San Diego Moms: Summer Gift Guide 2024 to Keep Kids Busy

Summer is officially underway! You may still be wondering how you will keep your children entertained during the weeks and months ahead. Check out our annual Summer Gift Guide for fun products just for you and your children.

For all ages

Peg Perego has an assortment of durable outdoor ride-on toys (and strollers) to choose from. The brand recently released Taurus, a 2-seater utility truck that can tackle even the most extreme off-road driving. The truck has a rechargeable battery that can tackle the most extreme adventures, even with two passengers. It is for ages 3 and up, but we’ve tested the car with older children who had a blast!

Ready for some new bikes? Woom gets the gold star for kid-friendly bikes. Woom has innovative balance and pedal bikes for kids that grow with the Rider as they improve upon their technique. They are also light-weight and durable, making it easier for children to pedal with confidence.

Has pickleball become your new summer obsession? Meet Play Henry, where aesthetic meets athletics. It’s for the pickleball player who wants a competitive game but loves the social aspect of playing. Play Henry features a sand-blasted fiberglass paddle with an elongated handle, which offers comfortable maneuverability and facilitates a seamless two-handed backhand.

Engage your kids with the #UpsideDownChallenge Game Backyard Edition. Players attempt to complete seemingly easy activities such as tossing a ball into a cup, stacking cups into a pyramid and even just walking through an obstacle course made out of rings while wearing googles that flip your vision upside down. Fantastic for game night, backyard barbecues and picnics that will create hours of laughter and entertainment.

Stomp Rock is back at it with its coolest, new toy: Stomp Rocket Space Collection. Stomp Rocket’s newest Space collection will keep the kids occupied and moving all summer long! The new Space Collection by Stomp Rocket is an interactive way for the future astronauts of the world to learn about the galaxies all around us! Consisting of three spacecraft and a launcher, kids five and up will explore the universe through play and learn about gravity, trajectory, force and the power of air. The three spacecraft in the set include the Saturn V Rocket, Space Shuttle Atlantis and Space Launch System (SLS).

Add more fun to the pool with Funsicle, an outdoor recreation brand that designs above-ground pools and inflatable floats to capture the summertime spirit of play and relaxation. From rainbows to boats to animals – the brand offers an assortment of products your kids will surely enjoy.

Inspire imagination with PLAYMOBIL’s My Take Along Puppet Theater, the cutest, portable, interactive puppet theater. It has a carry handle and foldable design that kids can carry along. Great for creative play, kids can use the small theater to create stories wherever they go!

Turn your summer vacay into an instant party with Hitster, a new music party game! Take a trip down memory lane with 300 hits from the last 100 years. By scanning a card with the free app, players take turns guessing the release date, artist name and song title to build their music timeline!

For the youngest family members

Summer can also be a time to get new toys for even the youngest family members. Infantino has a handful of products to keep the tots occupied including the Light Up Ring Catcher, which is the perfect addition to bath or pool time! Splish & Splash Bath Play Set is a 17-piece toy set that includes 4 engaging activities including a play fishing set, stacking cups, bath squirters, and a water wand. Finally, the Right Temp Light Up Otter is the cutest and most convenient water time accessory for both baby and parent! The adorable baby otter lights up in different colors depending on the water temperature — red when it’s too hot, blue when it’s too cold, and green when just right.

BIZYBOO Hide ’N Seek Busy Bags Series 2 is a convenient portable, packable size to toss into a beach bag, tote or carry-on bag! Each busy bag has 30 different themed objects waiting to be found. Using written and visual prompts on the attached card, toddlers can have a blast prodding and shifting the beads around. Keeps kids occupied in car, train or plane rides!

How about some cuddly, new toys? Safari Friends Plush with Chime has a playfully wobbly head and soft, squishy body with a rattle that gently chimes with every shake. Give baby cuddly comfort wherever they need it with Sustainably Soft Plush Loveys. Made from 100% recycled materials, each lovey combines a huggable stuffed animal with a double-sided botanical-patterned plush security blanket.

Healthy snacks

Finally, load up on healthy snacks with these products on the market. Frooze Balls is perfect for children and adults alike, these fruit-leather alternatives are a delicious soft and chewy treat with the flavor reminiscent of a juicebox.

Olyra Foods is an all-organic, non-GMO and whole grain recipe with ingredients that are harvested on family-inherited farmlands, and have been cherished and passed down through five generations. Its nutritious low-sugar, high-fiber soft-baked goods are made from Ancient Greek Grains and 100% real fruit, resembling the grown up version of our favorite go-to fig fruit bars as a child.

The Only Bean is a super snack that you can’t put down! These edamame beans are better-for-you and better-for-the-planet, as beans are one of the most sustainable crops. These crunchy delights are filled with protein and fiber, and are the ideal healthy alternative for chips or nuts.

Have a product to add to the Summer Gift Guide? Tell us about it in the comments.

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San Diego Moms is published on Saturdays. Have a story idea? Email hoaq@timesofsandiego.com and follow her on Instagram at @hoawritessd.