MDW looks a little different in the COVID era. With some beaches still closed or operating on a limited capacity and most of our travel plans canceled, families in the U.S. are probably looking at a smaller scale backyard celebration this Memorial Day.  Even though you can’t get your friends and extended family together for the long weekend, you can still create some fun experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor toys, family games, and creative activities that the whole family will love. Our picks not only include everything you need for the perfect splash session, but also some great board games to play inside on cool nights. Get competitive, stay active, and show off your creative skills with all the fun things in store! Make this MDW all about play — we promise, you won’t regret it! And don’t forget: these toys and games are best coupled with a cheeseburger.

BIRDIE GOLF

Kids can place the weighted flag cup on any surface to create their own course. Then, set the ball on its uniquely designed, built-in “birdie-tail” stand, and use the club to send it flying. The aerodynamic tail keeps it in play, no matter how powerful kids hit it. Kids can place the weighted flag cup…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

CRAZY BUNCH O BALLOONS

Each Bunch O Balloons set can fill and seal 100 water balloons in just 60 seconds. This new version features a mix of multicolored balloons for rainbow water balloon fun.Each Bunch O Balloons set can fill and seal 100 water balloons in just 60 seconds. This new version features a mix of multicolored balloons for…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $8.49; $12.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

H2OGO! TURBO SPLASH MEGA WATER PARK

Kids can experience all the fun of a water park at home with this extravagant inflatable space for sliding, climbing, and exploring. It features a climbing wall, a point-and-spray water blaster, a dispenser that periodically dumps out water, a slide, and a shallow splash pool. Kids can experience all the fun of a water park…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $299
  • Age:
  • 5+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

POP AND PASS

With Pop and Pass, kids can grab a launcher and insert the soft foam ball, pull back the handle to load, and launch it into the air while the other player tries to catch it. The functional basket design features an easy auto-reload, and an oddly satisfying “bloop” sound effect accompanies each pop and pass.With…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MARSHMALLOW BLASTER DOUBLE BARREL BLASTER

Kids can launch real marshmallows up to 40 feet away by pumping the handle on the back of this blaster. The easy-to-fill cylinder can hold up to 50 mini marshmallows. Kids can launch real mini marshmallows up to 40 feet away by pumping the handle on the back of this blaster. The easy-to-fill cylinder can…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $30.99; $34.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

LITTLE TIKES SPLASH HIT TENNIS

This sports activity set features two modes of play: pop-up tennis, in which kids step on the tee to launch the ball for kids to hit; and splash tennis, which lets water spout from the tee and send the ball flying. The tee easily attaches to a standard garden hose.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 2+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

CRAYOLA 24-COUNT WASHABLE SIDEWALK CHALK

Kids can get outside for artistic, imaginative fun and create masterpieces with bright, bold colors. The chalk's anti-roll shape prevents it from rolling down driveways or other inclined surfaces. Kids can get outside for artistic, imaginative fun and create masterpieces with bright, bold colors. The chalk's anti-roll shape prevents it from rolling down driveways or…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $2.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

FUNATIC FOAM

The colorful, scented, Funatic Foam brings bubbly fun to the bathtub or the backyard. Kids can spray foam made from real soap into the palms of their hands or blast it up to 8 feet when playing outside. It won't sting kids' eyes and is designed to be safe for indoor or outdoor use. The…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $9.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

MY FAIRY GARDEN NATURE COTTAGE

Plant a garden in this whimsical fairy house. There's plenty of space for the included Isla figurine to hang out inside and on the balcony. The cottage doubles as a planter so kids can learn about gardening and STEM concepts. Plant a garden in this whimsical fairy house. There's plenty of space for the included…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

RECYCLE RALLY

In this cooperative game, 3-5 players race to collect recyclables and bring them to the recycling centers. If more than 24 items end up in the incinerator at the end of the game, all players lose. Kids will learn how to properly separate recyclables while they play. In this cooperative game, 3-5 players race to…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.95
  • Age:
  • 7+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

STACKTOPUS

Designed for 1-3 players, this game challenges kids to grip cups and quickly position them like they see on the card, but they have to do it while wearing Silly Sea Fingers, which look like octopus tentacles. Designed for 1-3 players, this game challenges kids to grip cups and quickly position them like they see…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $12.99
  • Age:
  • 5+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

CARPOOL KARAOKE

Got moves like Jagger or a voice like Ariana? Using your favorite music app or streaming service, select a song and duel other players — in song, dance moves, or celebrity trivia — to earn points in this team-based game. Got moves like Jagger or a voice like Ariana? Using your favorite music app or…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 12+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva is editor-in-chief of the Pop Insider and the Toy Insider, the leading consumer holiday gift guide and toy review and news website. As a professional toy reviewer and an industry expert, she consistently reports on toy, entertainment, and pop culture trends and hot products. In addition to digital content management, Marissa contributes feature-length articles to the Pop Insider and leading toy industry trade magazine The Toy Book, providing retailers, manufacturers, and licensors with information on the latest in toy news. Marissa has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, ABC World News Now, MSNBC, CBS, NY1, WPIX, and more. A board game fanatic and professional toy reviewer, she spends most of her free time shopping for superhero T-shirts, crushing at Mario Kart, and anxiously awaiting her Hogwarts acceptance letter. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @thattoygirl.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitterxyoutube