10-07-2025
25 Target Items For Summer Family Entertainment
A low-maintenance "plant" that won't die even if you forget to water it (thanks, Lego). With more than 700 pieces, this is sure to keep little (and big) hands busy as they build nine types of succulents and flowers. You can combine them to make one large display or spread them out around your house for some added faux greenery!
Promising review: "This is one of my favorite Lego sets! It was so cute and fun to put together." —LolaFiercePrice: $39.99
A deluxe blow-up pool big enough for the whole family, cause everyone needs to stay cool this summer. That means two adults and up to three children can splash around comfortably. Can't take the heat? The pool doubles as an indoor ball pit, which will be significantly less germy than the ones at your local play place.
Promising review: "This is such a nice and spacious pool. It's so affordable too. We were able to fit floats in it with 2 adults and there's still plenty of room. Perfect way to cool down." —MeganPrice: $30
An easy-to-use (and virtually mess-free) tie-dye kit to outfit the whole family in a groovy set of duds. Turn your regular T-shirts, sweatshirts, joggers, shorts, or even bucket hats into works of art with the help of rubber bands and eight colors of nontoxic dye. Just don't forget to use the included drop cloth and gloves to keep the fun from spreading.
Promising review: "I just bought a five pack of white tees for my son and I to use this kit with, and honestly, this kit probably could have handled about 10-15 more shirts if used properly. It was really fun for a first-time tie-dye project, and we will definitely get another set soon! Wear gloves, the dye takes forever to get off your skin!!!" —ChrissyPrice: $12
A pack of reusable water balloons so you can have fun while staying true to Mother Earth. Bonus: You bypass the worst part of water balloons, which is picking up thousands of plastic pieces from your yard. And with ten balloons guaranteed for 10,000 uses each, that's a lot of guaranteed splashes (we'll let you do that math).
Promising review: "Grabbed these for my daughter's birthday party and they were a hit! Very durable and easy to use." —ritaPrice: $10.99
A set of 12 multi-colored roasting sticks good for marshmallows and weenies galore. When it gets too hot to cook inside, take it outside with these easy-to-use skewers that make roasting over an open flame easy, even for the kiddos (with adult supervision, of course). Each telescoping stick extends for 32 inches between you and the heat source.
Promising review: "These came in clutch for a last-minute fire. They're great for hot dogs or marshmallows and come in a cute little bag for storage!" —belinda p Price: $23.99 (originally $39.99)
A standard deck of playing cards for Old Maid, Gin, or Go Fish, because summer is a great time to master the classics. At just $3 per pack, you can't beat the price for several games in one. Plus, they'll add a nice nostalgic touch to your game shelf.
Promising review: "Great quality, not too thin. I suck at shuffling and they don't bend horribly when I try to! I bought them on February 27th, and they've been through tons of game nights, still holding up great. They're reasonably priced, too." —vcPrice: $2.99
A five-piece gardening set so you can at least pretend to have a green thumb. Whether you're growing your own vegetable patch or planting a few seeds, consider this set your family's introduction to gardening. The no-slip grip handles are perfect for novice and experienced gardeners alike.
Promising review: "This garden set is very handy. The tools are sturdy, easy to fit into the carrier, and easy to keep organized. Great value." —RyanBPrice: $19.99 (originally $39.99)
A 64-page forest-themed coloring book featuring super cute woodland creatures (dibs on the raccoon). The pages are thick enough to accommodate the most pigmented of markers but also work well with crayons or colored pencils. Enjoy some quiet time as you fill in the lines for hedgehogs, mushrooms, squirrels, flowers, and more.
Promising review: "Gorgeous drawings. A variety of subjects, from flowers to animals to trees, makes the coloring experience interesting." —MRPrice: $7
A mini projector with wireless connectivity that turns any night into movie night. Watch your favorite movie, marathon your favorite show, or play the latest video games. Plus, it's compatible with Fire TV Stick or Roku Stick, allowing you to access streaming services through those devices as well.
Promising review: "Great product at a really affordable deal, has apps built into it makes it very easy, so you don't have to connect everything to your phone comes with the remote control. Also love the auto focus feature. Very bright and clear viewing great for parties." —JohnBPrice: $99.99 (originally $129.99)
A bubble blaster for some squeaky clean yard play. This handheld blaster shoots continuous bubbles in five streams, utilizing a triple-concentrated bubble solution that reviewers say is more than enough for hours of play. And of course, it's nontoxic and fragrance free.
Promising review: "Super fun bubble blasters easy for my 1 year old to operate. Small enough to carry around in stroller on the go with solution contained. We bought two so we could play together :) Easy, inexpensive fun to keep a little one entertained for awhile!" —TeachermomPrice: $3
An old-fashioned picnic basket ready for sandwiches, chips, cookies, and all your favorite portable summer foods. No need to worry about spills and leaks. The removable inner lining is washable. With built-in handles and a snap closure, this basket makes picnicking a breeze.
Promising review: "Sturdy construction, pretty color straps, good size. Can't wait to use it!" —sunrise2022Price: $23.99 (originally $29.99)
An easy-to-pitch, four-person tent for an impromptu camping night (even if it's just in the backyard). With tons of internal pockets and pouches, there's ample room for everyone's belongings, keeping your temporary sleeping arrangements more organized. And it's big enough to accommodate a queen-size air mattress, in case you want to enjoy the creature comforts of home while in the great outdoors.
Promising review: "I bought this on Thursday and went camping from Friday to Sunday. Setup was very fast! It rained a couple of times, but it kept the rain out. The size was great for us (two adults and a child) with room to spare for bags, light, etc. Ventilation was excellent. I'd definitely recommend it." —StephenPrice: $70
A retro Polaroid camera, so you can nab some cool pics of your summer vacation. Sure, it's not as fast as taking a selfie, but you get a cool keepsake when you're done. The set comes with 16 color instant photographs bordered by that iconic white frame.
Promising review: "I've been wanting this forever! I couldn't decide if I wanted it because the film is so expensive but it's honestly so worth it to get the instant pictures. I love the imperfect retro look of them. I'm taking it on vacation and I'm really excited!" —HeyHeyPrice: $149.99
The iconic group game Twister which introduces the next generation to an evening of hands-on (or feet-on) family fun. While most board games have you sitting around a table, Twister gets everyone up and moving. Spin the wheel to find out what color circle you move your hands or feet to next. Get ready to watch everyone try to keep their balance after just a few moves.
Promising review: "Still holds up as a family favorite on game night. The new generation even enjoys it, and the littlest ones feel included and have a blast with this "new" game!" —RSSPrice: $14.99
A set of 24 rainbow-colored acrylic paints, perfect for aspiring artists and all your crafting needs. Paint on canvas, construction paper, or even wood, for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Reviewers even used the paints for rocks or decorating items around the house.
Promising review: "Good variety of colors and great packaging! We used these paints for rock painting (along with the Mondo Llama Paint Pens) and they worked great! Most of the colors were bright and bold. A few of the darker colors were a bit sheer and needed a second coat. Would purchase these again though!" —ChelsmdPrice: $17
An easy-to-follow cookbook that uses simple ingredients for quick and delicious meals even the pickiest of eaters will love. Let the kids decide what to make for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks for a change. And don't forget dessert. Each receipt features a shopping list and full-color images of every step.
Promising review: "I ordered this beautiful, fun, and filled with recipes cookbook for my 10-year-old's birthday. The recipes were understandable for a 4th grade reader. The pictures were bold and colorful! She feels like a top chef!" —KDPrice: $13.84
A science experiment kit that comes with white gloves and goggles so you can finally play out your mad scientist dreams IRL. With 15 science experiments that double as magic tricks, kids (and parents) can learn about pH science, hydrophobic substances, optics, and surface tension. Don't worry. There's a learning guide included so adults can field any post-experiment questions with ease.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic kit. The experiments are simple, yet very cool. There isn't a ton of mess (except the fake snow 😬). The directions are clear, so depending on the age, kids can do them independently. We got it for my 9-year-old son for Christmas. He loves it. It has also amazed his mother and all his siblings (4-14). The results really are cool!" —PopcornluvrPrice: $24.99
A 2.5-pound bucket of air-dry clay, so you can set up a museum-worthy exhibit of your family's creations. Think magnets, miniatures, and more. It's smooth, less sticky than normal clay, and dries overnight. And you know that acrylic paint above? You can use it to put the finishing touches on everything you make.
Promising review: "Second time buying this just to have on hand for art projects with the kids. It lasts months in the container and is super easy to use. I also think you get a lot for the price so great value!" —CareeessaPrice: $5.89
A wooden cornhole set (aka bean bag toss) to keep you busy while those burgers finish on the grill. If your family loves competitive games, this one is a winner. Divide into teams and see who gets the most beanbags into the corn hole (or at least the closest to it). And the whole game folds up neatly for easy storage.
Promising review: "The easy storage alone is a must-have. The bean bags have been sturdy and haven't ripped or any signs of sagging." —Staci MPrice: $75
A smart bird feeder so you can take your bird-watching game to the next level and find out who's been making all that racket every morning. A solar-powered smart camera equipped with motion sensors records all the birds that come by for a bite. Reviewers say it's easy to set up, and advanced AI makes identifying new feathered friends easy.
Promising review: "I'm so impressed with the quality, ease of set-up, and joy that has came with my Bird Buddy! This feeder is definitely top of the line, and the app's functionality provides a seamless and easy experience. I was able to set up the feeder and then invite my family (who lives on the other side of the country) and my girlfriend to receive the same alerts I do when a bird comes to the feeder. It took a couple of days for my local birds to first visit, but now it's like a frenzy many times throughout each day!! This is truly the next level of bird-watching and would recommend Bird Buddy to anyone, whether it's for themselves or as a family gift :)" —NAPrice: $279.99
An electric juicer, just in case you decide to put up that lemonade stand and give the whole family a valuable lesson in economics. This comes with two attachments for different-sized citruses and an adjustable pulp control setting to ensure you get your juice just how you like it.
Promising review: "Great price, easy and safe to operate. Does a perfect job getting all the pulp down to the rind, so no waste. I'm happy with my purchase." —AquenaPrice: $17.69
An electric ice cream maker so you can finally test out your chocolate chip, banana, and bacon flavor idea. Make pint-sized servings of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt in just 20 minutes. And making ice cream at home is far more economical (and entertaining) than taking the whole fam out for scoops at the local parlor.
Promising review: "Amazing little ice cream maker- use as directed, you'll get a sweet soft serve ice cream which is what I like- highly recommended!" —Favorite Price: $21.99
A badminton set, because it's never too early to prep for the 2028 Olympics. The set includes everything you need for a game of badminton, including a net, rackets, and shuttlecocks (the kids will love that one), all in a durable carrying case so you can take it wherever you go.
Promising review: "Great value, easy to set up with two people and loads of fun!" —CodyPrice: $25
A big book of dad jokes so the whole family can roll their eyes in unison. Ready for some clever quips and punny one-liners? The book features 600 knee-slappers that can be told around the dinner table, on a road trip, or anywhere your family needs a few extra laughs.
Promising review: "My kids love Dad jokes so they got this for their dad for Father's Day. It has been entertaining the entire family. My youngest has enjoyed it the most." —ALMPrice: $5.47
And a pony bead set because you're family is just one more DIY project away from opening an Etsy storefront.
Promising review: "Beautiful beads and well-made. Perfect for making colorful lizards and bracelets." —ZoePrice: $17
