The 8 Best Backyard Sprinklers for Kids
It’s hot outside and the kids are tired of sitting inside. Wanna know the secret to get them off the couch and outside playing? It’s water! No pool? No problem! These awesome water play sprinklers for kids are an easy and affordable way to stay cool and have fun!
Sprinklers have come a long way since I was a kid…all we had was the same sprinkler we used to water our lawn.
Today there are so many choices:
- Splash pads
- Inflatable sprinklers
- Spinning sprinklers
- Even trampoline sprinklers!
Water is an amazing thing.
If you are hoping to transform a boring afternoon into hours of fun, just add water and watch the kids play, splash and laugh the day away.
It’s downright magical!
And there’s just something about water spraying everywhere that creates instant joy.
The best part is that sprinklers are an affordable and budget friendly way to get your kids outside playing, running and away from tablets and screens.
There is just something so nostalgic about the simplicity of running through a sprinkler on a hot summer day – it’s an experience that ever child should have and the stuff that childhood memories are made of.
If you are looking for a fun and enticing sprinkler to create some summertime fun at home this year we have got you covered!
Check out this list of our favorite kid’s sprinklers to add a little magic to your yard.
The Best Outdoor Kids Sprinklers: Top Picks and Reviews
SplashEZ 3-in-1 Sprinkler for Kids
With over 10,000 5-Star reviews this sprinkler, wading pool and splash-mat combo secures it's spot at the top of our list. The perfect tool to entice kids to get outside and off of screens for some fun outdoor time. The 5 feet diameter makes it big enough for multiple kids or for adults to fit in and cool off too. The shallow pool and soft border make this product just as safe as it is fun.
What we like:
- American based company
- No inflating required (the water is what keeps it up)
- Great customer service
- Designs include alphabet and world map options to increase play and learning opportunities.
Nelson The Narwhal Water Sprinkler
This high-quality kids sprinkler is going to have your kids soaking wet while they laugh, spray and run through Nelson the Narwhal's fantastic spray. Shooting up to 12 feet high and 16 feet wide at full blast this sprinkler is perfect for parties, friends or backyard family fun. This is larger than most sprinklers and will attach to a standard garden hose for hours of energy-burning fun.
What we like:
- Quickly connects to hose and create a huge spray of water.
- Perfect for multiple kids or groups to all play at the same time.
- All the parts are rounded, so no risk of injury.
Ginormous Inflatable Unicorn Sprinkler
This gigantic inflatable outdoor unicorn sprinkler is the stuff that dreams and memories are made of. Easy to inflate and comes with 4 stakes to keep it securely in place while your kids go absolutely crazy running around and getting wet all spring and summer long. If you are looking for a magical water sprinkler for kids, this 6 foot tall unicorn is our top pick.
What we like:
- It’s a unicorn!
- Measures over 6 feet high when fully inflated.
- Stakes included to hold in down are included with purchase.
Trampoline Sprinkler for Kids
This heavy duty trampoline sprinkler is the best of the best. The product specializes in provided the perfect trampoline water park experience. We love that it is super strong and well made. It is also the only trampoline sprinkler that has a "warm up zone" where the kids can get out of the spray and get warm or dry off again before jumping back into the fun.
What we like:
- The sprinkler turns your trampoline into a water park.
- Attaches to the outside of the safety net to prevent kids from grabbing or getting stuck in the tubing.
- 33 feet long and comes with cable ties for easy set up.
Inflatable Monster Outdoor Sprinkler
A fun and safe way to cool off at home all summer long. This kid sprinkler is over 6 feet tall when fully inflated making it perfect for birthday parties or simple backyard family fun. Kids will love the character and parents will love kids who play outside all day.
What we like:
- Perfect for anyone who likes dinosaurs.
- Perfect for a birthday party, bbq or just a hot day.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with it own stakes to keep it from flying away.
Backyard Spinning Turtle Sprinkler
This crazy sprinkler is the quintessential outdoor water toy for summertime fun. Easy to set up and no inflating required. This wacky spinning turtle sprinkler will have kids cracking up as they hop, run and splash through it's 8 feet of spray. A great sensory experience while kids cool off and play outside this summer.
What we like:
- No inflating required!
- Comes with an extra hose connector.
- 8ft sprinkler range for lots of room to run and play.
- The back of the turtle spins around while the wiggling tubes spray water in a fun and spontaneous pattern that kids love.
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Pretty Petals Sprinkler Toy
This Melissa and Doug sprinkler is a top seller and it's easy to see why. Simple to attach to any outdoor hose, and easy to adjust spray. This simple sprinkler toy is adorable and allows for imaginative play. This is our top pick for the best kids sprinkler for toddlers.
What we like:
- Cute flower design.
- A durable product created by the trusted Melissa & Doug brand.
Inflatable Narwhal Sprinkler
Yes, two narwhal sprinklers made it onto the list. That's because this inflatable kids sprinkler is the perfect lawn toy. We included this one on the list due to it's smaller size incase you wanted all the fun of an inflatable sprinkler without having to store a large product. Almost 2 feet high this sprinkler is perfect to set up in the lawn or next to the pool to add more excitement to spring and summer playtime.
What we like:
Smaller size perfect for younger kids. Comes with a pump to make inflating super easy. Lower spray height for smaller kids.
There you have it mama! Tons of super fun sprinklers for the kids to play in all summer long. Stay cool and have fun!
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Key Features for Kids Sprinklers
When deciding which sprinkler is going to be best for your family, there are a few things to consider. Be sure to check each product for these features and specifications to make sure you end up happy and satisfied.
Age recommendation
Each sprinkler is going to have a recommended age for use. This is important because depending on the age of your children you want to choose a fun and safe product. If you have a very young child be sure to verify that the sprinkler your choose is safe for their age group. This is especially true when considering a splash mat or splash pad since children can drown in just a few inches of water.
Safety Features
In addition to the age recommendations you want to look for other safety features. For example, with the inflatable sprinklers you want to make sure it comes with stakes to tie it down safely and avoid any injuries if it were to fly away. You also want to see what the sprinkler is made of. Choosing soft plastics or rubbers is our preference since hard plastics and metals can lead to accidents and owies.
Spray Range
This is a key factor when determining which backyard sprinkler is the best pick for your family. Depending on how many children you have and whether or not you plan to use the sprinkler for birthday parties or family get togethers you may need quite a large spray range. Before purchasing be sure to verify what the maximum spray area is. This will let you know if there will be enough room for multiple kids to play at once. Another alternative is to purchase multiple sprinklers to set up throughout the yard.
