4 Analog Gifts to Encourage Outdoor Summer Play

Nobody wants to see a kid spend their summer cooped up inside playing Minecraft. Grab these old-school gifts and get your little ones exploring and enjoying the great outdoors like Mother Nature intended.

Child’s Practice Camera

Encourage your budding Annie Leibovitz or Ansel Adams by giving them a smartphone-free child’s practice camera of their own. By learning about composition, light and form, young photographers can gain an interest in the world around them by documenting their experiences and developing a unique creative voice.

Sidewalk Chalk

There’s nothing better than an afternoon spent doodling on the sidewalk. Encourage children to beautify the neighborhood (if just for a day) by developing hopscotch games, inventing new animals or practicing writing in fun, water-soluble colors.

Inflatable Backyard Pool

Put that big American backyard to good use by turning it into a watery summer oasis that the whole neighborhood can enjoy. Inflatable pools have come a long way from the kiddie pools of yore and often come equipped with features like ladders, support stakes and filtration pumps, so find a model that the adults can enjoy too and don’t be afraid to throw in some pool toys for good measure.

Simple Sports Equipment

Give the kiddos a chance to burn off some of that school-year energy the old fashioned way. An inflatable ball for soccer or dodgeball, a rope for tug-of-war or jump rope, a pool noodle for limbo — all are low-cost, high-return toys that pay dividends in hours of healthy exercise, teamwork development and social fun.

Play for Keeps

Download the Shoppo app, like Shoppo on Facebook and follow us on Instagram for great prices on the summer’s best outdoor toys.