ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WXYZ) — Summer officially arrives Saturday, June 20! And, yes, not all of the pools are open because of the pandemic. So, you may be trying to find other fun ways to help the kids cool off. Here are the top eight backyard or outdoor water toys under 30 bucks – so you don’t waste your money.
Sure! You can make your own water park– as my 6-year-old niece Lily discovered when her dad and uncle threw down Grandpa’s favorite tarp and turned on the hose.
You can also take a gander through your local toy store to see what summertime soakers stand out.
Granted, we found outdoor water toy inventory very low at some of the big box stores. So, we reached out to a family-owned toy store for some help.
Julie Everitt – the co-owner of Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy, Inc. in St. Clair Shores said summer products were late to roll out because of the pandemic, but they’re starting to arrive on supply trucks now.
We asked her for her recommendation of the top eight backyard water toys this summer.
1. WET N’ WILD HYDRO TWIST PIPELINE SPRINKLER $24.99
“It’s brand new. It’s different,” Everitt said.“This is very much like a splash pad where you can have a cord wrap all throughout the grass and the sprinkler will come up in different areas – so that’s really fun for kids that don’t have a pool, they feel like they’re out in a splash pad but in their own backyard.”
There’s no assembly required. The multiple Tidal Force wiggle tubes splash up to 10-feet. Connect it to a garden hose, and you’re good to go!
2. LIGHT SHOW SPINNING SPRINKLER $29.99
This is a battery-powered super soaker. It’s a spinning water sprinkler that kids love to run through. And when the sun goes down, it gets even cooler.
“The water will make it spin and light up,” explained Everitt.
This product is also brand new. It costs $29.99 and requires three AAA batteries.
3. HYDRO SWIRL SPINNING SPRINKLER $19.99
Kids in the MacGillis’ back yard in Grosse Pointe Park are trying out Everitt’s number three pick – the Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler -- which goes for $19.99.
“It has all these fun little swirly crazy little spouts that come out and it just spins around so the kids can run through it,” said Everitt.
4. SLIP ‘N SLIDE $14.99
At number 4, nostalgia is taking over. The classic outdoor Slip ‘n Slide from Wham-O with its signature yellow color sells just $14.99. It’s still a fan favorite.
The 16-foot long stretch includes 2 anchors and 2 repair patches. It hooks up to your garden hose…and BAM! You’re ready to slide!
If you want a longer slide with more features, Everitt said there are many other options.
Some include splash pools and side bumpers that inflate. Others are wider to allow for more than one child to slide at one time. But those often cost more.
5. EARLY YEARS POP-UP FROG TRAVEL POOL $29.99
The Pop-up Frog Travel Pool is great for kids 9 months and up. It features a detachable shade over an adorable wading pool.
“To be able to put the little child in the pool in the shade protect him from the sun and they’re able to play with some little toys in there and just have some quality time,” said Everitt.
The pool also comes with a tote bag for easy storage and transport.
6. HYDRO BEAM LIGHT UP WATER LAUNCHER $14.99
For the older kids, the Hydro Beam Light Up Water Launcher can keep them busy. It costs $14.99. Batteries are included!
“You put it right into the bucket of water of water. You just pull this [handle] up, it fills the barrel, and you can go have some fun with your friends,” demonstrated Everitt.
7. WOWMAZING GIANT BUBBLE CONCENTRATE KIT $14.99
At number 7, the WOWmazing Giant Bubble Concentrate Kit for $14.99 comes with the big bubble wand and concentrate. Just add water. Then dip your wand in the solution and run around the yard.
Everitt said if you really become a pro at this, you can try to get two large bubbles to attach to each other. Then you can watch them float into the sky. But a lot of kids just like to run through them or pop the bubbles. That’s part of the fun!
8. ZURU BUNCH O BALLOONS LAUNCHER $19.99
“Hi Alicia, we’re playing a bunch of balloons today!” squealed Reece and Dylan Fincham of Grosse Pointe in a video sent to WXYZ, showing how much they love the Zuru Bunch O Balloons Launcher for $19.99.
It fills 100 water balloons in 60 seconds!
And these are self-sealing water balloons. So, you don’t have to tie them off. They launch up to 60-feet.
The best part for parents with all these toys -- besides tuckering the kids out – is that none of these toys are over 30 bucks. So, you don’t waste your money.
