This summer is going to be hot! It’s only mid-May and we’ve already had a bunch of days with weather that feels a lot more like July than May. Even so, summer is my favourite season of all because life seems to slow down, and we get to spend more time outside. I love how the daylight and warm summer evenings stretch out until almost 10pm, and I’m really looking forward to starting up our Friday tradition of sushi in the park again.
You might already know that we’re big fans of Mastermind Toys. Our local store is one of my favourite places to shop for toys, both because of how great their toy experts are at helping me find the perfect gift, and because I’m just a big kid at heart. Our friends at Mastermind Toys sent us some games to play this summer and to share with you.
On almost any given summer afternoon, my girls beg me to break out the sprinkler. But I don’t always want to go through all the trouble of unrolling the hose, dragging it into the backyard, and hooking it up. And then when those water restrictions kick in, we won’t be able to run the sprinkler any more period. That’s when we grab the new Zing Wet Head Water Roulette Game ($26.99) instead. It’s a lot of fun for the kids and parents too!
You fill the little blue container on top of the hard hat with water, insert the pins, and strap it on. Then you just spin the spinner and start pulling out the pins. One of them will unleash the flood, but of course you won’t know which one until it happens.
The kids think the whole concept is pretty awesome, but I’m not sure which they like better: when they get wet or when I’m the one getting a soaking!
You know what else my kids love doing on those long summer days? Riding around our street on their scooters. Sometimes we’ll head over to the neighbourhood park for a picnic dinner, and we’ll bring their scooters so they can ride them along the park paths too.
If you’ve been hunting for an age-appropriate scooter, Mastermind Toys has put together this Scooter Guide for any parent looking to find just the right ride this summer.
But of course not every summer day is full of sunshine. What about when it’s raining? Instead of turning on the TV, I prefer to break out some fun indoor games.
In Maze Racers ($49.99), players build their own maze using foam magnetic pieces on a magnetic board. Once one player has finished their maze, the other player has to finish theirs in one minute. Then the players swap their maze boards and try to steer the wooden ball through the maze as quickly as possible.
Aimed at kids 8 and up, it’s a bit beyond Kay, but Tee can build a simple maze on her own. The nice thing about Maze Racers is that kids can build increasingly complex mazes as their skill level increases. Even though Kay’s designs don’t hold the ball, she enjoys using the pieces to create her own pictures and designs anyway.
And then there’s Codenames ($34.99), a party game for adults. Two teams, each made up of 2-4 players, compete to identify all their team’s secret codenames first. The two rival spymasters give clues to help their teams guess their team’s words while avoiding the opposing team’s words and the black “assassin” codename word.
To be honest, when I first read through the instructions, it didn’t sound all that exciting. But once we started playing, I realized it was actually a lot of fun for everyone and perfect for get togethers. I’m a word lover, and it’s more challenging than you might think to give clues that will lead your team to guess only the word(s) you want and not the other team’s words.
With these new games in my cupboard, I’m excited about all the fun days to come this summer!
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Canadian owned and operated, Mastermind Toys is Canada’s largest specialty toy and children’s book retailer. They’ve been operating for over 30 years in the Greater Toronto area and have recently expanded to 45 stores across Canada and growing. Mastermind Toys offers free gift wrapping in store and free shipping (up to $15) on purchases over $60.
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Win a $100 Gift Card!
Mastermind Toys is generously giving a $100 gift card to one lucky winner to do some summer shopping! This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, 18+. All entries will be verified.
While you’re here, check out my other open giveaways on my Giveaway Page!
Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
My grandson would have fun with the MADD Gear Kick Extreme
The Original Space Scooter: X580 would excite my grandson to no end
I would definitely say The Original Space Scooter: X580!
My granddaughter would love the Globber My Free 4-in-1, it’s perfect!!
The Mastermind Toys’ Scooter Guide has some awesome Scooters and my child would would have loads of fun this summer with the The Original Space Scooter: X580
I think our daughter would like the Micro Sprite Aluminum the most 🙂
My daughter would love the MADD Gear VX6 Pro
My nephew would like the Micro Maxi Kick best. The three wheels would help with balance.
I really like most of these scooters and all the helmets. Since my great grandson is only 2, I would choose the Macro Mine-2-Go. I love all the choices you give us. The helmets are so individualized and attractive.
I know my son would love The Original Space Scooter X580,he would have a blast outside with his dad.
The A terrific starter scooter would be perfect for my granddaughter, she is 3. She would have so much fun.
the youngest step grand daughter would be suited for the versatile training scooter
the paw patrol lights and sounds air patroller plane
MADD Gear VX6 Pro for my grandson.
The Globber My Free 4-in-1 sounds like it would be perfect for my kids.
My daughter would love the Micro Mini Kick scooter!
My nephew would love the Micro Maxi Kick scooter.
I think my son would love the Globber my free 4 in 1 scooter.
I think the Micro Maxi Kick would be a hit with both of my girls!
I think my son would like the Micro Mini 2Go! Thanks for the chance!
The MADD Gear VX6 Pro for older kids would be the choice to make. Pricy, but I like it too!
My nephew would love the Original Space Scooter: Junior X360 because it is extra stable for his age and physical level.
I think my 15 mo granddaughter would like the Micro Mini-2-Go. Looks easy enough to use that a new rider would get it fast
I am loving the Street Sport Dotted Helmut, my daughter would love that!
My child would love to play with the Globber! Perfect scooter to grow with.
I’m having a grandchild this summer so I would like to have the my 1st (2nd, 3rd & 4th) scooter!
My youngest grandson would love the Micro Mini-2-Go. He is just learning to use his ride on toys and loves using them in the back yard.
My daughters would have so much fun on the Slackers Slide and Surf Screamin’ 20’ Water Slide
My grandson would love to have The Original Space Scooter: X580. He would have loads of fun with it.
My daughter would love the Globber My Free 4-in-1
the Globber My Free 4-in-1, it’s perfect for my neice
My daughter would love the micro mini kick! She’s little so she would love the size and lightweight factor.
As my son is now a teen the scooter best for him would be The Original Space Scooter: X580.
I think the kids will have the most fun with The Original Space Scooter: X580 because of its age appropriateness and options.
My older kid would have the most fun on The Original Space Scooter: X580, and it would last a bunch of years.
I think my son would really enjoy the Micro Mini-2-Go in blue. It’s very versatile and since it grows with him it’s definitely a toy that would last for years. Thank you for a wonderful post and giveaway! Good luck all 🙂
Re: the kid has most fun on The Original Space Scooter: X580. Wow, prize $100 gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂
I know my son would have a blast with the MADD Gear Kick Extreme. I would be nervous though!
definitely LEGOs!
My 8 yr old would love the MADD Gear Kick Extreme or Pro. he enjoys going on the ramps but his current scooter doesn’t spin like the good trick scooters.
My little guys would do well with the The Original Space Scooter: X580.
The Original Space Scooter: X580 would be awesome
Wow, the MADD Gear Kick Extreme looks like a good fit for my kids!
My daughter would love the Micro Maxi Kick.
My niece would love The Original Space Scooter: Junior X360 – A Mastermind exclusive!
When I win The Original Space Scooter : Junior X360 I would donate it to a needy child in my community.
My granddaughter would love the Micro Mini Kick Scooter.
My grandkids love board games – I think Codenames would be fun for them.
My grandson would love the blue Micro Mini Kick.
I think he’d love the MADD Gear Alloy Kick – he likes the colours that it comes in.