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The remaining weeks of summer may involve travel plans or staycations. When you’re making the best of your own home and backyard, think about entertainment for the kids and the whole family. There are so many ways to enjoy being active or taking it easy all while having a blast.
Based on guidance from toy experts and parent feedback, we compiled this list of the top toys available this summer for children, teens and adults. We’re providing a mix of both the active and educational, as well as focusing on typical summer adventures.
Featured Toy
Ariel Inflatable Splash Pad – The Little Mermaid
Image: Disney StoreDescription: This Little Mermaid-themed inflatable splash pad measures at 90” H x 67” W x 40” D when assembled and features an arch with streamers, an inflatable Flouder that sprays water, an inflatable slide and colorful under-the-sea inspired artwork.
Why We Love It: Splash pads are a wonderful way for kids to cool off on a hot day while parents enjoy some outdoor time. We love this one because it has more fun, interactive elements than a typical splash pad. It’s perfect for some imaginative play while also being a good way for kids to enjoy the outdoors and get some energy out. Now through July 27 at Disney Store, you can get up to 40% off swim, decor, toys and more. Pick up this splash pad, some new swimwear and other summer toys to ensure your summer 2024 ends with a bang.
Price: $43.99, $54.99 at Disney Store
Best Kiddie Pool Toy
Little Tikes Magic Flower Water Table
Image: Walmart.comDescription: This innovative water table will surprise and delight kids this summer! Featuring 10 accessories and five unique activities, kids can pour water over the magic flower to watch it bloom and grow, make a splash with the ducks and fish, and more! Plus, you can place it into a shallow kiddie pool for added fun.
Why We Love It: Besides for an easy way to cool off on hot summer days and the adorable aquatic animals, the different activities mean that multiple kids can play at once.
Price: $67.19 at Walmart.com
Best Beach Toy
Prextex 19 Piece Beach Toys Set
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Toys are getting more advanced, and yet it is still tough to top a bucket and shovel as the best beach toys. This set also includes a sifter, a rake, and animal and castle molds to make the ultimate sand creations. A clever mesh drawstring bag for carrying home all the toys (and none of the sand) is conveniently included with your purchase.
Why We Love It: Trips to the beach are incomplete without the construction of a sand castle.
Price: $15.99 at Amazon.com
Best Pool Toy
GoSports Splash Hoop 360 Floating Pool Basketball Game
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Bring the court to the pool with this floating pool basketball game that is every baller’s summer favorite. The hoop weighs less than 5 pounds and is constructed with a sturdy frame that easily pops into place. The solid assembly allows you to use the hoop outside the pool for the little ones. Two balls and a pump are included with the purchase.
Why We Love It: This floating hoop takes pool games to the next level and gives new meaning to a dunk in the pool.
Price: $39.21 at Amazon.com
Best Yard Toy
TEAM MAGNUS 31ft Water Slide
Image: Amazon.comDescription: This 31-foot water slide features two lanes for racing and an inflatable crash pad at the end to stop the racers’ momentum with a splash. The slide, constructed from heavy-duty PVC material, is designed with a central sprinkler channel and features a 6-point pegging system for a secure hold. Waterproof duct tape is provided in the event a patch is needed.
Why We Love It: The majority of parents we polled agreed that there’s no better summer toy than a slip n’ slide. It’s easy, fun for all ages, and simple to set up – all you need is a hose and some space.
Price: $82 at Amazon.com
Best Water Table
Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
Image: Amazon.comDescription: This water table features 13 accessories to keep kids occupied and cool on hot summer days. Kids can create a waterfall, send a toy frog flying or make a spinning splash. The water table is highly rated by Amazon customers, with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from more than 10,000 reviews.
Why We Love It: Water tables are a fun way for toddlers to cool off when you don’t have a pool available. The variety of accessories with this option allows for extended entertainment.
Price: $78.99 at Amazon.com
Best Sports Toy
Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Spikeball consists of a ball and a net placed close to the ground. Players on two teams return the ball to the net or lose a point (you can check out a video of the rules on the Amazon product page). The tightness of the net can also be adjusted so the ball bounces the way you want it to. The kit includes three balls. The legs on the net are foldable, making it easier to store.
Why We Love It: This portable competition kit can be played at a tailgate, on the beach, in your backyard, on a camping trip, or even indoors.
Price: $65.99 at Amazon.com
Best Summer Toy for Travel
Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Card Game
Image: Amazon.comDescription: This engaging game includes 35 Find and Seek cards that can be used to create a scavenger hunt pretty much anywhere. “This toy is suitable for any open space: a beach, your backyard, a park, or pretty much any other outdoor place,” says Mark Coster, the founder of site STEMGeek.com, adding that, for your kids, it can result in “hours of open-ended play to flex their imagination.” The cards are designed to be nonspecific (e.g., find something cuddly) making it possible to play in most environments. The game is designed for up to six players.
Why We Love It: This game provides a fun learning experience and can be played pretty much anywhere you travel during the summer. The cards include helpful pictures to prompt young kids who can’t read yet.
Price: $9.98 at Amazon.com
Best Summer Toy for Babies
SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Culliton recommends this spring float for its dual purpose – it keeps your baby safe in the water while also featuring an interactive activity center. A rotating octopus built into the float has toys attached, including stacking rings, a fish teether, a soft touch star and a squeaker fish. The float includes an adjustable canopy with UPF sun protection.
Why We Love It: Safety and play are a perfect combination for your summer baby!
Price: $29.79 at Amazon.com
Best Summer Toy for Toddlers
Cook ‘N Grill Wood Toy BBQ Set
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Another recommendation from Culliton, this toy BBQ set encourages creativity in your future chef. There are 30 pieces included with the set, including food pieces, tools, utensils (including skewers!) and condiments. All pieces are made of wood, including the front knobs which make a clicking sound just like the real thing.
Why We Love It: This set is plastic free and lets your toddlers join in on the summer BBQ fun.
Price: $59.99 at Amazon.com
Best Summer Toy for Grownups
GoSports Giant Wooden Toppling Tower
Image: Amazon.comDescription: This giant tower includes 54 oversized blocks that can stack up to 5 feet high. In addition to the traditional Jenga-style game, the set also comes with a dry erase board for creating your own variation of the game and a convenient carrying case. The blocks come in four color options: brown wood stain, gray wood stain, natural wood and a patriotic stars and stripes option.
Why We Love It: Take family game night to new heights with this tall twist on the traditional Jenga game.
Price: $70.49, $74.99 at Amazon.com
Best for the Outdoors
Adventure Kidz – Outdoor Exploration Kit
Description: This outdoor adventure kit is packed with all the tools your little adventurer will need, including a magnifying glass, whistle, compass, flashlight, binoculars and a backpack to store it all in. Coster says parents can incorporate some fun ideas to turn the adventure into storytelling practice and STEM-related knowledge. “Give a set of those to your kid and throw a few ideas their way: observe insects and watch birds, collect pebbles, maybe search for fossils and various other artefacts, learn cardinal directions,” Coster says.
Why We Love It: Kids can collect bugs and knowledge using the tools in this educational activity kit.
Price: $19.97 at Amazon.com
Best for a Rainy Day
Melissa & Doug’s DIY Wooden Birdhouse
Image: Amazon.comDescription: Kids can learn how to build, tinker and get creative with this DIY birdhouse, recommended by Coster. Once built, the birdhouse presents “a great opportunity for the budding ornithologist to learn which birds live in your area, when and how they nest and how to attract them to choose the birdhouse for nesting.” The kit includes all the pieces necessary to assemble the birdhouse, as well as paint and a brush to decorate it.
Why we love it: This birdhouse combines construction and creativity! It also creates a continuing learning experience once it’s built.
Price: $16.48, $17.99 at Amazon.com
The post The Best Summer Toys, According to Toy Experts appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
