5 Best Summer Water Toys for Kids in the Yard

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Awesome Water Toys for Outside Fun this Summer with Kids

Summer is here and it’s bringing the heat! Even though I love sunny weather, when I’m playing outside with my kids, I frequently find myself looking for a way to cool off. And my kids too. One of the best ways to cool off and have fun with your kids is with water toys. And you can play with them in your own back yard!

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Outside time in the summer is awesome. There is so much to do and so many ways to have fun. And water toys can be fun for the whole family. They are also typically inexpensive and great fun for kids of all ages.

I’ve gathered intel from my mom friends and picked the best from my own stash to bring you the list of 5 best summer water toys for the yard.

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Best Water Toys for Kids’ Summer Fun

1. Water Shooters

Sometimes the simplest water toys are the best. Water shooters are easy enough for kids as young as three to easily use. And still fun for kids from preschoolers on up through adults.

More than once my husband and I have snagged these water shooters and run around like kids spraying each other and our little ones on a hot summer day.

I prefer a water shooter over a water gun or other water cannon because they are so simple. I recommended buying multiples as these are at their most fun when played as a family or with a group of friends.

But be warned, if you turn them over to your kids expecting to be a spectator, few kids can resist the urge to take a shot at a mom or dad in dry clothes.

You can buy these in multiples on Amazon. Or if you’re looking for one that will stand up to rougher use, the Aqua Zooka is a good one. 

2. Kiddie Pool

If you’re going to enjoy some family fun with your water shooters, the best way to refill them is in your kiddie pool! And of course, the pool will be lots of fun by itself. Especially for little ones. 

The kiddie pool is one of the few water toys for the backyard that reliably keeps my kids busy for more than thirty minutes at a time. They run in and out of it. Splash around. Pretend to be alligators or fish. And we often put our kiddie slide in it for some extra fun.

And don’t count the adults out for being able to enjoy the kiddie pool. There is more than enough room for an overheated mama to sit and splash around in most of them. At least for a minute or two.

My personal preference is to stick my feet in while reading a book in a lawn chair. Knowing, of course, I will likely be splashed by the kids. So no library books.

3. Water Table

On the days where it’s not quite hot enough for full submersion in the water. Or the setup, fill up, empty and takedown of the kiddie pool all sounds like too much, I rely on the water table.

This popular toy is one multiple moms have recommended to me. And we’ve gotten a lot of use out of ours. I’ve even put a tarp over it and let my kids play in it on a rainy spring day

It’s easily filled with a pot of water from your kitchen. And most bath toys can be thrown in for some added fun. My kids love to take my measuring cups and other kitchen tools out to the water table for imaginary soup making or science experiments.

It’s as much fun as the kiddie pool. With a little less setup hassle and water mess. Although your kids will get plenty wet, so know that in advance.

4. Slip N’ Slide

I have so many fun memories of the crazy Slip N’ Slide rides of my youth, I could hardly wait for my kids to be old enough to enjoy this classic among water toys.

There are a lot of Slip N’ Slide options to choose from. I like one that has a pool of water at the end or at least a bumper because I remember getting face fulls of grass and mud from those without one when I was a kid.

My husband insists these are only truly fun when slipping and sliding down a hill, but he’s more adventurous than me. Or at least less afraid of injury. There is plenty of fun to be had on a Slip N’ Slide ride across flat grass powered by your own steam.

Slip and slides can be dangerous if your kids are jumping and sliding on their knees or on their feet or any other method that means an inevitable crash, fall, or bruise. So, definitely supervise this one and consider your kids’ play style to decide if it’s something they can enjoy safely before setting it up. 

5. Sprinkler

Running through sprinklers will give your kids the thrill of the chase as they run towards the water and then run away. It’s another favorite summer activity from my own childhood. And these days my kids love a good run through the sprinkler too.

There are so many different types of sprinklers to choose from. Sprinklers with padding and gentle rain designed for little ones are fun. But so are giant, turbo spraying lawn watering sprinklers. And everything in between.

We’ve been using a three dollar lawn sprinkler for the last few years and the kids have had a blast. And hey, it’ll help keep your grass green.

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Water Toys are Summer Fun for the Whole Family

Right now there are so many water toys in my backyard it looks like a low-budget water park. But a really fun one! So, I’m ok with it.

My favorite thing about all of these water toys is they are fun for groups of kids or entire families to enjoy together. And they are inexpensive and easy to set up. Your kids will love them! And chances are you will too!

Save this post to your favorite Summer or Kids Activity Board on Pinterest!

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