13 Savvy Toys for Spring

Deere John, Thank you for the wagon. My mom says we are more ‘urban' outdoor types than genuine farming types, but we sure do love our cool wagon. She is really happy with the steel and rubber tires that can take any pothole or sidewalk curb, and Mom also appreciates the rust-proof steel exterior. We're just kids though, so we love getting pulled around in it and looking tough. Sincerely, Nicholas and Cate. PS: Do you have any control over broccoli farming?

Inch by inch, kids get bigger and gravitate towards more exciting toys. Radio Flyer's modern take on the classic 1970's ride-on toy, The Inchworm, will have them bouncing and rolling around on their own. Created with a comfortable saddle, heart-shaped handle and foot rest to help steady the youngest toddler, we expect it to worm its way into your heart, too.

The wheels on this bike go ‘round and ‘round all through the town, but the child won't fall down. The Strider PREBike offers an option to kids and parents who are trying to avoid the trike/training wheel stage and go right to training for balance, mobility and bike riding success. This light-weight (under 7 pounds), steel-frame bike comes with Launch Pad foot rests for gliding and learning skills while keeping steady and in control. Considering how the Strider may eliminate aggravation associated with training wheels, we bet you'll think this bike goes for a song.

My, oh my. What a wonderful day they'll have zipping along their own Fun Ride backyard zip line from Jungle Gyms Canada. The company provides complete ready-to-ship zip kits (and will also customize, if needed). Their smallest zip line runs 35 feet and deluxe versions run 90 feet long with maximum weights topping at 250 pounds. Who needs Costa Rica for a trip on a zip? Recommended for ages 5 and up.

“Not in the house!” may be our constant refrain when it comes to skateboards, scooters and skates, but the Ezy Roller earns an exception, if you're willing to entertain it. Intended for indoor and outdoor use, the roller is a marriage of a bike and a scooter but without any of the components that make riding difficult (balancing, chains, gears). Its non-marking, highly durable wheels will keep them riding, and the extension bars enable this toy to grow with them from tot to teen. Recommended for ages 3 to 14.

While our kids love to play with dozens of brightly coloured plastic balls at home, we don't. Maintaining control over the whereabouts of our children when outdoors is hard enough without the added challenge of locating wayward spheres. So we're fans of this enormous tent that is constructed in seconds and includes balls that will give the kids tons of contained enjoyment. Play ball!

It's hip, it shreds, it rocks and it's totally rad. (Do the kids still say that?) The RipStik from Razor is best described as a combination of a snowboard and skateboard. The face of the board pivots while the wheels (caster trucks—for those in the know) have 360-degree capability, allowing them to do cool carves on concrete sidewalks. RipStiks are ‘beast' (aka totally cool)! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

We never want to stand in the way of a chance to let kids burn off some excess energy, so a well-made Springfree Trampoline gets high marks. Springfree is known for their safer construction (as compared to other trampolines) with better shock absorption and framing parts that are under the trampoline so kids won't hit or fall against them. They'll flip over this, guaranteed.

So much can change in 30 years (they will be toilet trained by then, we promise) and everyone's favourite backyard vehicle is no exception. Little Tikes has come out with a 30th Anniversary Edition of the Cozy Coupe, and today's kids get all the added enhancements—a removable floor, a push-handle at the back, front wheels that now turn 360 degrees and a driver's side door that now locks. Now, if they could only solve the sibling rivalry byproduct of this classic boy toy.

We teetered over what new backyard toy would bring the most joy and couldn't pick just one. We do know that Lifetime's Helicopter Teeter Totter flies in the face of many other options and ranks up there as one of the coolest. With bright colours and simulated chopper design, the teeter totter offers seats for four kids to rock and roll around on. It's made of durable outdoor steel and plastic to withstand all the elements, as well as the abuse it'll get from constant use. Recommended for ages 3 to 12.

If there's a gold—and green—standard for trikes, this is it. The Kettler GO GREEN Fold'n Ride Trike is made of recycled steel, and over 95% of its plastic surfaces are recycled too. All Kettler trikes offer their patented steering control technique to prevent tipping, comfortable seating and push-bar option, to name just a few of their superior features. The Fold ‘n' Ride offers the additional benefit of a locking hinge beneath the seat for easy storage and portability. We think this is a winning trike. Recommended for ages 18 months and up.

The classic fort gets an uplift with Dexton Kids' 6-Foot Eco Teepee. Made of durable water repellant and fire resistant canvas, it is intended to be sturdy enough for outdoor play while easily broken down and built back up for indoor play (or vice versa). With beautiful graphics and bright colours, the sky's the limit for all the fun that can be had on the earth.

Being mini is great for celebrity mice, certain dog breeds, and brownies. But when in comparison in age and size to everyone else…not so much. Rejoice, juniors—there's a scooter that is just as excellent as the big-kid version. The Mini-Kick by Kickboard (a Canadian company that imports the designs from Switzerland) offers the 3 to 5 year-old scooter enthusiast a low-to-the-ground scooter with a large foot base for easy riding. It's lightweight, folds up for easy portability and will allow the youngest member of the family to scoot along on family outings easily. That's huge.