Toys That Actually Kept My Kids Entertained This Summer (And Off Screens Long Enough for Me to Drink Hot Coffee)
- newandgoldvillage
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Let’s be real—summer can feel like an Olympic sport. Between sticky popsicle fingers, “I’m bored” declarations five minutes into summer break, and my kids somehow developing the screen-time stamina of a Silicon Valley developer, I was this close to sending everyone to Camp Grandma permanently.
But then… like a magical Amazon Prime fairy godmother, a few clutch toys entered our lives and gasp actually entertained my kids. Some kept them engaged for hours. Others turned them into adorable little outdoor gremlins. Either way, I got moments of peace, and that's what we call a W.
Here are the MVPs of our summer survival:
🗺️ 1. Omy Search and Find Giant Poster & Stickers Set
This is basically “Where’s Waldo” on humam growth hormones. It’s massive—like take-over-your-kitchen-table massive. My 6-year-old was laser-focused for an entire afternoon (an afternoon, people!) sticking, searching, and narrating elaborate stories involving space pandas and pizza planets. Even my 3 year old got in on the fun (and ripped a few limbs off but I digress). This was a good learning tool too since it's a quirky way to map out the world and secretly teach the kids geography one dancing taco at a time.
Bonus: zero mess, and it looks weirdly chic hanging up now.
🐶 2. Bluey Hide & Seek Game
Bluey is basically my third child at this point. This talking plush hide-and-seek toy turns your whole house into a game zone. My kids ran around like caffeinated squirrels yelling “I hear her!” while I sat back and definitely didn’t hide her in the laundry room so I could finish this article. Best cardio my kids got all week.
🏐 3. GoSports Backyard Tetherball Game
Ahh, tetherball. The ultimate nostalgic throwback. This thing turned our backyard into a mini P.E. class. It's sturdy, fun, and a surprising sibling mediator. (There’s nothing like whacking a ball on a rope to settle arguments over whose turn it is to pick the movie.) This kept our kids and our neighbors kids and the kids down the street and the kids around the corner entertained for many a' afternoon.
🔍 4. Kids’ Metal Detector
Turns out, kids love pretending to be treasure hunters. This metal detector became our go-to evening walk activity and favorite beach accessory. We didn’t find gold, but we did dig up some bottle caps, a rusty spoon, and a lot of childhood joy. Pro tip: plant coins in the yard ahead of time if your kids to feel like they hit the jackpot (and keep searching for hours which is basically the parent version of winning the powerball.)
🟢 5. Pop It! Pro Game
It’s like a fidget toy got a glow-up and went to coding camp. This light-up game had both kids and adults competing for high scores. Hot tip: it's great for car rides and doesn’t require internet. Win-win.
🔵 6. Bop It!
Yes, the ‘90s called, and they want their toy back—but we’re keeping it. Bop It has become a staple in our house. My 3-year-old mostly just yells “BOP IT” and hits people with it, but my older kid actually plays and improves her reaction time. And I maybe play it after bedtime. Maybe. I mean, who else do you think has the high score of 98?
🎨 7. Chalk (the good kind)
Never underestimate the power of sidewalk chalk. My kids made obstacle courses, murals, and one oddly emotional chalk soap opera. This chalk doesn’t crumble instantly, the colors pop, and it washes off everything—even the side of my car. (Thanks, Ava.)
✨ 8. Foil Crafting Kit
Foil crafts are like sticker books but fancier. You rub shiny foil onto sticky templates and voila—sparkly masterpieces without glitter armageddon. Even my “I hate art” kid got into it. I may or may not have done a few myself after bedtime. It's very therapeutic. And the kids can do it themselves which means I get to sit back and catch up on Instagram without the usual side of crippling mom guilt.
🪝 9. Hook & Ring Toss Game
We installed this on a post outside after playing nonstop at a campground the other weekend and this game SLAPS. It's the sleeper pick of the summer. Waiting for burgers on the grill? Hook it. Kids squabbling? Hook it. Husband pretending he's a pro? Hook it. It’s weirdly addictive, and everyone got just competitive enough to keep it fun.
🪵 10. Giant Jenga
Nothing brings the family together like the suspense of a 5-foot tower collapsing. We made it a backyard staple and even added dares to some blocks. (“Roar like a dinosaur” was a favorite.) The kids loved playing and even loved building the tower back up after an epic crash which felt like a team building activity and STEM project all in one.
In Conclusion: These toys gave me enough sanity to avoid enrolling my children in a “Camp iPad” subscription. They brought back old-school summer vibes—sunburnt knees, chalky fingers, and real giggles. So if your kids are bored and you’re about one tantrum away from hiding in the pantry with Bluey — give these a shot.
You're welcome, Mama. 🧃🧼🌞