We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A 3-in-1 sprinkler, splash pad, and wading pool that'll not only have your munchkin *soaking up* their ABCs and animals but will also make you say, "dang, my toddler's living their best life."
Promising review: "I cannot say enough good things about this product. Love the bright color of it! The minute I took it out of the box and set it up my son was hooked and wakes up every morning asking if he l can go play in the 'wa wa.' So easy to set up and such a fun activity for spring / summer in AZ! Thanks SO much SplashEZ for making such an incredible product. This is a MUST BUY!!!" —Grant Cragun
Get it from Amazon for $24.96.
2. Or an Intex family-sized pool boasting a ~blow-up lounge bench~ and cup holders so parents can chillax and sip mimosas while watching the kiddos splash around! It can comfortably fit a family of four — whenever you're in the mood for a staycation in your own backyard.
Promising review: "I bought this pool. It is awesome. I swam in it with my 6-year-old, and we had a blast. I’d totally recommend purchasing. He loved it and I loved it. It was big enough for at least two adults and two kids. We lounged on the lounger, and he jumped off of it and played and played for at least two hours, maybe three hours. It kept inflated and was very sturdy. The lounger was sturdy as well. I was concerned it would not take much weight or might deflate, but it held up nicely." —Customer C
Promising review: "Great size pool for price! My kids love this pool, and we love the little couch feature with cup holders! My husband and I can sit in the pool while the kids play or the kids bounce around on it as well. Thus far we’ve had about four toddlers (6–2) in the pool at once, and they had a blast. Was even able to fit my giant float in there, ha!" —mpinder
Get it from Amazon for $51.41.
3. A Melissa & Doug "Louie Lobster" claw catcher pool toy because what child won't be *instantly obsessed* with a cute lobster boasting a squeeze handle that'll let them pick up things in the pool, bathtub, and even around the house. (Perfect for developing their dexterity!)
Promising review: "Another family at our neighborhood pool had this toy, and the kids loved playing with it so much I had to get one! This toy is perfect for the pool as well as the bath. The lobster toy is great by itself even without the other pieces — our kids went from the pool to trying to catch bugs with the lobster! The lobster has now become one of our main bath toys, enjoyed by my 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old!" —Carolyn
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
4. A WowWee Nerf Super Soaker RoboBlaster so the whole fam can take water battles to an *epic* level. But let's be honest — if you'd rather kick back with a beer — just let your kiddo compete solo against the automatic targets.
Promising review: "This water blaster connects to your garden hose — and then it's so much fun for the kids. We've had some recent hot days, and my son and his friends have entertained themselves for hours outside with this SuperSoaker blaster. It comes with some targets to aim at — but the kids like spraying each other." —Kevinbeijing
Promising review: "Summer fun game changer. My son and his cousins absolutely love this! They had so much fun when we set this up! It was easy to set up and brought so many smiles to their faces!! If you don’t have this, I highly recommend you order it for summer fun!!" —Mary Kate Matthews
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
5. A giant wooden Connect 4–style game you'll wish you'd had when you were a kid because it'll take family fun to a whole other level.
Chroma Fling is a small biz based in Cincinnati, Ohio, that specializes in personalized gifts and accessories.
To personalize, enter the name you want on the game in the notes box before checkout.
Promising review: "This is the second game I have ordered. I wanted one at each of our homes. Our grandkids can understand it and love it. So do the adults. It’s fun to have a game we all can play together. Nicely constructed and two screws for construction, so easy." —BKLutes
Get it from Chroma Fling on Etsy for $199.99 (available in six disc colors).
6. A bubble toy lawn mower that'll become your kiddo's BFF this summer. It requires no batteries and will have them enchanted as they "mow" the lawn and watch it transform into a bubble wonderland.
Promising review: "Lots of bubbles! We bought this for our 2.5-year-old, as the one her big sister has (the more expensive brand everyone knows) doesn't blow bubbles anymore, and we wanted her to be able to have one that worked. The first time they used it, I only put in maybe a third of the bubble solution, and they were out there FOREVER chasing bubbles and 'mowing.' We are very very happy with this purchase!" —Jennie
Get it from Amazon for $11.49.
7. A Stomp Rocket launcher because they'll have such a *blast* while jumping on the launchpad, counting down to liftoff, and watching the rockets shoot up to 200 feet high into the air.
Promising review: "My 4-year-old goes nuts over this. He’s so loud with excitement, it draws out the neighborhood kids, and next thing I know the neighbors are over chatting outside with me while their kids are COMPLETELY occupied playing this thing. The assembly is EXTREMELY easy. The rockets launch well above my two-story home that I have to make sure it’s not too close so one doesn’t land on the roof. It’s actually fun for the adults as well. My son loves to watch me really launch one. This is a great outside activity for any boy or girl. You don’t have to chase the kids around, and they get plenty of exercise running to get the rockets after they’ve landed. Fun for everyone. Well worth the 20 bucks I spent on it." —Geno
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
8. Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers, which are perfect for impromptu sumo tournaments in the yard that'll elicit nonstop silliness and laughs.
PSA: Make sure helmets are worn during bump-offs.
Promising review: "Absolutely hilarious to watch! I got these for my kids (7 and 8) because I thought it would be a perfect way to blow off steam and get out some energy... It was great! They ran at each other pretty hard, but it didn't pop, and no one got hurt! If your kids do a lot of bickering like mine do... Get these! 😅" —Sky Moran
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
9. A six-pack of Max Liquidator water blasters because it'll give you the perfect excuse to chase your kids at lightning speed around the yard and squirt each other until everyone's fully soaked. These bad boys can shoot water up to 30 feet!
Promising review: "I got these for my kids to play in the pool with, and they most certainly didn't disappoint. The maximum range on these (around 30 feet with a little elbow grease put into it) surpasses any Super Soaker that I've ever tried, and they're extremely easy to use. Granted they have no water reservoir, so you have to use them in the pool, lake, ocean, etc. for them to be effective, but aside from that, they are a fantastic water toy. Plus, they're brightly colored and float on the surface of the water so almost impossible to lose." —iEspresso
Get it from Amazon for $20.65.
10. A Little Tikes Frog Pond Water Table that won't cost you your entire paycheck and reviewers say will provide as much nonstop splish-splashin' fun as the "fancier" tables. Toddlers will love catapulting the frogs onto the lily pads or watching them float around the "lazy river."
Promising review: "Don’t think twice this is better than the more expensive FUN looking ones! I chose this one above the other FUN looking ones with the ponies and waterfalls. For a few simple reasons: 1. easier to flip/drain and dump water out for daily cleaning to prevent any bacteria or slimy water. With the others they are larger and too many attached things that wont allow you to clean and can build mold. 2. its simple to use it as a fishing pond too! I paired this with the munchkin magnetic fishing. Super fun and easy. 3. Lastly, it's so portable you can break it down pop it into a small trunk with toys and take it to a park/beach or families house!" —Araceli Robles
Promising review: "This is a great water table for the cost! It’s pretty big and comes with 4 frogs, 2 lily pads and a net. It’s also come with a little centerpiece and two toy flickers. Hours of enjoyment right there. I filled it up and my daughter played for hours." —Sheena E
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
11. A toss and catch ball set to bring back fond memories from your childhood and probably even make you shed a happy tear because you can now teach your kids how to catch — the same way you were taught!
The set includes two velcro paddles, two balls, and a storage bag.
Promising review: "My 5-year-old granddaughter loves playing catch with me. She is able to easily develop great eye-hand coordination with this toy. Great for indoors or outdoors." —Barbara Smith
Get it from Amazon for $14.39 (available in 10 colors).
12. A pair of GeoSafari Jr. binoculars specifically designed for toddlers who would love nothing more but to get an up-close look at wildlife, bugs, planes (and other fascinating things) at the park, zoo, or in your own backyard!
13. And a personalized critter case to accompany you and your Curious George on nature walks so you can study fascinating critters — before returning them to their natural habitat.
USA Woodshop Co. is a small biz based in Barstow, California that specializes in handcrafted wooden items and children's furniture.
Promising review: "I looked all over for a bug barn for my daughter, but I couldn’t find a nice wooden one with a sliding door like I had when I was a kid (twenty five years ago!). But then I spotted this on Etsy! It’s perfect, exactly what I was hoping for. It’s sturdy, the door slides shut and stays in place, and the screen is secured. My daughter absolutely loves it. I’m so glad I bought this!"—Stephanie Jacobson
Get it from USA Woodshop Co. on Etsy for $11.99.
14. A set of eco-friendly reusable water balloons that'll set off ripples of laughter and excitement on the trampoline as they wet the balls and toss 'em at each other. The best part? They're super soft so they won't sting on contact.
Promising review: "Great for water parties. I bought these for my son's birthday. I thought they would be cool on the trampoline. They used them in buckets of water and basically played dodge ball. They are soft and hold water well so they don't hurt when they hit you. The kids and their friends had a blast with them." —pinkaltima
Get a pack of 51 from Amazon for $22.99.
15. Or an ingenious Bunch O Balloons so you can rapidly fill up 100 water balloons at once and take all the hassle out of preparing for a water balloon fight.
Promising review: "One of the greatest inventions of our time. Just buy them. You won't regret it. Your kids will love you. You ever fill up 100 water balloons with a beer in your hand? I did." —Jeff Jefferson
Get a pack of 100 from Amazon for $9.99.
16. A T-ball set guaranteed to hit a home run with future baseball stars who wanna practice their swing in the yard or at the park. Plus, reviewers say it's the perfect height for toddlers.
17. A pack of parachute toys ingeniously designed not to tangle despite being tossed excitedly from the top of the stairs or a balcony over and over.
Promising review: "Durable and NO tangling! Leagues ahead of dollar store parachute men. Used for a game at a birthday party where 7-year-olds threw them off a balcony and tried to land in a corresponding colored circle for a prize. They LOVED it. Very satisfied." —Sarah
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $6.78.
18. A Wiwiurka triangular rope ladder you can hang from the ceiling or a tree branch to provide endless opportunities to swing, do acrobatics, or yell: "I'm taking off in the spaceship!"
Note: mounting hardware not included. The climber is capable of holding up to 175 pounds.
Wiwiurka is a Mexican woman–owned business based in Tepoztlan, Mexico, that creates handcrafted and sustainable wooden toys using water-based paints and nontoxic materials to enhance imaginative play.
Promising review: "My kids LOVE their tree climber. It was easy to put together and it's like a magnet for my 3-year-old who gets bored easily and wanders." —Brynn
Get it from Wiwiurka for $185 (available in two sizes and three colors) or from Wiwiurka on Etsy for $185 (available in two colors).
19. Or a platform swing that'll turn a tree into the "funnest" spot in your yard and save a trip to the playground. Before you know it, they'll be swinging through the air Tarzan-style!
This toy acts as both a swing and a climber thanks to the 4-inch staggered platforms. It's suggested for ages 3+ and has a 150 pound weight limit.
Promising review: "Love this swing! It is so easy to set up and my kids love it. This swing is so easy to take on and off we even bring it with us for picnics and set it up in trees at the park. It definitely helps if you have kids that are tree-climbing age. Love love love! Would definitely recommend!" —Shoe
Get it from Amazon for $34.34 (available in four colors).
20. A two-pack of super-cool foam gliders capable of doing loop the loops and flying at night thanks to LED lights. These will have the kiddos eagerly running back and forth as they launch and retrieve them.
Promising review: "Wow!!! These things REALLY work as advertised!! To be honest, my expectations were pretty low. But I was very pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong! The looping mode is so awesome, the kids and adults were giddy with excitement! It’s also very durable — can handle hitting the ground pretty hard without taking any damage. Definitely best airplane toy I’ve ever played with." —kliles
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99.
21. A rainbow-colored saucer swing guaranteed to add a pop of color anywhere and become the kiddo's fave ~hangout~ spot in the yard (or playroom!).
Promising review: "Since setting up this swing my kids have been on it every day (5,3). Great purchase! They love the colors and the fact that they can fit on it together. We were able to hook it to an existing swing set for the time being until our new set arrives. Assembly was pretty easy and quick. It did take two of us to push the rods together, but the directions were easy peasy and it came with a little wrench you could use to tighten the bolts. We’ll definitely be purchasing another one for our new set when it arrives so we have two!" —Augare
Get it from Amazon for $54.49.
22. An outdoor activity box to grab at a moment's notice when you run out of ideas for entertaining the kiddos and want them to get some fresh air. It comes with fun challenges like figuring out how many times can you run around your backyard in two minutes. (Trust me, they'll be tuckered out by bedtime!)
The Idea Box Kids is a small biz based in Wilsonville, Oregon, that specializes in kid-powered, secretly educational activities.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my kids, ages 2–10. They all think it’s great and I agree!! The activities are new to us and that’s surprising because we have a house full of nature/project/homeschool books and games. I would definitely recommend purchasing." —jmo7799
Get 30 coins (60 activities total) from The Idea Box Kids on Etsy for $24.99.
23. A bubble machine because it'll keep kids busy without you needing to lift a finger. Literally, all you need to do is turn it on and voilà, instant bubble wonderland that'll keep them entranced for HOURS (or at least give you enough time to finish that lukewarm coffee sitting neglected on your kitchen counter).
Promising review: "This is so much easier than giving your kids bubbles only to have them spill all over their clothes and the ground. It is truly a 'set it and forget it' item that provides hours of entertainment, even for a little ones! Such a great investment." —Allison A.
Get it from Amazon for $20.97.
24. A pack of flying rings that'll put old-fashioned Frisbees to shame — they're 80% lighter, fly straighter, and have a hole in the middle, making them easy to catch for little hands. (Oh, and they float in water.)
Promising review: "Okay, here’s the scoop: After a lifetime of embarrassment and injured knuckles from my frisbee throwing skills, I have finally found the solution. These are AWESOME! Now I don’t have to come up with far fetched excuses as to why I can’t play frisbee with my kids/family, and my 3-year-old can even throw it so accurately that we no longer need to descend into our tick-infested forest to retrieve frisbees. We sincerely love these flying rings, and they’re perfect for all ages. My 3-year-old was SO excited that she can throw them and catch them with ease. Perfect thing to play with in the back yard!" —Rachel Connell
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.99 (available in nine styles).
25. A handcrafted wooden lawnmower push toy with brightly colored balls that tumble in a sturdy wooden cage when spirited little walkers push it along — whether pretending to vacuum indoors or mow outside.
This durable rolling tumbler is made with nontoxic paints and oils.
Heirloom Kids is a small biz based in West Point, Georgia that specializes in handcrafted wooden toys for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Promising review: "Very well made toy. It was the perfect first birthday gift for our daughter. Communication with the seller was always quick. Definitely recommended." —BE
Get it from Heirloom Kids on Etsy for $35.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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