The most frustrating outdoor toys are the ones that are a pain to set up and break down, only hold attention for 2 minutes, and require enough skill to preclude half of the group from playing.

It feels like a waste of precious outdoor time. And a missed chance to get some wiggles out (for young and old).

[Volleyball net]

This is not fun to bring out, and hard enough to learn that many are left out.

A beautiful toy is easy to bring, gets long frequent outdoor play sessions, and engages everyone around—from preschoolers to adults.

I score my toys across 3 dimensions:

1. Practicality

Hard setup/breakdown 1 —|—|—|—5 fits in a pocket

2. Repeatability

Fun once 1 —|—|—|— 5 Fun daily for years

3. Learning curve

Only fun after lots of practice 1 —|—|—|— 5 whole family can play immediately

My 3 best scoring toys

1. Foxtail

Score: 14

Practicality: 5  

Repeatability: 4  

Learning curve: 5

[Link to product](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BPM1CK)

2. Frisbee

Score: 12

Practicality: 5  

Repeatability: 5  

Learning curve: 2

[Link to product](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F0FHXA)

3. Velcro Hand Catcher

Score: 11

Practicality: 4  

Repeatability: 2

Learning curve: 5 

[Link to product](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNUXZG)

A low scoring toy that seems similar

Beach Volleyball Set

Score: 4

Practicality: 1  

Repeatability: 2  

Learning curve: 1

These games with lots of equipment and a high skill curve to get started usually exclude younger kids and older folks completely. They’re a hassle to set up and take down, they get played once or twice, then sit in the garage taking up lots of space.

What makes a high-scoring sports toy

Comparing the toys I score high and the toy I scored low, here are the principles that I think give a toy a high score.

1. They are flexible

I always loved Pixar movies because they were fun for kids and yet filled with jokes and scenes that adults love too. It’s a hard needle to thread. They’re “flexible”. My top-scoring toys are easy to be a beginner, but allow for long play sessions with games of increasing skill. The bonus is everyone who wants to play can enjoy it together.


My son practicing his technique

2. Easy to start, room to master

Top-scoring toys are easy to be a beginner, but allow for long play sessions with games of increasing skill. The Foxtail works as an easier-to-play game than traditional catch because the tail, and then the game sewn on the label adds a skill element as players feel like it. There’s lots of game variations and it’s easy to invent new ones too; keep-away games, accuracy contests, or seeing who can throw the farthest, point systems, etc. We're constantly creating new variations at home.

The Foxtail is simple enough for young children to succeed immediately. Most catch it on their first attempt. Yet there's significant depth for skill development in throwing. The design means the toy remains engaging as your children grow.

Toys requiring advanced skills from the start (like volleyball, tennis, frisbee etc.) naturally exclude some family members.

3. Enduring

The highest-scoring toys are durable both in fun and as an object. They don’t break on you, and they stay fun for years. The Foxtail from my childhood still functions perfectly decades later. Frisbees are virtually indestructible. Compare this to toys with multiple components, electronic parts, or materials that degrade. Even if they are fun, and easy to bring, they have much shorter lifespans. Especially when you consider sand, or mud, or grass.

Toy I want next

The Aerobie Pro Ring seems cool: like a frisbee but flies even farther. I predict it would be a top scoring toy. Lasts forever, long play sessions, though maybe slightly less inclusive for the youngest kids.


[Link to product](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EHBG0Q)