Get the Kids Playing With Summer Outdoor Toys

What is more enjoyable than watching your kids play outdoors in the summer? You sit out with them and are able to see all their antics along with hearing their laughter. It is nice to see them having so much fun while playing. The kids are so imaginable with their use of their outdoor toys.

They believe that the backyard is anything but a backyard. It is a sports arena, an expressway full of cars, or the beach. Their adventures all depend on the toys they have and the setup of your backyard.

The yard is not the only place you get to see your kids play in the summer though. You go to the lake or the beach too. Of course you may also have a pool in your yard too. Whichever the setting is for water fun, your kids will splash, laugh, and thoroughly enjoy the day.

Now you can find toys for any of these scenarios to enhance your kid's fun today. You have the riding toys, some motorized some not, if they want to pretend they are traveling or a race car driver. You have plenty of sport-themed games your kids can play, anything from golf to soccer.

Then there are the monkey bars for climbing on, they can pretend they are going up a mountain even. The kids are so funny when they reach the top; it is such a victory for them. We forget how wondrous it is to be a child playing.

Then with all the pool toys you can buy today, they will never want to come out of the water. They can use things to help them float, chase things that swim through the water, or even bounce a ball off the water. There is even a trampoline the floats!

Floats have been around for years but the floats today come in versions that hold more than one person. Your child and their friends can all get on the multi-person version. In fact this version will even hold adults.

There are all sorts of dashers the travel through the water for the kids to swim with. These come in a variety of fish species, turtles, and other creatures. Let's not forget to mention the water game versions of popular sports such as basketball.

A neat ball is out today that actually bounces off of water. Can you believe that? Well do because it does. The kids will have all sorts of fun throwing this ball and trying to catch it.

If your kids love to jump around a bunch combine this with their love of water. You do this by getting them floating trampoline. They can get on this while in the water whether it be the pool, lake, or at the beach and jump. Of course you should be nearby to make sure they are safe while having fun on it.

These are just some of the ideas of toys that can provide your kids with outdoor summer fun. You will find many more things to choose from while you are shopping. Happy summer fun!

Safety Tips For Ride On Toys

There are many places on the internet you can find a ride on toy or pedal car as they are also called to buy. Children love them and can easily spends hours in the garden riding their new toy to their hearts content. Mum and Dad are now even greater than they thought before hand with their new outdoor toy. There are though, several safety aspects to take into consideration with a ride on toy as well as other outdoor toys available for your children.

Even though there are a great range of pedal cars available, they all share the same characteristics and what they function. There are some areas to take into consideration before allowing your children on their new pedal car.

The first is to make sure you are always around when children are playing on their ride on, as it can be very easy for children to fall off, especially if they get over excited or speeding around the garden. It can be very easy for children to want to show off their new toy to brothers, sisters, friends or relatives.

Only one child should be on a ride on toy at the same time so no additional children holding on, standing on the back depending on the model. As well as possible slipping off, the ride on can easily become unstable and tip over.

Do not allow children to push their brother, sister or friend on their ride on toy as it can be very easy for them to slip, fall and knock their mouth or head on the child riding the toy or the toy itself. Pedal cars are as they are called, pedal powered so pushing a child on a ride on can cause the pedals to rotate to fast and catch children's feet in between the pedal arms and the ride on itself.

Do not allow children to ride their toy in areas which could be dangerous such as near a road, other children riding about or where items such as washing lines could entangle a child.

It can be a good idea to lock gates, block paths with dustbins or similar if you need to go indoors and leave the children riding in the garden for a short period of time, although not recommended.

Aside from the points above, ride of toys are a source of fun for many children and a good way to get them outdoors in the fresh air. They also provide good exercise and much more beneficial than sitting in front of the latest games console.

With the range of superb detailed pedal toys available, you have many choices to give way to being the greatest parents in your childrens eyes.

Pacific Playtents Tent - Dragon Lair

Product Details

Stimulate the imagination for creative playtime. Made of durable 70 Denier 190T Polyester, and our exclusive "G-3" patented pole system. Color coded poles makes for easy assembly. Two roll-up zippered doors and two windows with roll-up flaps. Tunnel port comes with roll-up flaps that secure with Velcro tabs. Comes complete with it's own carry bag and can be easily maintained by cleaning it with warm water and mild soap. Size: 58" x 58" x 48" High.

• Poles are color coded for easy assembly
• Made of durable 70 denier nylon
• Inspires creativity and imagination
• Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 Years and Up
• Number of Players: 1 or More Players
• Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With Soap and Water
• Dimensions: Length: 58.0 "; Height: 58.0 "; Width: 48.0 "
• Product Weight: 6.0 Lb.

Unique Gifts You Can Make at Home

Tired of buying those same old tired gifts? Have you looked at the same old online stores and in those mega malls unable to find anything, new, exciting or inspiring? This article may broaden your gift giving horizons. You have to think out side of the box sometimes to find inspiring gifts.

Sometimes gifts that you make yourself are better than ones you can buy at the store. You can be creative and personalize a gift for a family member or loved one. Going to the local arts and craft store can provide some options. They have crafts for every budget and skill level.

Do you know that you can have a child create a book that can be published? The Disney Channel Store offers a kit that children can use at home. They write the story and add illustrations. They send the book back the Disney Channel Store. In a few weeks they will receive a hardbound finished product that they created all on their own. It will be a keepsake that they will cherish for years.

You can create the gift of food. You can put together a basket of food items and a recipe how to make a certain food that they like. In addition the creation of a family cookbook will be a present that you can give to all of the members of your family. Ask them to send a few of their favorite recipes. Type them in and add some pictures in a word processing program. Print it out and attach a dollar store set of measuring cups to it for a special touch. People will love and use it for years.

How about naming a star after a child? You can buy a kit online that you can put the name of a special child and send back in the company will send you back a certificate with the coordinates of the star that has been named for your child.

What do you get for people that seem to have everything under the sun? Donate money in their name to their favorite charity. Send them a card with how much they donated. They will really appreciate the gesture that you have made in their behalf.

How about making a scrapbook? This can be a family scrap book or a scrapbook commemorating a special even like a family reunion. If you make it simple enough you can copy it a copy shop and send it to multiple family members and friends. If you want to make on special book you can decorate it inside and out.

If you forgot to buy a gift for a special occasion, why not take the flowers and press them. They can be put in a frame after they have dried as a beautiful reminder of the event.

How about creating a mug, tshirt or mouse pad with a picture on it. You can buy kits at your local computer supply store or you can go to your film developer and have them do it. This is a special gift that they will not only use but will remind them of loved ones and fond memories.

Step2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage

Product Details

Step2 Naturally Playful StoryBook CottageStep2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage is an outdoor play station that provides years of fun for toddler and up children.  The StoryBook Cottage has a full length door for easy access with a small door under the "chimney" which is crawl through "tunnel".  The double wall poly construction will last for years of enjoyment.  It also permits the interaction of several children at once.

• Design features a decorative "thatched" roof and charming windows (one window includes working shutters)
• Interior details include drop-leaf table, kitchenette, pretend clock with movable hands and an electronic phone
• Door includes a working doorbell
• Adult assembly required
• Accessories sold separately

Bazoongi PS-WFH Woodland Fairy Home Play Structure

Product Details

Fun bright colors fuel kids' imaginations for hours of indoor play.Features:Quick, easy assemblyEasy entry doorwayFloor detaches for quick easy clean-upsPackaged in color box with handleSpecifications:Size: 55" H x 48" DiaFabric: 100 percent spun-bondedPadding: 100 percent polyester hollow fill-fiberFrame: Patented fiberglass poles with protective plastic coatingTesting: All tents meet flammability requirements ASTM-F963 specifications, but are NOT fire Proof. All non-woven fabrics and hollow-fill fiber meet CPAI-84.

• Quick, easy assembly
• Easy entry doorway
• Floor detaches for quick easy clean-ups
• Packaged in color box with handleSpecifications:
• Size: 55" H x 48" Dia

DISNEY PRINCESS COOLER BAG

Product Details

• LARGE CENTER INSULATED COMPARTMENT
• TWO SIDE ACCESSORY POCKETS
• SHOULDER STRAP FOR EASY CARRYING

Bazoongi KC-RED Lil' Red Barn Kids Cottage

Product Details

Home-sweet-home with open and shut doors and windows, perfect for peekaboo fun.Features:Quick, easy assemblyPadded door, shutters and roofFloor detaches for quick easy clean-upsPackaged in an easy to carry color box with handleSpecifications:Size: 44" L x 30" H x 38" WBody: 100 percent spun-bondedRoof: 100 percent preshrunk cotton (indoor only)Padding: 100 percent polyester hollow-fill fiberFrame: Patented fiberglass poles with protective plastic coatingTesting: All tents meet flammability requirements ASTM-F963 specifications, but are NOT fire Proof. All non-woven fabrics and hollow-fill fiber meet CPAI-84.

• Quick, easy assembly
• Padded door, shutters and roof
• Floor detaches for quick easy clean-ups
• Packaged in an easy to carry color box with handleSpecifications:
• Size: 44" L x 30" H x 38" W

How to Weather Your Model Tank

If you have just assembled several model tanks and you have been looking for a way to work them into a great looking diorama then you might want to try weathering your tanks. This can make them look like they have been out in the field for awhile and have taken a pounding in battle. While it is not difficult to do it can take a little imagination and some forethought. When they are finished, however, they will look great rather than looking like they just rolled off of some assembly line.

The first thing you will need to do is to gather your supplies. Some of these include a few different earth tone paints (browns, dark reds, greens, etc), a couple soft brushes and some water. Begin by painting your tanks as you normally would. Make sure, however, that you do not need to do is to cover every spot. If you miss spots here and there or let the paint go on a bit thin it will help to achieve the weathering effect. This will help any rust spots that you add to stand out from the rest of the paint. Once you have the tanks painted you can set them to the side and get your other paints ready.

You will now need to prepare a wash. This is a very thin paint that goes on almost clear and can take several layers to build up to the level of opacity that you are trying to achieve. One thing you will not want to do is to leave to much paint behind or it will completely cover up your base coat. Dip your brush into the paint that you wish to begin with and then dip it into a small container of water. Let the ink wash off into the water completely. You will want to repeat this process until the water is more than a little cloudy.

This wash can then be applied to the tanks after they have thoroughly dried. Draw a small amount of the wash into a brush and lay it onto the spot you are trying to make look rusted. Do not let the brush release too much of the wash or you will end up with it all over your model. Start out with a darker wash for the center of the rusted area and allow each layer to dry. As you add each additional layer add more water to the wash to lighten and thin it and work your way outward.

The more rusting you add the more weathered your tanks can look. If the tanks are any color other than a primer gray when you begin you might consider adding this primer. This can make it look as if the steel of the tank is showing through the paint job.

Pacific Play Tents PAC_20003 Sunburst Lil' Nursery - New

Product Details

Create a cozy space for tots to play or simply doze with this portable shelter. Made of flame-retardant 70 denier nylon, it's durable and easy to clean. Polyethylene floor keeps kids dry and clean from outdoor ground, and shock-corded poles make for easy set up. Two mesh side panels allow air to circulate and offer added viewability for parents. Features Ideal portable shelter for your baby Roll-down front mesh door with velcro closure Side mesh panel for flow through ventilation UV treated and SPF 30 rated Durable, easy to clean waterproof polyethylene floor Carry bag included Dimensions - 36 x 36 x 36 inches

• Ideal portable shelter for your baby
• Roll-down front mesh door with velcro closure
• Side mesh panel for flow through ventilation
• UV treated and SPF 30 rated
• Durable, easy to clean waterproof polyethylene floor

Wooden Playhouses For Outdoor Fun

Wooden playhouses could be just the thing you have been looking for. Playhouses are the key to every child's imagination. They are easy to assemble, easy to look after and can be your kid's special place to go with their toys in good or bad weather. A wooden playhouse can be painted and decorated to match your kids interests and can hold a lot of toys and games freeing up valuable space in your house.

Outdoor play is very important for a child's development and to ensure they get enough exercise. Wooden playhouses will unlock your child's imagination along with their friends during the long summer holidays when they need a lot of interesting things to be doing so they don't suffer from the dreaded and tantrum starting boredom.

Wooden playhouses can be used by both boys and girls and can become and play kitchen, fortress, army base, secret den or hidden cave, the uses are endless. A playhouse can come in a massive variety of shapes and sizes and themes and are easy to put together and will last for many years with only a little maintenance in the form of wood weather protector or paint.

Wooden playhouses can be tucked away in the corner of the garden and will blend in with the surroundings a lot better than metal play equipment such as swings, climbing frames and slides. They also could be made into the main feature in your back garden and as your child grows so can the playhouse with add-ons such as wooden climbing frames, extensions or another playhouse. A wooden climbing frame would be an ideal place for your child to develop their sense of safe play, strength and a brilliant place to show off their climbing skills.

Wooden playhouses can be for everyday use but can also be fantastic and memorable places for special occasions such as a tea party with best friends, birthday parties and a place to open Christmas presents with lots of Christmas decorations making the playhouse into a winter wonderland or Santa's grotto, the possibilities are endless and don't have to be restricted to summer.

If you have a little one and struggle to find or afford enough activities to keep them happy and occupied during the long summer months the a wooden playhouse could be the answer you have been looking for, they will give your child a great start in life and will help them get plenty of fresh air, exercise and is a great place for them to socialize with friends and all while in the safety of your back garden where you can keep a caring eye on them.

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town

Product Details

This playhouse has so many different themes to play with that your kids will have years of interesting role play to try out. With an "around the town" theme, four different themes play themselves out on the four different walls of the playhouse, and even those can be flexible! The interior walls have even more details in molded plastic, including a kitchenette, workshop and bank. Seven game ideas are included for the "sports" theme wall. Measures 55"L x 48.8"W x 58"H when complete. Adult supervision required.

• Four different walls with play features
• Sports wall with ball, Schoolhouse/Firehouse with table and chalkboard
• Gas Sataion wall includes a gas pumper
• Grocer Store/Bank wall has a drive up window