Outdoor summer toys for the big kids
School's out, and that means children across America are transitioning to that season of relentless recreation known as summer break. But why should the kids get all the fun? I have two wee ones here at home, and I've noticed that they have waaay more toys than I do, despite contributing precisely nothing in the way of household income.
Unfair. In an effort to balance the scales a little, we present below five summer toys for grownups. We're not talking serious payment-plan toys — just a few modest proposals for improvised gift-giving, whether for yourself or others. If the kids get in your way, just tell them: "Hey, kids! Instead of all this sunshine and fresh air, how about parking yourself in front of the TV for while?"
UDI Camera Drone - $58
Recreational and camera drones are filling the skies these days, causing all sorts of headaches around regulation and public policy. That's largely because people are discovering just how much fun these things are. Personal drones — sometimes generically referred to as quadcopters — are getting better, cheaper, and more durable every year, but they still require a bit of dedication. It takes some time to learn how to fly a quadcopter well, and one too many crash landings can 86 your new toy in an instant. The UDI U818A quadcopter is a good choice for beginners, thanks to its stability, durability, and modest price tag. Battery life is just OK and the camera is relatively low-resolution, but you can fly indoor or out and — thanks to the rotor protectors — it'll bounce off obstacles as you learn.
Anti-Gravity Running Boots - $193
I like exercising about as much as I like dental surgery, so I'm always on the lookout for something — anything — to make exercise more fun. Air Kicks are a line of high-tech boots that use a proprietary spring-action technology to transform the very physics of running. The energy of each footfall is captured and redirected, producing a kind of low-gravity feel that reduces impact stress on your ankles, knees and hips. Good for us old people.
The boots are marketed to kids, primarily, but the adult model can handle weights up to 200 pounds — men's shoe size 7-14, or women's shoe size 8-15.
Light Up Ladder Ball - $45
A rather addictive backyard game, ladder ball (sometimes called ladder toss) is a relatively new recreational option similar to portable games like bocce ball, horseshoes, or the unfortunately named cornhole. The idea is to fling a weighted bolo — two balls connected by a string — onto a ladder-like structure of horizontal bars. It's oddly compelling. The Franklin Quikset Light Up Ladderball package incorporates LED lights for after-dark fun, and is designed to be portable enough for wherever the party winds up. Odd historical note: No one really knows where the game was invented, but one theory holds that it started in the Wild West with cowboys throwing snakes at ranch fences.
Adult Crazy Cart - $800
Here's an option if you're willing to drop some serious dollars on a grown-up toy that will make the neighborhood kids weep with bitterness and jealousy. Worth it! From the company the brought you the Razor Scooter, the Crazy Cart XL is a supersized version of the popular kids' go-kart racer that spins and drifts like the world's most deranged bumper car. Check out the demo video to see the madness. You get up to 40 minutes of continuous use off the rechargeable batteries, with a 240-pound weight limit. The Crazy Cart really is a marvel of innovative design, and it moves like nothing else on wheels.
Giant Beer Pong -$80 or scavenge
We hesitate to even mention this one, fearing the downfall of Western Civilization and so forth, but the perennial frat house favorite beer pong has migrated into the outdoor activity realm with the advent of Giant Beer Pong. You can purchase commercial variants online, like the BEARPONG kit pictured here. Or for a more cumbersome (but somehow more satisfying) DIY solution, just gather up some of those janitor-style trash containers and old-school dodgeballs. Please pong responsibly.
