Experts say these will be the must-have toys for summer

For some parents, it’s hard to imagine life without this ubiquitous play mat. Not only because of the purple monkey earworm you’ll never forget (and possibly sob at upon hearing), but because there’s some kind of baby sorcery going on here. The lights, sounds and eye-catching toys seem to keep every baby wildly entertained and with a few quick changes, it does the same for toddlers!

Water tables are always the ultimate crowd pleaser. No toddler can resist pouring and scooping water, and no parent can argue with 15+ minutes of uninterrupted quiet time. This one, Fisher-Price’s Let’s Splash Ball Run Water Table made the list thanks to its double-sided design which is great for sibling play and the addition of engaging ball runs, spinners and ball flipper to keep curious kiddos busy all summer long.

Indoors or out, the compact Little Tikes Easy Store Slide & Explore gives little ones plenty of opportunity to climb, crawl, and get their wiggles out. The set consists of climbing steps with easy-grab handles, a collapsible tunnel with peek-a-boo windows, a slide, telescope, spinning steering wheel and multiple clicker bugs to explore. At 4.5 feet, it provides enough space for two to play and when it’s time to clean up, all the parts nest together inside the base for compact storage.

Why waste energy with an inflatable baby pool when you could pop this up in two seconds flat? The innovative design from Swimways is perfectly sized for the two and under set with plenty of shade and unmatched portability. Sure, it’s great for the backyard but it’s also the most brilliant beach accessory–whether you fill it with water or simply use it as a napping spot!

A 2-in-1 toy with limitless possibilities, the Tent to Tumble Play Mat from Radio Flyer is a total rainy day lifesaver. Clip it together to create a cozy hideout complete with peek-a-boo window, then lay it flat for cushy tumbling, hopscotch, and constellation spotting. And since it’s flat, it’s super simple to store when playtime is over.

Ignite your little chef’s imagination with Hape’s interactive BBQ Grill playset! This delightfully realistic wooden set sizzles with light-up coals, grilling sounds, and fun accessories that inspire endless culinary creations. Simple functionality lets kids grill or cook on the stove, while smart storage keeps their kitchen tidy. Designed for engaging 2+ pretend play, it’s the perfect way to encourage creativity, social skills, and even some sibling bonding. Let the unforgettable grilling adventures begin!

Let their culinary creativity hit the road with Melissa & Doug’s new Take-Along Ice Cream & Baking Play Sets. Each durable, portable cup is filled with wooden and fabric treats to “make”–one for whipping up ice cream cones, shakes and more, the other for decorating cakes and cookies galore. The pop-button fidget lids let them “take orders” while fun activity cards guide their imaginative play. When they’re done serving up smiles, everything neatly stores in the cup holders-ready cups.

Simple, open-ended toys are always on the top of our list. These colorful stepping stones are an engaging addition to outdoor (and indoor!) play, challenging kiddos to jump from one to the next. The non-slip rubber edge helps them stay put on pretty much any surface, but we especially love them for driveway obstacle courses!

Melissa & Doug’s Water WOW! sets have graced us with countless hours of quiet time, and so far, their new Sticker WOW! Activity Books are equally magic. The pre-loaded (and refillable!) Sticker Stamper is oh-so-satisfying for little hands to stamp and quite frankly, we’ve snuck a few dabs in ourselves. (Can confirm. Maybe this is half the thrill of Bingo.)  They’re great for travel, mess-free and the stickers are super easy to remove if they end up somewhere they shouldn’t. (Because they always do.)

With these handcrafted wooden figures and non-drying clay, kids can create all kinds of characters while developing fine motor skills and flexing their creative muscles. The fact they’re made in family-owned wood shop that’s been in existence since 1911 is just icing on the cake.

I’ve got three words for you. Reusable water balloons. (And another four: What took so long??) We discovered them on Tik Tok and have to say they’re totally brilliant. The soft silicone design features embedded magnets around the rim that keep water inside. Then, ready, aim, FIRE! They burst open to soak the intended target. Not only are they better for the planet (and your sanity!), they’re also so much easier to fill than actual water balloons. Just dunk in a bucket and they seal themselves. No more “Mom! Will you tie this?” every 20 seconds. For that, we’d pay double.

(While the magnets are securely housed inside the silicone, it’s important to inspect them before use to make sure there isn’t any damage that could allow them to escape. If there is, be sure to discard them!) 

Diving for toys in the pool is an age-old summer pastime! This fun meets educational set comes with 50 number gems and 35 waterproof game cards so they can build their math skills as they splash.

Want to have the coolest house on the block? Need something to keep the kids busy between summer camps? This bad boy will do it. With tons of 5-star reviews, the splashing, climbing, sliding inflatable brings the water park to your backyard. Not only is it tons of fun, it also inflates in minutes with the included pump and is made from puncture and UV-resistant materials and coated with PVC for durability.

With a flexible 3-in-1 design, this durable ball is guaranteed to offer endless fun this summer! The included bands allow it to transform from a regular ball to a football or frisbee, and given its compact design, it easily fits into your bag for impromptu games whenever the opportunity arises.

For summer road trips, the adorable Undercover Art Hidden Pattern Coloring Art Cards are a great backseat entertainment option from ooly. Each of the twelve designs reveal a surprise with each swipe of a marker. Toss in a set of their irresistible smelly markers and you may buy yourself a full 10 minutes without an “are we there yet?”