Tag Archives: water

Time to Get Wet, Baby

Just when you thought it was safe to get into the water, it may actually be—but only with plenty of adult supervision. This week we take a look at several products that keep kids safe while still letting them enjoy themselves, and one that’s just plain fun.  Water safety is not something to take lightly and tragic accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so never, ever take your eyes off of your child.

Power Swimr (SwimWays)

power swimrFor young children who are new to swimming, this is a great way to give them the support (literally) they need to learn at their own pace. The Power Swimr vest comes with nine removable flotation pads that are hidden inside a cute shell. With the full nine, your child will be almost upright in the water where he or she will be able to start learning the basics. As you remove the pads, the child gradually becomes more horizontal. The vest is small enough that it doesn’t interfere with the child’s ability to get into proper swimming position. And it comes with adjustable side cords and leg straps to keep it securely in place. Available in small (for ages 2-3, 20-35 pounds), medium (35-60 pounds), and large (55-80 pounds). Prices range from $15-$20. http://www.swimways.com/

Sea Squirts Swim Assist (SwimWays)

swim assist vest-Like the Power Swimr, Sea Squirts vests are a three-step system (small, medium, large) that includes several flotation pads that you can remove as your child develops skills and gains confidence. Made of neoprene (the same material used in wet suits) and sporting a lovely, orca-like dorsal fin, Sea Squirts vest are a bit more stylish than Power Swimrs, but they make swimming just as fun. Available in pink, orange, blue, and black. About $28. http://www.swimways.com/

Baby Spring Float (SwimWays)

baby spring floatBefore they can learn to swim, kids need to want to be in the water. But water can be scary and intimidating (as it should be). The Baby Spring Float is a great way to introduce babies who are too young to swim to water play in a fun, engaging way. The float itself is an easily inflatable, fabric-covered ring with a comfortable mesh seat in the middle where baby can learn the basics of kicking and paddling. And when it’s time for a break, there’s also a mesh play space that’s great for just splashing around. For mom and dad, the float is extremely stable, so you’ll be able to play with your baby without worrying about whether the float will tip over. Comes in a variety of colors and with an optional, adjustable canopy for added sun protection. Appropriate for babies 9-24 months. Retails for about $25. http://www.swimways.com/

Kickboard (Maui Toys)

kickboardIt’s hard to imagine learning to swim or even just playing around in a pool without a kickboard. And with these stylish boards from Maui Toys, you don’t have to worry about missing out on either. Boards come in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. Prices vary. http://www.mauitoys.com/

Blow-up Billiards (SwimWays)

blow-up billiardsOlder (water safe) kids and adults will get a blast out of this set of ten large (8-inch diameter) inflatable billiard balls that turns your pool into a pool table (with apologies to purists who know that pool tables have pockets in the corners and the long sides, while billiards have none). The set includes a cue ball and nine numbered balls. Use those long, foam “noodles” (not included) as cue sticks or move the balls underwater or by splashing them around from place to place. For all ages, but it helps if you’re tall enough to touch the bottom. About $14.95. http://www.swimways.com/

Soaking up the Fun

The hotter it gets—and it seems to be getting hotter by the day in some parts of the country—the more people want to cool off. Running your air conditioning is one way to deal with the heat, but it can be rather pricey. A cheaper—and much more fun—alternative is to go outside and get wet. Here are some of our favorite ways to soak yourself and everyone around you.

Water Warriors water blasters (Buzz Bee Toys)

water blastersBuzz Bee Toys makes more than a dozen different water blasters, all of which are solidly made, reasonably priced, and really fun. The Gargangua uses air pressure and what they call “aggressive soaking technology,” which lets you blast people as far as 40 feet away. And it is, indeed, gargantuan, holding up to 78 ounces of water (more than half a gallon), which means you’ll be able to keep on blasting for a long, long time.  Just fill it up, choose one of three nozzle settings, and start soaking. The Outlaw is a little smaller, but what it lacks in water capacity (it holds up to 48 ounces), it makes up for in distance, outblasting Gargantua by two feet. Both of these blasters are easy to pump, so little kids will be able to hold their own against bigger, older, and stronger opponents. Gargantua is for ages 8 and up, Outlaw for 5 and up. Both are under $20. www.BuzzBeeToys.com

 

Water sprinklers (Prime Time Toys)

sprinklersRunning through sprinklers on a hot summer day is one of the best parts of summer. Sadly, millions of kids who live in drought-stricken parts of the country missed out for the past few years. Fortunately, reservoirs are almost up to normal levels, so sprinklers are back! The Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler connects directly to a standard garden hose and comes fully assembled, so you’ll be ready to get drenched within seconds after unboxing it. The center fountain of the Swirl spins around, spraying water in all directions, and the squirting “wiggle tubes” ensure that no one escapes dry.  Like the Swirl, the Hydro Twist Pipeline Sprinkler also connects to a standard hose and has wiggle tubes. But this sprinkler also has two fountains. The droughts may be over, but you should still soak responsibly. Both are for ages 4 and up and retail for under $15. www.primetimetoys.com @goprimetimetoys

 

Bunch O Balloons (ZURU)

bunch o balloonsPreparing for a water balloon fight can take hours, filling them with water and tying them up one at a time.  Bunch O Balloons gives you an incredible advantage. Just attach it to your hose and in less than a minute, you’ve got yourself 100 filled, tied balloons, so you can get down to the serious business of battle while your opponents are still fumbling around. Bunch O Balloons come in a variety of colors. The pack we reviewed also included a scoop-like launcher, which can extend your range. It’s for ages 4 and up, and retails for about $13. http://bunchoballoons.com

 

Hurricane Water Balls (Prime Time Toys)

water ballsBunch O Balloons may speed things up, but eventually, you’ll run out of ammo. Not so with Hurricane Water Balls, which can be reused up to 1,000 times. The clever design allows you to refill the ball by simply dunking it in a bucket of water for a few seconds. Just like regular balloons, Hurricane Water Balls explode painlessly on contact, leaving your opponent wet but bruise-free. For ages 5 and up and anyone who’s looking for a more environmentally sustainable way to soak each other. They’re about $12 for a package of three. http://hurricanewaterballs.com

A Midsummer Days’ Dream

Summer is fully upon us, in all its glory. And by “glory” we mean that it’s hot, sticky, and sweaty. (Almost enough to make you forget what a brutal winter it was. Almost.) For those of you looking for ways to cool down, try these.

fisher price sand and water tableLittle Tikes Treasure Hunt Sand and Water Table (Fisher Price)
Kids love water play and they love sandboxes. Combine them? Oh, yeah. There are several things about this toy a great summertime option: there’s zero tech, it gets kids to play outside, it encourages creative play, it can be used in a variety of ways, multiple kids can play together (or separately), you can bring it indoors in case of summer rain showers, and, best of all, it keeps kids busy for hours. The Sand and Water Table is a great way for you and the kids to spend time together getting your hands dirty and wet. It’s also a great option if you need a few minutes to mark some of those boring grown-up things off your to-do list (but you’ll never, ever leave small children alone around water, right?) Oh, and did we mention that it’s a bargain at $59.99. http://www.littletikes.com

little tikes slam n curve slideSlam ‘n Curve Slide (LItle Tikes)
While we’re on the topic of things that will get the kids up, outside, and occupied for hours, check out the Slam ‘n’ Curve Slide. It’s easy to set up—less than a minute if you use the included pump—and anchors solidly to the ground to keep it steady. Then you attach your water hose, turn it on, and voila! water slide/bouncy house fun, right in your very own backyard. The slide comes with a basketball net and mini inflatable ball, and there’s a small pool at the bottom that gradually fills up, but it doesn’t get very deep. The Slam ‘n Curve is one of the best warm-weather toys we’ve seen and it’s perfect whether you’ve got the kids at home all summer long or you’re just planning a short staycation. The only downside is that it’s a little cumbersome to put away—you have to empty it out, let it dry, roll it up like a giant sleeping bag), and stuff it into the included storage sack. It’s also a bit heavy, but given how much you’re going to be using it, you want something solid. The Slam ‘n Curve Slide provides days (not just hours) of entertainment for the whole family and is well worth the $399.99 price. Find it at your favorite retailer or http://www.littletikes.com

dyson am09 bladeless fanAM09 Fan + Cool Heater (Dyson)
This fan is perfect for those long evenings when, even though the sun has gone down, everything still feels sticky and gross.  Some of the coolest features about this fan are that it oscillates, tilts, is easy to clean, and is blade-less. You know kids and fans: They always want to stick their fingers (or toys, or straws, or silverware) into the slots to “see what will happen.” As adults, we all know what happens, and it’s never good. Eliminating the blades eliminates most of those potential disasters. It also makes the fan easy to clean (you’ve seen how dust accumulates on fan blades: no blades = much less dust to blow around). The AM09 is quieter than most other fans and comes with a remote that controls oscillation, temperature, and airflow. It also has a sleep timer. When summer turns to fall and then winter and the nights get cooler, the AM09 functions as a heater. Get yours at http://www.dyson.com  for $449.99