April 2011 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

In Don't Tip the Waiter Splash, players take turns stacking cups on the three-dimensional floating waiter's tray. But they have to be careful, because too many cups will tip the waiter. If a player makes the waiter drop the cups into the water, they're out. The last player standing wins. This pool game is ideal for 1-4 players.

The Little Tikes 3-in-1 Trike grows with little ones as they become bigger and better riders. This trike offers 3 configurations to meet a child's needs: parent push, parent guided and kid powered. The seat can be adjusted to 4 different positions to fit almost any size child, while the shade canopy adjusts to any angle or can be removed depending on preference. The push handle allows parents to control direction with 1 hand as they help little ones become comfortable with riding. As children becomes more familiar with the trike, the push handle and the footrests can be detached for independence. Made with durable plastic and metal, this trike features quiet-ride tires, non-slip pedals, a 5-point seat belt harness and protective bar for lasting strength and safety. The extra large storage bucket with dumping feature and convenient beverage holder deliver even more fun for a kid on the go.

Scale the climbing wall and slide through the water-spraying arch into the connected splash pool. With the included continuous- airflow blower motor, the pool and slide inflate in two minutes. With a garden hose connected to the top of the slide, water will spray down so kids can slide into the pool. Heavy-duty Dura-Tech construction ensures lasting strength and durability. Includes 1 Inflatable Water Slide, 1 Blower Motor, 3 Blower Ground Stakes, 1 Water Spraying Hose Assembly, 6 Water Slide Ground Stakes + 1 Extra, 1 Carrying Bag, 1 Repair Kit (Glue for repair kit). Safety Warning - use with adult supervision.

The Mashoonga! Cadet is a foam saber for young children. It is made of premium materials that will provide months of fun and vigorous play.  It is constructed to be safe and has a play pattern that promotes eye hand coordination, strategic skills and builds stamina.  It teaches children good sportsmanship by following rules of play and how to safely play a contact sport. It is an all season toy that can also be used in and around water play. "The Mashoonga! Cadet is a premium product made to last.  We replace it if it brakes under normal use," Jim Bogner, president of Revel King, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2010.

These stilts are decorated on the end with big, hairy Bigfoot feet. Set includes 1 pair of Stomp Walkers. Supports up to 100 pounds. Balance is easy with ultra-wide foot stands. Flexible & durable soft foam base is ideal for indoor/outdoor play.

This wooden trike is sturdy and durable. It can hitch up to a little wooden trailer so toddlers can pull their treasures along with them. It measures 14" x 33" x 14".

This soft foam boomerang toy can be thrown indoors or out.
—Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., sells about a dozen a month.

The JM Maverick Pogo Stick is designed to provide fun exercise for boys and girls from 5 to 9 years old. The precision, foam-covered metal construction includes replaceable, non-slip foot pads, handlegrips, and a rubber tip. The pogo stick supports users between 40 and 80-lb. It measures 38 x 9.5 x 2.5 in.
—Two reviewers on Amazon.com gave this product five out of five stars for high quality and durability.

This product connects pool noodles together. The Link, the End, and the EL shaped links allow kids and adults to create many different combinations of pool noodle shapes- chains, squares, seats, and more. Each shape comes in a pack of four.

Sunny BeadZ Jewelry features color-changing beads that are white indoors and instantly change to color in the sun, the stronger the UV rays the brighter the color. Skin cancer rates are skyrocketing, (1 in 5 Americans diagnosed annually). Often some of the worst sun damage occurs on cloudy summer days when the UV rays are just as strong but the temperature is cool, but Sunny BeadZ alerts the wearer to the strength of the rays. Sunny BeadZ Necklaces, bracelets and key-rings featuring both permanent-color beads & charms as well as UV beads, and all are made in the USA. Launch date: 2011.

Babies' skin is very sensitive to the effects of the sun and most built-in stroller canopies simply don't offer enough protection. ShadyBaby creates a stylish line of parasols that provide UPF 50+ protection. Universal clamp attaches to most strollers and joggers. "Our fun colors and custom prints add a touch of style to your stroller," Brian Winterling, owner of ShadyBaby, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Parent-Tested, Parent-Approved

Blast out wildly colored bubbles by attaching one of the two included bottles of colored bubbles directly to the Bubble Launcher. Pull the trigger and watch the bubbles pour out. Colored bubbles also sold separately for $2.99 per bottle.

Whether serving lemonade in the yard on a hot summer day or selling cookies at a local fair, this easy-to-assemble, mobile solid wood stand will help kids learn about business. Kids can use the included Design Idea Book and decorating accessories to give their stand a unique, personal touch. Extra inventory or other items can be stored on the sturdy shelf underneath. When finished, simply fold the stand up and slide it into a closet, store it in the garage, or put it in the trunk of your car. Easy to assemble, store and move; made of solid wood.

Sturdy spring steel construction makes for long lasting fun in this Dinosaur Train themed tunnel. Assists in developing cooperative play. Great for muscle development. Stimulates the imagination for creative playtime.

Sturdy spring steel construction makes for long lasting fun in this Dinosaur Train themed tunnel. Assists in developing cooperative play. Great for muscle development. Stimulates the imagination for creative playtime.

Durable and washable, this tent comes with a roll-up doorway and mesh ventilation panels that allow for airflow on hot days. Features several Dinosaur Train characters including Buddy the T-Rex.

The Party Pumper comes filled with assorted balloons, including the magic twisty animal balloons. Use the pump to fill the balloons with water or air. Eliminates the mess of traditional water balloons that have to be filled up at the sink or outside using the garden hose. Even young children can easily fill their own balloons. Available in Purple or Red.
— As of 05/18/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy for kids to use; kids like filling the balloons with air as well as water; eliminates the mess created by using the sink or hose to fill balloons. Cons: Two customers received defective product.

Zike's new freestyle scooters are a combination of both a scooter and a bicycle. Zike is the "World's first hybrid scooter marketed directly to children that can fight childhood obesity and is fun to ride," Nathan Scolari, owner of Zike, told TDmonthly. A unique foot pumping action propels the bike forward, while relying on the balance properties of a traditional bicycle. Launch date: February 2011

This walk bike helps children as young as 2 get outside and learn about balance. Lets them learn to balance by "walking" at their own pace, reducing the number of falls and scrapes. They'll be ready for a pedal bike in no time. Features adjustable seat and handlebars. Unique frame allows even young children to easily mount and dismount. Pneumatic tires and ball bearings keep it rolling smoothly. Full 2 year warranty.

This shelter features lots of mesh pockets for storage, waterproof tenting, and a window. This shelter is designed to get kids excited about the outdoors and exploration. The set comes with a mini-lantern to illuminate it on dark nights. Perfect for pretend play or backyard games.

This water cannon stands on a tripod. It can be connected to a garden hose directly for an endless supply of "ammo." Launch date: June 2011.

The Tie-Not Filler attaches to your hose and works with our Tie-Not tool to fill and tie water balloons in seconds. Made in the USA. The Tie-Not Filler is the "Only filler on the market that attaches to the hose and does not need to be clamped to a table. [It] can work anywhere your hose goes!" Laura Sikorcin, President of Tie-Not Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Kids can learn the basics of America's Pastime with this sturdy yet gentle foam batter's set. Launch date: January 2011.

Improve concentration and attention span for all ages with this new dart set, made of sturdy yet gentle foam. Launch date: January 2011.