With summer now in full swing, temperatures have sky-rocketed. So what better way is there for children to cool off on all those days off school than with a spot of water-based fun. We tested out seven products sure to keep the kids, big and little, cool and entertained by the pool.
Miss B Havin
A fabulous, flower-patterned inflatable pool with steering wheel and a painted dashboard, Miss B Havin proved to be a huge hit with all the girls who loved its colour and design. The pool is an ideal way to cool off on those hot summer days as you can just lie in it and relax, with the roof also providing some shade.
Price: £25
Available from: The Early Learning Centre 22 459100
Mr Fun n Game Fishing Set
The fish elicited cries of ‘Nemo’ as soon as it came out of the box, due to its similarity to the lovable Disney character. Movement of the fish is controlled by a battery-powered radio-control watch, worn on the user’s wrist. Best enjoyed in the bath tub as this toy uses a total of five batteries, so you won’t want to be changing them on the beach. With realistic swimming action it goes forwards and backwards by moving the tail. Well worth the fiver.
Price: £4.99
Available from: Jumbo 22 468100
Triple Trick Switch-A-Matic Squirt Blaster
This 70cm pump-action water pistol can emit four different blasts of water in a 360-degree angle, making it possible to hit four separate targets in one shot! Range is approximately four metres. Alternatively, a target can be hit six metres away using the more powerful single shot mode.
The blaster’s water reserve tank can take four big glasses of water before filling up, giving the shooter a lot of ‘ammunition’, which managed to keep all the big kids in the office occupied for an entire afternoon.
Price: £5.25
Available from: Mavros 22 680898
E-Chargers Submarine and Sea Athens Boat
The boys all loved these two toys. The Shark Runner sub can reach depths of up to ten feet on a single ten second charge and can travel the length of an average-sized swimming pool. Direction and dive angle can be controlled, making the operator feel like a true Navy submarine captain.
The Sea Athens is a more relaxing toy, and appeals to the sailor in us. Manufactured by Nikko, the number one name in radio-control machines, the boat can be fully manoeuvred via the handset. Comes with a one-year guarantee.
Price: £2.99 (sub), Price £9.99 (boat)
Available from: Jumbo 22 468100
Foam & Fun Pump & Fly Giant Rocket
A great toy for the beach or a large swimming pool (or the office). The rocket is very simple to use, requiring a simple hand-action pump which can propel the top part of the rocket over 100 feet in favourable wind conditions – we tried it and it really did go that far. Made of safe, soft foam, ensuring damage to person and property is kept to a minimum!
Price: £3.30
Available from: Pissarides 22 778847
Dragon Squirter
There’s no need to fear this dragon because it’s water rather than fire coming from its mouth. Attaches to a garden hose, for a continuous jet of water. The dragon was universally loved by both boys and girls. Comes in various colours.
Price: £5
Available from: The Early Learning Centre 22 459100
Inflatable Dolphin Rider
The dolphin features two grip handles enabling the child to keep his hold on this 5ft long inflatable toy. The challenge was getting on to it (which we found impossibleif already in the pool) and staying on. Children of all ages loved it, so much so that we named ours Sophie. Due to its size, this is definitely a toy for private pools and also one that you wouldn’t want to be blowing up very often.
Price: £6.35
Available from: Mavros 22 680898
