When growing up, my brothers and I would often get stir crazy during school vacations or when the district closed school for a week during a blizzard. There were even a few hurricanes and we were at home for an extended length of time. Our parents would get fed up with our fighting and would tell us to “take it outside.”
Now that your whole family is spending more time than expected inside, if you’re kids are getting antsy and ready to pummel each other, give them one of these toys and let them! Each of these toys is a fun and safe way to let off some steam. (Tip for grown-ups: It may even be something you may want to use with your partner if they end up driving you crazy, too!)
ZAX (ZING TOYS)
While Zax looks like an axe, the toy is made out of pliable foam with three foam suction cups on the “blade.” And although the suction cups stick to most flat surfaces, they won’t stick to humans, so it discourages kids from throwing them at each other. Kids can toss the ax and get it to stick to a wall, floor, or target, whether they’re playing inside or outside. Grab a piece of plywood and draw a goal they can aim at for points and competitions. Either way, they can let ‘er rip — and not at each other.
Ages: 5+
MSRP: $9.99
WARRIOR’S MARK THROWING BLADES (TOYSMITH)Â
If throwing an axe is not the preferred way to solve disagreements, how about a throwing blade instead? The third item in Toysmith’s Warrior’s Mark series is inspired by ancient chakram. However, the rings are foam-based and kid-safe. They stick to the target and not valuable body parts.
The set includes a 26-inch, easy-fold target; two foam throwing blades for duels; a suction cup, a door hanger, and a storage bag. Therefore, it can be used inside or outside — depending on your tolerance level for how much your kids are fighting (or how much you are fighting with your kids).
Ages: 6+
MSRP: $24.99
WUBBLE RUMBLERS (NSI INTERNATIONAL)
Rather than letting your kids duke it out directly, give each of them a Wubble Rumblers Ninja or Wubble Rumblers Fist. These may be the ultimate accessory for play fighting. Make the Ninja jump, leap and perform acrobatic feats as you battle it out over who ate the last cookie. Play solo with the fist and Ninja combination. Alternatively, use two ninjas or two fists. From the makers of the Super Wubble Bubble Ball, these inflatables are squishy, squashy, super soft, and 400-times more elastic than a typical inflatable! Bonus for parents: They inflate quickly with the included nozzle.
Ages: 6+
MSRP: $12.99
NERF ULTRA TWO BLASTER (HASBRO)
This blaster has a six-dart cylinder. Though it may only hold six foam darts at a time, it features fast-back reloading, and the darts fly up to 120 feet. While kids may want to have a Nerf blaster with bigger capacity, this makes them work for it since they have to stop, run around, and find the darts to reload. It may let them cool off in between so they may forget who ate the last of the peanut butter.
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $24.99
X-SHOT EPIC FAST-FILL (ZURU)
Want a water blaster instead so the kids will take their disagreements outside? This one from Zuru has an innovative fast-fill approach. At 21 inches long, it holds over five cups of water, fills in one second, and comes with a robust pump-action feature that enables kids to blast up to nearly 34 feet. Nothing like getting soaked to get your priorities straight. Different nozzles allow kids to blast four different ways all in one blaster!
Ages: 3+
MSRP: $14.99
These quarantined days can cause tantrums and fighting amongst family members. Yet, take it in stride and have some old-fashioned fun while you battle out who gets the remote or the last soda in the fridge.
