The Summer's Hottest Toys
Turn off the TV, unplug the Wii, and send the kids outside. Don't worry -- they won't protest with these great playthings.
By Kourtney Eidam and Samantha Mellone from Parents Magazine
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Bryan McCay
Super Skipper
A fun playdate is just a hop, skip, and jump away with this toy that spins. (3 years+, $35; intplay.com)
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Bryan McCay
Laser Light Bug Vaccum
Kids can gently suck up bugs with this neat tool that includes collection cups. (5 years+, $20; backyardsafari.com)
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Bryan McCay
My First RC Spin and Go Police Truck
No complicated controller here! Your tot just has to hold up the stop sign to get the car to halt and lower it to zoom off. (3 years+, $27; kidgalaxy.com)
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Bryan McCay
Hand Launch Glider
Playmobil takes the fun outside with this easy-to-fly glider and pilot set. (6 years+, $20; playmobilusa.com)
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Bryan McCay
I Can Play Golf
It's tee time for your little sport with this pint-size golf set that has a ramp for a hole in one. (18 months to 3 years, $30; fisher-price.com)
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Bryan McCay
Freeze Ball
A wild mix of dodge ball, freeze tag, and the Silly Bandz craze, this inventive game has kids run, duck, and think fast to win bracelets. (6 years+, $13; wildplanet.com)
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Bryan McCay
Parents Bowling Set
The great thing about lawn bowling? No smelly shoes! Play a match with Parents' vibrant caterpillar set. (3 years+, $45; manhattantoy.com)
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Bryan McCay
Spiralin' Seas Water Park
Make a splash with this cool water table, which has a central ball drop and Ferris wheel that picks up floating toys. (2 years+, $40; littletikes.com)
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Bryan McCay
Tiny Love Super Mat
Have tummy time outside with this extra-large playmat that's soft on the top and durable on the bottom. (0 months+, $40; tinylove.com)
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Bryan McCay
Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine
Share this blast from the past with your kids. The icy treats are fun to make and to eat. (4 years+, $18; fundexgames.com)
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Bryan McCay
Sprig Eco Dump Truck
Made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic, this rugged construction vehicle can take on any dirt or sand pile around. (3 years+, $15 each; sprigtoys.com)
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Bryan McCay
Pumponator
What's summer break without water-balloon fights? This no-fuss kit lets you fill the balloons up with just a pump of the wrist. (8 years+, $20; amazon.com)
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Bryan McCay
Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set
Building sand castles is so last year! This pail set turns the beach or your sandbox into an "ice-cream shop." (3 years+, $15; melissaanddoug.com)
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Bryan McCay
Popout Horseshoes
Introduce kids to this timeless tossing game. Diggin's kit pops open for quick setup. (3 years+, $15; amazon.com)
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Bryan McCay
Holowonders
Sure to get a double take. With these holographic goggles your child can become a sea monster. (3 to 8 years, $13; speedousa.com)
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Bryan McCay
Splash Disc
Perfect for the pool, this flier slings water when you throw it. (4 years+, $11; fatbraintoys.com)
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Bryan McCay
Tail Spin
The Big Wheel is now for big kids! Pull the lever to spin out and do tricks with its swivel wheels. (5 to 8 years, $100; radioflyer.com)
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Bryan McCay
Ybike Pewi
Kids as young as 9 months can use this unique toy as a walker; when they're about 1 it becomes their trike. (9 to 36 months, $60; ybikeusa.com)
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Bryan McCay
3-in-1 Learning Zebra Scooter
Growing with your child, this friendly toy transforms three ways: First, it's a push cart, then a ride-on, and finally a scooter. (18 to 36 months, $45; vtechkids.com)
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Bryan McCay
Kazam
This balance bike, which more closely resembles a pedal one, has a footrest for extra support. (3 years+, $100; kazambikes.com)
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Bryan McCay
Barbie Quad Skates
Barbie is on a roll (literally) with these pretty-in-pink adjustable roller skates from Bravo. Plus, they come with a matching pair of skates for her doll! (6 years +, $45; toysrus.com)
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Bryan McCay
Graffiti Sky Ball
These bright balls have a surprisingly high bounce and are small enough to fit into your tote for a game of catch anywhere. (6 years +, $9; mauitoys.com)
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Bryan McCay
Eco Racers Water Power
Clean fuels are the way of the future -- even for kids' remote-control cars! Fill up the tank with H2O, and this innovative mini is ready to race. It's also available in a wind- and a solar-powered version. (5 years +, $35; amazon.com)
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Bryan McCay
E-Z Bat
Hit a home run every time with this unusual bat. The "ball" slings off of it when your child swings, which helps him work on his technique and play when no one else is around. (3 years +, $16; monkeybusinesssports.com)
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Bryan McCay
Animal Croquet
It's a zoo in your backyard! The whole family can engage in a match with this colorful set of animal hoops and mallets. (3 years +, $39; anatex.com)
Originally published in the June 2011 issue of Parents magazine.
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