With the hot weather upon us (finally!) and summer vacation just around the corner, it’s high time to get the kids outside and active. But how do you lure them away from gaming in airconditioned comfort? With the season’s coolest outdoor toys, of course!
These gadgets are sure to get your brood off the couch and out of the house – flipping, bouncing and diving their way through the hottest of summer days.
Flipping out
It’s a skateboard … without wheels! Kids eager to try skateboarding, snowboarding and surfboarding can safely learn techniques in their own homes, yards or at the beach this summer – using the Kick Flipper on carpet, grass or sand. A brand-new product from Canadian toy company PlaSmart, the Kick Flipper teaches boys and girls (ages five and up) balance, footwork and coordination in an uber-cool way! Available at amazon.ca in red or blue; $14.99.
Bounce, bounce … splash!
Kids ages four and up can develop their gross motor skills while having a blast with OgoDisks. While these “hand trampolines” were designed to use with Ogosoft balls, they’re also perfect for bouncing water balloons on a hot day! Made by PlaSmart and available at Mastermind, Indigo, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles and Tag-along Toys; OgoDisk Mezo (includes two 15”/38 cm disks and an OgoSoft ball) $43.99; and OgoDisk Mini (includes two 12”/30 cm disks and an Ogosoft ball) $29.99.
Grand slam power
Knock it out of the park with the Crush-It! Bat from Tucker Toys. Kids ages five and up will love this lightweight, easy-to-swing bat, which features high-tension strings and a spring-action barrel. An adjustable power knob on the bat allows for adjustable string tension, for playing in a large field or a small backyard. Includes a foam ball that’s dense enough to hit out of the park, but soft enough to catch without a glove! Makes a “whoosh” sound when swung. Available online or in-store at Mastermind Toys (mastermindtoys.com); Crush-It! Bat $19.99; two-pack of Crush-It! Balls $4.99.
All-terrain ball
Get the kids catching, throwing and kicking the E-Z Grip Ball from Tucker Toys on virtually any surface! Soft but tough, this waterproof ball offers high-bounce performance and a webbed grip for active play on grass, sand and water, making it perfect for the pool or beach. Available in-store or online at Mastermind Toys (mastermindtoys.com), and online at Toys R Us (toysrus.ca); $12.99.
May the Force be with you…in the pool!
Have some little Star Wars lovers at home? You’ll win the ‘Most Popular Parent’ award when you bring home these Star Wars LightSaber Dive Sticks from SwimWays! Each pack has two six-inch dive sticks – green for Yoda and blue for Luke Skywalker. Featuring water activated, light-up action and detailed character-specific hilts, these dive sticks are recommended for kids ages five and up. Available at Mastermind Toys and Walmart; $17.99. 
Photo: Don Holtz, Photographer
Photo: OgoSport.com
Photo: ©Tucker International, LLC
Photo: ©Tucker International, LLC
Photo: ©2015 Swimways Corp. All rights reserved