Summer is officially here, and that means it’s time for fun family road trips! Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by ABC WNN to show off the best toys to take with you on summer vacations! For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the season, check out our Spring and Summer gift guide.
BRIGHT LIGHTS SOCCER BALL (VTECH)
- Kick up some fun with this lovable and huggable soft soccer ball! Left or right, up or down, roll the Bright Lights Soccer Ball all around to hear music and sounds and listen to the friendly ball encourage playtime.
- This brightly colored soccer ball shares encouraging phrases and teaches about colors and sportsmanship.
- Kids can press the happy light-up face button to hear playful phrases and three songs that introduce opposites and numbers.
- They can also kick, pass or shake the ball to activate the motion sensor and hear fun sounds and music, or touch the soft crinkly hands and give the ball a hug.
- Ages: 6-36 months
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart
MOONLITE- Your child’s favorite tales come alive with Moonlite, an easy-to-use storybook projector! This small device clips onto your smartphone (not included) and uses its flashlight to project vibrant storybook images onto any surface!
- While projecting the storybook images, the Moonlite app displays story text and plays charming sound effects, creating an immersive and magical story time experience for you and your child.
- Available in individual Moonlite Story Reels, or the Moonlite Starter Pack comes with two story reels, and the Moonlite Gift Pack comes with four story reels from The Little Golden Books series and one BONUS Sago Mini story reel!
- Classics include: The Poky Little Puppy, The Shy Little Kitten, The Saggy Baggy Elephant, and The Tawny Scrawny Lion.
- Moonlite is for newborns, babies, toddlers, kids, and adults who love to read! No batteries required. Compatible with most major Android and iOS devices.
- Ages: All ages
- MSRP: $7.99 for Story Reel, $24.99 for Starter Pack, $39.99 for Gift Pack
- Availability: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target
PLASTICINE TOOL KIT (KAHOOTZ TOYS)
- Plasticine is the original no-dry modeling material for over 100 years.
- This sturdy, carry-anywhere tool box stores seven colors of Plasticine, five cutting shapes, a sculpting tool and roller, plus an idea guide to inspire imaginations anywhere.
- Ultimately squishable, blendable, bendable, and reusable, Plasticine is perfect for just about any creative project kids can get their hands on, and it never dries out.
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $11.99
- Available: Amazon
- Pomsies are loveable, and fashionable interactive plush pets that you can wear and take anywhere. Inspired by the pom-pom fashion trend, each Pomsies pet has a soft, cuddly fur face and tail you can wrap around your wrist, hair, backpack, clothing, and more – they are the ultimate accessory!
- Pomsies are interactive with two modes of play – Virtual Pet Mode and Freeze Dance Mode.
- Pomsies are interactive and will tell you when they feel happy, sleepy, or hungry with the way they react and the adorable sounds they make, or as their eyes light up in different colors.
- Pomsies can have up to 50 different reactions with sounds only you can make happen.
- There are six characters in the first Series.
- Care for your Pomsie long enough and you will be rewarded with colorful rainbow eyes, purring, and other sweet sounds.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Target, Walmart (July)
- Invented by a pediatrician, allergist/immunologist, and physician scientist, Lick-A-Bubble was created so that kids and adults of all ages can experiment with different beverages to generate SAFE lickable bubbles.
- Simply add your favorite beverage to the red fill line. Mix gently by swirling the wand in a circular motion for about 10 seconds or gently flipping the bottle back and forth with the cap closed ten times. Then blow bubbles and lick tasty bubbles!
- From children’s birthday parties, events, and concerts, Lick-A-Bubble is the ultimate experience for kids and adults of all ages!
- Lick-A-Bubble consumers enjoy watching friends and family blowing and chasing trying to lick those bubbles.
- Tease your taste buds with the most unique experiences bubbles have to offer—available in a two-pack or four-pack
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $6.99 for Two Pack, $9.99 for Four Pack
- Available: imperialtoy.com, Amazon, Target, Walmart, CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Kmart
- The new Watermelon Smash game from YULU Toys is a hilarious twist on the water roulette challenge. Will you end up dry or soaking wet? Use your head to find out!
- Fill the watermelon with water or use the provided watermelon seeds for indoor play. Players take turns spinning the spinner to determine their fate. Follow the indicated instructions on the spinner and press the watermelon against your head.
- Watch out, you never know when the watermelon will crack and you will lose! The last player left in the game wins!
- Each Watermelon Smash game comes with a watermelon, seeds for indoor use, spinner, and game rules.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Target
