughening up’ helps the little ones get used to temperature fluctuations, while the high oxygen level out in the open air has a positive effect on their immune systems and even helps prevent allergies.
But that’s not all. Playing and running around outdoors in the fresh air additionally:
• trains motor skills
• improve fitness
• boosts agility
• automatically prevents the development of obesity
People who spend a lot of time playing outdoors as children are very likely to maintain this pattern as adults. It therefore comes as no surprise that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to strenuous physical activity every day.
As adults, it’s also a good idea to be active outdoors for at least 20 minutes a day. In fact, a study conducted by the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter in 2019 revealed that people who spend 15–20 minutes a day doing some form of exercise out in the fresh air are much more likely to have a good level of mental and physical well-being than those who spend less time outside.
Cool outdoor games: the possibilities are endless
Against this background, the general motto is to go outside as often as possible. If you live in the city, you can plan trips to the lake or forest and use parks and playgrounds to let off steam during the week. Simple activities such as rope skipping, playing Frisbee or simply going on the swings all help to keep children active.
Ball games such as football, badminton, table tennis or the increasingly popular boules-type games are also ideal for an afternoon at the park.
Moreover, classic toys like these can be easily passed down through several generations. Natural materials such as wood and leather, recyclable materials or bioplastics ensure that outdoor games are particularly durable and have a reduced environmental impact. If you want to discover new possibilities for playing outdoors while remaining environmentally conscious, check out our tips for cool outdoor games:
Outdoor games for families: our recommendations
The choice of outdoor games for families is almost endless – but which ones are really ‘good’ in the sense that they are fun, durable, made of wood and other natural materials and can be passed on to the next generation when the time comes? If you are looking for new ideas for outdoor play toys for children and teenagers, here are our eight recommendations for products developed by independent, owner-led brands from Germany and France and produced in Europe:
Did you know: Children particularly enjoy playing together as a family. It’s a natural way to build closeness and trust – the foundation for relationships with others and fair social interaction.
“Throwing ring” by Pantolinos
The soft leather throwing rings created by Pantolinos – a female-led manufactory in Lower Saxony, Germany – are exercise-promoting outdoor play toys for families. With a little strength, the throwing rings not only fly to unimagined heights but can also be easily compressed back into a pocket-compatible ball when it’s time to go home.
Throwing ring by Pantolinos
The throwing ring by Pantolinos
• is suitable for families and children aged 3 and up
• is made of 100% vegetable-tanned leather
• is produced in a female-led manufactory in Lower Saxony
• has been awarded “spiel gut” toy certification
• is available from € 24.90
Looking to buy the throwing ring by Pantolinos? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
“Tualoop” by TicToys
The ring toss game Tualoop, created by the Leipzig-based independent, founder-led brand TicToys, is a family outdoor game that dates back to the Middle Ages. The aim of the game is to place a ring on crossed sticks and pull them apart as evenly as possible. If you succeed, the ring starts to float and can even be thrown and bounced. The game principle is easy to understand and offers plenty of fun for young and old alike!
Tualoop by TicToys
Tualoop by TicToys
• is suitable for families and children aged 6 and up
• is made of 100% renewable, natural materials
• is produced in Germany
• has been awarded “spiel gut” toy certification
• available from € 34.90
Looking to buy Tualoop by TicToys? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
“Boccia” by Gico Spielwaren
Boccia, the Italian version of the French game boules, is ideal for active fun at the park, in the garden or on the beach. The family game is an entertaining way to improve both dexterity and concentration at the same time. The aim of the game is to throw the balls so that they land as close as possible to the target ball – or knock your opponents’ balls further away from it. Gico Spielwaren, an independent, owner-led toy brand based in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, produces the entire set from solid beechwood, making it a particularly durable fun outdoor play toy that brings generations together.
Boccia by Gico Spielwaren
Boccia by Gico Spielwaren
• is suitable for families and children aged 3 and up
• is made of 100 % certified beechwood
• is produced in the EU,
• available from € 33.99
Have a question or prefer to order Boccia directly? Gico Spielwaren would love to hear from you – just send them an email.
“Roule” by TicToys
The popular outdoor game “Roule” by the independent, founder-led brand TicToys is made of particularly sustainable cork material harvested under controlled conditions that do not require cork oaks to be felled. After throwing the target disc, players take it in turns to throw the so-called Roule balls as close as possible to the target. They can also try to hit their opponents’ Roule balls or even stack their own! Roule is a fun way to practice and improve dexterity, throwing technique, distance estimation and strategy – for both children and adults.
Roule by TicToys
Roule by TicToys
• is suitable for families and children aged 5 and up
• is made of 100% renewable, natural materials
• is produced in Germany
• is available from € 89.90
Looking to buy Roule by TicToys? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
“Binabo” by TicToys
Binabo by TicToys is a true all-rounder among family outdoor games. The construction toy consists of identical parts that can be put together by children and adults to create balls, hockey sticks and even flying discs. What’s more, this open-ended toy can also be used indoors when the weather is less inviting! With its countless possibilities, it’s no wonder Binabo has been awarded the “spiel gut” seal of approval for toys.
Binabo by TicToys
Binabo by TicToys
• is suitable for families and children aged 3 and up
• is made of 100% natural materials
• is produced in Germany
• has been awarded “spiel gut” toy certification
• is available from € 12.90
Looking to buy Binabo by TicToys? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
Cool outdoor games for teenagers and families
Be it in the garden, at the park or on the beach, the right games transform every location into an action zone. Both teenagers and adults benefit from staying active, tackling challenges and even embracing their competitive spirit in order to strengthen both their body and mind. These three durable and cool outdoor play toys unite generations and offer plenty of fun and games out in the fresh air.
Boomerangs by “LAMEY bumerang”
The boomerang is not just any outdoor play toy; it is the ultimate classic when it comes to cool outdoor games. Whether made of wood or modern organic materials, it puts a smile on the faces of young and old alike. LAMEY boomerangs are produced sustainably by hand in a local manufacture and have an impressively small carbon footprint. They come in various shapes and sizes, meaning that everyone – beginners, experts, children, teenagers and adults – can find the ideal boomerang for playing outdoors.
Boomerangs by Lamey Bumerang
Boomerangs by LAMEY bumerang
• are suitable for families and children aged 8 and up
• are made of 100 % certified Finnish birchwood
• are treated with pollutant-free natural oil
• are handmade at an independent, owner-led manufacture in Hildesheim, Germany
• are available from € 22.00
Have a question or prefer to order the Bumerang directly? Lamey Bumerang would love to hear from you – just send them an email.
TOSSIT
TOSSIT breathes new life into the classic game of darts. The soft darts are made of 100 % food-safe silicone and feature a suction cup that sticks to smooth surfaces, doing away with the traditional sharp points and holes. Be it on windows, doors or smooth surfaces, TOSSIT can be played both indoors and outdoors and can also be used for a creative take on boccia.
Tossit
TOSSIT
• is suitable for families and children aged 3 and up
• was invented by two brothers in France during the COVID-19 pandemic
• is made of food-safe silicone
• is produced in Turkey
• is available from € 34.99
Looking to buy TOSSIT? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
DISH TENNIS
Table tennis has always been a popular game among young and old alike – and can be played indoors and outdoors. DISH TENNIS is a particularly compact and lightweight mini table tennis table featuring a practical folding mechanism that enables it to be transported and used anywhere. Whether in the garden, at the park or when visiting friends, this cool product quite literally brings everyone to the table to enjoy fun and games in all kinds of locations.
DISH TENNIS
DISH TENNIS
• is suitable for families and children aged 6 and up
• is made of beechwood, decorative wooden elements and metal parts
• is produced in Tyrol in Austria
• was invented and established by Florian Püer
• is available from € 269
Looking to buy DISH TENNIS? You’ll find it ready to shop here.
Do you like our tips and recommendations?
Please feel free to share them or send us your feedback! We look forward to hearing from you, preferably via e-mail to: pbagnpg@nsvyvv.pbz
Translation: Jessica Schewel
Article updated in May 2025, first published in May 2021
