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Heading outside to play? Check out these awesome water toys.
Summer really is the best season. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the kids have moved play time outside. Nothing makes me happier than backyard playing kids – having fun, making memories, and keeping their messes outside (wink). Nothing beats summertime.
One piece to the “playing outside” puzzle is having the right kind of backyard toys – and I have a special love for water toys. The open-ended, full of possibilities, won’t-get-bored-with-water toys that keep kids playing outside for hours.
But what are the best water toys?
Some water toys are total no-brainers. They are staples and must-haves in every backyard:
- Spray bottle
- Watering cans
- Sprinklers
But what about the water toys you haven’t considered yet…
My 3 favorite water toys that you might not have heard of
My goal with my kids each day is simple: keep them active, keep them playing, keep them learning. Easy peasy objectives when you have the right toys that can easily weave learning into everyday life. I get these toys from Lakeshore Learning – my absolute favorite store to get toys for my kids.
Not only are they the.best.toys but they were designed by teachers so you know your child is going to learn lots while playing with them. And learning through play is always the goal.
Here are 3 water toys you’ve got to see
Lakeshore Magnetic Fishing Set
My daughter stumbled on this fishing set at our local Lakeshore store (there are 60 stores nationwide) and immediately put them on her Christmas list. Grandma came through – and this set has been everything.
Now that the weather is warm we are taking the fish outside. The Lakeshore Magnetic Fishing Set is so versatile – and they can be used all over the backyard: the water table, the kiddie pool, even in a sensory bin.
I put them in my sensory bin, filled it with water, and added colorful plastic bowls that matched the fish.
Her goal: catch the fish on her magnetic pole and put them in the correct bowl. What an easy way to add a little math into this already hands-on, play-filled toy!
Design & Build Water Blocks
Blocks are a staple toy in my house. And we have pretty much every set available because you can’t have too many blocks. But all our blocks are indoor blocks… we needed an outdoor set.
So when I saw the Design & Build Water Blocks from Lakeshore I was smitten! Outdoor blocks that float on the water….yes, please!
My son (4.5) especially loves these blocks. They float on his water table perfectly for outdoor city building. We both love that the blocks have different shapes and a different look than other blocks he uses.
They really look like little buildings!
It’s amazing to see him testing and experimenting with balance as he puts together his city-scapes. He loves starting with the floating base plate and adding on from there. Every time he builds, it’s different!
Float & Find Alphabet Bubbles
Have a kiddo working on their ABCs? This is The Water Toy to check out. The Float & Find Alphabet Bubbles are perfect for backyard play-based learning.
The bubbles are double-sided: alphabet letters on one side and corresponding pictures on the other side. They’re great for free play OR here’s what we like to do:
In our kiddie pool, I toss in all the letters. Working as a team, my kids (ages 4.5 and 3) pull the letters out of the water in alphabetical order. They take turns – he found A, she found B, he found C, and so on.
What a simple way to bring a little alphabet learning into the backyard!
Water toys are perfect for inside play too!
Don’t forget that these same toys can come inside too when the weather turns. All three of these water toys are so much fun in the bath tub too!
Toys that we can use and love all year round? Now that’s huge!
Don’t forget to check out Lakeshore for other toys, too!
Lakeshore Learning was my first stop for teaching supplies when I was is the classroom. Now as a Mom, it’s where I get the best toys for my kids to play with – their birthday and Christmas and year long wish lists are always full of Lakeshore toys!
And I get it (and love it!). Lakeshore toys are teacher designed, kid tested, and so well made!
Looking to grab some amazing toys for your kids? Use this 25% off coupon from Lakeshore Learning! To learn more about Lakeshore, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
$50 Lakeshore eGift Card
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KATY klempke says
THE Water blocks lools like a great summer backyard toy!
Ann says
Well I’m loving the fishing ones highlighted here!! I love how to can be used multiple ways!! ?? My favorite prior to seeing this is a slide and kiddie pool!!!! Just brings back good memories from being a kid!
Aileen says
These are awesome toys! Would love to have these for my 2 girls 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Korina says
I didnt know this brand and Im definitely buying the magnetic fishing now!!
Regina talbott says
We love lakeshore as a preschool special ed teacher and as a parent. Already have the fishing set but will definitely purchase the other two items.
Kaiti says
We’ve been on the lookout for new water and bath toys— these are amazing! My kid is going to LOVE the fishing sets!
Ailise says
My daughter would love the fishing!! We had over from the dollar store but it just broke!
MeganS says
We love Lakeshore! I almost got the water blocks for my son for Christmas, but decided I didn’t want any more clutter in our current 1 small bathroom situation. Never thought to throw them in a pool or the water table! Genius!
Laura WD says
Cups, bath crayons, bath tubes/gears, water table, water balloons!
Brynnly says
We love love love measuring cups – the kind that are more like scoops for big bins. Definitely want to try some more legit water toys too!
heather.rae.isaacson says
We need that building set!! Our favorite water toys are a set of gears that have suction cups on the back so they stick to the side of the tub. Some have scoops that hold water as they go around! We love the different sizes and its fun to see the kids figure out that turning the big gear makes the little gears go fast but we really have to hustle turning the smaller gears to get the big one to go fast!
Liani Belcher says
The fishing game looks like a lot of fun. Love the different color bowls to sort them by colors. Also love the alphabet balls. Fun way to learn or practice your ABCs
Gisele says
Our favorite water toys are plastic fish right now but I know my little guy would LOVE the water building blocks!!
Katie thieme says
Love these! We’re also crazy over here and play with water inside!
Anna Murphy says
Love all of these toys! My daughter would love the fishing game! So cute!
Rachel says
These are great!!!! Always looking for bath/pool toys that don’t retain water! And a bonus for learning!
Tracey R. says
I’m definitely eyeing those floating letter bubble things. Leapfrog videos have my two year old OBSESSED with letters so she’d have a ball with them! As of right now, pouring and spilling in her water table are favorite activities. ??
Kelly G says
I love the letter bubbles and the blocks!! My kid would be obsessed with both!!
Rachel Bertagnoli says
We love alphabet letters from munchkin, cups, and colanders
Jessica Tomac says
I love water towers! Also, I love the fish/ fishing pole water game! I remember playing that when I was a kid. My daughter would love it!