Christmas is in the air! As the season of giving approaches, anyone with children in their life will be busy on the hunt for the most glorious gift. But what do kids these days want? And how can you magic up the perfect present without breaking the bank?
Look no further than this guide for fun, affordable presents that they’ll actually play with! We’ve picked out the best budget buys to keep children active, entertained, and playing outside come rain or shine.
Whether you're looking for something adventurous, creative, or sporty, we’ve got you covered. From ride on toys to obstacle courses, keep reading to discover the best kids Christmas gifts under £100.
Why outdoor toys make the best budget Christmas gifts
The best gifts for kids are those that support their development, encourage them to be active, spark learning, and, most importantly, keep them having fun!
In a world where digital distractions are everywhere, it’s more important than ever to find gifts that entertain children while ensuring they engage with the world around them.
Outdoor toys offer the perfect solution. They strike the ideal balance between fun and development, and many options are surprisingly budget-friendly. Best of all, they encourage kids to embrace the benefits of outdoor play, from physical exercise to cognitive development.
While larger toys like climbing frames and playhouses can be pricier, there are plenty of affordable outdoor toys that won't break the bank. Keep reading to discover our favourite budget-friendly picks!
12 Best Christmas gifts for kids for under £100
Scooters
Price: From £34.99
Perfect for whizzing to school, zooming around the garden, and exploring with friends on the weekends, a scooter is a gift that never stops giving!
Kids of all ages will love the freedom and independence of a scooter; it's hard to get bored of racing your friends around the block. Plus, if you opt for a scooter which comes with larger wheels for tackling trickier terrains, like the Renegade Big Wheel Scooter, the possibilities are endless!
Kids' scooters are also great for developing coordination, independence, balance, and gross motor skills. Choose a model with adjustable handlebars for a gift that can grow with your child.
Shop our Renegade Kids Big Wheel Folding Kick Scooter now!
Swing sets
Price: From £89.99
Swings are a classic playground favourite. Why not bring some of that fun to your back garden with a single swing set?
For as little as £89.99, you can give the gift of flight (kind of)! What kid wouldn’t love soaring through the air and competing with their siblings or friends to swing the highest? Plus, if you’ve read up on the benefits of swings for kids, you’ll know that swinging is a great form of exercise with many advantages for sensory, social, and emotional development.
If you’re willing to splash the cash, some sets come with attachments like slides or climbing frames, making excellent multi-functional gifts they’ll never tire of.
The Rebo Glide Wooden Single Swing Sets with Swing Seat, just £89.99!
Football goals
Price: From £49.98
What better gift for young football fanatics than a set of garden football goals?
These goals are perfect for bringing the whole family together for a kickabout in the garden. Kids will love inviting their friends around to play on the local Premier League pitch, even on chilly winter days (after all, the pros don’t get a half-term holiday)!
As a bonus gift, why not add on a target sheet to make sure they don’t get caught out in a penalty shootout?
Basketball hoops
Price: From £45.99
If your kid is more interested in the sports scene on the other side of the Atlantic, why not indulge their NBA dreams and invest in a basketball hoop?
Shooting hoops is a great way for kids to develop their hand-eye coordination while getting some exercise. They can enjoy it alone as an active alternative to screen time or with friends or siblings, helping to develop social skills like communication and collaboration.
Bikes
Price: From £27.99
With our Christmas gift guides, picking out the perfect present can be as easy as riding a bike… that reminds us!
Children will love to feel the breeze in their hair as they ride through trails on their first big boy or big girl bike. Kids' bikes help to develop kids’ sense of adventure, as well as their balance and coordination.
A bike isn’t just for Christmas; it’s for life. Whether you opt for a balance bike or a bike with stabilisers, set your little one off on the right foot (or pedal!) with a gift that teaches them a great life skill!
Sandpits
Price: From £54.95
From curious toddlers to creative older kids, sandpits are loved by children of all ages.
A sandpit is a great way to encourage sensory play, especially for younger children. As they become more creative, they can build their wildest visions with just a bucket and spade! Plus, if they tire of sandcastles, our 10 Creative Sandpit Ideas for Kids guide is a treasure trove of inspiration.
Choose a style with a lid to keep the sandpit clean and dry so it’s ready to use whenever they want, even through the rainy and snowy season.
Climbing frame add-ons
Price: £12.95
If you already have a climbing frame in the garden, why not buy some climbing frame add-ons to give it an exciting upgrade? It’ll be like gifting a whole new play set!
There are endless ways to enhance your existing play structure, from trapeze bars and gym rings for cheeky monkeys to climbing walls and cargo nets for little squirrels.
These attachments will breathe new life into your climbing frame, give your kids new challenges that’ll keep them entertained for hours, and help them build strength and agility!
Find add-ons like the Polar Play - Trapeze Bar on our site!
Electric scooters
Price: From £87.99
Is your little speedster starting to outgrow their push scooter? An electric scooter is the perfect gift for the young thrill-seeker in your family!
Electric scooters revive the timeless toy with more speed and excitement. While still being safe for children aged eight and over (but remember to double-check the model's specifications), they offer that extra boost that makes zooming around the garden or park even more fun.
Mud kitchens
Price: From £69.99
A mud kitchen is the ultimate present for mucky puppies who love to jump in muddy puddles, play with dirt, and make a mess. Mud kitchens take that natural interest in messy play and turn it into a recipe for hours of fun!
Through baking and serving mud pies and snow cakes, children will be developing their imaginative thinking skills and learning through play. These are just a few of the many benefits of mud kitchens for kids.
Our Rebo Muddy Mischief Outdoor Mud Kitchen is made from pressure-treated timber, which means it can withstand all the mess kids can throw at it and the British winter!
Shop the Rebo Muddy Mischief Outdoor Mud Kitchen on our site.
Ride on cars
Price: From £47.99
If you know a child that just can’t wait to get out on the open road, make their dreams come true with a ride on car!
Kids' cars are excellent for inspiring a sense of independence and developing coordination in a safe setting. Some models are parent-controlled, giving you peace of mind that you can step in and take over. Check out our ride on toys guide to learn more about ride on cars and other ride on toys.
We offer several models priced under £100, including the Outdoortoys 12V Spin Kart and the Lamborghini Sian. Or, go the extra mile and buy them a licensed ride on by their favourite brand!
Wooden toys
Price: From £10.95
Wooden toys are the perfect budget-friendly gift for babies and toddlers.
Colourful wooden food sets like the Ice Cream Sundae Set and the Sandwich Making Set spark imaginative play and help develop creativity, especially when paired with a mud kitchen or sandpit. Meanwhile, alphabet jigsaws and number jigsaw trays are childhood classics, ideal for encouraging learning through play.
With prices starting from just £10.95, this simple but effective gift idea is sure to please.
Ninja obstacle courses
Price: From £49.99
Bring all the fun of a climbing frame to your garden for a fraction of the price with a Ninja Line Obstacle Course, perfect for fans of gameshows like Ninja Warrior, Total Wipeout, and Takeshi’s Castle.
This obstacle course's rings, ropes, and ladders will test their agility, strength, and balance whilst burning off some of that endless energy! It’s also an excellent family activity—you can challenge each other to see who can conquer the course fastest. No pressure, parents!
How to choose an age-appropriate Christmas gift for kids
There are many things to think about when selecting the perfect Christmas gift, and one of the most important is age. While every child develops at their own pace, kids often share common interests and abilities at certain ages.
By selecting an outdoor toy that matches your child’s age and developmental stage, you ensure it’s suited to their skill level whilst being fun and safe.
Here are some helpful tips for choosing age-appropriate outdoor toys to ensure your little one gets the most out of their gift.
The best gifts for toddlers
Toddlers are just beginning to explore the world around them with greater curiosity. Toys that encourage independent movement, exploration, and sensory play whilst developing their imaginations and motor skills are best for this age group.
Opt for sensory toys like mud kitchens and sandpits, toys that introduce movement like toddler trampolines and slides, and imaginative toys like playhouses. For more inspiration, read our guide: The Best Toddler Christmas Present Ideas for more inspiration.
The best gifts for young children
Younger children are full of energy, creativity, and curiosity. They’ll be keen to try new things, so toys that present physical and creative challenges are ideal for this age group.
Scooters and sports sets are great for fostering activity, whilst playsets like climbing frames and swings offer a challenge. Meanwhile, imaginative and educational toys like pretend play sets and potting tables will also go down a treat.
Don’t forget to read our Best Christmas Gifts for 4 to 6 Year Olds guide next!
The best gifts for older children
This age group can be tricky to buy for, but outdoor toys are the perfect gifts! They won’t be dismissed as too ‘childish’ and can draw older kids off the screens and back outdoors.
Trampolines, climbing frames, electric scooters and obstacle courses are just the thing to keep their youthful spirits alive! Check out our guides on the Best Christmas Presents for 7-9 Year Olds and the Best Christmas Gifts for 10- to 12-Year-Olds for more ideas.
Shop kids’ Christmas gifts under £100 with Outdoor Toys
At Outdoor Toys, we have an exciting range of gifts that will fill every child’s wishlist without emptying your purse!
Our range of kids' bikes, scooters, and ride on cars will keep kids of all ages zooming around for years to come. Our football goals and basketball hoops are perfect for budding athletes and family games, whilst our sandpits and mud kitchens are ideal for those creative minds.
With 48-hour delivery, the days of braving the shops on Christmas Eve are long gone; our elves will deliver your gifts straight to your doorstep.
Don’t forget to check out the other Christmas gift guides on our blog to shop your way to an unforgettable Christmas with Outdoor Toys!