The best outdoor water toys to cool off this summer

Jul 15, 2023

Summer is officially here, and so are the scorching daytime temperatures. While a trip to the pool is a great way to cool down, you don’t always have time to round up the whole family in the middle of the week. These backyard water toys will keep your kids comfortable while they enjoy time outside on sunny days.

Add a splash pad to your backyard this summer with this affordable play mat from VISTOP. The splash pad comes in five sizes ranging from 59 to 97 inches and has a water inlet at the bottom for your garden hose.

Add a twist to the classic Twister game with this splash mat version. With extra-large and regular-sized options, you can pick the perfect mat for your family or backyard party.

A water balloon fight can be a fun way to cool off on hot summer days. If you don’t want the messy cleanup of broken balloon pieces or want an environmentally friendly version, try these reusable water balloons.

Bring the water park to your backyard with this 50-piece playset. Toddlers and young children will love building a bridge, racing speedboats, and imaginative play with the two included dolls.

This highly rated water slide from Spring Water Store has three racing lanes for triple the summer fun. The slide is 17 feet long and has no sharp edges or hard corners, so it’s perfect for toddlers and young children.

This cute inflatable cactus-shaped sprinkler is also a fun ring toss game. Simply attach it to your garden hose, set the water pressure and spray width, and enjoy!

Sometimes you just need a place to lounge and cool down on a hot afternoon. This extra-large inflatable pool has seats to relax in and is big enough for kids and adults to enjoy.

Next time temperatures rise, blow off some steam with squirt guns. These high-capacity long-range water guns come in an affordable 4-pack the whole family can enjoy.

If cornhole is one of your family’s favorite backyard party activities, your kids will love this NERF Super Soaker version of the game.

This splash version of Hasbro’s classic Operation game puts your kids in the position of a lifeguard rather than a doctor. As they remove five ailments to save Sam, they’ll have to dodge the spray rather than deal with a buzzer.

Early last week, sea surface temperatures reached as high as 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit around the state's southern tip.