summer toys Archives - NAPPA Awards

June 10, 2026 by Elena Epstein

Time to replace backpacks with beach bags. School is out and summer is here. Are you ready to have fun? We sure are. This summer is all about making old-school memories. We’re talking picnics in the park, beach days, friends over for game night and ice cream cones. To add to the fun we have gathered the best toys, games, travel gear and summer learning tools to make this the best summer ever!

Check out all the backyard fun HERE. We have a Monster Jam truck that’ll get everyone wet, the perfect bike for the smoothest ride, candy scented swirl hoops, giant spirograph to turn your sidewalk into a dazzling canvas and so much more.

Do you have travel plans? Check out our best travel gear. We have easy to pack and go strollers, backpacks, games to play on the road or on a plane, music just for kids and tweens and so much more.

This summer gather your family and friends for game night! These fun family games are sure to bring everyone together for some laughs and strategy work. We have soccer trivia, an enchanted forest with Disney friends, melon matching and more.

Long summer days are the perfect time to let our kids’ imagination soar. Let’s play pretend, get crafty, make up stories with cool new dolls and plushies.

We don’t have to let the learning slide over the summer. We can combine fun and learning with these toys, games and learning tools.

Books and music are always a good idea with wonderful messages about kindness, positive body image, family traditions and more. Check out our finds HERE.

You can read our full Summer Fun & Travel Guide HERE.

June 2, 2026 by NAPPA Awards Team

As we say goodbye to backpacks and homework and hello to long summer days, water fun and relaxed family time, let’s turn our backyards into the place all the kids want to be.

We know you’ll love these NAPPA Award-winning products as much as we do.

Water Fun

Swimways Monster Jam Wild Whippin’ Sprinkler
Bring the Monster Jam stadium to your backyard for epic water fun. Features 360° donut spraying power, whipping in a complete circle and soaking everything in its path. For endless ways to play, the truck is removable from the sprinkler stand with fully working wheels. $21.99, ages 4+, target.com

Swimways Rainbow Reef Shark

Introducing Finn Diesel, the newest addition to the Rainbow Reef collection that swims like a real shark! Designed with realistic swimming features and patterns, this water-activated toy allows you to turn your pool into an ocean reef. $21.99, ages 5+, amazon.com

40W Waterfall

Turn your pool into a waterfall. Carefully crafted to be corrosion-resistant and oxidation-resistant. $127.99, amazon.com

Scotts Water Squirting Lawnmower

This interactive toy lawnmower doesn’t just roll—it squirts water, adding a splash of fun to pretend yard work. With realistic dials and moving wheels, kids can feel like true gardeners as they “mow” the lawn just like grown-ups. $39.99, ages 3+, red-toolbox.com

Games & Creativity

Giant Outdoor Spirograph
Transform your backyard or sildwalk into a giant canvas for dazzling spiral creations with chalk. The jumbo wheel and gear make it easy to spin out bold designs, perfect for young artists. $24.99, ages 5+, amazon.com

Giant Color Stack Challenge

Add to your backyard fun with this oversized, fast-paced puzzle. With 50 challenge cards, players race to build color-coded towers against the clock, mixing active play with smart, STEM-style problem solving. $59.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

Cone Toss

A portable lawn game designed for easy, social play. Toss cones into the net to score points but stack a cone on an opponent’s cone and you steal their points. Everything packs into a compact carry case, making it perfect for the backyard, park or beach. $59.99, ages 8+, vangotoys.com

Giant Tower Stack

Inspired by the viral Tower Stack game. Transforms the stacking challenge into a larger-than-life outdoor experience. Players roll the die and strategically place blocks on a rocking balance board base, building a tower up to 4 feet tall without toppling it, creating suspenseful, laugh-out-loud fun for players of all ages. Easy to take on the go with a convenient carrying bag. $69.99, ages 8+, relatable.com

Get Active

Priority Start 20” Bike
Explore varied terrain this summer. Designed with parents in mind, it features a smooth, low-maintenance ride. A lightweight aluminum frame, puncture-resistant tires, and kid-specific geometry ensure durability, safety and confidence. Designed to grow with your child. $399, ages 6+, prioritybicycles.com

Koosh Bow Launcher
The lightweight bow is easy to hold and launch and the soft Koosh arrows are perfect for indoor or outdoor play. Simply loop, pull and launch to hit the included pop-out targets and rack up points. $19.99, ages 5+, target.com

Candy Scented Swirl Hoop
Each hoop is scented with bubblegum and cotton candy, adding a delicious twist to classic hoop play. Fun for kids and parents. Comes in three sizes. $5, ages 3+, kess.com

Floraxa Kids Gardening Set

Introduce the love of nature with this 8-piece kids’ gardening set. Includes metal tools with wooden handles, a watering can, gloves, a reinforced bag and a sturdy metal basket. $24.99, ages 3+, amazon.com

Candy Bouncy Scented 8″ Ball

Blow up the fan favorite 4-inch candy bouncy to a brand new 8-inch outdoor ball, with all the color and great scents that our customers already love. A burst of fruity fun in every bounce. Each ball is infused with a candy-inspired scent you’ll love. Choose from lemon, blueberry, strawberry, or grape. $5, ages 3+, kess.com

For more summer fun products, check out our Summer Fun & Travel Guide.

June 26, 2019 by Elena Epstein

We have been very busy testing and evaluating lots and lots of products to bring you this special Summer Fun Guide filled with inspiration for outdoor fun, game nights, summer reading and learning and so much more! Check it out.

July 5, 2018 by

We have some great NAPPA Award-winning products perfect for your next pool party or a day at the beach!

Zoocchini Swim Diapers and Sunhat Sets

When you’re ready to hit the pool or the beach with your little one, these adorable swim diaper and sunhat sets from Zoocchini are a must have! The diapers are light weight, non-disposable and reusable. The quick dry swim diapers are lined with comfortable, soft mesh liner and have adjustable waist ties to ensure a snug fit. Unlike regular diapers, these swim diapers are designed to contain solid waste, which is mandatory for public pool safety.
$28.00, ages 3M – 24M

Splash Tail

Popping up in 2018 is the water balloon sling launcher, the Splash Tail. Kids will have a blast hurling the water balloons in the air or throwing them in a game of toss and catch. Recommended for ages 8 and up, each Splash Tail set comes with a colorful blue/orange sling and pack of water balloons.
$7, ages: 8+

Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy

The Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy features a patented inner spring around the outside edge for added stability in the water. Additional features include a removable sun canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection, see-through mesh sides on the canopy , fabric-covered inflation and a soft mesh seat with secure leg holes for durability and comfort, a wide base, child safety valves, dual air chambers and a mesh play space for splashing and playing with toys.
$19.99, ages: 9 months – 24 months

Bunch O Balloons Marvel™ Avengers™

Bunch O Balloons, by ZURU, has teamed up with Marvel Avengers to take down the summer heat. With blockbuster character symbols printed on the balloons, such as Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk, water balloons have never been so powerful! Simply connect, fill and make hundreds of water balloons in minutes, and let the superhero water balloon warfare begin. Balloons are made from natural latex and recyclable.
$9.99, ages 3+

OgoDisk H2O

Take the water balloon toss to the next level with OgoDisk H2O. It can flyly, float, and dominate any water balloon fight. This flying disk designed just for water balloon play can also double down as the ultimate pool or beach toy with its ability to float in the water. Let the games begin!
$20.00, ages 8+

Watermelon Smash

Watermelon Smash from YULU is a twist on the water roulette challenge. Will you end up dry or soaking wet? Fill the watermelon with water or use the watermelon seeds for indoor play. Players take turns spinning the spinner to determine their fate. Follow the instructions on the spinner and press the watermelon against your head. Watch out, you never know when the watermelon will crack. The last player left in the game wins!
$19.99, ages 6+

Happy Summer. Remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!

Elena Epstein is a mom of two and the director of NAPPA Awards, the longest running and most respected awards program in the industry, celebrating the best in family products for 28 years. For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com.

June 7, 2018 by

Is it that time of year already? With summer quickly approaching, there’s no shortage of fun to have. Grab your friends and some sunscreen and dive into these products with us!

Glove-A-Bubbles

Churn out oodles of BUBBLES with the wave of your hand with Glove-A-Bubbles! Kids remove the bubble pouch from the glove and pour the bubble solution into the pouch. Dip the glove into the bubble pouch. Wave your glove back and forth and watch tons of bubbles form instantly. Glove-A-Bubbles come with one glove and two packs of bubble solution. The pouch is also re-sealable and refillable. Glove-A-Bubbles come in eight different animal-themed gloves.

$2.99
Ages 3+

SMASHERS™

SMASHERS™ are the hottest new collectibles from ZURU that encourage learning about global sports with over 100 wacky sports-themed characters, including “good sports and bad sports,” limited edition and super rares to find and collect! Smash open the innovative and unique SMASHBALL™ to reveal your character hidden inside, then see how fast you can re-build the puzzle-like pieces of the SMASHBALL!
$9.99
Ages 4+

SmartGames IQ Stars & SmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts!

Check out these two fun games from SmartGames perfect for the summer months.

Are your brain skills out of this world? Can you place the 7 stellar puzzle pieces on the grid? Reach for the stars and solve the 120 challenges, from easy to expert in SmartGames IQ Stars. The game comes in a compact size game board with lid, making it great for travel!

$9.99
Ages 6+

Can you move the squirrels around and hide their acorns underground? SmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts! is a sliding puzzle game with 60 nutty challenges to test your skills. Fun for kids and adults, Squirrels Go Nuts! comes with a portable game board and lid, making it perfect for on-the-go fun!

$14.99
Ages 6+

Aerobie Pro Ring

Get ready for an exhilarating game of flying disc! The thin design of this flying ring allows the disc to travel longer distances and it features soft edges for comfortable catches. The open center allows each player to personalize their throwing and catching style – catch the edge with your hand or use the center to catch it with your arm or foot. Aerobie Pro Ring measures 13 inches in diameter.

$9.99
Ages 2+

Now go out and have some fun! And remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!