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!

Backyard Games for the Summer

If you can't tell by now, we love summer and all it brings! Mel and I love hosting backyard parties and having a few backyard games on hand is a must. A few years ago our brother started making us a few backyard games: cornhole, kan jam, and kubb. This is where our love for outdoor games started. Cornhole can get pretty competitive around here. I love beating Will at a game of cornhole.

Many of the games below are great for older kids and can be played as a family. You can also get some couples together for a backyard date night.

1. Jumbo 3-in-1 3 Square, HearthSong: This set is so cool and it can also be used by little kids, not just adults and teens. The 3-in-1 set has everything you need for volleyball, tennis, and badminton. The net is adjustable and can be used as a 3-square or traditional 2-sided net. The components are "jumbo" which brings an extra element of fun to the games. It easily stakes into the ground and comes with a carrying case so you can bring to the park or family party.

2. Giant "Jenga": We love giant outdoor toys and games and this "jenga" set is perfect to keep kids, teens, and adults entertained. Toddlers will even have fun using the blocks as toys. This game grows up to 4ft when playing and has everything you need to keep score and store the game. This set includes 56 pieces and has almost 10,000 reviews on Amazon.

3. Kan Jam: It's competition time with Kan Jam. The goal of the game is to get your frisbee into the other team's kan. The opponent is focused on trying to stop you from getting the frisbee into the kan. This game is easy to set up and can be taken to a BBQ, tailgate, backyard party, etc. Because it does require players to aim and throw, make sure your kids have the motor skills to enjoy this game.

4. Corn Hole, Go Sports: Everyone really needs a cornhole set for their backyard. My favorite activity during the summer nights is to play cornhole with my hubby and kids. My brother made Mel and I corn hole sets a few summers ago and we use them all of the time. It's nice to set up a few games when we are hosting a BBQ. The set we are featuring here has excellent reviews and includes the beanbags and a carrying case. We also love that it's under $100.

5. Race Set, 4Fun: You can't have a family reunion without some sort of obstacle race. This race set is awesome because it comes with everything you need to set up a course. Each set includes 6 games that can be played during the race. Here are the accessories that come with each box. 2 hop sacks, 2 knee walkers, 4 water transfer helmets, 2 nose nudge balls, 4 wooden poles, and 2 three-legged race bands.

6. Bocce Ball Set, GoSports: This is such a great backyard game and can be played by ages 5+. It works best on a flat surface of grass or sand. This can be a 1-1 game or your can form teams and play as a group. Included in the set is a carrying case, 8 bocce balls,1 white pallino ball, and a measuring rope.

7. Kubb: My brother, Kendall, made us each a Kubb set a few years ago. The game is inspired by Vikings and is a tossing game. The goal is to take out the knights and topple the king. Kubb does require strategy and skill. This game is a little bit more advanced but great for teens and adults. This set includes everything you need to learn the game and a carrying case.

8. Ladder Ball, Go Sports: I was introduced to this game back when I lived in Pittsburgh. You throw a rope with two balls on the end and you hope it wraps around one of the ladders. You get points depending on where the rope lands. This is a great game for little kids up to adults. It's one of my favorites to keep around and we love playing any time we are at Will's parent's house.

9. Toss and Catch Ball: Oldie but goodie with the ball catch. The reason this game makes our list is because it can be played by any age and it's extremely portable. This is the perfect game to have around and it's really fun to take camping.

10. Wicket Kick, 4Fun: I am not a huge croquet fan but this game is a blast! You ditch the mallets and use giant, colored balls and kick them through the wire gates. The rules are similar to croquet but it's much more fun for kids and adults to play. I am always stressed when we play croquet because my kids are always waving those huge wooden sticks around. This is a much safer option and fun for everyone!