Water, Sensory, and Active Outdoor Toys

It has been so fun being a guest on a few TV stations this month. We love nothing more than sharing our favorite toys with parents, grandparents, and more! Now that it is warm, we spend almost no time in our basement toy rooms anymore. We have moved the toy room outside and we couldn't be happier. When setting up your backyard for summer success, be sure to include toys that use water, promote sensory play, and allow for active movement.

We have curated 10 toys that are guaranteed to be an absolute hit and aren't one hit wonders. These toys are also great for a variety of ages and can grow with your family. This list includes items from $5-$169—something for everyone's budget.

1. Play Smol Swimming Pool: Smol inflatable pools are here just in time for summer in a beautiful Tangerine, a hue that’s perfectly muted and still summery. Each pool comes with a perfectly padded bottom, and a pump to blow up with their easy blow valves. This is easy to transport, store, and use. A mini dip on a hot summer day.

2. Spin Copter Original: These Spin Copters quite literally “light up the night”. They can soar to heights over 150ft. These spin copters launch into the sky and run off batteries to create a spinning helicopter of lights and fun. These are perfect to take outside and use on those warm summer nights.

3. Boomabandz: Boomabandz is a brand new toy that is coming in HOT! It is basically a giant human boomerang. Four players stand inside the fabric making a square. You run to the opposite side of your starting point to experience the “boomerang” effect. Because this toy requires you to know your left from your right while running, we recommend it for older kids and teens.

4. Hearth Song Chalk Stencils: These chalk stencils are so fun to use when sidewalk chalk gets a little boring. A pro tip of ours is to wet your chalk before use. Stick the chalk into a bucket of water and the colors will glide a lot more easily and using these stencils will up your chalk art game.

5. Bubble Blasters: These light up bubble blasters are a killer find under $5. You can pick these up at Walmart and watch your kids be amazed with hours of bubble fun. My kids love that they each get their own bubble blaster and they don’t have to worry about dumping out all the bubble solution or wasting their breath trying to blow bubbles. They light up and create a continuous stream of bubbles which makes them fun for both day and night.

6. Nighthawk: This is a 12V electric ride-on toy that is really fun to zoom around the neighborhood in. It can go up to 7mph and uses a tipping action to steer and maneuver. It has a max weight capacity of 110 lbs which means most kiddos can enjoy this thing well into their teens. It is easy to use and so fun to race and zip around outside in.

7. Unicorn Eggs: These are “magical unicorn eggs” but essentially just large water beads. Basically you pour these tiny resin looking beads into a container filled with water and watch them grow magically overnight. In the morning you will have massive water beads that are fun to squish, throw, and use in any type of sensory play. These are great to play withy outside because they can get messy.

8. Bilibo: This is a toy you might be scratching your head about and we understand why. This is an award winning toy designed in Switzerland in conjunction with child development experts. Deceptively simple, elegantly shaped and magically attractive, the Bilibo inspires creative, imaginative, and limitless play. Essentially you can use this for a lot of open ended play. Our favorite use is sitting and spinning on the inside of the Bilibo. You can also use this for sledding, filling with water, playing in the sand, and using it as a stepping stone.

9. Lounge Swing: This swing, designed by Hearth Song Toys, has been enjoyed by toddlers, littles, big kids, teens, and even adults. You can hook this swing to any swing set and get relaxing. It’s curved design is comfy and makes it easy to lounge and relax. It is also very sturdy and holds up to 200lbs of weight. We have really enjoyed “sittervising” our kids in this toy.

10. Fofana Ninja Zip Line: This is probably our “coolest” toy this summer. From Fofana Ninja, this is a must-have if you have two sturdy trees in your backyard between 20-55ft apart. The kit comes with everything you need to protect your trees and easily setup the zipline. This zipline literally transforms your backyard into an adventure park. The zipline can hold up to 250 lbs and can be used by kids and teens. You can also save 10% on your purchase by using our code.(10TOYTESTING) at checkout.

Summer Outdoor Toys

Summer is my favorite season of the year. I love having warm weather and spending late nights playing games and hanging out with family. We have put together 8 our absolute favorite and unique outdoor toys to share with you. If you're looking for ways to keep your kiddos happy and entertained this summer then this is the list for you. We also chose toys that will last and work for a wide variety of children. Have a great summer!

1. Zipline from Fofana Ninja is a must-have if you have two sturdy trees in your backyard that are between 20-55ft apart. The kit comes with everything you need to protect your trees and easily set up the zipline. This zipline literally transforms your backyard into an adventure park. The zipline can hold up to 250lbs and can be used by kids and teens. Save 10% by using our code: 10TOYTESTING.

2. Mud Kitchen from WoodNPoppy is stunning and made of real wood. This is an heirloom toy that will be used for many, many years. Their mud kitchens are made to order and you can select wood type, finish, and accessories. Mud kitchens are excellent for outdoor sensory play. Kids can enjoy making mud pies, planting flowers, cooking with their backyard findings, and so much more.

3. Two Bros Bows is an archery set made for kids! The foam tipped arrows are soft which makes it safe for kids to play with. The quality is excellent and the product design makes it easy for kids to place the arrow in the correct spot to line up and release! Kids can shoot at a target to help improve their accuracy. It is suggested for 6+ but a 5-year old should be able to enjoy it too. Great for the backyard, park, and taking on camping trips. You can purchase locally at Teton Toys.

4. Boomabandz is a brand new toy that’s coming in HOT! It’s a boomerang for humans! Four players stand inside the fabric making a square. You run tun to the opposite side of your starting point and you experience a boomerang effect. Because the toy requires you to know your left and right and know when to run, it’s important to do with older kids. This toy is great for big kids, teens, and adults.

5. Activ Flyer Frisbee is the easiest flyer to both throw and catch. They are also 80% lighter than the standard flying disk which makes them soar farther and faster. These are perfect to add some outdoor fun to a BBQ or outdoor game night. Their unique design makes them easy for even littles to use and catch.

6. Bounce House from PlaySmol is awesome to use outdoors and inside during the colder months. They have designed their bounce houses to be aesthetically pleasing–the blower is even a neutral color. They currently have 3 color options: pinks, blues, and neutrals. They offer 6x6 and 8x8. This toy will keep kids busy and bouncing! Add plastic balls for some fun sensory play.

7. 8-foot Inflatable Dome RockerBouncer from Hearthsong is the perfect addition for backyard play, BBQs, neighborhood parties, birthdays, reunions, and so much more. Kids can roll, tilt, and bounce–it even holds up to 250lbs. There are 6 handles for kids to hold onto for stability. It inflates fast with an electric pump and stores easily in a large rubbermaid.

8. Inflatable Rainbow Landroller from Hearthsong is a blast to roll through the backyard. So many play possibilities: walk, roll, crawl, and somersault from inside. Kids can push each other from the outside and even create forts. If you roll under the shade, you can even relax in the landroller and read a book. It can hold up to 300lbs and easily inflates and deflates with an electric pump.

Picks for Indoor and Outdoor Toys

Mel and some of our cute kids, Caroline and Olina, shared with the viewers of KSL Studio 5 some of our unique picks for indoor/outdoor toys! This segment was really fun for us because we got to bring our little toy testers. The more and more toys we test, the more we are committed to recommending options that can be used for many years/ages. The toys featured on this segment will be a hit for almost any house! View segment

1. Coloring Mat, Creative Cloth Co.: These are reusable coloring mats and are great for an eco friendly coloring experience. They feature a zipper pocket that can hold your washable markers. The smaller size can easily fit into a diaper bag and pulled out at a restaurant to keep your kiddos entertained. We love that these can be washed so easily and get endless use. It’s good for their entertainment and the environment. Save 10% with code TOYTESTINGSISTERS.

2. Cottage, Airfort: Airfort is awesome because it blows up in a matter of seconds and stores in a small pouch—no poles or having to designate a large space for this toy. Kids just lift up to enter! So much open-ended fun with the Airfort. All you need is a box fan to start using. The cottage design is unique from the standard circular Airfort. Try using it outside! The fan is going to help kids stay cool too.

3. Stepping Stones, Playzonefit: These are stepping stones from Play Zone Fit. We use these to add variation and playtime fun while making obstacle courses. Another favorite use of these is to play the “floor is lava” game. They are textured and made to last.

4. Tubelox: Kids can construct real-life objects like a bike, scooter, plane, desk, fort, chair, wheelbarrow, cart, etc with Tubelox. We love that this construction set doesn’t include small parts and the finished product can actually be used. If you have toddlers, it’s easy for parents to build the objects and use them with their littles. For older kids, they can build on their own and enjoy playing with the finished product. Save 10% with our code MM10.

5. Wobble board: It’s basically a rocking toy that can be used in a variety of different ways. You can turn it upside down and use it as a bridge or incorporate it into some fun yoga positions. Kids also love to use these as ramps for cars. We like to use this to pretend to surf! Hop on and get rocking.

6. Climbing Wall, Megalith Climbing: Megalith climbing has made it easy to add a rock wall in your very own home! All you do is buy these individual panels, arrange to your liking, add the holes, and voila! These are self-installed but are super easy. Find the studs in your walls and they will each hold up to 250lbs per panel. This is the perfect toy that keeps your kids active and entertained.

7. Doorway Swing, Playzonefit: This door swing from Playzonefit gets an insane amount of use at our homes. It’s great because it doesn’t require any hardware for installation. It’s excellent for active indoor play and helps kids get out their wiggles. It holds up to 150lbs. They even sell a trapeze and hammock attachments. You could even try this outside in a storm door.

8. Resin paintables, CharsJars: These resin paintables from CharsJars are so fun for kids because when they are done creating, they can wash off and start over. Kids can use paint, markers, and these awesome wonderstix chalk crayons. We have the daisy and bug set. With these resin paintables, you can snap a photo of the creation and ditch storing hundreds of pieces of artwork!