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Great Outdoors: A Guide to Fun Summer Stuff for Kids

Get kids outside to enjoy fresh air, and keep them out of your hair, with cool toys, gear and accessories that make summer more fun. 

Bubble Cut 

Get junior started early loving yard work with the Fisher-Price Bubble Mower, with all-terrain tires for grass and other surfaces and a large bubble solution dispenser for easy, no-mess fill-ups that produce a yard full of bubbles as it rolls.  First tank of bubble solution included.  Ages 2+.  $18.00.  Toys R Us. 

  

Upward and Upward 

The amazing softball-sized Skyball Hypercharged Bouncy Ball will wow any kid as it hits heights of up to 75 feet.  Comes in four bright colors.  $8.50.  vat19.com 

  

They’re Talking to You 

The Matchbox Real Talking Rigs Assortment, including the characters Stinky the garbage truck and his buddy Rocky the dump truck, light up and pop up on their back wheels with a push for some fancy rolling action and attitude as they belt out phrases like, “I’m Stinky, are you?”  Ages 3+.  $9.99.  Toys R Us. 

  

Little Kids Can Jump 

  

Tiny sports fans will love to free throw, lay up, swish and dunk with their own Little Tikes TotSports Easy Score Basketball Set. The oversized rim and junior-sized b-ball make scoring easier, and the set adjusts from 2.5 to 4 feet for different height kids.  Ages 18 months to 5 years.  $29.99.  Target. 

  

Kumbaya My Light 

Camping out is even more fun with the Backyard Safari Outfitters Campfire Glow Lantern, a pint-sized battery-operated lamp that illuminates with a bright white luminance or a flickering glow, without heat or flames.  Ages 5+.  $19.99.  backyardsafarioutfitters.com. 

  

Babes in Shades 

Protect little peepers from the sun and accessorize your budding fashionista with Adventure BanZ, cute kiddie sunglasses that actually stay put. An embedded silicone nose and brow piece add comfort, and the clinically tested lenses stand up to the harshest UV rays.  Ages 0-5. $17.00. babybanz.com 

  

Happier Feet 

Keep little feet cool with Geox sandals and sneakers for kids, in hot styles like the boys Geox Safari Sandal ($55), made with patented-technology and materials designed to breathe and stay dry.  Infant and junior sizes.  $45-65.  shopgeox.com.