Summer toys can keep kids of all ages occupied from babies to teenagers. So, which kinds of toys are popular at the moment?
Summer/outdoor toys come in all shapes and sizes and can suit all gift budgets. In general terms these toys can be divided into activity, water and imaginative play types.
Activity Toys - options here include sports kits, bouncy castles and inflatables, games, trampolines, bikes, scooters, ride ons and skates.
Water Toys - options here include paddling pools (which come in all shapes and sizes) and water tables/units.
Imaginative Toys - options here include tents, activity centres, sand tables, playhouses, swings and slides.
Making the right choice
When buying a summer toy as a gift it’s important to know the likes and dislikes of the child before making a purchase. It’s no use, for example, buying a football goal set for a boy who doesn’t like football or a Barbie trampoline for a girl who hates pink girly stuff! It’s also key to find out what the child already owns -- the best way to do this is to talk to the parents who will also be able to give guidelines on what would make a good gift.
Bear in mind that some summer toys need a lot of room and some gardens aren’t that big so this should be a consideration too. If the child in question has a small garden then there are still plenty of options to choose from such as small pools, sand tables and portable sports sets which are also a great option for the park. If opting to buy a larger summer toy then do make sure that the parents are OK with the purchase -- it’s their garden that they’ll be giving up!
Finally, make sure that the toy is safe and age appropriate. Toys will generally come with age ranges that give an indication of how suitable the toy is. This is especially important when buying toys for younger children. Outdoor toys may need supervision and can be dangerous if given to the wrong age. A good safety indicator is some form of accreditation such as a BSI rating. These can include Kite Marks and EN or CE ratings.
Conclusion
Summer toys aren’t just fun for kids -- they can be a great way of getting outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and taking some exercise. With a little careful planning, help from parents and an eye for safety it won’t be hard to choose the perfect summer toy to keep any child happy and occupied!
Author Resource:-
Steve Wilson is an independent author with a focus on consumer, finance and business matters.
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