GoodGuide Ratings: Outdoor Toys and Sporting Goods

Now that the skis, skates and sleds are packed away, it's time to pull out the warm-weather playthings for fun on the lawn, beach and elsewhere. But how do you know just which ones to choose when you're shopping for summer fun?

GoodGuide recently reviewed and rated more than 150 outdoor toys and sporting goods. The Alex Monkey Balance Board topped the list, while Dollar Tree's Return Sports Ball ranked worst. The venerable Barbie brand, meanwhile, landed spots on both the best and worst products' lists.

GoodGuide, an online source of information on consumer products, helps consumers find healthy, green, ethical products based on scientific ratings. Its experts have rated more than 100,000 consumer goods -- including food, personal care and household products -- using three factors of increasing importance to consumers: concern for the environment, personal health and social responsibility.