Summer is the time to have a lot of fun. Everyone loves the long summer days filled with sun, hanging by the pool, and enjoying some games with their friends and family. It's especially good for children. This is their time to explore the world, try new things and meet new friends. To make their time at the pool, in the park or at the beach fun, give them some outdoor toys such as a foam plane or a snorkel set and see them go.
Foam Planes
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If you and your kids are fans of the beach and the outdoors, there are plenty of things you can do to entertain yourself. One of the best things you could do is fly a high-performance, colourful foam glider plane. They've been around for a while now and are a favourite among children. The best thing about these planes is that they don’t need batteries or any kind of charging to fly.
Their simple, yet clever design, is what makes them so special. They come in many different sizes, colours and patterns. Some of them are in a basic colour, some of them are made to look like a real plane, some have a mouth drawn in the front, and some have funny faces, geometrical shapes and all sorts of fun patterns.
They have the ability to fly for over 25m. Their wingspan varies as well. It can go from 30-50cm or even more. Their nose and tail are specifically designed to be aerodynamic and fly to far distances. These planes can also perform some aerial stunts with just a simple launch with your hand. They're made of foam and are easy to assemble. There are no tiny parts you can lose or be a safety hazard for your kid.
Just grab the shaft between your thumb and pointer, run for a short distance, toss it into the air and see the magic happen. Besides being fun, these plains can be very beneficial for your child’s development. They help with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The precise movements engage smaller muscle groups in the hands and the fingers. This way they get muscle memory for the next similar task they need to perform.
Hand-to-eye coordination is very important for independence and doing everyday tasks such as brushing their teeth, eating, and buttoning shirts and pants. These planes also boost their imagination because the child can pretend it’s a pilot navigating the plain through some scenarios. It helps them create stories, characters and sceneries that may have never been a part of their life. Plus, they’ll be physically active and learn language skills and communication by sharing their toy with other kids.
Trampoline
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Trampolines are not just made to entertain the kids. They can be a great pastime for adults as well. You and your kids can spend hours outdoors jumping, doing stunts and having fun together. You can never actually outgrow them. But make sure you have enough space in your backyard for it before considering buying one. It can take up a lot of room and get in the way of the moving space.
Level and clear the surface from any obstacles and debris. This way you’ll get a safe environment to dwell in. One of the most common and classical choices is the round trampoline. They come in many sizes and are budget-friendly. But sometimes, you can’t fit more than 3 people at once (which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage).
Square trampolines are bigger and can fit more people at once. They're perfect if you want to practice some flips, twists and turns, or even fly your foam glider plane. But they can be a bit difficult to assemble. Some people consider the oval-shaped ones to be the safest because there are no edges or exposed coils.
If space is a problem, octagonal ones are perfect. They're very sturdy and have a bigger weight capacity. Always make sure you check for the weight capacity, maintenance and safety nets. The answers to these questions will help you make the right decision.
Floats
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When summertime comes, everyone likes to hang by the water, sunbathe and chill by the pool or the ocean. One of the best ways to do this is to invest in floats. They will help your kids relax after a long swimming lesson or when they’re just feeling lazy. These floats should always be strong and constructed from premium materials. PVC is the most popular material since it can tolerate scratches from sharp things and scrapes from pebbles.
Always check the seams on the floats. They should be sturdy and able to handle the weight of the person laying on them. Asking the seller how long it takes for the float to fill up with air is a wise decision. Sometimes it takes a long time, so you have to prepare in advance. Also, check if you’ll need a machine or if you can do it with your lips. Knowing how long it takes for the float to deflate is also useful information.
You can find them in many different shapes, sizes and colours. Flat, bumpy, with pillows and without, with leg holes and cup holders. You can find them printed with every Marvel and DC superhero, all of the popular cartoon characters, shaped like fruits, vegetables and even animals. The choices are basically endless.
Snorkel Set
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source: ourglobetrotters.com |
No summer is complete without some snorkelling and discovering the beauties of the underworld. Besides being fun, snorkelling is also educational and helps children develop some new skills. But to do this, you’ll need to get your kids a snorkelling set. It consists of a mask, snorkel tube and swimming fins. As you know, being safe is the most important thing. So getting the right fit is a must.
The mask should fit the kid perfectly and not have any small spaces where the water can enter and be a choking hazard. The wrong fit will also make the kid feel uncomfortable and ruin the experience. Make sure the materials are sturdy, comfortable and hypoallergenic. Never compromise on quality and always buy the best you can afford. Get them fins that are adjustable and have an open heel. Most of the time these sets come in bags so you can store them properly and carry them with you wherever you go.