Summer is here and we’re ready to play outside! I was lucky enough to test out some of this summer’s must have toys.
I love it when my kids play in the backyard for hours. We don’t have a large swing set in our yard so I like to have all kinds of fun activities ready to go for when it’s a nice sunny day.
Recently, Mastermind Toys sent me three new great outside toys that you need to know about!
We received a pair of Kidnoculars, a set of Dodge Tag and Lazer Pitch Baseball.
{Kidnoculars}
These kids binoculars are AWESOME! Kidnoculars are easy to hold and they are focus-free. They enlarge things more than three times their size. Kids can keep the kidnoculars tied around their neck with the cord provided.
My kids love using these in the backyard to bird watch and peek in the neighbour’s yard. We also take them on hikes and have seen some pretty great things with them.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars are designed for ages 3 and up. They are available at Mastermind Toys for $16.99.
{Dodge Tag}
This is a super fun version on the classic Dodgeball game we’ve all played at school. Dodge Tag comes with two velcro vests and six balls. We’ve played all kinds of variations of this game. I’ve hidden all the balls and had my kids run around the yard to find them. I’ve made them race for the balls and I’ve even hung the vests to chairs and had them try to hit the target.
This game can be a little tricky for young kids as it’s hard to hit a moving target. The vests go on easily and are adjustable, the velcro bullseye on the vests is super sticky and the balls are soft and won’t hurt if they hit someone in the face.
This is a great backyard game! You can purchase Dodge Tag at Mastermind Toys for $19.99.
{Lazer Pitch Baseball}
Lazer Pitch Baseball has gotten the most action in my yard. Lazer Pitch Baseball comes with one pitching machine, a bat and five balls.
When I first unpacked this toy I was skeptical that it would actually work. How could a “toy” actually pitch balls accurately? I was so impressed to see how this pitching machine worked. You can choose between two settings, auto or bat. Auto pitches the balls one after the other. The bat option needs the player to push a button on the bat when they are ready for the ball. This is our favourite option. My kids LOVE having control of when the ball shoots out. You can also select the angle of the pitch by moving the angle of the machine (it clicks into different angles).
This is a toy for the entire family. My husband and I have tried it and we’ve even had neighbourhood games with the Lazer Pitch Baseball machine. Everyone I’ve showed it has absolutely loved it and wants one for themselves!
Lazer Pitch Baseball is great for the backyard but even better at the park. We’ve had to run into our neighbours yards lots to retrieve balls.
You can purchase Lazer Pitch Baseball at Mastermind Toys for $49.99
What are your favourite backyard toys? I’d love to know what your kids are into!
{Giveaway!}
The awesome team at Mastermind Toys is giving away one $75 Gift Card to spend online or in a Mastermind Toys store. To enter, tell me which of the three above toys you’d most like for your kids and why. Then fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Giveaway open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec. Giveaway runs from July 2, 2014 – July 14, 2014. Mandatory question must be answered to be eligible to win.
Hmm, I think the laser pitch baseball would be the most fun for my kids. They love playing tee ball at their grandma’s with their.cousins and I think they could enjoy improving their swings
I think my ladies would like Dodge Tag
Laser Pitch Baseball! Our kids are REALLY into baseball right now, so this one would be right up their alley.
Thank you!
Dawn
The laser pitch baseball would be the clear winner in our family!
My son would LOVE the binoculars! He enjoys looking at the different animals that live around our house!
We’d use the binoculars for sure…lots of nature walks in our homeschool – the only problem is that we’d need 4 pairs, lol! 😉
Kidnoculars, as my toddler needs to wait another year or two to use the other toys
My son would absolutely LOVE the Lazer Pitch Baseball! He loves playing baseball and is always looking for someone to throw the ball so he could bat!
I would like the laser pitch baseball, cause my little guy loves baseball
My son would like the Kidnoculars because he loves looking through daddy’s binoculars!
Lazer pitch would be great for my boys to try batting
The laser pitch baseball would be a hug hit for my 5 year old!
My son loves the Kidnoculars.
The Kidnoculars would be perfect for my 3 yr old. Awesome toys!!
I would like the Dodge Tag for my daughter. I would enjoy it as much as her.
Definitely the dodge tag. My son and daughter are always looking for new things to play together. And if one doesn’t want to – mommy can instead!!
kidnoculars would be great for my curious daughter and laserpitch baseball for my active son
My guy would love the kidnaculars because we are always trying to see the birds in our backyard, but they are too far away. This would be awesome for him!
like the laser pitch baseball set would be perfect of the active kids!
I would like the Kidnoluclars because my daughter has been asking for a pair. We hike, camp etc a lot and she is always exploring and wanting to get a closer look at things.
The kidnoculars would be awesome. My boys like using their grandpa’s, but a kid set would be great.
My son & daughter would love to play dodge tag together!
it was tough to choose just one because i know my boys would enjoy all 3 but i think my choice would be the lazer pitch baseball because my all of (my boys, myself and my husband) would enjoy it – prefect for a family fun night outside
With this prize you could choose all 3!! Good luck!
Dodge tag looks like lots of fun !!
the baseball set, my boys would love that
We’d love the laser pitch baseball. I can’t throw to save my life, this would be a HUGE help!
I love the binoculars! Great to have kid friendly ones!
The tag game for sure! I can see mommy and daddy having stand offs with that!
Kidnoculars so the kids can explore plants and animals up close!
The lazer pitch baseball as my son is very sporty
I don’t have kids of my own, but I think the Kidnoculars would be great for the kids I know when I’m looking after them. I love taking them on hikes.
Dodge Tag so I can throw things at my kids for fun 🙂
Lazer Pitch Baseball
Dodge tag game looks like a ton of fun, love it for my L/O
the Dodge Tag!
The baseball one would be the best
My kids would love the Dodge Tag for sure. They love chasing each other!
I think the Lazer Pitch Baseball game would be a bit hit in our house and the kiddo’s friends could play as well!
My kids would love the baseball the most
My little ones would love the Kidnoculars! Tons of fun and love that we don’t have to mess with the focus.
I’m keen on the Lazer Pitch Baseball – my daughter is just about old for this, and I think it would offer a lot of independent play!
Dodge Tag looks like a great way to get everyone active
i like the kidnoculars
The Kidnoculars would be a big hit for exploring on hikes!
Sophie would love the Kidnoculars because she likes seeing things that are far away.
My kids would love the Kidnoculars, when we going camping or on walks.
Dodge Tag looks fun
I would like the Lazer Pitch Baseball because it looks like something that my kids would have a lot of fun playing with.
The Dodge Tag for sure because it looks really fun!
lazer pitch baseball!!
Laser pitch baseball for my little fans would be sweet.
The dodge tag for my kids to keep them active at the lake.
Kidnoculars because he loves exploring the outdoors.
Lazer Pitch Baseball looks like a great toy!
My son just started baseball this year so the laser pitch would be great
I love the laser pitch baseball!
lazer pitch baseball because my granddaughter just loves different sports
My son would love Lazer Pitch. He’s really into baseball right now
I think the dodge tag would be great for the grandkids.
lazer pitch baseball
Dodge Tag would be the favourite here! My daughter loves running around and laughs a ton when she does.
My boys would love the laser pitch baseball. Hubby just bought them baseball gloves a week ago so it would be perfect! ⚾️
My kids would love the dodge tag or the kidnoculars for exploring and having fun this summer!
They’d love the Lazer Pitch Baseball machine!
I think my kids would love Dodge Tag the most because they love to play together
the kidnoculars, because they are simply perfect for curious kids!
the Kidnoculars looks super cool!!
I think I would pick the lazer pitch baseball because it looks really fun and my son would love the opportunity to whack a ball at his brother and not actually get in trouble for it
The kidnoculars would be the top pick in my house. My daughter is always stealing our binoculars to look out at the boats on the water so having her own pair would be great.
Lazer Pitch Baseball for the hand eye coordination the most but the dodge tag seems pretty awesome, I’d be all over that 🙂
My girls would love the Kidnoculars!
Lazer Pitch Baseball because he loves to play baseball.
Lazer Pitch Baseball looks awesome for my son!
i like the dodgetag, because my kids (who are very big age diff) could still play together … little sister would likely become a target, but she’s a good sport! 🙂
Dodge Tag, the whole family could play
The Kidnoculars. He’s still a bit little for the other two, but he loves looking for “tiny bugs” and looking at airplanes in the sky and stuff… I think he’d get a real kick out of some kid binoculars, I may get him some for his birthday next week.
The kidnoculars are SO great Dayna. My kids are constantly exploring. I’m so happy they are sharing them well!
My daughter would love the Kidnoluclars! Perfect for camping!
I think he would really like the Kidnoculars. All three look like a lot of fun!
OMG – Dodge Tag, this looks like so much fun. I want to play wth my son and then against my husband
The Dodge Tag Game Because It Looks Like A Ton Of Fun And Great For Many Age Groups.
I would like Dodge Tag because it looks super fun, and pretty easy to play.
My family would really like the laser pitch baseball set
Would love the Dodge Tag, it looks like something the kids would have fun with and I like the idea that it encourages them to be active and move!
My boys would love Dodge tag!
Dodge tag looks super fun 🙂
i think the whole family would have fun with the lazer pitch baseball
My entire family loves it! Even the 3 year old tries to hit the ball.
Dodge tag looks like alot of fun!
Dodge Tag because it looks like a lot of fun and it would keep everyone active!
Dodge tag! Looks like so much fun and safer than dodgeball!
I forgot to mention! Adults can play too! (I’ve played with my friends)
I think dodge tag would be great! My little one love tossing a ball (or two) around!
OMG i think my son would adore the Dodge tag! It would be so much fun with my 5 year old!