Fun In Hot Sun With Cool Gadgets, Toys!
Summer is fun enough with conventional toys and gadgets.
But why not add to it with neat, new ones?
On The Early Show Friday, Paul Hochman, a contributing writer to Fast Company magazine, suggested several -- most having something to do with water.
The following descriptions were prepared, in part, with information provided by the manufacturers:
Aqua Zooka water cannon
If you have water, you have a water-cannon firing range of up to 60 feet. The Aqua Zooka uses basic siphoning properties that enable you to dip the tip into the lake, pull water into the cannon's barrel, and fire streams of water at your pals. Fun, fast, inexpensive. As little as $8
Super-Soaker Bottle Shot
This is the industry's high-water mark for super-soakers, a handheld water cannon that has two spray modes and a reservoir that can keep you spraying for minutes. $8.99
Olympus waterproof/shockproof point-and-shoot digital camera
This will enable you to take pictures even at the beach or on the boat: The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is submersible to 33 feet (it will even take movies down there), and droppable from over six feet without risk of damage; the 1030 SW is by far the best beach/water/vacation point-and-shoot digital camera on the market. $399
Protect those toes on the beach!
Vibram, famous for its hiking boot and mountaineering treads, has created a shoe that's, well, just tread. The shoe looks like no other and is essentially a hybrid of a flip-flop and a glove. What it enables is the total freedom of barefooting -- whether it's on a boat, on the beach, in a pool, even diving among sharp coral, without the worry about sharp objects. $70
Waterproof Jacket
The coolest, easiest-to-pack water/rain jacket on the market, from a Marblehead, Mass. company called Atlantis Weathergear. I recommend the Microburst Jacket. Almost distractingly lightweight and comfortable in hot weather. $135
Aviva Fishin' Buddy
Remote-controlled boat makes fishing even more fun! No more casting! Take your bait to the fish. Catch fish up to two pounds. Both kids and adults will have a blast with the Aviva Fishin' Buddy. Simply bait the hook, troll the waters, and keep an eye on the bobber. A telescoping rod makes retrieval easy, and the radio controls make fishing fun. $59.95
Aviva Saturn with Duraskin Water Toy
A huge, spinning planet for the lakefront or pond. It's a floating, spinning, slippery raft about seven feet tall, made of ultra-tough 840 denier nylon; the Saturn pumps up with a shop vac or, if you want to purchase a portable pump, with a small 'airhead' compressor pump, commonly used to refill flat tires. $399
Wham-o Slip and Slide Splash Tunnel
A thrilling, 20-foot-long and 10-and-a-half-foot-tall inflatable backyard water slide. Plus, a 20-footft. (6,1m) long water slide through the Slip 'N Slide Splash Tunnel. Large splash pool at end of each slide. Easy to set up in just minutes, with the included 960 watt constant air blower. For ages 5-12.
Splash 'n Play Colossal Pool, by Leaps and Bounds
While many are familiar with the traditional (and basic) kiddie pool, the Splash 'n Play is cool because it has variety. There are four activity stations, including a basketball hoop and sprinkler, that keep kids cool all summer. $59.95