July 04, 2008

kids' toys are blowin' up

splashy!

When I was a kid, my inflatable outdoor toys consisted of beach balls, a swim ring shaped like a crocodile and a raft that deflated instantly upon contact with water. Fun was had, to be sure, but between chasing after toys that drifted off on ocean currents or wind gusts and chronic dizziness from blowing things up (and re-blowing them up an hour later), my memories are a bit meh.

Well, things have changed, people. We all know renting bounce houses is all the rage at kids' parties, but you can also buy your own inflatable fun. Today's toys run the gamut from cute (octopus-shaped sprinkler) to clever (large bowling ball and pins) to unbelievable (a three-slide "roaring rapids" backyard water park).

I've featured ten of my favorites below, ranked in order of cost — there's great stuff to be had at all sorts of prices.

a roarin' good time

Roaring Rapids Adventure (Banzai, $480.61 from Amazon): Three slides, including a water slide and a tunnel slide.

a cooler way to do the wave

Crashing Waves Inflatable Water Park (Little Tikes, $349.99 from Every Stuffed Animal): Rock wall, curved water slide, splash pool, spray cannon and a tunnel.

havin' a ball

Bouncer-Ball Pit Slide Combo ($299.95 from Leaps and Bounds): Ball pit and slide; can also be used outside as a pool and water slide.

jump up, jump up and get down

Castle Bouncer with Slide ($199.95 from Leaps and Bounds): Bouncer with mesh safety enclosure.

might as well JUMP

Clear-View Jelly Bean Jumper ($89.96 from Leaps and Bounds: Jumper with crawl-thru tunnel.

this bowls me over

Jumbo Inflatable Bowling Ball & Pins ($64.99 from Pottery Barn Kids): Three pins and a ball.

hoop it up

Jumbo Inflatable Basketball & Hoop ($44.99 from Pottery Barn Kids): Basketball hoop with net and inflatable ball.

give this a hand!

Octopus Sprinkler ($39.99 from Pottery Barn Kids): Octopus that sprays arcs of water.

big wheel keep on turnin'

Fun Roller Outdoor Toy ($39.95 from Growing Tree Toys): Four-foot exercise wheel.

slide, slide, slippity slide

Cannonball Splash Water Slide (Banzai, $34.99 from Amazon): Diving ramp and splash pool; includes boogie board.

wiggle it, just a little bit

Hydro Blast Tower Water Toy ($34.95 from Growing Tree Toys): Five-foot sprayer with wiggling sprinkler heads.

hop to it

Jumbo Hopscotch Splash Mat ($16.96 from One Step Ahead): Hopscotch mat that splashes water when you jump on it.

Posted by Eva on July 4, 2008 in Kids , Want It

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4 responses to "kids' toys are blowin' up"

Very nice. loved the pics of the inflatables,especially with prices and where to get them. Thanks

I know what you mean. I wish we had all these neat things when I was a kid. Maybe I can still slide down one of the bounce's. Can you imagine that?!

I have to say, these are way more impressive than the sad little "slip 'n slide" I had as kid (it never seemed to give off enough water)

Nice toys, nice pictures, nice kids!

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