Outdoor Fun: Enjoy the Summer at Home and Away

Everyone's favourite time of year is finally here!  After what feels like an eternity of cold, wet, gloomy weather, the sun has finally put in an appearance – a bit of a novelty, here in the UK – so make sure you make the most of the warm weather by spending some time in the great outdoors!

Even if you're not planning to go away on holiday, there's no need to stay cooped up indoors this summer. A trip to the park, or the seaside, or a day in the countryside, are all great ways to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. And summer evenings in the garden, with dinner cooked on the barbecue and a refreshing glass of something cold and wet, are one of life's simplest pleasures.

But sunbathing and relaxing aren't everyone's cup of tea… so here's a selection of our favourite outdoor toys – for children and adults – to help you enjoy a summer of fun, whether you're going on holiday or spending the summer at home.

Spacehoppers

Bouncing around the garden on this famous orange inflatable toy with the strange grinning face was a favourite summer activity for thousands of children, thirty-something years ago, in the days before computer games came along and tempted us back indoors.

In the 1970s the spacehopper was one of the most popular outdoor toys on the market. The modern version is just as much fun as the original, with one small difference… it's also available in a giant size, so adults can relive their childhood by racing spacehoppers up and down the garden.

The spacehopper is more than just a fun outdoor toy, though… it's also a great way to keep fit. So now you can have some outdoor fun and keep in shape at the same time.

Paintball Splatter Gun

The Paintball Splatter Gun provides hours of messy, energetic outdoor fun. No batteries or gas are required to fire the paint balls – they're fired by a high powered spring mechanism, accurately and over a long range – producing a satisfying splat when the paintballs hit a hard object.

The paint is biodegradable and water based, so it washes off. A cartridge of 10 paintballs is supplied with the gun, and fresh cartridges can be bought separately. Goggles are also supplied, along with a wipe-clean plastic target.

Parafoil Pocket Kite

Even when the sun is out, if you're near the coast or up a hill you should find there's just enough wind to fly a kite.

If you don't fancy the idea of lugging a full-size kite around with you, then the Parafoil Pocket Kite is ideal. It opens out to 50cm x 38cm, but when folded up it's small enough to fit in your pocket. The Parafoil Pocket Kite is suitable for beginners as well as experienced kite-flyers, and has a single line with handle and a multi-coloured tail.

Water Bombs

Enjoying water fights is something we never grow out of. Delivering a good drenching – and receiving one – is the ultimate, timeless way to have raucous fun outdoors on a hot summer's day.

Water bombs – tiny balloons which are filled with water and thrown at unsuspecting victims – are one of the cheapest ways to enjoy a water fight. They can be thrown, they can be dropped from an upper storey window, or they can be fired from a Wild Sling Solo – a high speed catapult specially designed for firing water bombs at speed across a good distance. Simply put your feet into the stirrups, draw back the balloon-loaded pouch, aim and fire – delivering a satisfying soaking to anyone who is unfortunate enough to get in the way!