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Let them run their batteries down while you take a minute to recharge.

I've been a BuzzFeed Contributor since 2020 and I'm always on the lookout for products that are the perfect blend of form and function — especially if it's in the realms of parenting, travel, and home goods and décor.

Promising review: "These water balloons have been a huge hit with my 5- and 8-year-old kids! These balloons are perfect for summer fun, whether we're at the pool, beach, or just in the backyard. The magnetic self-sealing feature makes them super easy to use — no more struggling with tying knots. My fingers thank you! The balloons are bright and colorful, and they seem pretty durable, although after a lot of play, a couple showed minor signs of wear. I love that they're reusable, which means less plastic waste and more value for the money. My kids can’t get enough of them, and they provide hours of entertainment. These are definitely a must-have for any family looking to add some eco-friendly fun to their outdoor activities! I first thought was, 'Wow, HOW MUCH am I paying for these???' Now, I say, 'TAKE MY MONEY' — figuratively, of course." —Josie Bello

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $29.99 (also available in packs of 4, 6, 16, and 18).

Promising review: "We found these to be a lot of fun for the kids while outside in the garden. They made some mud pies and used leaves and sticks to customize the animal bodies. This kept my kids busy finding the right plants to use. Great for ages 3+ – even my 10-year-old was having fun making animals." —Yvonne Fredlake

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "We bought this set for when our grandkids' visit. It only took a few minutes to set up and the kids, ages 6, 7 and 9, were having fun in no time. It kept them busy for over an hour. Maybe next time we’ll learn the rules of the game." —Degan

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "We all love it, especially the grandkids. The pieces are sturdy can be moved easily and the door opens. Let your imagination go wild. Helps kids pretend and tell stories." —Natausha

Promising review: "⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. This bubble machine is fantastic and so much fun! It’s durable, easy to use, and produces an impressive amount of bubbles—definitely fills the area quickly with big, beautiful bubbles. The automatic function works smoothly, making it perfect for kids’ parties, outdoor play, or events. It feels well-made and runs consistently without issues. Great performance and endless entertainment—highly recommend!" —Obie Cinturon

Get it from Amazon for $23.59+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "This product was very easy to use and comes with literally everything you can think of to make great tie dye projects. There is so much dye in this kit that you can have fun creating items over and over. We had children from 3–15 doing this together and had an awesome time. Happy childrens faces makes this an even better product. Came with aprons and gloves to control the mess and keep the dye off little hands. Definitely recommend this for any age of kids 3 and over and is great fun for adults as well. Worth the buy for some great entertainment!" —Josh

Promising review: "My 2 and 4 year old grandsons love this! Perfect size for their age group. We don’t have much grassy area in our yard, so the smaller sized set was ideal for us. It’s very sturdy - never pulls off the ground. Easy to assemble. And the swings are low enough that younger kids can easily get on and off. Great purchase. Hours of fun!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "If you are looking for some cheap summertime entertainment for your kids, this does not disappoint! At first, I had a hard time attaching it to our hose because I thought it needed to be tightened more, but I found out when turning the water on that you do not have to thread it all the way for it to work just fine! After hooking it up, we actually hung it over our kiddie fence so that it would spray water into our little kiddie pool, and the kids can't get enough of it! The little worms are cute, and the colors are vibrant. You can adjust the water pressure of the sprinkler by turning your water spigot handle. Great purchase, especially for the price!" —Maegen

Promising review: "My child absolutely loves the Nerf Vortex Aero Howler Foam Ball! This foam ball has provided endless hours of fun and excitement. Its unique design allows it to soar through the air with a satisfying howling sound, making every throw a thrilling experience. The soft foam material ensures safe play, making it perfect for kids of all ages. It's a great way to encourage outdoor activity and friendly competition." —Drippy

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "The tails of this are super long and look really pretty when it flies. Kids loved learning to fly it. They are a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. They were able to get it flying with help from mom and dad. It's their first kites. They had a blast! Easy to put together seems durable put together well." —Seattle Super Shopper

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in nine designs).

Promising review: "Bought this for my godson who is 5 years old. He played with it for hours! The rockets can shoot off any angle and with enough stomp force they go far! More than 50 feet! Great exercise and competition too!" —Lenore

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three models).

Promising review: "Perfect gift for 2 year old! Hours and hours of fun." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "These kids’ safari binoculars are a big hit! They’re lightweight, easy to use, and the perfect size for small hands. My child loves using them for outdoor play, nature walks, and pretend adventures. They’re durable enough to handle drops and still work great. A fun way to encourage imagination and exploration — great toy for curious kids!" —Abbie

Promising review: "This playhouse is absolutely charming. The bright blue color looks great in the yard, and the design has that classic Little Tikes quality—solid, durable, and built to last. Assembly was simple, and once set up, it feels very stable. The doors and windows open smoothly, and the size is perfect for little ones to play, imagine, and create their own adventures. It has quickly become a favorite spot for pretend play, and it keeps the kids entertained for hours. A fantastic choice for anyone looking to add a fun, safe, and long‑lasting playhouse to their home." —KRLOS90

Get it from Amazon for $139 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "I cannot begin to describe how stinkin’ cute this little golf club set it. My little guy is 20 months so for now he LOVES just hoofin’ it around with him like he’s a caddie. It comes with a good amount of plastic golf balls that you can pop right into the holder, as well as some plastic tees and some faux putting holes complete with little flags. I am in love with these and hopefully soon my son will love their actual function. Great gift for any kid, especially if there is some golf enthusiasts in the family." —Erin

Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two colors, with or without a mat).

Promising review: "Must have in every backyard! Looks great, easy to put together, and keeps the child entertained for a very long time. Not sure how we went without it before! We use it so often, and it’s great for play dates as well. So worth it!" —Val

Promising review: "Toddler recipient LOVES this. Sturdy and just the right size. Went immediately to the watering can and filled it with hose to water flowers. Played non-stop for over an hour with the various tools." —Prime Member

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in seven colors). 

Promising review: "Perfect sidewalk chalk for little kids. Keeps my 2- and 3-year-old entertained for hours and has been a summer staple for us. The colors are bright, fun, and easy for toddlers to hold. Best part is the cleanup—washes off sidewalks easily and comes out of clothes with no issues. Simple, cute, and parent-approved. Definitely a must-have." —RealMomReviews

Get it from Amazon for $30.95 (available in three types).

Promising review: "I bought this game for my son because it's a part of my childhood. I had it and played it with my family. When I saw it on Amazon, I didn't think twice about buying it. I doubted its quality would be weak, but I was wrong. It's exactly like my childhood. Very sturdy, practical, and has beautiful colors. We love this game; my son loves it. A great game to keep kids active and entertained. I recommend it 200%." —Leen

Get it from Amazon for $23.36+ (available in four quantities).

Promising review: "I recently got the coolest toy ever for the kiddos, and they are absolutely obsessed with it! This glow-in-the-dark basketball 🏀 is a total game changer for nighttime fun. We set up a hoop in the backyard, and they played for hours, laughing and running around. It's so fun watching the ball light up as they shoot, making it easy to see even in the dark. I'm so glad I got this; it's the perfect way to get them active and entertained! #glowinthedark #basketball #kidsfun #nighttimeplay" —Bbsprite

Get it from Amazin for $30.99+ (available in three sizes, two materials, and in various bundles).

Promising review: "Bought this for my granddaughter and her friends to play with on the beach. They LOVED it! They took turns and played for hours. It was a great purchase!" —CarolBern

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "My kids love this cute set and play for hours. The plastic is hard and durable. Good value for the money." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "This is such a fun toy! My son absolutely loves the Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper. It’s safe, lightweight, and perfect for kids to burn off energy indoors or outside. The foam base makes it gentle on floors, and the squeaky sound adds extra excitement. Highly recommend for active little ones!" —A. Vidal

Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 12 colors).

Promising review: "Adorable dino splash pad and pool. My son LOVES this thing and it keeps a toddler entertained for hours which is a feat in itself. It’s bigger than I expected and a really good deal for the price. His favorite parts are the slide and the dinosaur basketball hoop. He takes the dino hoop inside and plays with it separately as well." —AK

Get it from Amazon for $24.62+ (available in 14 styles).

Promising review: "The boomerang for kids has been a really fun outdoor toy. It’s lightweight and made of soft foam, so it feels safe for kids to throw and catch. After a little practice, it actually does circle back like a real boomerang, which makes it really exciting to use. It’s a great way to get kids outside and active, whether they’re playing in the backyard, park, or beach. Overall, it’s simple, durable, and a fun toy that keeps kids entertained." —Cesley Terrell

Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "My daughter LOVES bugs! So I got this for her for her birthday. She loves it! She now can catch the bugs and look at them through the magnifying glass. Keeps her entertained for hours!" —Brittany

Promising review: "I’m always looking for a game that is easy set up, tear down and for all to play. This game is just that. We spent hours outside playing. The material is nice, not flimsy. The game can be set up and moved around for older or younger kids. It’s easy to customize, move around and make new and fun rules with the game. The generic primary color wheel colors on this make it gender neutral. All parts were included and it’s easy to store for the next time." —Noah & Rosi Sherrer

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Plus sun hats, swim accessories, pool safety essentials, and finds from Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.