Outdoor Toys – Bouncers, Pogo Sticks, Trampolines

Remember the days when we were kids and our parents sent us outside to play (ok I was born in the 50’s). We roamed our neighborhood on bikes, stopping at our friends, the local park, the public swimming pool and sometimes an empty lot with trees where we built forts.  We burned energy and had fun.  Today’s kids, especially in urban areas, do not have so much space to roam.  They need activities that are outdoors but can also be safely behind the fence in the yard. Today we look at backyard bouncers, pogo sticks and trampolines. 

The backyard bouncers this year are incredible.  The Little Tikes Bounce n Slide Jumper is a classic bouncer and slide for ages 3 and up. It measures 9′ x 12′ x 6′ high and of course is made of puncture resistant material.  It’s a great purchase for a birthday party.  Why rent, this bouncer is only $198! Little Tikes has several other backyard bouncers in cluding a sports center which are also well made and fun.

Mo Aire also has some great bouncers with a little more flashy designs. Their smallest features a tropical paradise with palm trees.  A larger Mo Aire Jolly Giant Air Fun System is 11H x 10W x 12D and includes a slide and game toss ring. This would also make a great home bouncer for a Birthday party.

Shooting Star Design has several new themed bouncers this year including a Safari Bouncer, Disco Jumper, Buzz Lightyear Bounce House, Magic Dragon Bounce House, Dodge Ball Bounce House and more! The Dodge Ball Bounce House is 20′ x 20′ x 10′  and includes dodge balls. We like the combination of sports and bounce!

For the budding gymnast, a trampoline can offer hours of outdoor fun. There are many sizes available. Be sure to purchase an enclosure so that your jumper doesn’t bounce right off the trampoline!  There are also small invidual jumpers with handles so that toddlers can jump along just like their big brother or sister!

Moon shoes, anti-gravity boots, and pogo sticks are also great fun for indivdual play!  There are some inexpensive options (moon shoes and basic pogo sticks) and also some high tech jumping technology. The gravity defying boots for adults state that a patented t-spring system transforms walking, jumping, or running into an exhilarating bounce and is easy on the joints. There are also extreme pogo sticks with up to 1200 pounds of thrust. That means that a 170 pound person can get up to 5 feet of elevation.  Safety gear (helmets, knee pads, etc) is recommended for these activities (shame on the manufacturers for not showing it in their promotional pictures). My niece Hannah is having a great time in her moon shoes and yes she is wearing her helmet!

Visit our Outdoor Toys site to find great deals on these and other great toys for fun outdoors!