In much of the country, it’s time to get outdoors and have some fun. But you’ll want some activities for rainy days or times when you want a break from all that sun and fresh air. (Kidding!)
We’ve been talking a lot about how beneficial a variety of play experiences can be. )See our post on that here.) We’re recommending some great, new toys that will deliver those experiences…without breaking the bank. We know people are concerned about the impact tariffs will have on toys later on in the year. The good news for summer, though is that virtually all the toys you’ll find on shelves right now made it into the country before the new tariffs took effect, so you’ll still find great value.
How to pick from all that’s out there? Well, that’s our job to help you determine that! Take a look at some of the toys we’ve been reviewing and playing with for a while now and that we think make a worthwhile addition to your toy box.
Imaginative/Narrative Play
Few types of play are more engaging–and beneficial–than imaginative, narrative play. The stories we tell help us define our experience, fire our imaginations, and amuse us. Kids love making up their own stories, whether in an open-ended format or based on stories or characters they know, e.g.: movie toys. Check these out as some great ideas!
Playmobil Junior Adventure Tower with Ice Cream Booth from Playmobil
Ages 1 year and up.
$49.99
Where to Buy
We love the Playmobil Junior line. These toys are specifically designed for younger children to be easy to use and packed with just enough activities and features to keep them engaged. And what kid doesn’t like to be engaged with ice cream? Plus, there’s lots of preschoolers learning play built in: fine motor skills, stacking, sorting, color matching, spatial relationships. It’s all designed into this high quality set. (And it’s sustainable, too. The toy is made of 90% plant-based plastics.)
The tower has a lookout area, a Ferris wheel, and a slide, so kids can make up all kinds of stories about the characters as they play. And when you want to take a break, who doesn’t want an ice cream treat? It’s a summertime play set in a compact, easy-to-clean toy.
Disney Stitch Many Moods Stitch Plush from Just Play
Ages 3 years and up.
$39.99
Where to Buy
He’s one of the most popular characters this year for fans of all ages. Stitch is everywhere! Beloved for his irreverent humor–and his many moods–kids and collectors alike have fallen in love. And it’s likely they’ll fall in love with this guy, too.
The 13.5-inch Many Moods Stitch has expressive, LCD screen eyes and more than 50 sounds and reactions. Scratch his head, rub his belly, giggle, tilt, or hold Stitch upside down to activate silly phrases, sound effects, and animated eye reactions—but too much bouncing might make him grumpy! Oh, and he’s got a sleep mode, too, for when it’s time for a rest…for you and Stitch.
This is going to be one of the most popular toys of the summer, and we especially think kids will love making up their own adventures and letting their imaginations go into high gear as they play.
How to Train Your Dragon Ultimate Plasma Blast Toothless from Spin Master
Ages 4 years and up.
$29.99
Where to Buy
Enter the world dragons and Vikings, as you bring Toothless to life in play. The story is about how Hiccup and Toothless discovered their bond and went on to change the world. It’s a dramatic, hero story and one that will inspire all kinds of imaginative play. Hiccup defies the rules to be true to himself–and that’s both a classic narrative and an empowering inspiration for today’s kids.
The toy features a 25-inch wingspan that opens with the touch of a button. They’re a great texture, and the wings move as kids “fly” their Night Fury dragon…just like in the movie.You can also activate the powerful plasma blast and other dramatic sounds. Other great How To Train Your Dragon figures toys are available and sold separately.
Tonka Steel Classics Giga Series: Dump Truck, Excavator, Bulldozer from Just Play
Ages 3 years and up.
$9.99
Where to Buy
Since 1947, Tonka has defined open-ended, creative play for kids who have kept on trucking (and dozing and digging) for three generations. The new Giga Series has all the play value, quality, and real steel construction as s the entire line of Tonka Trucks. Digging, dumping, and dozing all work just like in the classic, larger Tonka trucks for ultimate play power. Plus, the smaller size makes them collectible–and lets kids create an entire construction fleet in the playroom or the sandbox.
Games
We love games, especially in the summer. I have great memories of games of Risk with my brothers that took up a rainy day (and sometimes ended in brawl) or outdoor games, or even games that we made up. For social skills, learning strategy, or just plain recreation, games bring people together. Here are a few that we think are great to get people playing and laughing.
Coyote from Exploding Kittens
For ages 10 and up.
$9.99
Where to Buy
Leave it to Exploding Kittens to come up with the craziest (in a good way) party game of the summer. Coyote is a game that challenges players to perform actions based on cards dealt out on the table. Cards with actions on them are laid out on the table. (Jazz Hands, Hello, Rock On, Fart Noise, etc.) Once they’re set up, players thump the table. (Thump, Thump, Pause; Thump, Thump, Pause) and the first player performs the action on the first card. Still in rhythm, the next player performs the action…and so forth. The round continues till someone messes up…and they will. Then new cards are added each turn anywhere in the sequence, and play continues. Last player to get three strikes is the winner. But wait. There are Coyote Cards and Attack cards, which change up how people perform the cards. It’s harder than you think.
We love this game. It’s very much in the tradition of parlor games that were popular in the 19th century, but it’s a gameplay that is always entertaining. (I mean, who doesn’t laugh when their friend messes up?) And it this description doesn’t seem clear, check out the great video here.
We can’t promise you’ll be an expert, but we can promise you’ll laugh. Plus, people of lots of ages can play together.
Popdarts Rookie Set from Popdarts
Ages 5 years and up.
$24.99
Where to Buy
I promise you; you will not know how much fun (or potentially addictive) this game is till you get your hands on it. Seriously, we haven’t been able to put it down, and everyone who comes over gets dragooned into a game.
It’s so incredibly simple. Place a target marker and then throw the suction-cupped silicone darts at it and try to be the closest. Of course, this is a classic style of gameplay, but what’s special about these is how great they feel in your hand, how easy they are to throw, how well the suction cups stick, and, naturally, the basic level of challenge involved.
The darts are about 5 1/2-inches, and they’re weighted perfectly. The suction cups stick on any flat surface, and you don’t need a lot of space. This is an indoor game, too, so take over the kitchen, playroom or basement to create your non-stop tournaments. Here’s the thing, too: You can play flat on the floor or vertically. We kind of loved a game played on our sliding glass doors. (Darts won’t stick to anything rough or porous.)
There is a level of skill involved, and the more you practice, the better you’ll get at aiming and tossing.
The game comes with six darts–three blue, three green–a target marker and a carrying bag. The bag features a printed ruler, which you might need to settle disputes. When you’re ready to up your game, you can move up to the Pro pack, with darts that have a suction cup at each end. From our experience, you’ll want to be pretty good as a Rookie before you step up, but the Rookie set includes a sample of one of those darts, which seems like a very smart idea.
If you’re looking for a summer obsession, you’ve found it.
Stratego Junior from Jumbo Group
Ages 4 years and up.
$19.99
Where to Buy
Stratego was one of our favorite games as a kid. Combining, strategy (hence the name), memory, and a willing to be a little cagey in the play, like the best games, it was ostensibly simple but changed with every game. It was, however, a little complicated for younger kids. Enter Stratego Junior. It highlights the memory and simple strategy elements of the original–and the players are Dinos rather than knights. The game has two different versions. the Stratego Quest version for younger players starts with everyone setting up their pieces, but it’s a memory game, and the goal is to find the matching dinosaurs. The Stratego Triumph version for older players is more like the original. Simply move pieces and attack to eliminate your opponents and seize command of the board. However, rocks or meteors could upend your strategy. The first player to find the dinosaur egg wins!
Arts & Crafts/Creative Play
When we were kids, our mom used to cover the picnic table in butcher paper and give us an old coffee can full of crayons (and crayon stubs). We also used paint, and if as much got on us as got on the paper, no problem. Arts and crafts play is great for the summer, perhaps when kids want a little quiet time. We love this kind of play for giving kids the pure joy of expression, working with different media, and just exploring.
Gui Gui from Moose Toys
Ages 6 years and up.
Single pack $9.99
Where to Buy
Slime is still the single most popular arts & crafts activity for kids, and now it’s gotten a total beauty makeover–a glow up like you’ve never seen! Gui Gui from Moose is an inspired collection of four different kinds of slime–Gloss, Clear, Butter, Cloud.
Each Gui Gui slime kit is all about texture play, color, scent, and absolute creativity to make your slime the loveliest in the land. It starts with the packaging, which looks like it just came off the high-end cosmetics shelf. Inside, you’ll find everything you need…and five steps to runway ready slime. Reveal the slime, add the mix-ins, decorate, meet your mini figure, and, finally, add that extra touch of glittery goodness. Play with your slime or display your creations. There are 13 different slimes to collect, including a “chase” slime: the limited edition “Over the Rainbow” Gui Gui.
We’ve been so impressed by this, but don’t take our word for it. In playing testing with kids (girls and boys), this as a clear favorite. For the compound cognoscenti, deluxe sets are coming in July.
Outdoor/Pool Toys
What would summer be without some fun in the sun? We were lucky enough to have no choice. After breakfast, we were turned out of the house to play and make up our own fun. Happily, we did, and we were never at a loss for something to do. From our bikes to our friends to running under the hose, or any number of games, there was no such thing as being bored…at least not for long. Here are some new toys we’ve found that are worth a look.
The Bubble Lab Megaphone from Go Play!
Ages 5 years and up.
$29.99
Where to Buy
Let’s make some noise…and some bubbles. Bubble toys are classic favorites, and now there’s a new way to play with bubbles! The Bubble Lab Megaphone blows tons of bubbles when you speak, sing or shout into the microphone. (There’s also a regular mode where you can use it like a traditional bubble blaster. Just pull the trigger.)
Dip the bubble wands into the two level bubble tray, lift it up, and shout it out! That’s it. It couldn’t be simpler…or more fun.
The set comes with the blaster, 4 ounces of bubble fluid, and the two level tray.
Squishmallows Beach Bobbers from Big Mouth Toys
Ages 3 years and up.
$14.99
Where to Buy
Squishmallows are hot on land…and now they’re the hit of the beach. The Beach Bobbers are cute inflatables that will float right on top of the water. Pama the Cakepop (pictured) is joined by Charlie the Pickle and Junie the Banana as part of an adorable collection that’s sure to to add some amusing characters to your by-the-sea (or pool or backyard or wherever) summer fun.
This should jump start your summer fun, but we’re always adding to the list, so come back often. And have a play full summer from all of us at The Toy Guy!
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