When you’re a kid, spring and summer are about long, lazy days spent playing, exploring, and having fun. We talked with Marie Foley, owner of The Concord Toy Box, to discover this year’s most popular summer toys and games. “During the pandemic we saw an increase in interest for wanting to play outside,” Marie said. “Customers were interested in dress up, bubbles, games, and items for exploring, along with adapting many traditional games to be used outdoors. Fun is certainly the objective for summer 2022!”
Spin Copters
Spin copters are one of the latest crazes for summer toys. These LED copters light up against the night sky as they’re launched with a simple slingshot base. The copters float gently back to the ground, allowing kids to shoot them again and again. A great alternative to fireworks!
Pogo Jumpers
Pogo sticks have gotten a makeover and are now so much easier — and safer — to use. Invented in 1920, pogo sticks have come and gone in popularity due to the skill needed to use them. Kidoozie pogo jumpers are perfect for active kids aged four and up. They’re made of foam with a wide base and can be used indoors or out.
Twister
Twister is a great game to carry along on your next picnic. Easy to pack and simple to play, just unroll the Twister mat and spinner, and off you go. Right hand red, left foot yellow! Fun fact: the world’s largest Twister mat was put together in 2010, just 75 miles from Concord in Belchertown, MA, on the Belchertown High School football field. It consisted of 1,008 Twister mats donated by Hasbro and measured 244.7 feet X 99.10.
© istock.com/RichVintageOutdoor Adventures
A summer adventure can become a lifelong passion. Grab a compass, bug-catching net, magnifying glass, and Bear Grylls’ Beastly Bugs Activity Book and spend a day discovering the wonders that can be found in a simple meadow.
Summer nights are perfect for stargazing, and a telescope can reveal the mysteries of the universe. You can even borrow a microscope or telescope from the Concord Free Public Library!
© istockphoto/Wand_PrapanBubbles
A summer day spent blowing bubbles in the sunlight is a day well spent, indeed, and the technology hasn’t changed much – until now. Bubble Tree products come in refillable aluminum bottles designed to fit in a child’s hand, and their bubble solution is eco-friendly and non-toxic. Best of all, you can refill your Bubble Tree bottles quickly and easily at The Concord Toy Box.
© istock.com/romrodinkaDress Up
What will your kids be this summer; pirates, explorers, superheroes? With a simple costume, kids’ imaginations can run wild, creating their own summer adventures. Why not tie in a kids’ book on a related topic to read at bedtime? The folks at Barefoot Books (specialized in children’s books!) will be happy to help you choose a tale to continue the day’s adventure.
Jarts
Also called lawn darts, these hand-thrown mini darts are no longer made in steel but are just as much fun as ever. Now made in plastic (much safer), the objective is simple — toss your lawn dart into the target circle. Like horseshoes, this is a great game that can be played by two or in larger teams.
Whether your kids love a competitive game of lawn darts, an outdoor adventure that uncovers new worlds, or simply blowing bubbles after the perfect picnic lunch, this year’s outdoor toys and games will put the fun in summer 2022.
