Outdoor Play Supplies:

What You Really Need

Spoiler: You don’t need a ton of fancy gear to enjoy outdoor fun with your family.
In fact, you probably already have most of what you need! At Outside Anyway,
we believe in keeping things simple, approachable, and budget-friendly.

Whether it’s a quick backyard adventure or a rainy day porch activity, having a few key supplies on hand can make outdoor play easy and stress-free.

You Don’t Need It All—
Just What Matters

A young girl with long dark hair, wearing a pink top, playing with pastel-colored chalk pieces in a plastic box on a black peaked surface.
A young boy playing in a park, throwing or playing with fallen autumn leaves during daytime.
Toy construction worker figurine with a yellow hard hat, orange vest, and red boots, using a shovel near a miniature wheelbarrow, with a toy blue truck and a traffic cone in the background.

We know the feeling: scrolling through Pinterest-perfect setups and wondering if you need a whole garage full of gear to make outdoor play happen. The good news? You don’t.

Our philosophy is all about doing more with less. A few versatile, affordable items can unlock endless possibilities for family-friendly outdoor fun.

Our Favorite Outdoor Play Supplies

Here’s a list of our go-to supplies that make
outdoor play simple, fun, and accessible for everyone.

Outside Anyway is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you shop through our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. We only share products we truly use and love. Learn more in our disclosure policy.

  • A young girl playing with a large, iridescent soap bubble outdoors on a wooden deck, with a woman and a child standing in the background near a flower bed and trees.

    Bubbles

    A classic for a reason! Whether it’s a bubble wand or a bubble machine, this simple tool brings instant joy.

    Pro Tip: Use bubbles for a quick energy-burner or a calming activity.

    See on Amazon
  • A red cup filled with multicolored chalk sticks placed on a light wooden surface, with three chalk sticks outside the cup.

    Sidewalk Chalk

    Perfect for drawing, hopscotch, or leaving cheerful messages for neighbors.

    Pro Tip: Create obstacle courses or “chalk mazes” for kids to follow.

    See on Amazon
  • Child holding a green leaf with a small yellow snail on it outdoors.

    Bug Catchers and Magnifying Glasses

    Encourage curiosity and exploration with these simple tools.

    Pro Tip: Use them for a backyard scavenger hunt or to examine leaves, rocks, and bugs up close.

    See on Amazon
  • A white spiral-bound notebook with a simple black floral line drawing on the cover, placed on a wooden surface.

    Nature Journals

    A small notebook and some crayons or colored pencils are all you need.

    Pro Tip: Encourage kids to sketch what they see outside or write down their “nature finds.”

    See on Amazon
  • Close-up of a sidewalk with colorful chalk drawings in pink, blue, purple, and green, arranged in a circular pattern.

    Painter's Tape

    Great for creating temporary games like “target practice” or marking off areas for activities.

    Pro Tip: Use it to make a hopscotch grid or a “balance beam” on the ground.

    See on Amazon
  • Two children playing in a corn crib on a farm. The boy is lying on his back and the girl is crawling in the corn, with a small pile of corn surrounding them.

    Sensory Bin Basics

    Items like dried beans, rice, or kinetic sand can be used for outdoor sensory play.

    Pro Tip: Keep these in airtight containers for easy storage and reuse.

    See on Amazon
  • A young girl in a purple dress playing soccer on a green lawn, kicking a black and white soccer ball with her foot.

    Outdoor-Friendly Toys

    Think frisbees, jump ropes, or a simple ball.

    Pro Tip: These are great for quick games that get everyone moving.

    See on Amazon
  • Four children standing on a muddy path outdoors, wearing rubber boots and jackets, with their hands by their sides.

    Rain Gear

    Rain boots and a waterproof jacket can turn a drizzly day into an adventure.

    Pro Tip: Let kids jump in puddles or collect rainwater in buckets.

    See on Amazon
  • A picnic setup with a wicker basket on white fabric outdoors, surrounded by grass and white flowers, with glasses of water, cheese, and an open book nearby.

    Picnic Blanket

    A must-have for cloud gazing, snack breaks, or just relaxing outside.

    Pro Tip: Choose one that’s easy to clean and fold up for storage.

    See on Amazon
  • A young child playing in a water fountain, wearing zebra-striped shorts and brown shoes, with water splashing around.

    Water Play Supplies

    Think watering cans, spray bottles, or even a simple bucket and sponge.

    Pro Tip: Turn watering plants into a fun game or let kids “paint” the sidewalk with water.

    See on Amazon

Outside Anyway is part of the Amazon Associates Program. If you shop through our links, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
We only share products we truly use and love. Learn more in our disclosure policy.

How to Store Your Supplies

You don’t need a dedicated room or fancy storage system. A small bin, basket, or drawer can keep everything organized and ready to go.

  • Outdoor Bin: Store items like chalk, bubbles, and bug catchers in a weatherproof container.

  • Backpack: Keep a “grab-and-go” bag with essentials for impromptu adventures.

  • Laundry Room Corner: Use a small set of drawers to organize supplies for easy access.

Colorful children's sand toys, including buckets and shovels, stored underneath a white wooden deck on a sandy ground.

Ready to Get Outside?

Having a few simple supplies on hand can make outdoor play stress-free and fun for the whole family. Remember, it’s not about having the “perfect” setup—it’s about creating meaningful moments together.

Need more ideas? Check out our blog for quick outdoor activities and inspiration!

Explore Activity Ideas for the whole family!