Summer brings a great change of pace to our lives. The kids are out of school and are now home all day long; of course, much of that time is spent telling you how bored they are. It’s incredibly easy for kids to fall into a routine of doing not much else besides vegging in front of the television. I remember back when I was a kid and summer was the greatest time ever. This, however, was before so much technology took over our lives; before there were interactive games for young children or computers or whatever else is keeping your child occupied–but indoors.

While you may have some great activities or family vacations planned where your children will be getting out and having a great time, they can still have a lot of fun on your average summer day right in your backyard. Here are some fantastic children’s toys that will make any kid excited to get out of the house and play.

My First Bubbles Peek-a-Boo Surprise
Ages 18 months and up

No streams of bubbles going everywhere, no spills, and no sticky hands here. My First Bubbles Peek-a-Boo Surprise is a no-spill toy where toddlers simply pull down the handle for endless bubbles to begin emerging from the spout of a friendly whale hiding inside. This toy uniquely combines a game of Peek-a-Boo with bubbles and will delight and entertain your toddler while also teaching them action and response.

Gather & Grille Playhouse
Ages 1.5 and up

Your child will have their very own place to hang out with their friends while you and yours mingle on the patio furniture. The Gather & Grille Playhouse will let your child mimic you by giving them their very own grill, a patio area, and a bench for two. There is a built-in kitchen with sink and fun decals, an electronic doorbell, and includes a 5-piece accessory set.

Makin’ Mud Pies
Ages 2 and up

Making mud pies are a timeless childhood activity. Every kid does it, but not every kid is lucky enough to have an awesome outdoor kitchen set solely dedicated to mud. The Makin’ Mud Pies kitchen set has a hand-crank mud mixer that pivots up and down, it has a real working sink that uses a water reservoir to make sure their dirt can be turned into sufficient mud, and no batteries are needed.

Cannonball Splash Water Slide
Ages 5 and up

Lazy, hazy summer days can get the best of us all. Set up the Cannonball Splash Water Slide for your kids and they’ll be cooled down and having a blast. This water slide is definitely one of the cooler ones I’ve seen. It is 13 feet in size with a huge 8 foot splash pool with a comfortable landing pad, so no one is going to get hurt in a freak water slide accident.

Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast
Ages 6 and up

Who can’t remember playing with water guns as a kid? Whether your kid is running all over the backyard with their friends in a game of water wars or sneaking up on you and soaking you when you least expect it, the Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast is a must-have summer toy item. Just slide the air-powered water blaster’s pump handle forward to load and then slide it backward to blast a stream of water that will travel up to 25 feet.