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This shark-shaped tent is really neat for kids. It isn't scary looking and also isn't too cute.
How fun would it be for kids to camp out (even if it is only in the backyard) in one of these? You could bring a portable DVD player along and watch Shark Week DVDs inside the Shark Tent!
There just aren't enough bars and restaurants with outdoor seating and TVs in St. Louis. Maybe that's because of the 99% humidity. It'd be awesome to have this All-Weather LCD HDTV to put out on a patio or deck so I could sit outside at home on a nice summer evening and watch a Cardinals game.
The price tag might scare you. If you want a TV that can withstand rain, heat, and sun, you'll have to spend about $5,000. But hey, it's 46" and you can watch TV outside!
I've said this so many times, and I'm going to say it again here - "Where was this toy when I was a kid?!?"
Back in the 80s, my waterslide was basically a strip of yellow tarp. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. We'd lay it on the big hill in my grandparents' backyard and slide for hours, ending up with some serious grass burns by the end of the day. But holy cow, if we'd had the 3D Shark Bite Waterslide back then, I don't think you'd have ever gotten us back inside.
As you can see, the slide features a big ol' shark's mouth that you slide through. If that wasn't cool enough, it comes with 3D goggles, so the shark's mouth really pops, making the ride, well, at least 3 times more thrilling. It also appears to have a "guard" at the end so you don't fling off into the grass like I used to in the old days. Safety first, kids.
Need a unique gift for the daredevil in your family? Check out the Flybar 800.
It may not look like much in the photo, but the Flybar 800 is pretty much a pogo stick on steroids. With a patented system of rubber spring elements (as opposed to the traditional steel) that can be adjusted for the needs of the rider, it can get you jumping over 4 feet in the air. Um, that's high. And if it's not high enough, you can get the Flybar 1200, which has the potential to get you soaring over 5 feet in the air. Frankly, I'd be scared to get on this thing, but the fun potential is so great that I just may have to try it if I ever got the chance.
At about $200-$250, the price tag is a little hefty, but the right gift recipient would probably love you forever.
Sunprints are seriously magic. All you need to create these unique photographs, also called cyanotypes, are sunlight, light-sensitive paper, water, and whatever object you want to photograph (leaves, coins, flowers, etc). The Sunlight Print Kit includes the light-sensitive paper, instruction/project booklet, templates, and a pen for marking your photographs. Mother Nature will provide the sunlight, water, and your inspiration. Here are a couple examples:
Cool, huh? Now that summer is nearing, this would make a great outdoor activity for kids, as well as adults who just need a fun and creative outlet. And be sure to check out Vat19.com for even more outdoor fun!
When I was a kid, my grandma had a huge yard with tons of leaves in it. She pitted my brother and I against each other and paid us one penny each for every leaf we gathered. If I'd had these Bear Claw Scoops back then, I would have totally kicked my brother's butt.
Seriously, while these may be a bit goonie-looking, they seem like they'd be insanely useful. You'd get twice the yard work done in half the time, maybe even less than that. And then you could chase kids around and freak them out with your big green plastic bear claw hands. Goodtimes!
This gorgeous vessel is an all-transparent two-passenger canoe/kayak from Clear Blue Hawaii, and omg, I want one. I also want to see that view every morning when I look out my window, but we can't always get what we want, can we?
But if you live anywhere with calm, clear waters just begging to be explored, and if you have an extra $1,800 or so lying around, this is the kayak for you. Made from the same polycarbonate material used in the production of bulletproof glass and fighter jet canopies, the kayak endured durability tests like intense crashing against rocky shorelines, 20-foot drops, hammer blows, and an ejection from a vehicle at 70mph. (Sounds like an average day at MythBusters, if you ask me.) However, the maker still recommends just using the vessel in calm conditions - no white water or surf kayaking. I suppose this means I could use it for floating the Midwestern rivers near me like the Mississippi, although I'm not sure I'd really see much through those muddy waters besides, well, mud.
If you're lucky enough to live near waters rich with aquatic life, though, this kayak is a great way to see it all without having to strap on bulky diving or snorkeling equipment.
Does an outdoor table get any cooler than this? The center of the table can be a regular fire pit, a gas grill, or an ice bucket. During the summer you can put a patio umbrella in the center instead. Talk about versatile!
Bar height tables probably aren't the norm for outdoor furniture, but I like it. It makes it easy for people to sit at the table on bar stools or stand at the table and not make the people standing feel awkward. The granite makes it look very nice and also makes it very expensive. The base price is $2,359.00! This table is cool, but not that cool.
Not into the bar height? Check out this dining height granite table with a fire pit.
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