The children are out of school and the question is, what to do with them and how to keep yourself feeling fresh this hot summer? When we aren’t going through yet another heat wave, there are some positively amazing outdoor products youth are going to love on our “Super Summer Fun” list to play with at the park. When the temps reach a boiling point and it’s unsafe for people to be out for extended periods of time, we also have found some really fabulous indoor play options for kids of all ages.
Adults haven’t been forgotten, as we have discovered some of the most innovative, handy and dandy products on the market for your consideration. Whether you are playing inside or out, the products that made it on to the “Super Summer Fun” list are sure to make your summer much brighter! All prices are approximate.
Outdoor adventure
Vapor Atlas 250 ages 14+ Razor, $12.99. Blast up to 50 rounds of Vapor Gel Ammo from this innovative quick trigger gun. The rocking red gun comes with 250 rounds that shoot up to 60 feet and then evaporate. It is epic!
No-Spill Squeeze ‘N’ Blow Pop-Up Bubbles ages 3+ Little Kids, $6.99 for a three-pack. Perfect for pocketbooks, this no-mess mini bubble blower will keep little ones entertained, not stained.
Seed Bombs ages 4+ DuneCraft, $4.99. Made in the USA, the six-pack of seed bomb balls, which take six weeks to grow into butterfly- and bird-attracting flowers, is neat to watch develop into a garden.
Glow in the Dark Bat and Ball/Sweet Spot Bat ages 5+ Junk Ball, $8.99. Learn six different throws with this neat nighttime baseball set.
Sky Ball ages 6+ Maui Toys, $8.99. Bounces up to 75 feet for a sick game of ball!
Air Storm Pop Rocketz ages 5+ Zing, $4.99. This pocket rocket squeezes off three soft foam rockets up to 50 feet in the air! It is easy to pack for the park or on a walk around the block.
Wet and Wild
Nerf Lightning Storm Super Soaker ages 6+ Hasbro, $29.99. Fully automatic with a blast shield, this is the highest capacity super soaker blaster yet!
Soak ‘N’ Splash Water Limbo Sprinkler ages 5+ Little Kids, $17.99. Play wet water limbo while listening to mood-setting music with this new outdoor, fun tiki-themed game for the family.
KAOS Cyclops Water Balloon Launcher ages 8+ Imperial Toy LLC, $9.99. Launch a water balloon up to 100 feet from this handheld device for the best water wars ever!
KAOS Nemesis ages 8+ Imperial Toys LLC, $14.99. Launch water balloons over 100 feet for the ultimate water balloon wars! The KAOS line will revolutionize how water balloon fights go down!
Super Sports
Air Storm Z-X Cross Bow ages 8+ Zing, $19.99. Shoot the three suction cup Zarts over 45 feet indoors or outside with this wicked crossbow.
Explosion ages 5+ Junk Ball, $14.99. Learn to play like the pros with this light plastic bat and foam ball. Five different grips are taught.
Wilson 11.25″ A2000 Series Glove, $219. Made in Vietnam, this glove is great for infield and the pitcher. It has Dual Welting leather and Dri-Lex lining.
Prince Junior EXO3 Tour 26 Tennis Racquet, $125. This lightweight racket with a reduced-length frame packs a wicked punch when wielded by a skilled kid!
RockBoard Radiate Skate ages 8+, $90. Made from rock-hard maple with 95A super- high-rebound formula wheels and 356A cast aluminum trucks, this skate board lights up from underneath for a funky ride. The integrated LED light system will not get damaged while doing tricks but will add character to them!
Great and Green
Rainforest Biosphere ages 4+ DuneCraft, $24.99. Grow a great variety of pretty plants and learn all about the rain forest and biospheres in the process. This indoor “jammin’ jungle” has interesting species that are easy to grow and care for. Made in the USA!
Six-piece Fruit and Veggie Prep Kit ages 7+ Curious Chef, $19.95. Fruits and veggies can be artfully decorated with the BPA-free tools. Preparing fruits and vegetables was never so much fun!
Ready, Set, Gro Root Viewer ages 5+ Miracle-Gro Kids, $12.99. Watch onions, carrots and radishes grow from the roots up with this neat see-through, contained home veggie garden.
Pink Dump Truck ages 3+ Green Toys, $27.99. Made in the USA from recycled plastic, this truck is girl tough and GREEN!
Clementine Art Natural Dough ages 5+, $12.95 for three colors. This all-natural modeling dough made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled and reusable materials comes in bold colors for creative expression.
Fun with Food
Sixteen-piece Cupcake and Decorating Kit ages 4+ Curious Chef, $19.99. This BPA-free set contains everything you need to make and customize unique sweet treats.
Salad Garden ages 3+ Growums, $9.95. Grow carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes for your own super fresh salad with this seed-starting kit. The interactive website helps young gardeners learn how to be successful and use their kits.
Watermelon Sprout ‘n Grow Greenhouse ages 4+ DuneCraft, $9.99. Grow your own sweet baby watermelons in less than three months, then eat them! Start the project inside and then plant these super sources of vitamin C and lycopene outside.
Play-Doh Sweets Cafe Swirling Shake Shoppe ages 3+ Hasbro, $19.99. Make colorful pretend sundaes, smoothies and shakes. The set comes with molds to make outrageous additions!
Clay It Cake Shop ages 4+, $11.99. Paint non-bake clay and decorate it to look like the sweetest of confections. The kit comes with everything you need to create a host of treats that will last forever.
Beautiful for Baby
Super Mat ages 0+ Tiny Love, $39.99. This washable, vivid, happy-looking, quilted mighty mat has seven multiple play stations for maximum fun!
Take Along Mobile ages 0+ Tiny Love, $24.99. Three colorful animals dangle from this portable musical mobile. It attaches easily to most pack and plays and strollers
Tranquil Turtle ages 0+ Cloud B, $54.95. Help keep babies calm with this purple plush and plastic turtle that plays music, makes calming sounds and has underwater light effects. The turtle comes with a small storybook and adoption certificate.
Ultimate Beach Ball Sprinkler ages 18m+ Little Tikes, $14.99. Run under the water as it shoots from this 88-inch colorful ball that easily attaches to most garden hoses.
My Little Lamb Platinum Ed. Cradle & Swing (up to 25 pounds) Fisher-Price, $179.99. With three seat positions, six speeds, 10 tunes and a plug-in option, this is a versatile soothing and napping machine.
Terrific for Toddlers
My First Farm ages 2-5+ LEGO DUPLO, $27.99. This fantastic farm set comes with an older Black farmer and his animals, crops, home and vehicle. The chicken, cow, pig and sheep all live happily corralled in their colorful big block home. The farmer even has a pitchfork!
My Little Pony So Soft Newborn Spike ages 3+ Hasbro, $18.99. With a plush body and plastic face, this talking purple dragon will have the kids giggling and interacting with their new friend. It comes with a decorated pink bottle to feed your hungry dragon.
Grow Caterpillar Grow! Read and Build ages 18m-4yrs LEGO Duplo, $14.99. This colorful 17-piece caterpillar set with a vibrant storybook brings the Duplo to life.
Garden Bubble Leaf and Lawn Blower ages 2+ Little Tikes, $22.99. Watch the bubbles and giggles fly as this battery-operated bubble blower, in the shape of a leaf blower, creates tons of bubbles and fun. Bubbles included!
My Little Pony Princess Celestia ages 4+ Hasbro, $19.99. The pony is purple, positive and has moving wings. It comes with accessories to put in its long, lush hair.
iPieces Fishing Game ages 3+ Pressman, $12.99. For the iPad, this game includes the app. Fish for virtual fish with real fishing rods in this computer-meets-real-life 3-D game. It’s awesome for traveling!
Stay tuned for more summer fun in next week’s newspaper.