The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the kids are bursting with energy. It must be summer! And what better way to keep them entertained and simultaneously cool than with some awesome outdoor water toys?
At Outdoor Toys, we love the summertime. Whether it’s making a splash in the swimming pool or having a BBQ with the family, there is no shortage of fun to be had.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the hottest and best outdoor water toys to keep your kids outside, entertained, and chillaxed all summer long. Let’s go!
What do children gain from water play?
From inflatable water slides to water volleyball sets, filling your garden with these cool toys is guaranteed to make your little ones smile. And - besides being an absolute blast - water toys are fantastic for developing other skills, too.
Let's look at some of the main reasons so many parents pick up outdoor water toys for their children, year after year.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills: Playing with technical toys can help children practice moving their bodies how they want them. This is especially important for younger children in the early stages of building these skills
- Time killing: These toys keep kids entertained throughout the summer, meaning that parents can focus on other things in the home while their children play in the garden
- Socialising: Many outdoor toys involve multiple children, which means your little ones will chat and collaborate during play, improving their social skills
The 9 best outdoor water toys for summer
Now that you and the family are finally summer-ready, it's time to ensure your garden is, too. If you're looking for inspiration and to level up the playing field, then look no further!
Here is our list of the 9 best outdoor water toys for summer that your little ones will love.
Swimming pools
The classic swimming pool is a toy that brings a splash of joy to any outdoor space. Whether it’s an inflatable one or a sturdy above-ground model, you can’t go wrong with this summer staple.
Just add water!
Maybe a few fun inflatables, and watch the kids splash away to their hearts’ content. Don’t forget to kit it out with swimming pool accessories to ensure your pool stands the test of time.
Water guns
Get ready for some serious water pressure action: It's time to shoot! With water guns, your garden becomes a water-filled, friendly spray zone for your children.
The market for water guns is enormous, and your little shooters can choose from tiny pistols to high-powered blasters. There’s a water gun for every member of the family!
We'd recommend equipping all shooters with goggles, especially those with sensitive eyes. Water guns can be technical toys, not suited for much younger children. We'd recommend these toys for children ages 3-16!
Paddling pools
Paddling pools are a game-changer for the younger ones or those with limited space looking for a refreshing dip. They’re an excellent way for little ones to start getting comfortable interacting with water, alongside being perfect for quick dips and cooling off on hot summer days.
Water slide mats
Who needs a trip down to your local waterpark when you have a compact, portable water slide mat in the comfort of your garden? These simple but effective toys have been a trusty companion in British gardens for decades.
Lay it out, hose it down, and watch the kids zoom down, giggling all the way!
Water slide mats can be incredibly slippery, so if you have children who are still learning to walk and mastering their balance skills, they might need your supervision.
Luckily, these mats can be used by children of any age, and adults can get involved, too! Take a look at our pool accessories to see our exclusive range of water slide mats.
Water slides
Okay, so we've told you about the slide mats, but what if we told you you could step it up a notch with a full-blown, slip and slide?
The technology of modern toys has come on in leaps and bounds in the past few years, that's for sure. In the present day, you can bring a complete, entirely safe water slide experience to your back garden.
Water slides can be pretty large, so your littlest ones need supervision during play. All in all, these toys are great for children ages 3 to 15!
Water play tables
Bring the beach to your back garden with a water play table!
Whether it’s a sandpit and water combo or a classic water table, these tables are sure to keep the kiddos entertained for hours on end as they explore the movement of water through different obstacles, watching how it interacts with other toys.
For those who prefer not to get wet, these water tables can often be overhauled to use sand instead of water, making them a sand table instead! We also stock a range of mud kitchens for this exact reason!
Rubber toys
Rubber ducks, bouncy boats: you name it!
These classic bath toys are a superb, cost-effective way to make a splash in the great outdoors. From ducks to dolphins, they’re perfect for some good old-fashioned water play.
You can deploy them into a paddling pool, swimming pool, or even a washing-up bucket and watch your children's imaginations run wild. Toys of this nature have many benefits, as they encourage imaginative role play, creativity, and social skills.
Rubber or bath toys can suit children from age 2 up until ages 9 or 10, depending on their interests!
Sprinklers
If you're looking to keep the children and plants happy simultaneously, look no further than a good, old-fashioned water sprinkler.
Turn your back garden into a water wonderland with a sprinkler. Kids (and maybe even the dog) will be frolicking in the water all day, whether it's a gentle mist or a full spray.
The best way to use these is to make a game out of it, where children are challenged to jump around the waterworks and avoid getting wet.
The trusty sprinkler can be used to get the whole family playing in the garden, though we'd recommend closely supervising children under the age of 5 during all play times.
Water wheels
Spin, spin, spin! Water wheels add a whimsical touch to any outdoor water play area. Kids will love watching them spin and splash as they experiment with cause and effect.
The spinning wheels of a water wheel are a simple but oh-so-effective way for your child to learn how water works and tune their fine motor skills in the process!
They're an excellent, low-maintenance toy suitable for any child from the age of 2-5 years.
Splash into summertime with Outdoor Toys
If you want to look back in a few years on a summer your kids loved, look no further than our selection of outdoor water toys.
Of course, your little ones can't be splashing around the pool all year round! Luckily, we've considered that and have a great collection of outdoor toys like bikes, climbing frames, and trampolines to keep your child moving if they don't feel like getting wet.
Our range of outdoor toys is vast, so it's completely understandable if you, as a parent, need help figuring out where to start. After all, every child is different, so buying toys is not a one-size-fits-all!
Contact our team if you have any further questions, and we'll help your child's outdoor toy dreams come true.
FAQs
How can I make water play fun for my child?
You can make water play fun for your child by creating a game from the experience. Using the water as an object of activity, parents should set rules and challenges around the water. For example, who can do a handstand? Or who can float on their back for the longest?
What age can my children play in a swimming pool?
While children can play in the pool from a young age, young children should receive full supervision during play. As a rule of thumb, Children under four should be joined by an adult. An adult person must accompany children aged between 4 and 7 on a three-to-one basis just to supervise!
What are some of the cheapest outdoor water toys?
We understand that sometimes cheaper is more cheerful! Some of the best, most affordable outdoor water toys are rubber toys, water sprinklers, and slide mats.