As warmer weather arrives, kids are always looking for new ways to stay cool while playing outdoors. Today’s water toys and games are more fun and inventive than antiquated metal oscillating sprinklers. From the ultimate water toy splurge to simple outdoor water games, a backyard can be turned into an oasis of outdoor water games that will rival any water park.
Basic Outdoor Water Toys
It doesn’t take much to have some basic water toy fun in the summertime. With only a small investment, multiple water toys and games can be purchased to vary the outdoor water action.
- Sprinklers. Standard garden sprinklers have been replaced by newer kid friendly water sprinklers that are designed to be safer water toys. Many of the newer sprinklers have rubber tubes that wiggle through the air dispersing water in multiple directions. Sprinklers are great water toys for toddlers and older kids to play water games outdoors.
- Water spray balls. Similar to sprinklers, a hose hooks up to a large inflated ball (or other character shape) and water sprays out through small outlets.
- Water splash tables. For younger kids or toddlers, a water splash table is a fun first water toy and can be a nice transition to playing in swimming pools. Toddlers who are learning how to stand love to hold onto sides of tables and splash around in the water. Plastic boats, small buckets, colanders and other water toys add to the fun. Many designs include sand and water sections of the table, which could create a messy mixture.
- Water guns and water soakers. Traditional water toy guns still exist but have been surpassed by new “water soakers” for the ultimate water showdown. Water soakers can hold a large amount of water and, once locked and loaded, can disperse a continuous flow of water.
- Water balloons. A water balloon toss is a simple, yet fun, water game. Kids can get hurt when hit by water balloons if the balloons are not meant to easily break upon impact. Be sure to buy balloons designed to easily break. A special hose adapter for filling water balloons is also helpful.
Swim Pools and Water Slides
Every backyard should have a kids' swimming pool in the summer. Kiddie swim pools are available in a variety of sizes, styles, designs and price points to please any family.
A popular an inexpensive option for kids’ swimming pools is an inflatable pool. Inflatable kiddie pools have many new features like built-in blow-up slides, blow-up toys or animals and built-in water sprays or sprinklers. These new styles are best for ensuring more variety in outdoor water play.
For even more water action, a water slide is an active way to get wet and cool down. The classic yellow Slip-n-Slide by Wham-O has evolved to include sprays, tunnels and splash pools at the end of the slide. Other brands include pool and slide combos that promise a thrilling water ride.
A bigger splurge in an outdoor water toy for kids can be found in new inflatable water slides. These large water fun zones utilize a continuous blower (much like an inflatable bouncer) and feature built-in climbing walls, slides, sprays and swim pools – an instant backyard water park. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $750 for these extravagant water toys.
Backyard Summer Fun for Kids
Variety is the key to keeping kids entertained all summer long while playing in a backyard. Outdoor water toys can make backyard playtime fun for kids of all ages. From swim pools and water slides to water soakers and sprinklers, kids have a lot of options to keep cool in the summertime.
Diane Seltzer - Diane is a branding, pr and social media marketer with experience ranging from advertising to corporate marketing and consulting.
