The backyards kids gravitate toward share five traits: space to run without correction, at least one novel piece of outdoor toys or gear, a parent who participates, something cold to drink, and flexible rules around mess. The best backyard games work for mixed ages — throwing games, chase games, and water play. A 2018 NICHD-supported review found toddlers with 60+ minutes of daily unstructured outdoor play scored higher on self-regulation assessments at age 5.