Finally, it's time for summer! We've been having a blast at CafeMom, going to toy fairs and road-testing toys in the office, and we've narrowed down the field to the picks that will make this your family's most fun summer evah!
Case in point: here we are hard at work last February:
Whether you've got a giant backyard, plan to hit the beach, or need some great ideas for keeping kids entertained indoors this summer, we've got you covered.
The Ultimate Box of Sidewalk Chalk
This is the biggest set of sidewalk chalk Crayola has EVER RELEASED! Sixty-four beautiful colors, including eight "special effects" colors like "shocking pink sparks" and multicolored "groovy-bloovy." Get ready for some colorful pavement this summer!
64 ct. Ultimate Sidewalk Chalk Collection ($14.99, Shop.Crayola)
Washable Sidewalk Paint Sprayer
Speaking of colorful … turn any surface — including grass! — into a work of art. And yes, it is washable! The set comes with two pre-filled paint cartridges, two stencils, and an instruction sheet to help you get started.
Washable Sidewalk Paint Sprayer ($14, Shop.Crayola)
Color-Changing Sunnies for Little Kids
Real Shades launched out of a market need for real, protective sunglasses for kids, as opposed to cheaply made, novelty pairs. Their newest release for this summer promises to be a fun way to get kids to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays — color-changing frames! Available in pink, green, yellow, and orange; sizes 2+ (Toddler), 4+ (Kid) and 7+ (Youth).
Real Shades Switch Color-Changing Sunglasses for Kids ($14.95, Amazon)
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Antsy Pants Kits
The new Target-exclusive Antsy Pants kits are made from easy-to-assemble poles and whimsical fabric covers. You can make anything from a lemonade stand to a pirate ship — or come up with your own ideas using the snap-and-click poles and connectors. SO FUN. Plus — to make it even cooler — your Antsy Pants purchase is helping Target + KaBOOM! create playgrounds, parks, and community spaces that inspire kids in the USA to be active and play. (In the first year alone, Antsy Pants is expected to donate more than $150,000 to build play spaces for kids across America!)
Antsy Pants Build and Play Kids (Starting at $19.99, Target)
Zuru X-Shot Bubble Balls
Granted, these are a bit of a splurge — especially since they're most entertaining if two people each have one! — but they are SO. MUCH. FUN. You inflate the giant balls, and then you can roll around on the ground, or run at and bounce off each other … it's super silly and ridiculously fun for kids and adults alike!
Zuru X-Shot Sports Bubble Ball ($59.99 each, ToysRUs)
Lego Friends Heartlake Pool
The latest release from the Lego friends collection makes us wish we could shrink down and join mini-doll figures Andrea and Martina in their pool-side paradise!
Lego Friends Heartlake Pool ($49.99, Shop.Lego)
Water-Resistant Ukulele
Made of special "faux wood" plastic, this is not a toy — it's a real instrument! Perfect for playing with outside, it comes with an electronic tuner (including batteries), strap, carrying case, two picks, and a step-by-step instruction book with a songbook. So fun!
Kangaroo 22.5" Ukulele (29.95, Amazon)
Poop Emoji Pool Float
What says "summer" more than a 4-foot poop float? NOTHING, that's what!
Kangaroo 53" Emoji Pool Raft ($19.95, Amazon)
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Surprise Ride Monthly Kits
Billed as "the monthly box for curious kids," Surprise Ride is a subscription box that delivers a cool activity in the mail, once a month! Each learning kit includes all project supplies, a reading book, a snack, fun extras, a parent guide, and easy-to-follow photo instructions. (Check out more fun kids' subscription boxes at CrateJoy.com.)
Surprise Ride Subscription Box (Starting at $20.95 + $3.95 shipping, SurpriseRide.com) Just for CafeMom readers: use code CAFEFREE to get your first box free (you just pay the $3.95 shipping fee).
Dunk Hat
A fun and silly way to cool down on hot days! This game basically involves players taking turns wearing the "dunk tank" hat, while the other player tosses a foam ball at the target. Perfect for playing outside (or in the kitchen)!
Dunk Hat Game ($19.99, HasbroToyShop)
UNICEF Kid Power Band
Dubbed the "FitBit for kids" this activity tracker lets kids do good while they stay active! Kids can track their daily activity and "unlock" lifesaving therapeutic food packets for severely malnourished children around the world. Plus, $10 from each Band purchase is an unrestricted donation to UNICEF USA.
SO. COOL.
UNICEF Kid Power Band ($39.99, unicefkidpower.org)
Egged On
Another fun game that's all about being silly and getting wet, Egged On is kind of like an egg roulette. Players take turns choosing an egg — some of which are filled with water — and "cracking" it over their heads. Oh, the suspense!
Egged On ($19.99, HasbroToyShop)
Inflatable Easel With Paints
Take the art show (and the mess!) outdoors with this inflatable easel. All the best artists practice en plain air!
Inflatable Easel With Paints ($19.99, Hearthsong)
Spider-Man Web Slinger
Just launched in spring, this super fun "webslinger" comes with "Spidey Shot Web Fluid" — which is refillable. You can also sling webs of water!
Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger ($19.99, HasbroToyShop)
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Gazillion Bubbles Giant Bubble Mill
Of course, you don't need a human-sized bubble to have fun this summer! What beautiful day is complete without a parade of pretty bubbles? This bubble mill produces gorgeous fat bubbles for a magical afternoon at the park, the pool, or a beachside picnic.
Gazillion Bubbles Giant Bubble Mill ($19.99, ToysRUs)
Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
Bring the "water park" to your own yard! Little ones can scoop up water from the pond base and pour it into the waterfall tray to make a showering splash down, and as the "rain" showers back into the pond, it activates the maze ramps and spinners to create a cascading waterfall.
Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table ($69.99, ToysRUs)
Pogo It!
Not your grandma's pogo stick! This is a brand new electronic bounce game that combines interactive play with music and lights. The motion sensing technology helps get kids balancing, jumping, and moving to score points, and the game responds with music, lights, and sounds.
Little Tikes Pogo IT! Available in early June ($39.99, Target)
Glitzy Locks Hair Sparkle
Festival style for the younger set! Use a special applicator to add glitter sequins and butterfly shapes to your hair. It works on all hair types, and when you're finished, the sequins just comb right out of your hair. The set includes a Glitzy Locks applicator, storage base and stand, 180 glitter sequins, a comb, and easy instructions.
ALEX Spa Glitzy Locks Hair Sparkle ($16.99, Learning Express)
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Face Stickers
Just launched in June, these fun face stickers — peace signs, sweet treats, bow ties, gem shapes, and more — will be a huge hit at campouts and sleepovers. Also? Super cute selfie fodder!
Alex Spa Face Fashion Sticker Decals ($8.99, Learning Express)
A Beach Towel That's Cute Enough to Eat
Plush, bright, and colorful, this beach towel from the famed NYC candy mecca will be a major hit among the tweens and teens crowd!
Dylan's Candy Bar Striped Beach Towel ($22, Dylans Candy Bar)
Zuru Bunch O Balloons
Consider this: You can load up 100 water balloons in one minute flat. Kind of awe-inspiring, no? When you're done making water balloons, the soakers can be used to blast water.
Zuru Bunch O Balloons 2 Stealth Soakers with 4 packs of BOB and 2 BOB Carry Bags ($17.99, Target)
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Dancing Baby Groot
Everyone's favorite Guardians of the Galaxy character is just about life-size and he's SO CUTE! Plus, he dances to the tune of groovy clips from the movie soundtrack. Annnd, when he detects music, his eyes light up and he starts to dance!
Groot Dancing Figure by Hasbro: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ($39.95, The Disney Store)
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