22 awesome summer toys
Banish boredom with these fun toys for the backyard or the park.
Photo: Mastermind Toys
best outdoor toys summer
Mini Bug Vac
Croquet set
The classic wooden ball and mallet game gets a pretty facelift with this colourful set. Comes with six hoops, four mallets, one stake, four balls and a mesh carrying case. Let’s bring back classic lawn games! Ridley, $50, indigo.ca
BMXie balance bike
X-Shot Bubble Ball
Take that sibling battle outside with these giant inflatable bubbles that snugly hold a person inside it’s protected air pockets. Try a game of tackle soccer or a simple roll around in the grass. These are awesome. Zuru, $90, toysrus.ca
Giant bubble mill
Active Play gigantic racket set
My First Pogo
Active Play Super Sand Digger
Stomp ’n Stamps
Side walk chalk just got taken to a new level with these strap-on discs that allow your feet to leave a trail of fine art in its wake with fun shapes like crescent moons and stars. International Playthings, $20, toysense.ca
Disc Jock-E
This isn’t your normal Frisbee, it’s a Bluetooth-enabled waterproof flying disc so your favourite tunes can be played anytime, anywhere. Tucker Toys, $30, canadiantire.ca
Heely’s
Is it a shoe or is it a skate? It’s both, duh. Kids will love gliding along in these skateboard-style kicks. They’re available in a slew of colours and styles. Starting at $100, mastermindtoys.com
Bunch O Balloons
What’s the ultimate way to super-soak your friends? With 100 easy-fill water balloons, of course. An included attachment makes filling and tying off hundreds of balloons a cinch. Red Planet, $15, indigo.ca
RipSurf Board
Hang ten on this surf/skateboard hybrid. Designed in SoCal, the RipSurf lets riders cut and carve just like surfing but on dry land. Razor, $170, mastermindtoys.com
RAQ
Simulate holding a trampoline in the palm of your hand with this bouncy pad that allows users to control the speed and bounce of the attached ball. OgoSport, $44, well.ca
Wave Hoop
Weighted with water, these hula hoops are easy to swing and manoeuvre—plus, they’ve got a retro feel with bright holographic prints. Sized for kids four and up. $11 each, canadiantire.ca
Mölkky
Try your hand at this bowling-like activity, touted as the number one outdoor game in Europe. Tactic, $65, amazon.ca
Mega Rocket
Because of its lightweight body and foam fins, this six-foot rocket is easy to catch and throw. Blast off! Diggin Active, $25, mastermindtoys.com
Light-Up Airbender
Pierce the night sky with this glowing three-winged disc. It’s made from soft material, so catching and throwing the Airbender is a cinch. Night Flyers, $10, mastermindtoys.com
Slackers 50-Foot Slackline
Cut yourself some slack (ha ha) and turn your backyard into an adventure park with this slackline. Once securely fastened to two trees, it lets kids ages eight and up put their balance and core strength to the test as they inch their way across the tether. Jelinek Sports, $120, toysrus.ca
Crayola Special Effects Sidewalk Chalk
Your kids will have a ton of fun bringing some colour to your neighbour with these rad sidewalk chalks. Check out the psychedelic Tie Dye box! $4, canadiantire.ca
The Amazing Wubble Bubble Ball
It is flexible like a bubble but plays like a ball. Blow the Wubble up to almost three feet in size and kick it, squish it, squash it or throw it. $20, toysrus.ca
Read more:
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4 classic playground games to play with your kid
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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail.