Each year toy companies come out with new toys that have our kiddos wide eyed and drooling. In efforts to beat the holiday rush, we have the 411 on some of the newest toys that are sure to be huge hits in your homes this year. My recommendation: keep your eye out for these and snag them early. I see a trend every year where people wait too long to buy toys and end up paying more than necessary. *cough* fingerlings *cough* This year we wanted to help give you a jump start on what’s new with this 2018 Summer Toy Guide.
All items seen in this 2018 Summer Toy Guide were given to various members of our team in exchange for this promotional editorial. However, the opinions written are our own.
2018 Summer Toy Guide: Outdoor Fun
Star Wars Science – Jakku Scavenger Metal Detector
Explore and uncover metal treasures just like a scavenger on Plant Jakku! It comes with four metal containers that can be hidden and found under things. However, you can also use it to find unknown treasures as well. This is a fun and interactive toy that will keep your kids active and excited to be outdoors. Retail Price: $29.99 Recommended for Ages 8+
Bubble Pong by Gazillion Toys
Fun for the whole family in or outdoors, Bubble Pong brings a surprise blast of bubbles to the loser. Bounce ping pong balls into the other person’s side to score points. The first person to score 3 times wins. There are 3 levels of difficulty to bring fun for the whole family. When the game is over, bubble pong can turn into a non-stop bubble party, using the bubble machine mode. Retail Price: $19.99 Recommended for Ages 3+
The RollerWheel by Thumbs Up
Fun for indoor and outdoor use, the RollerWheel rocks your world with fun. Use for your younger kiddos as a fun tunnel, fort, and sensory play toy…or let your older kids hop in and take a ride. It can hold up to 80lbs, and comes with an air pump for easy inflatability. However, one word of caution…if you are playing with this outside, make sure the area is clear of sticks, rocks, or other sharp objects as it will puncture the wheel and need to be repaired. Retail Price: $70.00 Recommended for Ages 8+
Crazy Wands by Gazillion
The Crazy Wands from Gazillion make blowing bubbles an event full of laughter and glee. They turn any face into a silly and whimsical creation that is sure to make anyone laugh. They are easy to use for kids as young as three years old. The bubbles that come with are also great quality. These bubbles wands are perfect for striking a pose at any fun event! Retail Price $2.99 Recommended for age 3+.
Aerobie Pro Ring
Quite possibly one of the most fun and versatile frisbee we have every played with, the Aerobie Pro Ring is fun for all age. Used to set a Guinness World Record for the farthest throw, the thin design allows for far throws and great hangtime. The open center allows for creative throwing and catching. Retail Price: $12.99 Recommended for Ages 12+ (Not too sure about the listed age range for this one…my 2 year old loves to throw it around)
Scatter Dodgeball by COOP Sports
Bringing a new twist to an old classing, Scatter Dodgeball tests your ability to move quick and have luck on your side. Each player starts with two wrist bands of the same color. (This is a game that is good for 2 to 6 players) The dice is rolled and the color that is rolled indicates who gets to throw the ball first. From there, if a player gets hit with the ball, they surrender their wrist band to the person throwing. Once a player has collected all the wrist bands of those playing, they win. Retail Price: $19.99 Recommended for Ages 5+
Bunch O Balloons X-Shot by Zuru
Take balloon wars to a whole new level of awesome with the X-Shot water balloon launcher. Launch balloons up to 100 ft and enhance your skills while having fun in the sun. As always, have fun, but be safe. X-Shot comes with Bunch O Balloons to shoot with…but imagine the fun launching other objects could be as well! Retail Price: $19.99 Recommended for Ages 6+
2018 Summer Toy Guide: Small Collectables
Tonka Tinys Vehicles and Garages
These tiny toys are perfect for any vehicle loving child. Whether it is cars, trucks or flying vehicles they love, they will not be disappointed. Every Tonka tiny comes in their own tiny garage that can be stacked and connected with other garages. Another fun thing is that when you buy the tiny Tonkas you have to wait to open them to find out what is inside. My kids have loved being surprised with which vehicle they will get next every time they open one of their Tonka Tinys. This product retails for $21.99 for three. It is recommended for ages 5+ (I do however let my son who is 3 play with these and have had no problem, he is a big fan of his tinys).
Poopeez
Toilet humor is certainly not for everyone, however these new small toy collectables are a must have if you fancy such things. Series one has 36 characters to collect in all. From blind bags to small sets, you can build quite the collection quickly. As an added bonus, Poopeez also has a fun series on YouTube. Hours of entertainment await…for once playing with your turd is finally something you wont get in trouble for! Retail Price: $3.99+ Recommended for Ages 4+
Fingerlings Mini
These little collectables are certainly ones to stock up on early and often. The fun of Fingerlings just got downsized into tiny collectables that are easily go with you everywhere. Use as a pen/pencil partner or see how many you can chain together…Fingerlings Minis are the perfect toy. You never know who you are going to get with the blind bags and collection packs. So try to collect them all, and build a Fingerlings Mini Zoo! Retail Price: $2.99+ Recommended for Ages 5+ (Although I must say my 2 yr old adores hers)
CakePop Cuties
Discover a mystery CakePop Cutie in each container. If you kids love the slow-rise squishy toys, they are sure to adore these deliciously cute characters. Available as a single pop or in a multipack, CakePop Cuties are a sugar rush of colorful squishy fun to collect, play, and display. Retail Price: $4.99+ Recommended for Ages 4+
Zuru 5 Surprise Mystery Ball
This has got to be one of my daughter’s favorite toys of the summer. There are so many possibilities of what you can find in your 5 surprise mystery ball. Each ball is easily opened and broken apart into 5 wedges. Then you are able to tear off the packaging for each wedge and find your 5 surprises. If I had to get my daughter any blind toy this would be the one. Every time she opens one she is always very excited about what she finds from jewelry to slime, there really are so many things that could be hiding inside. Retails for $13.76 for 2. Recommended for ages 12+ (although my daughter is only 5 and has loved everything she has gotten in her 5 surprise)
Beaker Creatures
When science and toy collections collide you get Beaker Creatures. This hands-on liquid reactor lab is the perfect idea for those who want to play mad scientist from time to time. Beyond that, this playset comes with other awesome experiment ideas that allow you to create slime, explore cause and effect reactions, and so much more. If you have someone who likes to do experiments, this is a must have. Retail Price: $24.99 Recommended for Ages 5+
2018 Summer Toy Guide: Creative Play Sets
Doc McStuffins Go Carrier
With this toy your child can easily be just like Doc McStuffins and start healing all of their stuffed animals. This toy comes with either Fido, a dog, or Whisper, a cat. Both stuffed animals are precious and cute and are very snuggable. The other items that come with this product are a stethoscope, an otoscope, a pet hair brush, a cone collar, a 2-in-1 food and water bowl, and a paw cast. Plenty for your little vet in trainings needs. Retails for $19.99. Recommended for ages 3-4.
Tonka Tinys Tune Up Garage
Tonka Tinys do not just have tiny vehicles, they also have tiny playsets as well. This way your child’s vehicles have somewhere to drive and the exploration of their imagination can go even further. This playset has a vehicle lift, conveyer belt, bridges, and a rotating sign. My personal experience with the Tonka Tiny playsets is that they aren’t the absolute best quality but they still provide many hours of fun for kids. This product retails for $23.86. Is recommended for ages 5+ (but like I said before my 3 year old loves his Tonka Tinys as well as their playsets).
Peppa Pig Lights N’ Sounds Play House
This dollhouse is the ideal size for all those Peppa Pig lovers out there. Standing at 22″ tall, creative play never seemed so fun. Featuring seven rooms and accessories to decorate with, this dollhouse comes to life with the sights and sounds of Peppa Pig and her family. Retail Price: $64.99 Recommended for Ages 3+
PJ Masks Die Cast Playset
Any PJ Masks fan is going to love this adventure filled playset. It comes with Cat Boy’s car that you can launch through a building into one of his biggest enemy’s robot, Romeo! What more could a kid who loves PJ Masks want? Fun and adventure could not be easier to obtain. Retails for $9.97. Recommended for ages 3+.
PJ Masks Vehicles
Just want a little bit of PJ Masks fun in your life? That is no problem with these PJ Masks Vehicles. Each character comes all dressed in their super hero getup. Then they also come with their one of a kind super hero vehicle ready to save the day. They do come separately but are so reasonably priced that buying all three is no big deal! But all PJ Masks fans have a favorite so you could just start from there. Retails for $12.97. Recommended for ages 3+.
Mickey and the Roadster Racers Gas Station Playset
We unfortunately do not have Disney shows available at our house but my kids still love the Mickey crew and anything having to do with them. The Roadster Racers is no exception. My son got a Roadster Racer Mickey for Christmas and still loves playing with it. So we decided to add to our Roadster collection and grab one of these gas stations. This playset makes fun noises, including fun phrases from Mickey, and lets your Roadster fan join the pit crew! The air pump actually pumps air and the number dial spins. There is just so much interaction and fun that can be had with this toy! Retails for $15.65. Recommended for ages 3+.
Minnie Happy Helpers Backpack Picnic Set
There is nothing my daughter loves more than cooking, whether for real or pretending. This also includes pretending to serve food as well. She is constantly asking if we can have a tea party or go outside and have a picnic and now we can with this fun set. It comes with 19 accessories to make a fun picnic for everyone who wants to join. Minnie’s signature bow is of course included on the outside of the cute backpack and even the play cheese has holes in the shape of Minnie! There could not be a cuter picnic play set out there for an imagination filled girl. Retails for $14.88. Recommended for ages 3+.
Barbie Dreamtopia Kiss and Care Unicorn Pet Doctor
Just when you think toys can’t get any cuter, enter the soft, adorable, and loveable unicorn plush from Barbie. This playset comes with all you need to tend to the ouchies and illness that little unicorn and other plush friends come down with. The set includes a stethoscope and yummy treat as a reward after the checkup is complete. If you have unicorn lovers in your house, this set is ideal for you. Retail Price: $27.99 Recommended for Ages 3+
2018 Summer Toy Guide: Tween Scene
Untamed Raptors by Fingerlings
From the creators of Fingerlings, Untamed Raptors bring ferociousness to your fingertips. Any dinosaur loving fan will instantly be thrilled with one (or all four) of these handheld toys. It is fun to get to know the personalities of these raptors overtime. Kindly pet and play with them, and you have a friend for life, but one wrong move, and they become untamed, ready to attack. Although their ferociousness is only for pretend, it is fun to scare your friends or family members. Retail Price: $14.99 Recommended for Ages 5+
Mini Arcade Games: The Oregon Trail
By far one of the most fun games of my childhood, and many others, is the Oregon Trail. Now, you can have all the fun of the old days, in one small handheld mini arcade. Choose your profession and traveling companions, then set out on the trek from Independence, Missouri to Oregon’s Willamette Valley circa 1848! This may be so popular in your house that more than one will be necessary. Available only at Target. Retail Price: $24.99 Recommended for Ages 8+
Pompsies
Interactive pets are always fun to take with you wherever you go. Pompsies are cute, soft, and fun plush pets that can be worn around town or to a friends’ house. With up to 50 different reactions when pet, Pompsies can truly become your new BFF. Using their tails, Pompsies can be worn as a fun fashion statement or wacky dress-up day at school. Retail Price: $14.99 Recommended for ages 3+
Arcade Classics Buildable Figures: Centipede
If you enjoy keeping your hands busy and creating new things, I challenge you to build this awesome figurine. With over 160 pieces, you can create replicas of popular arcade classics, such as centipede and frogger. This would be perfect for any 1980s collectors. Retail price: $17.99 Recommended for ages 10+
Mini Arcade Games: Rampage
Who doesn’t love playing the popular arcade games of the past? Rampage was one of my all time favorites, and I am so excited it is back in this handheld mini arcade version. Rampage is the newest game to join the mini arcade family. Smash cities and topple buildings with George, Lizzie and Ralph. Built with old school controls, the joystick and buttons work just like the good old days. Available only at Walmart Retail Price: $19.99 Recommended for Ages 8+
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