KID'S SUMMER HOLIDAYS MUST-HAVES

2 hours ago
7 min read

Our Tried and Tested Guide to the Toys, Games & Clothes to See you Through the Summer

We've scoured Blighty for our tried and tested guide to the must-have kid's essentials to power you through the summer holidays and beyond.

From the ultimate water toys, to ingenious gadgets, roller skates, unique beach goodies, portable fun to keep them entertained on journeys and holidays, cooling treats, slushy makers and everything you need to keep them off their screens to have fun in the sun.

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Rio Roller Mayhem II Quad Roller Skates

Find a partner who looks at you the way we look at these insanely cool roller skates.

Inspired by the '90s skate scene, Rio's most loved roller derby-style skate has been given a stunning makeover, with a chequered design and vibrant green leather, emblazoned with the famous, Rio signature print.

Our thrilled little tester found them light, durable and comfortable (thanks to the Hi-Impact Chassis and aluminium trucks) ensuring he was in control at all times. A cheeky bonus for parents with excited kids gliding around the house this summer, is that Rio's exclusive truck design prevents the axles from protruding and damaging floors. This is a turbo-cool gift which will make their summer, and get them off the screens

BUY FROM SKATES.CO.UK £89.95

Photo Creator - Digital Waterproof Camera

Make a splash this summer, with this 12 MP waterproof camera.

Made for little hands and big imaginations, our testers were amazed that they could capture videos and images up to three meters deep.

Handily, for slippery little mitts, the camera floats when dropped and has an easy grip design, so can't be lost on your Easter hols. It boasts a flash, rechargeable batteries and a nice big screen.

And they can also jazz up their pics with 20+ cool frames and filters. It even comes with a 16GB SD card, so you don't need to worry about running out of storage space - often an issue with snap-happy sproglets.

BUY FROM VERY. £34.99

Toyrific - Aqua Blaster Electric Water Gun

This is the water-firing weapon you need in your summer holidays arsenal, with an impressive 10 metre shooting range.

Our soggy testers have been giving the heat wave a run for its money almost daily with their Aqua Blasters.

You can enjoy rapid fire power with the electric mode or switch to manual pumping for an old school water fight.

They loved its large capacity - 200 shots per tank, fact fans - which meant fewer, buzz-killing water refills and more soaking.

You can reload by filling the tank, or by pressing the reload button for it to suck water into it from a bucket.

Hours of soaking fun this summer.

BUY FROM TOYRIFIC £29.99

Build-a-Bear Stuffing Station Set

It doesn’t get much more squeal-inducing than their very own Build-a-Bear workshop.

This brilliant value kit is super easy and designed for little hands to make two bears, using a push-pump stuffing station.

They can personalise their own fur baby, by kissing the hearts before sealing them inside, dressing them in two outfits and giving them a naming ceremony with their birth certificates.

It’s a magical way to create their bespoke teddy, using a station designed to look just like the in-store workshop stuffing stations, complete with flashing lights.

It’s the perfect magical, memory-making gift for the summer.

BUY FROM CASDON £35

Canal Toys - Video Walkie Talkies

This ingenious toy takes walkie talkies to the next level - now you can see as well as hear your chums.

Our testers also loved the 20 hilarious video filters - from dogs and unicorns to astronauts - and the five bonkers voice-changing effects, from robot and monster to baby.

And they can switch between video (for up to 300M) and speaker mode, for long distance laughs.

Handily, it doesn't require any internet connection and comes with rechargeable batteries.

It's the ultimate tool for your garden adventurers to maintain radio contact over the long Summer holidays.

BUY FROM AMAZON. £29.99

12 Posca Pens and Pouch

The summer fun your kids can have with these clever pens is as limitless as their imaginations.

Whether it’s customising trainers, bags, window murals, ceramic decoration, or art or craft projects, the fade-proof, water-resistant acrylic is designed to work on most surfaces.

As the paint is in the pens, the water based acrylic doesn’t bleed, so you can layer when dry and blend when wet to create the perfect shades.

This pack includes 11 medium markers (red, white, yellow, pink, violet, green, blue, black, apricot, silver and gold), plus one 7M bold black paint marker for those bolder outlines.

It also includes a handy, POSCA branded pen pouch.

BUY FROM HOBBYCRAFT £32.99

Thermos UK - Woody Water bottle

With Toy Story mania taking over ahead of the latest movie in the series, this is the ultimate water bottle for the little Andy in your life.

This bottle will hydrate them to infinity and beyond, featuring a gorgeous Woody on the 470ml insulated bottle, which combines best-in-class temperature retention with kid-friendly flip lids, hygienic spouts, and easy-carry handles.

Fans can collect the whole gang, from Buzz to Jessie and Alien.

BUY FROM THERMOS UK £25

Brainstorm Toys - Metal Detector

This lightweight and easy to use beginner's metal detector will see your kids through the summer holidays, at home and beyond.

Our little explorers lost hours, trying to find hidden coins in the garden. And it's the ultimate companion for walks and beach trips, with excited squeals at each beep and flashing light, to see what treasure they will unearth.

It can also be used in handheld mode, for up-close hunting and is an exciting way to get curious little minds and legs outdoors.

BUY FROM HAMLEYS £22

Bitzee Dog House

Trust us, this ingenious interactive pet will save your ears from the “I’m bored” wails, this summer.

Spin Master’s impossibly cute dog house contains 15 puppies they can collect, through love and care, and each pooch responds to touch and movement with noises and reactions.

Play inside the 3D playroom, tap to show your virtual pets love, give them a bath, shake away fleas, watch them eat from their 3D bowl or curl up on the 3D bed.

Our little tester fell in love with his pawsome pet collection, earning collars to customise them and toys to play assorted games.

If you have a pair of these, you can even connect with friend for doggie playdates and two-player fun.

It’s an innovative twist on the much-loved Nineties toy, which teaches children to care and look after others and keeps them quiet for a fabulously long time.

BUY FROM AMAZON. £20

Grass & Air - Colour Changing Sandals

These clever, colour changing sandals are the ultimate partners for land and water adventures this summer.

Our tiny testers delighted in splashing about in rock pools and watching the sun motif transform from white to multicolours.

The velcro shoes are easy for little fingers to take on and off and have super grippy soles.

And they come in a range of colours - from cornflower, ochre, rose and orange to peach and pistachio - to coordinate with their Sun + Swim range.

BUY FROM Grass & Air £18

Bling2o Shark Megamouth Swim Goggles

These shark themed goggles are a fin-tastic way to inject some fun into kids' swimming adventures, this summer.

The new design features shark teeth, a handy back clip, and they're 100% silicone and latex-free, with a lens that offers maximum UV protection and an anti-fog coating.

Ours couldn't wait to go back in the water, in these bad boys.

BUY FROM BLING2O £19

Light up Rubik’s cube

This brilliant twist on the classic puzzle invites you to solve the light-up challenge in just one minute, or it’s lights out.

It looks like a snazzy, mirrored disco cube until you turn it on, when the colours appear to start the game.

The colours pulse during your 60 seconds and flash more quickly as your time begins to run out, creating a sense of peril and excitement.

If - like us - you need more time, you can press the timer control to add extra seconds or hold for a new round.

Spoiler - we have yet to complete it, but we are not giving up.

BUY FROM AMAZON £17.99

Build-a-Bear Carrier

Prepare for your heart to melt into a hot puddle, when you see your little one carrying their cuddly companions in this multi-way bear carrier.

Suitable for teddies up to 16 inches, it includes an accessory pouch, pawsport, play drink and hat for on-the-go fun.

As little ones snap and buckle their furry friend in, they’ll build fine motor skills and spark imaginative storytelling on every adventure.

It’s an ingenious toy to encourage them to leave the house on trips, playing mum/dad to take their furry charge..

BUY FROM CASDON £15

Aqua Blaster - The Zuka

This powerful hand cannon launches soft, wet balls with an exciting, pump action blast.

Our testers were obsessed with their Zukas, which come with six reusable cotton balls that are gentle on impact, and can be used dry or wet for extra power but safe impact.

Its simple pull and shoot mechanism is easy for all ages (6+) and its lightweight, durable build makes it easy for kids to carry, aim and fire during fast paced play.

BUY FROM TOYRIFIC £12.99

Foooty

Grab, click and play with this clever, pocket-sized football.

This innovative 2D design can be played with like LEGO, to easily construct a gaggle of 3D ball shapes in blue, green, red or white.

And the beautiful game can then take place inside or outside, without carting a heavy ball about.

It’s the perfect toy this summer, which won’t take up suitcase space and will keep them entertained in the garden, on the beach and literally anywhere they can kick a ball this summer.

BUY FROM SMARTTOYSANDGAMESUK £11.99