Best Backyard Toys for Kids This Summer

By Jessica Hartshorn
Bug out with critter catchers that let your child get up close and personal with ants, fireflies, and other creatures.
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Avery Powell

Help him look the part in The Backyard Explorer Role Play Costume Set from Melissa and Doug; personalize the vest for $2 extra.

3 to 6 years, $30

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Avery Powell

Our Parents Bug Bungalow and Magnifier Set by Manhattan Toys is a roomy temporary home for the specimen of the day. 3 years+, $32

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Avery Powell

This Bug Catcher from Dollar General has a top built like a pair of binoculars so your budding biologist can get an extreme close-up. 4 years+, $2.50

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We Pick the Best Toys of 2014

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Avery Powell

This Insect Lore Watch-A-Bug wearable dome keeps an insect find close at hand. 4 years+, $5

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Avery Powell

Suck up ants, observe them, then release them unharmed with this Nat Geo Anteater Bug Vac from Uncle Milton. 5 years+, $20

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Avery Powell

Collect ants to live in the Rainbow LED Ant Farm from Mindware. Any nutrition they need is in the NASA-developed goo inside. Order ants for $5 extra. 8 years+, $40

Originally published in the August 2014 issue of Parents magazine.

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