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Best garden toys for toddlers, including Aldi's genius mud kitchen

Best garden toys for toddlers UK
There are lots of options for toys to keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained outside. (Aldi)

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Looking for something new to keep your toddler entertained while you enjoy your garden this summer? Now's a good time to splash out (pardon the pun) on paddling pools, trampolines and playhouses to ensure they get the most use this year.

We've rounded up some of the top rated and best selling outdoor toys for young children available this year, which offer multiple ways to play and may even keep children busy for long enough for you to kick back in your new sun lounger.

From a mud kitchen that comes with all the mod cons, to a nature explorer set that will allow your child to go on safari in their own back yard, scroll down to shop our favourites.

Best garden toys for toddlers UK

Our top pick: Little Town Brown Mud Kitchen | £59.99 at Aldi

Little Town Brown Mud Kitchen (Aldi)
Little Town Brown Mud Kitchen (Aldi)

This is one of the best equipped mud kitchens we've seen, with a working tap above the sink, plant pots to grow herbs, a chalkboard to write the specials menu on and pegs to hang the utensils, (which come included). One thing to note: assembly is required. A happy customer has commented in the reviews that their 18-month-old loves this toy. "The tap is the favourite bit so far," they wrote. "Wasn't too complicated to put together. Really nice colours."

£59.99 at Aldi

Summer Waves Inflatable Dinosaur Sprinkler Paddling Pool | £24.99 at John Lewis & Partners

Summer Waves Inflatable Dinosaur Sprinkler Paddling Pool (John Lewis & Partners)
Summer Waves Inflatable Dinosaur Sprinkler Paddling Pool (John Lewis & Partners)

This paddling pool stands out from the crowd thanks to lots of fun features, such as the included ring toss game and inflatable float toys. Plus, if you connect your hose, the dinosaur's head will spray a shower of water. Shoppers have rated this paddling five out of five stars and many have commented that it is very good value as is larger than it looks in pictures.

Big Game Hunters Café Shop Wooden Playhouse – Play Shop Market Stall | £163 at Amazon

Big Game Hunters Café Shop Wooden Playhouse – Play Shop Market Stall (Big Game Hunters/Amazon)
Big Game Hunters Café Shop Wooden Playhouse – Play Shop Market Stall (Big Game Hunters/Amazon)

This wooden playhouse is more reasonably priced than most, especially as it is designed to be used both as a house and a shop, with a blackboard sign above a counter that can be used to signify if today it is a cafe, grocers, sweet shop or simply number 8 Imaginary Avenue .Self assembly is required. Shoppers rate it on average 4.7 out of fives stars, and many have taken advantage of the plain design to paint it their choice of colours.

Plum Junior Trampoline | £64.99 at Aldi

Plum Junior Trampoline (Aldi)
Plum Junior Trampoline (Aldi)

This compact trampoline is good for younger children and families with smaller gardens, as it measures 137cm x 137cm x 180cm. You will need to assemble it yourself, but shoppers have commented in the reviews that it is worth the effort for the amount of fun it brings. "It was completely worth the sore arms/shoulders to see my three-year-old's face light up when he went on it," wrote one. "He absolutely loves it. He said: 'It's the best'. It fits nicely in my small garden and it's amazing quality at a great price."

Liewood Bessie Exploration Set | £37 at Kidly

Liewood Bessie Exploration Set (Kidly)
Liewood Bessie Exploration Set (Kidly)

One for parents who aren't squeamish about mini beasts, this nature exploration set helps children get a really close look at everything they forage, from leaves and flowers to bugs and beetles. The set comprises a lightweight but durable shovel, magnifying glass and bug jar, all designed to be easy for small hands to hold.

Picnic Table Sand & Water Pit | £59.99 at Aldi

Picnic Table Sand & Water Pit (Aldi)
Picnic Table Sand & Water Pit (Aldi)

This smart wooden picnic bench is designed to be just the right height for toddlers and the dual coloured top conceals two basins for sand and water. The removable covers have a chalk board on the reverse side so kids can draw out their sand castle plans.

Summer Waves Inflatable Rainbow Water Sprinkler | £35.99 at John Lewis & Partners

Summer Waves Inflatable Rainbow Water Sprinkler (John Lewis & Partners)
Summer Waves Inflatable Rainbow Water Sprinkler (John Lewis & Partners)

There are no guarantees when it comes to the British weather in the summertime, but you can ensure your kids have their very own rainbow in the backyard with this fun inflatable water sprinkler. Children love running through sprinklers and hoses when the weather heats up and this set really turns up the excitement.

Kids Concept Play Tent | £31.95 at Scandiborn

Kids Concept Play Tent (Scandiborn)
Kids Concept Play Tent (Scandiborn)

If your children want a playhouse but you're reluctant to permanently give up so much room in your garden, this collapsable tent is a great option. The fun star covered design features an opening door and a window to peek through, and is also available in pink, blue. lilac and rust shades.

Plum Discovery Woodland Treehouse | £455.99 (Was £569.99) at Robert Dyas

Plum Discovery Woodland Treehouse (Plum Discovery/Robert Dyas)
Plum Discovery Woodland Treehouse (Plum Discovery/Robert Dyas)

This magical wooden climbing frame has a 6-foot wavy slide attached to a top deck accessible by a log ramp. Underneath which is a great space for a den, as well as an 'eco-centre where children can grow their own plants. There's also a winch and bucket for plant watering or hoisting supplies up to the top deck and bamboo wind chimes. Younger children will need some help climbing up and sliding down, but this set will last them for years.

John Lewis & Partners Garden Wheelbarrow & Tools | £10 at John Lewis & Partners

John Lewis & Partners Garden Wheelbarrow & Tools (John Lewis & Partners)
John Lewis & Partners Garden Wheelbarrow & Tools (John Lewis & Partners)

A bestseller at John Lewis, this mini gardeners set has only four and five star reviews. With a watering can, trowel, loppers, a dibber, rake, plus a wheelbarrow to carry all the gardening tools in, children of keen gardeners will enjoy being able to help their parents and tend to their own bit of land. "What a bargain," commented one shopper in a review. "Such a good price for an excellent garden toy. Bought this for my grandson but it was immediately commandeered by his older sister. Great fun for both grandchildren. Some of the pieces ended up as bath toys so duel purpose too."

Feber Curve Water Slide | £89.99 at Aldi

Feber Curve Water Slide (Aldi)
Feber Curve Water Slide (Aldi)

A popular choice at Aldi, this slide has a garden hose attachment underneath and specially designed 'anti-slip steps', so can be turned into a water slide on hotter days. It has garnered only four or five star reviews and many customers have commented that it can keep kids entertained for hours.

Smoby ‘My House on Stilts’ With Slide | £336.99 at Amazon

Smoby ‘My House on Stilts’ with Slide (Smoby/Amazon)
Smoby ‘My House on Stilts’ with Slide (Smoby/Amazon)

This is a great alternative to a treehouse, if you don't have a large tree in your garden - or are looking for something a little easier to construct. It has plenty of fun features including a half door, two windows with louvered shutters, one porthole window and two sliding shutters. Placed on a 70cm high platform, children can reach their house using the ladder and leave via the slide, which can be connected to a garden hose to create a water slide. The space underneath the house will also not be wasted as children can rest in the shade or even create a lower floor for their house.