Must-Have Summer Toys For Babies & Toddlers

Must-Have Summer Toys

Summer is here folks! Since we are all dealing with quarantine and social distancing, most of us are still stuck at home. I don’t know about you, but our backyard has become our daily playground and where we now spend most of our time/days. We turned our backyard into an awesome play space for the kids with all sorts of fun and different things to do. I decided to share my list of must-have summer toys for babies and toddlers. This list is filled with great toys/things that will get your kiddos’ energy out and keep them entertained for hours. 

Water Fun

Water table

We just LOVE this water table and it comes with tons of fun water toys. I fill it up with the hose and toss in the toys. They play for so long and have so much fun splashing, scooping and pouring the water. This water table is definitely one of the must-have summer toys this year!

Pool

We have two kinds of kiddie pools and both serve their purpose. Here’s the difference though:

We have a big plastic one (not pictured) which is great BUT it’s pretty huge to store. So on my list this summer I’d like to get this foldable swimming pool. I’ve heard from other moms/grandparents that have this for their kiddos and they love it. It folds up pretty small and is easy to pop back open and fill up. It’s a no fuss, no muss type of setup and stores easily. Hallelujah!

Now, the other pool (the inflatable one) is slightly more work because you need some sort of pump to blow it up. It’s not like you’re pumping it with air every time of course- it stays filled. This one might be slightly more work but it’s AWESOME. The kids can’t get hurt jumping around and going crazy because it’s filled with air. It also has a little slide, an inflatable umbrella, a ring toss area, water cup holders and an alligator that sprays out water (when attached to a hose). It also comes with inflatable fish toys and a water bucket for extra fun! 

Splash Pad

We don’t have one of these yet but I know a lot of people that do. It seems like such a great option, especially for babies.

The design of this one is super cute. It has all of the letters of the alphabet and is covered with animals as well. This is fun for younger babies/toddlers to sit in, run through, etc. I have also seen younger babies (sitting age) sitting in the middle with the hose turned lower down so that it doesn’t spray them in the face but they still have fun splashing around.

Melissa & Doug Sprinkler

We have this one and we love it! It covers a pretty big area (it makes big arches) when the hose is all the way turned up. This sprinkler is simple and so much fun.

Pool float

While both pool floats don’t necessarily fall under the category of fun summer toys, I wanted to add a pool float for various ages. The first one (the umbrella ring float) is great for babies. It comes with a sun shade (which is AWESOME), pool toys that attach to the big green inflatable frog in the center, and a mesh ring (in between the two inflatable support rings) that allow water through so your baby can splash!

Now the other float, with the crab on it, is a great pool float for toddlers. It gives enough support but allows your kiddo to kick and move their arms around in the water. Plus, it comes in really cute colors and designs.

Ride-On Toys

Cozy coupe

The Cozy Coupe Truck is so much fun and so versatile. It is perfect for my youngest, Hannah (who is 1) and my toddler, Jackson (who is just about 3). It has a removable floor board which makes it easy for both of my kids to use. We pop in the floor board for Hannah so we can push her around. When Jackson wants a turn we just pop the floor board out so he can drive it around himself while moving his feet along the pavement.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike

This bike stroller is great for 9 month old babies up to five year old kids which makes this an awesome buy. Both of my kids can use it. It even comes with a canopy for shade and a tray with a spot for a sippy cup which is very helpful for a hot summer day.

Strider Balanace Training Bike

The Strider Bike is the perfect training bike for little ones. The age range is so versatile. It promotes learning balance without the distraction of pedals or training wheels. Our little guy has this and LOVES taking it to the park or around our neighborhood.

Radio Flyer Deluxe All-Terrain Family Wagon Ride On, Red

This wagon is a must-have for quite a few reasons. It has a canopy on top to provide shade from the hot sun, it has seats with straps (perfect for my crazy one-year-old who tries to jump out) and all-terrain wheels so we can take it wherever.

Pure Fun Heavy Duty 360 Kids Swivel Seesaw

We have this for the kids and it’s AWESOME! It’s a seesaw but it can also swivel (if the kids chose) 360 degrees. Jackson cracks up laughing on it! 

Trampoline

We bought this one for Hannah’s birthday because she loves to jump. Also, quite honestly, being in quarantine I have to find ways to get the kids’ energy out. This one is indoor although I think we are going to put it outside. We have a relatively small house and it’s much bigger than I thought. In the reviews that I read, people had put theirs outdoors but said it might eventually rust. So, I’m okay with it rusting after a while because I need the space back in the house! 

Big Blocks

These blocks are made for indoor use but that does not stop us from bringing ours outside! My kids love to plop these in the yard out back and roll around/slide down/jump on, jump over and play with these all afternoon!

Picnic Table

This picnic table is so perfect if you have kiddos that are 5 years old and younger. My youngest, Hannah (who is one), can sit on it and I don’t have to worry about her falling off the seat and hurting herself because it is low enough to the ground. My son loves to pop open the umbrella and eat his lunch with his sister at their picnic table. Do you have older kids at home? They do make a picnic table for older kiddos as well!

Sand Box

Sand boxes are a classic must-have summer fun toy! We have this big green turtle sand box and the kids love it. We love breaking out all the sand toys! Check out this fun pack of sand toys here! It also comes with a mesh carrying bag which is oh so necessary when playing with sand whether at home in a sand box or at the beach.

Simple Smaller Toys

Sand Toys

Every child needs sand toys- am I right? Whether you have a sand box at home or you are venturing out to the beach, sand toys are a must! No sand box? No beach? No problem! Your kids can use them in the pool to scoop, splash and play with the water.

Parachute

Parachutes are SO fun and my kiddos laugh so much when we take the parachute out. We sing songs, spin it around, & go up and down. We all laugh hysterically!

Cones

No matter the age, these cones are awesome. We use them to make obstacle courses, play color matching games, run relay races and all sorts of other fun things!

Bubbles

Bubbles are so much fun! They are great for ANY age. Enough said.  

Chalk

Who doesn’t love chalk? It’s colorful, you can make cool designs, play fun games- the options are endless! I have both sets here and we love using them. The first set of chalk includes 20 pieces of chalk in 7 different colors. The second set is by Melissa & Doug and this set is great because the chalk comes in chalk holders. So if your little one doesn’t like messy hands or if you have a younger baby that needs help with grip, the holders are perfect! Plus, you can refill the holders with new chalk pieces!

Gardening Tool Set

How cute is this little set? Your kiddo can dress up as a gardener and help you while you’re outside working in the garden! It even comes with a handy carrying case so they can easily tote around their gardening tools.

Hope you enjoyed this must-have summer toys list! May your backyards be fun and your kids be entertained!

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Looking for other fun things to do this Summer? Check out my list of 20 things to do with your little ones!

Happy Summer!