As a Mom of Two, These Are the Only Summer Toys I'd Ever Recommend
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Already looking at the clock and wondering why the time is ticking by so slowly? Summer can be a joyous season, filled with outdoor activities, family picnics, and weekend getaways, but it can also be draining for parents. Why not set yourself up for success by filling your cart with a few worthwhile toys?
As a mother of two, I've absolutely been guilty of buying cheap toys with same-day delivery just to give the kids something to do, only to have those toys lose their luster (or worse, break) after a few hours. The following toys do not fall into that category! These toys are meant for long days at the beach, sunny afternoons in the yard, and late nights waiting up for fireworks.
From travel toys that'll have your kids so occupied they'll forget to ask, "Are we there yet?" to playhouses that'll have siblings play like a nice little family to old-school family games, these toys are the best of the bunch.The cozy coupes from Little Tikes are a time-honored classic. There are so many variations – Fairy, Dinosaur, Ladybug – but toddlers will go nuts for the latest collab: Bluey. This one is inspired by an iconic episode (that my own toddler has memorized), "Grannies."
Ages 18 months to 5 years.
$89.00 at amazon.comBarbie Dive N' Surprise is new for 2025 and I had my own 6-year-old daughter test it out. This is her review: "This toy is perfect. I like that it's pink. I wouldn't change anything." You heard it here first, folks.
Ages 5 and up.
$12.99 at amazon.com'90s and '00s toys are all the rage right now. Lite Brite was great then, and it's even better now because the brand released a Mini Touch version. With no small pieces to keep track of, it's ideal for the car.
Ages 6 and up.
$20.96 at amazon.comLooking to get dirty? Peg Perego makes the most reliable ride-on toys for bigger kids. My son is partial to the John Deere Ground Force Tractor, but if you have two kids, I highly recommend the John Deere Gator XUV. It's an investment, but that's what grandparents are for, right?
3 to 8 years.
$398.99 at amazon.comPlanning to break out the pressure washer this summer? Your kid will love playing Mom or Dad and "helping out" with their own version. If you really want to earn points, get the Auto Repair Workbench, too.
3 to 8 years.
$49.99 at walmart.comRemember rolling around the blacktop on one of these? They've improved from when we were kids; handtomind added handles so no one's fingers would be in danger of being scraped up. This model comes in three colors: orange (pictured), blue, and green.
Ages 4 to 10.
$29.99 at amazon.comKiwiCo has some awesome toys for little kids — check out the Water and Sand Sensory Table — but I'm duly impressed by their kits for older kids. The Automatic Bubble Blower is an instant favorite, but the Chain Reaction Workshop is pretty remarkable, too.
Ages 9 to 11.
$24.00 at kiwico.comI cannot believe how entertaining this little fish is. The battery-operated toy from SwimWays comes in four variations and we love ours so much that we've already ordered a second one. Whether your kids know how to swim or they're still in floaties, they'll love following this little guy around the pool.
Ages 5 and up.
$14.99 at amazon.comThere's truly nothing more delightful than watching my 3-year-old diligently try to hack through our trees with this fake chainsaw. It's our favorite of Red Toolbox's Stanley Jr. line, which also includes a hedge trimmer, a leaf blower (complete with fake leaves), and a weed whacker. Pro tip: Get your kid the leaf blower so they can cool you off at the pool.
Ages 3 and up.
$41.99 at amazon.comKnow a toddler who won't go anywhere without a doll? Get them a doll that's meant to get wet as a summer companion. The Splash and Play Seahorse Doll from Madame Alexander was built to withstand long hours in chlorinated waters and even comes with her own terrycloth robe.
Ages 2 and up.
$50.65 at amazon.comGot a builder on your hands? Go all-out with a mega set from Playmobil. This RV-themed kit will keep them busy for hours, but if the price tag is too steep, opt for the camping set.
Ages 4 and up.
$118.99 at amazon.comIf you're headed to a backyard barbecue, bring this two-in-one toy that'll distract the kids while you have a second cheeseburger. They can jump to the music then try the ring toss game once they're exhausted.
Ages 4 and up.
$26.95 at amazon.comWe love just about any craft kit from Made By Me. The materials are a really good quality for the price (most are under $12) and the kids end up making something we actually want to display. Window art is my pick for the summertime, but you can't go wrong with rock art or sand art.
Ages 6 and up.
$9.97 at amazon.comThese toy companies will never stop introducing new substances to muck up our carpets, will they? If your kids like slime and kinetic sand, they'll love Slimy Sand. Grab a kit with molds or just buy a bucket of the stuff.
Ages 3 and up.
$22.99 at amazon.comNot only is this a fun and easy craft for the summer, it'll make a great gift for the grandparents! You can also use it for pets, just make sure you wipe Fido's paw before he goes inside.
No age listed.
$9.99 at amazon.comFor the mini-me who follows you everywhere, might I suggest an itty-bitty barbecue set? This one comes with everything they need to make a delicious wooden meal. (My kids are also big on the ice cream counter.)
Ages 3 and up.
$15.39 at amazon.comI cannot over-exaggerate how much kids love stuff that glows in the dark. They can use these magnetic tiles in their room after the sun goes down, in a camping tent, or shut up alone in their closet. (Is that just a my-kids thing?)
Ages 3 and up.
$26.49 at amazon.comYou'll have to venture outside of Amazon for these water blasters but trust me when I say it's worth it. I'd never seen battery-powered water blasters before, and my kids went absolutely feral over them. They shoot water with barely any pressure on the trigger, light up, and are easy to refill.
Ages 6 and up.
$24.99 at southbeachbubbles.comMess-free art is a big trend for little kids and mine prefer these Color Wonder books. Unlike books that come with water pens to color in pages, the kids get to chose colors themselves. These are great for the car and we also frequently bring them as a restaurant activity.
Ages 3 and up.
$8.58 at amazon.comIf you have a big kid or a teen with an affinity for sports, grab a glowing ball for late-night fun. MindWare has both this football, which comes with a tee, and a basketball, which comes with a strip of solar-powered lights for the rim of your hoop.
Ages 5 and up.
$34.95 at amazon.comTonka still reigns supreme in the sandbox. These heavy-duty toys will last for years, especially the Steel Classics series. The dump truck is fun and durable, but my 3-year-old also loves the monster truck version.
Ages 3 and up.
$24.99 at amazon.comIntex is the industry standard for inflatable pools, so even if this dino-themed option isn't your jam, they have a pool for you. Octopus pool? Got it. Rainbow pool? Got it. Simple above-ground pool? Got it.
Ages 2 and up.
$86.99 at amazon.comThis bag is all you need for a full—and I do mean full—day at the beach with a toddler. Literally they just want to play with water and sand. That's it.
18 months and up.
$21.55 at amazon.comThe Hydro Lacrosse set from SwimWays is perfect for families with older kids and adults who want to play together. It's meant for the pool (or beach), but you can also play with them on land. And for $15, you could do a whole lot worse. In some restaurants, a side of avocado is $15.
Ages 5 and up.
$15.00 at amazon.comKids love binoculars. Save your Nocs and give them a pair meant just for kids: the GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars from Educational Insights. These have tens of thousands of positive reviews from parents, and I can attest that my kids fight over them every year.
Ages 3 and up.
$14.99 at amazon.comIf you have a toddler and you're headed into warm weather, you need a water table. It's not a suggestion; it's a requirement. These tables will keep their hands busy, encourage standing, and get them familiar with basic laws of gravity. This one is slightly larger, so it's perfect for households with more than one kid.
Ages 18 months and up.
$79.99 at amazon.comA bouncy ball: so simple, so perfect. Name a kid that doesn't like one of these things. I'll wait.
Ages 4 to 8.
$18.88 at amazon.comWe're big fans of Step2's play structures in our household. They can get pricey, but this sports-themed option will keep toddlers entertained for hours. If you do feel like spoiling your kids, I highly recommend this camper-themed playhouse.
Ages 2 to 6.
$114.99 at amazon.comJump ropes are a childhood staple, but not all jump ropes are created equal. This beaded version is shatterproof, comes in three lengths and three color options, and has top-notch reviews. It's a terrific way to burn some energy (and calories) if you are looking to up your own exercise game this summer, too!
No age listed.
$14.97 at amazon.comYou may want to steal this Koosh playset from your kids. It comes with two paddles but you can also just challenge yourself to bounce the Koosh solo — major '90s vibes.
Ages 4 and up.
$21.99 at amazon.comAh, the joy of running up to a slippery slide and coasting down into a puddle. Back in my day, we just scorched out bellies. Your kids will have the benefit of using inflatable boards! This popular option comes in several colors and two lengths.
No age listed.
$29.99 at amazon.comRadio Flyer's ramp-car-combo is an investment, but we're on year three of this being the most popular toy in our backyard. Every kid who comes over for a playdate inevitably ends up on this thing. It's especially cool if you have a slight downhill slope — that way they really gain some speed.
Ages 3 and up.
$119.99 at amazon.comAt some point, you will have an indoor day. Maybe the weather is crappy or just don't don't feel like a visit to the park, whatever the reason, you need an indoor toy. Get a set of tunnels, a bag of balls, and never look back.
No age listed.
$59.99 at amazon.comOf all the gifts my daughter received for her birthday, this is the one she wanted to try first. It's shockingly easy to make these things and requires very little parental setup. We are now the proud owners (parents?) of an entire aquarium of slimy creatures.
Ages 6 and up.
$24.99 at amazon.comMy 3-year-old son was always trying to steal his sister's Kinetic Sand — she has the ice cream kit — so we got him this cool folding sandbox. The guy loves it. It's may not be as colorful as the other kits, but it's just perfect for a toddler who loves trucks.
Ages 3 and up.
$22.49 at amazon.com
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