Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht joined The Today Show to show off some of the summer’s hottest new toys for the whole family to enjoy in their own backyards. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and be sure to check out The Toy Insider’s 2020 Spring & Summer Gift Guide.

PLASTIC GIANT CHESS SETS

These giant chess games have huge pieces! The 25-inch set ranges from 16-inch pawns to a 25-inch king. The 49-inch set ranges from 40-inch pawns to a 49-inch king. The sets include 16 white and 16 black, plastic pieces for indoor or outdoor play. Chess mat or board sold separately — Options ranging from a…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $179.99 (12 inch) $289.99 (16 inch) $459 (25-inch) and $1,099 (49-inch)
  • Age:
  • 7+

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GIANT JUMBLING TOWER

Don't Let the tower tumble. Friends and family stack the tower higher and higher with the oversized blocks until someone slips up and makes the Giant Tumbling Tower crumble! The Giant Tumbling Tower Game is built to last, with 51 giant blocks that are designed for years of indoor and outdoor play. GET CREATIVE: The…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.97; $64.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 6+

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JUMBO 4-TO-SCORE GIANT GAME SET

The Jumbo 4-To-Score Giant Game is an oversized version of the classic 4-in-a-row game. Assembly takes less than 2 minutes! Designed for two players or for teams. The set is made of premium materials to make it durable and safe. It's also easy to clean with a wet cloth and mild soap. Measures 47.6 x…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $149.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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TOSS ACROSS

This game adds a twist to tic-tac-toe. Each player chooses to be an “X” or an “O” and gets three bean bags. Taking turns, kids toss the bean bags, trying to flip the targets to show three of their letters in a row. Players can try to undo their opponent's “X” or “O,” but must…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • 16.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIGHT-UP AIR ROCKETS

National Geographic Light-Up Air Rockets offer hours of outdoor fun and active play. The kit comes with three brightly colored, LED-equipped rockets that soar up to 100 feet in the air. You can adjust the angle on the launch base to learn about trajectories and aim for targets. It's all up to you how high…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

LITTLE TIKES SPLASH HIT TENNIS

This sports activity set features two modes of play: pop-up tennis, in which kids step on the tee to launch the ball for kids to hit; and splash tennis, which lets water spout from the tee and send the ball flying. The tee easily attaches to a standard garden hose.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SWINGIN’ SHOES

Take turns tossing the rubbery horseshoes and try to ring them onto the suspended pole and platforms while they swing. Land a Sitter, a Ringer, or score extra points by getting one to hang from one of the platforms. Take turns tossing the rubbery horseshoes and try to ring them onto the suspended pole and…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $26.95
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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