5 Ways to Save on Outdoor Toys This Summer

Now that it's late June and finally summer, the season of outside play is officially here. In fact, the outdoor toy industry is big business -- sales of outdoor and sports toys hit nearly $4.4 billion in the United States last year, according to the Toy Industry Association. So, there's a good chance you may in the market for "outdoor toys" -- from slides, sandboxes and swings to water tables, ride-on cars and backyard pools.

If such toys are on your summer to-get list and you're wondering how to score the best deal on them, these five money-saving strategies may help.

Know when to buy the fair weather toys. If you and your kids can wait, it turns out that August may actually be the best time to buy new outdoor toys. August is when "retailers look to clear the racks for fall inventory," meaning you may be able to find deals on summer toys like kiddie pools then, according to Cheapism.com.

However, if you can't wait that long, it's worthwhile to at least know what you should pay for the new outdoor toys you want. In other words, you'll want to know when a price is a good deal so you can jump at it. A good resource for such information is BabyCheapskate.com, which offers a nice overview of 22 top outdoor toys, including sandboxes, water tables, playhouses and slides.

Know which outdoor toys are worth the money. It's always a good idea to take some time to research which outdoor toys are the highest rated. BabyCheapskate.com's Buy-It-Now list is one resource for such information, and you can also filter Amazon.com's outdoor-toy listings by average customer review rating.

In addition, reading consumer reviews on sites like Amazon.com can be helpful for learning about little toys' tidbits and features that might make or break your buying decision -- for instance, you may not have known that some push ride-on toys are easier on parents' backs than others. Finally, consider going for a toy that can be used outside and inside your home, so you can use it during colder months too, a great method for making outdoor toys worth the money.

Know where to find the outdoor toy deals. While my recommendations are by no means the only resources for discounted outdoor toys, I've found that Walmart.com offers great deals on toys, and Amazon.com's outdoor toy deals are also worth checking out. Elsewhere, it turns out that Zulily.com isn't just for clothes and shoes -- the flash sale site also offers deals on outdoor toys from brands like Little Tikes and Wonder Wheels. Finally, always make sure to search for additional coupon codes and deals before you buy a specific new toy. So, once you've identified the outdoor toy you want, merely enter its name into Google along with terms like "deals" and "coupon codes," and see what kind of savings the searches bring up.

Consider going for a second-hand summertime toy. Of course, you'll likely find that the best deals out there are for used outdoor toys. So, if you don't mind going for a gently used toy (just make sure to clean it well before use), you'll want to check out the for-sale toy listings on craigslist, your local parents' listservs and Facebook swap groups for your area. Local yard and garage sales can be good resources too for summertime hand-me-downs. And finally, you'll want to check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site (cpsc.gov) to make sure the product you're consider buying hasn't been recalled.

Make your own outdoor fun. Rather than spending money on pre-made outdoor toys, many inexpensive items you may already have around the house can easily become summertime toys. For instance, plastic bins and baby bathtubs can double as small outdoor pools, sand boxes and water tables. Here are some more ideas for DIY water tables and search "DIY outdoor toys" and "DIY water toys" on Pinterest.com for more do-it-yourself outdoor toy inspiration. Meanwhile, sprinklers and sponges can quickly become outdoor water toys when you're in a pinch or on a tight budget.

What tips for saving on outdoor tips did I miss? Share your thoughts below.

Jennifer Saranow Schultz, formerly the "Bucks" blogger for The New York Times and a reporter at The Wall Street Journal, shares daily hints to help make parenting easier and cheaper at HintMama.com, on Twitter at @HintMama and on Facebook at Facebook.com/HintMama.