Experts say these will be the must-have toys for summer

This adorable crab-shaped sandbox brings beach fun right to your backyard with zero assembly required! The Simplay3 Coastal Crab features built-in seats for comfortable play and a clever lid that doubles as additional play surfaces. Made in the USA (Ohio), this tariff-free treasure is built from weather-resistant double-wall plastic with a tight-fitting cover to keep out unwanted visitors. At 41 inches wide, it provides plenty of space for multiple little ones to develop sensory skills and unleash their creativity together, but not so huge it takes over limited space.

Need a sneaky way to get your little one moving? This cute musical crab is basically baby cardio! The Learning Journey Crawl About Crab scuttles across the floor playing familiar tunes with a tropical twist, practically daring your baby to chase after it. Tap to wake it, press its back, and watch your little one’s determination kick in as they scramble to catch their new crawling buddy. Perfect for the “almost mobile” phase and comes with batteries included (parenting win!). Your floors might never be quiet again, but those gross motor skills will thank you!

Looking for a toy that’s both musical and techy? The Hape Pixel Piano hits all the right notes! This clever keyboard lets little musicians create tunes while an LED light show dances across the colorful pixel display. Kids can follow along with built-in songs or freestyle their own melodies, developing fine motor skills and musical confidence along the way. Made from Hape’s signature eco-friendly materials, it’s durable enough for enthusiastic toddler “concerts” while being simple enough for beginners to master. Perfect for budding composers who want to make music and a light show all at once—just maybe keep some headphones handy for the parents!

Sibling rivalry solved! This double-seater roadster from Step2 lets two tiny drivers cruise together with working steering wheels for both (yes, BOTH get to “drive”). The sturdy build and parent push handle make neighborhood adventures drama-free, while deep footwells and cup holders keep little passengers comfy and hydrated. Perfect for building gross motor skills without the “my turn” meltdowns. Two happy toddlers, one peaceful walk—a mom can dream!

Farm-themed fun that grows with your kiddo! The Battat Barnyard Bowling Set turns living room floors into barnyard bowling alleys with six adorable animal pins just waiting to be knocked down. The lightweight balls are perfect for tiny hands to grip and roll, building coordination and basic math skills as they count their “strikes.” Sturdy enough for toddler-strength throws but soft enough for indoor play (your lamps will thank you), this set provides screen-free entertainment that transitions perfectly from solo play to family game nights. Perfect for rainy days and teaching little ones about taking turns without anyone crying over complicated rules!

New from Melissa & Doug, we can’t say enough great things about Blockables. The innovative holed blocks allow kids to build in multiple ways. The youngest kiddos can stack, sort and knock over like traditional blocks, but as they grow, can get more sophisticated. With the addition of the easy to manipulate connectors, they can build three dimensional animals or get creative by mixing and matching. There’s even a cute little figure who can hitch a ride on their animal of choice! And as if that wasn’t enough, the box itself creates the perfect back drop and is roomy enough for them to put the pieces back themselves.

Instant indoor obstacle course alert! These affordable rainbow-bright balance beams from Battat let kids create their own wobbly adventures—zigzags, circles, or whatever they scheme up. Watch them tiptoe across these sturdy plastic pieces, building core strength while feeling like tiny circus performers. Perfect for rainy day energy burns or those “I do it myself” toddlers. Bonus: when balance mastery is achieved, they double as roads for toy cars or barriers for pretend play.

The Radio Flyer Glider Jr. kicks scooter fun into high gear with wheels that light up with every push—no batteries required! Its three-wheel design gives wobbly beginners the stability they need while building crucial balance skills. The wide, non-slip deck means fewer falls, and the lightweight frame is easy for little riders to maneuver (or for you to carry when those tiny legs inevitably give out). Watch their confidence zoom ahead with their very own rolling light show trailing behind them!

Remember that iconic red and yellow coupe every ’90s kid had? It’s back with a Bluey makeover! The Little Tikes Grannies Car Coupe lets kids channel their inner Janet and Rita while cruising Flinstone-style around the driveway. Made in Ohio (tariff-free!), it features the same legendary durability as the original, plus working doors and a horn for authentic “I slipped on my beans!” adventures. Perfect for developing motor skills while giving Bluey fans their own piece of heeler mischief. Just be warned—you’ll be hearing “Grannies!” shouted across the yard all summer long!

I’ve got three words for you. Reusable water balloons. (And another four: What took so long??) We discovered them on Tik Tok and have to say they’re totally brilliant. The soft silicone design features embedded magnets around the rim that keep water inside. Then, ready, aim, FIRE! They burst open to soak the intended target. Not only are they better for the planet (and your sanity!), they’re also so much easier to fill than actual water balloons. Just dunk in a bucket and they seal themselves. No more “Mom! Will you tie this?” every 20 seconds. For that, we’d pay double.

(While the magnets are securely housed inside the silicone, it’s important to inspect them before use to make sure there isn’t any damage that could allow them to escape. If there is, be sure to discard them!) 

Gym class favorite alert! The Hand2Mind Red Speedway Racer Scooter Board brings that classic PE thrill home with its smooth-gliding wheels and sturdy handles. Kids can zoom across hard floors on their tummies, sit and spin, or practice crab walks while strengthening their core and coordination (stealth exercise at its finest!). The non-marking wheels won’t scratch floors, and the rugged construction stands up to inevitable crashes into furniture. Perfect for burning energy on rainy days when the walls are closing in, or for creating living room obstacle courses when screen time’s over. Just be prepared to take turns—once one kid discovers how far they can glide, everyone will want a ride!

Forget scissors and box cutters—this kid-safe power tool turns cardboard chaos into creative gold! Featured on Shark Tank, the ChompSaw lets kids safely cut cardboard with precision while keeping fingers completely protected. Parents love the thoughtful safety features that allow “hands-off” supervision, while kids go wild building everything from epic forts to detailed dioramas. Perfect for teaching STEM skills while upcycling all those Amazon boxes cluttering your home. Warning: may cause severe decreases in screen time and spontaneous outbursts of “Look what I made!” Just be prepared for cardboard creations to take over every flat surface in your house!

Magnetic building with a tropical twist! These colorful, flexible magnetic pieces transform from flat shapes into vibrant 3D birds with actual wing-flapping action Clixo. Kids can create everything from hummingbirds to toucans without instructions, making them perfect for creative play anywhere. We love them for travel, since they’re a great quiet time/screen free activity and are super lightweight. Toss them in your bag for instant entertainment during restaurant waits, hotel stays, or those inevitable “are we there yet?” moments. The ultimate travel companion that sparks imagination instead of draining it!