Fun in the Sun: Innovative Outdoor Toy Trends Perfect for Summer | Pamela Brill

There’s no sugarcoating it: It’s a tough time in the toy industry these days. As the tariff war continues to play out, threatening layoffs, severely diminished profits and possible company closings, toy makers and retailers have their hands full.

That’s why we’ve decided to take a much-needed reprieve from the endless cycles of troubling news and head outside. Tapping into what’s trending in outdoor toys, we highlight the latest innovations, so you can provide your customers with the joy they really need right now.

Big Kid Fun. “There’s a renewed focus on getting people of all ages moving, playing and disconnecting from screens — even if it’s only for a few minutes of fun,” said Sue Warfield, president of Astra, whose annual Marketplace is taking place this month. “Scooters and bubbles are huge among our members right now, along with innovative variations of retro classic games like cornhole and basketball hoops.”

Offering the ultimate outdoor sports experience is RallyHoops, a basketball and volleyball mash-up designed by four brothers from Long Island, New York, who grew up playing backyard games. This portable, easy-to-assemble kit works as well in the yard or the park as it does on the beach. For families who love playing together outside, The Original Koosh Kornhole from PlayMonster puts a fresh spin on an old-fashioned game with colorful Koosh balls that are easy to toss. In honor of baby shower season, kidults can add a special pop of color to gender-reveal parties with PoppinColorz BlabberMouth Color Bubble Blaster from South Beach Bubbles. Choose either pink or blue bubbles and launch the blaster to announce the good news to friends and family in a unique way.

Pumped to Play. The inflatable toy category has been blowing up big time – no pun intended – and pool floats are especially hot right now. This year, it will be safe to go into the water with the Jaws 50^th Anniversary Giant Shark Pool Float from BigMouth. Or take a spin atop a Rice Krispies Treat Pool Float from Sunny Days Entertainment, where breakfast cereal never gets soggy. Retailers can entice summer moviegoers with the SwimWays Stitch Suntanner Pool Float, sporting the little alien from Disney who’s ready to surf. (Merchandising tip: Inflate one of these and let it take over your store window display for the summer.)

It’s in the Air! Enhance your inventory of discs and bouncy balls with a fresh assortment promising high-flying adventures.  Kids can throw, bounce and catch the Aerobie Bounce Disc from SpinMaster in one fell swoop, as they master complex moves solo or with friends. Football fans can get in on some pre-season fun with the Nerf Lightstrike Vortex Aero Howler Foam Football from Franklin Sports and Hasbro. This light-up football illuminates when tapped and shuts off when not in use, making nighttime passes a blast. For the funkiest game of catch, the Doinkit Ball from Marky Sparky Toys features flexible, arrow-shaped springs that make it easy to kick, throw, catch, roll and even juggle.

Sand and Deliver. Even if your store isn’t located in a vacation destination, consider these picks that work just well in the sandbox as they do on the shoreline. The Bluey Jumbo Sand Doll Art activity kit from Horizon Group USA, is packaged with a mega-sized mold of the beloved Aussie pup, seven bags of colorful sands, a shovel and funnel for tons of fun. The Sandy Chef Beach Cooking Play Set from Hape comes with all the essentials, including fish and octopus molds, to whip up pretend food that goes beyond basic sand-wiches.