Although their mood often suggests otherwise, teenagers love to have fun too. But, as a parent, it’s difficult to strike that fine balance whereby you don’t insult them with toys and games that are deemed ‘babyish’, nor too ‘adult’. If you are travelling away somewhere, you also need to consider the size and weight of any games you pack. As our two teenagers spend a disproportionate amount of time indoors gaming, I aways try to pack some outdoor games and pool toys for when we’re away. They grow up way too quickly these days, and everything is so serious … it’s nice to see them laughing and being children again.
So, I’ve chosen five outdoor toys to showcase that I recently packed in my luggage and took to Sicily on a family break away. Most items pack quite small; all are lightweight.
Waboba Backnine
We love the Waboba Wingman flying discs, and this Backnine game takes the challenge to another level. Rather than throwing/catching, with Backnine think bowls, bocce, disc golf, a bit frisbee. Inside a very handy carrybag you’ll find a larger target ring (which flies on its own remarkably well), along with four brightly coloured silicone discs. In its simplest form you throw the target ring and take it in turns to throw the smaller discs; the winner is the closest to the middle of the ring. Sounds easy? It really isn’t, especially if you are the player throwing the target ring. This ring flies through the air with minimum effort, reaching considerable distances, so don’t throw it too hard! To reach the target with the lighter silicone discs you need to throw a little harder … and when you do this they tend to veer off to the left and right! We played a few games and only once did I get a disc into the ring!
It requires a lot of skill and patience, but once mastered everyone is very jealous of your successful technique! This is a game for all ages. It packs flat and is lightweight, so a great outdoor game to slip into a suitcase.
SRP: £19.99
Purchase: Waboba Backnine
Inflatable Mega Globe from Brainstorm Toys
Nothing says ‘holiday’ as much as an inflatable beach ball. Even better, one that is over-sized at 50cm and a globe! It folds super-small in a case, is virtually weightless, and is the basis of so many games. On the beach, in a field, in a pool, a game of catch is always fun. It floats, it doesn’t hurt if you are accidentally hit … and when all the fun stops, you can always close your eyes, turn the ball in your arms, and wherever your finger or thumb lands that’s your next holiday destination!
On our recent trip, during play downtime we even challenged each other to name all the countries that surrounded ones we picked. Or “do you know the capital of Madagascar?” (I do – Antananarivo!)
Looking forward to playing with this again in Sri Lanka and the Maldives over the summer holidays.
SRP: £11.99
Purchase: Inflatable Mega Globe
NERF Vortex Aero Howler
Now this is slightly more cumbersome – but still ever so lightweight. Perhaps this is the perfect outdoor toy if you’re off on a road trip somewhere, tucked inside the car … but it won’t take up much space in your case if you want to take it overseas.
You throw a NERF Vortex Aero Howler like a model plane, or javelin … it is designed to travel fast and far, howling as it rushes through the wind. There is a technique to throwing it – too hard and it doesn’t go far, too light and it loses altitude quickly. You need just the right amount of force and release it at the perfect angle so that it gradually climbs before descending as it loses speed. Once you’ve perfected the art of throwing it long distances, you need to learn how to catch it when someone throws it at you. Now, that is a challenge and a half!
As you’d expect from the NERF brand, this is a durable toy that appeals to teenagers.
RRP: £19.99
Purchase: NERF Vortex Aero Howler
Brookite Junior Foil Kite
I absolutely adore kites. I’m not necessarily good at flying them, but I always travel with one. To me, some kites are unnecessarily complicated. The easiest kites to fly, in my opinion, are foil kites. There are no rods or tail ribbons to untangle, just a wide kite sail with two strings controlling it.
This Brookite Junior Foil Kite is the one I take everywhere with me. It folds up into a small bag, like a mini cushion, and never tangles up. So when I get to an open space to fly it, it can be airborne in a matter of a minute. Foil kites also seem easier to fly – if there’s a breeze and you are facing the right way, it will soar up into the sky. The traditional kites with rods often need a lot more nurturing to take flight.
Of course foil kites come in lots of different sizes – the bigger the sail, the more strength you’ll need to stop it dragging you across the sand/field! That’s why I really like this Junior Foil Kite as it’s just the right size. You can have lots and lots of fun with this kite, without the stress of tangles and aborted take offs!
RRP: £31.99
Purchase: Brookite Junior Foil
Scrunch Flyer from Big Jig Toys
Now this is a small, scrunchable, tactile frisbee that is suitable for all ages. It is made of non-toxic food-grade silicone and comes in a range of lovely colours. We had lots of fun playing with it in the pool in Sicily. It does (slowly) sink though, so the added challenge of catching it is to grab it before it sinks to the bottom of the pool!
With all the other toys mentioned here, this is very lightweight, virtually unbreakable, and takes up no space at all in a case.
RRP: £4.99
Purchase: Scrunch Flyer
Disclaimer
Some (not all) of these items were gifted to us in return for our opinions. This has not influenced our thoughts in any way.
