Sizzlin’ Summer Toys on The Today Show

It’s almost summertime and that means it’s time to grab the hottest new toys of the season. Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by NBC’s The Today Show to talk about the best toys for fun in the sun. 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.

KAOS SPLASH TANK (IMPERIAL TOY)

• The Splash Tank, new from KAOS, is a portable and easy to assemble water dunk game, with the goal of soaking your friends.
• Standing over 4.5 feet tall, the Splash Tank is easy to assemble so you can get to playing in a matter of minutes. Simply assemble the tower, add water to the bucket, then take turns trying to hit the target with the Aqua Splasher balls (three included.)
• Hit the target and enjoy the satisfaction of watching the water come splashing down on your friend! Who will get soaked and who will stay dry? You decide with the KAOS Splash Tank.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: $49.99
• Available: Target

LITTLE TIKES FUN ZONE DROP ZONE (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)

• Drop Zone is the perfect way to bring the theme park action to your house, inside or out!
• Inside, load up the conveyor belt with balls to fill the bucket overhead. Just one quick pull of the bucket cord and the Drop Zone starts living up to its name. Watch out below!
• Want even more action? Take the Drop Zone outside, attach a water hose and trigger the double waterfall! Kids will love playing with the water and balls in the inflatable pool.
• Age: 3-5
• MSRP: $109.99
• Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

GIGANTIC SHARK BEACH BLANKET (BIG MOUTH TOYS)

• It’s soft, tough, and more than 5 hilarious feet wide, which means you’ll finally have ample space to stretch out and work on that tan.
• The fabric was designed specifically to keep sand from seeping up and ruining your lunch.
• This quirky blanket is bright and bold, making it instantly recognizable. Even better, the storage pouch makes a great beach tote.
• Also available in avocado, ice pop, toaster tart, peace sign, hot dog, sushi roll, cotton candy, popcorn, and more.
• Ages: All
• MSRP: $24.99
• Available: Amazon

FIESTA CRUISE SAND & WATER TABLE (STEP2)

• Set off for a sunny vacation and sail the Caribbean seas with this all-in-one water table.
• Large footprint lets several kids play together, encouraging social and sharing skills.
• Themed water table with “wave legs,” lots of molded-in detail and stylized figures spark kids’ imaginations, taking water play to a new level of splish-splash fun.
• Kids can send the figures for a deep sea dive off the diving board, go for a loop-de-loop down the spiral slide, or hang out under the shade of the cabana for a break from the sun.
• The front area of the ship doubles as a sand pit for beach side fun! Molded-in detail on the haul of the ship adds to the imaginary role play.
• Included marine-life animals double as squirters.
• Non-leak drain plug lets parents easily empty the water table when playtime is done.
• Ten accessories and umbrella are included and it holds 40 pounds of sand, not included.
• Age: 2+
• MSRP: $79.99
• Available: Amazon, JCPenny, Walmart, Wayfair, step2.com

NEXTWAVE – JUMBO BEACH BASKET (AMLOID)

• This bright and colorful activity set is packed with play value with all the accessories kids need to spend hours at the beach or in the sand box with new sand forms and a collection of multifunctional sand tools.
• New features include a sturdy nylon shoulder strap along with a comfort grip handle for easy on-the-go portability.
• Plus, the cover detaches from the basket to double as a super-sized animal sand form!
• The 15-piece set comes complete with assorted sea creatures and nautical forms, bucket with handle, castle molds, rake, roller, sand spinner, sifter and shovels in a variety of sizes.
• Available in three styles: Flamingo (pink), Whale (purple) and Shark (teal).
• Ages: 2+
• MSRP: $14.99
• Available: Sam’s Club

FUNNY FACE SWIM MASKS (SWIMWAYS)

• Bring the photo booth to the pool with Funny Face Swim Masks, featuring trendy character styles that kids will love to wear as they strike a pose for a selfie and make faces underwater with friends.
• Each swimming mask features an easy-to-adjust head strap, a leak-resistant design and soft construction for a comfortable fit.
• Available in three styles, sold separately: white shark, hilarious mustache and magical unicorn.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: $9.99
• Available: Academy and Swimways.com

GLOVE-A-BUBBLES (ZING)

• Churn out oodles and oodles of BUBBLES with just the wave of your hand with Glove-A-Bubbles! Get ready to wave and play!
• Kids simply remove the bubble pouch from the glove and pour one of the two bubble solutions into the pouch.  Dip the glove into the bubble pouch. Wave your glove back and forth and watch tons of delightful bubbles form instantly, right before your eyes. Never ending bubbles for never ending fun!
• Glove-A-Bubbles come with one glove and two packs of bubble solution.  The pouch is also re-sealable and refillable.
• Glove-A-Bubbles come in eight different animal-themed gloves, including lion, alligator, hippopotamus, elephant, dinosaur, panda, bunny and monkey. There’s a Glove-A-Bubble for everyone!
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: $2.99
• Available: Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club

CRA-Z-ART ICE CREAM MAKER (CRA-Z-ART)

• New and improved! Two flavors at once is twice the fun with the Cra-Z-Art two-in-one ice cream maker from Cra-Z-Art.
• Make real ice cream in less than 10 minutes.
• Mix flavors, turn, and press. Watch as your favorite flavors start to appear and enjoy a tasty treat!
• Comes with three delicious flavors including cool chocolate, yummy vanilla, and sweet strawberry.
• No batteries needed.
• Refills sold separately.
• Age: 5+
• MSRP: $19.99
• Available: Amazon, JC Penny, Target, Walmart

BREAKAWAY BALLZ (ALEX BRANDS)

• “Breakaway” from the ordinary with Breakaway Ballz.  Catch ‘em, bounce ‘em, break ‘em!!
• Each ball consists of eight identically sized foam pieces that break apart when thrown against a hard surface, revealing a 2-inch bouncy ball surprise inside.
• The identically sized pieces allow you to easily piece back together.
• For added play, kids can hide something inside.
• Collect all six!
• Age: 5+
• MSRP: $9.99
• Available: Learning Express

ROLLPLAY 12V UP-RIDER (ROLLPLAY)

• The Rollplay 12 Volt Up-Rider’s unique design combines the stability and control of traditional scooter handlebars with an innovative wheel configuration – the four wheels provide smooth steering and balance, while you create a pivot of 360 degrees for easy turns!
• Provides fun dynamic speed and braking for better control and 12 volt motor drive for reliable use.
• Has a max speed of 4 mph.
• Maximum weight up to 150 lbs.
• Age: 5+
• MSRP: $149
• Available: Walmart

MEGA MELON SPRINKLER BALL (PRIME TIME TOYS)

• Kids will have a JUMBO good time this summer with the new Mega Melon Sprinkler Ball.
• Standing 3 feet tall, this giant, melon ball of fun, spouts water from four different fountains.
• Inflate and connect to a standard garden hose. It’s the super soaker inflatable of the summer.
• Age: 4+
• MSRP: $19.99
• DIMENSIONS: 3.0 feet (H) x 3.0 inches (W) x 11.0 inches (L)
• Available: Target

GINORMOUS UNICORN YARD SPRINKLER (BIG MOUTH TOYS)

• Sure, the kids could run through the rusty ol’ sprinkler you keep in your shed (think: “ouch! dad my eyes are burning!”).
• But if you want cool points with the fam you’ve got to THINK BIGGER man! Take your summer game to the next level with our Ginormous 6-foot tall Unicorn Yard Sprinkler. It’s the missing piece to that epic birthday, pool party, BBQ, or family reunion you’ve been planning (or dreading).
• We made it super-simple to use, too. Just inflate it, and connect a standard garden hose. Turn on the water and voila! …water sprays out of the unicorn’s horn and onto a bunch of happy people who were about to leave for “a prior engagement.”
• The inflatable design also means that it’s lightweight, easy to move, and deflates for compact storage in the off-season. Party saved!
• Over 6 feet tall!
• Sprays water out of its horn.
• Easy to wipe down, inflate/deflate, and store.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: $79.99
• DIMENSIONS: 100 x 33.9 x 79.9 inches
• Available: Amazon, Target