To get it to work, you only need to install two AA batteries (not included) and fill the bottom tub with water up to the indicated level. The water runs through a cycle system, so you don't need to refill the tub. The downside to this system is that you need to keep the water clean, so no real soap or dirty dishes should be used. The accessories will change color when the water is warm (above 91 degrees F). The manufacturer recommends removing the faucet from the sink if not in use so the batteries stay dry, even though it's sealed with a waterproof strip. A: You might be surprised to learn that water guns have been around for a long time - they were even mentioned during the Civil War. Yes, seriously! The oldest reference to a squirt gun is from 1896 and it comes from General William T. Sherman: "Why, you might as well attempt to put out the flames of a burning house with a squirt gun." Great outdoor fun during the summer season involves a variety of activities. And because it’s summer, you need to cool down your body with lots of water! That’s why summer is the best season to play water battle games, and no water battles can exist without water guns. Material: Water toys are mostly made from plastic, vinyl, and rubber. According to Morrow, parents should avoid materials that could be harmful, such as lead, phthalates, bisphenols (BPA and BPS), flame retardant chemicals, and formaldehyde. Occasionally, some water toys might have metal parts like stands or joints. Take care with these, as they can get hot to the touch on super warm days and could potentially burn a child.

Today, water guns are a summertime staple that comes in all shapes and sizes with various release mechanisms and designs. You can get anything from a water blaster, a pistol, a squirt gun, and even a grenade-style water blaster. The primary function, other than to shoot water and thoroughly drench your opponent in water, is just to have lots of good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Q: How to fix common water gun problems? The key to winning a water fight is being able to shoot from a distance. Thanks to the pump-action design, the X-Shot blaster can shoot up 34 feet, which is further than most other water gun brands on the market. If you’re buying a water gun for yourself or your teenager, we recommend a large or medium size gun as it has a larger capacity. The X-Shot Mirco Fast Fill, on the other hand, is ideal for small kids as it’s lighter, more compact, and has a smaller water tank. There's a very good reason why you'll find water tables in preschool classrooms and other educational settings: through play, they allow young children to engage with scientific and mathematical concepts, sensory exploration, creativity, and social skills, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). To find the best water toys, we studied the designs and features of dozens of top-rated water toys for kids of different ages and interests. When reviewing products, we carefully considered age recommendations, ease of use, size, material, and value. We also reviewed guidance from the AAP on water safety and drowning prevention, and the NAEYC on the importance of sand and water play. We recommend the toys on this list based on a variety of factors, including developmental appropriateness, materials used, safety, durability, how easy they are to clean, value, and, of course, how fun they are. With squirt guns included in our review that can fire up to an impressive seventy-foot range and some with the capacity to take on board 100 fluid ounces of water, get ready for a total soaking and, of course, a whole lot of summertime fun. The dog days may be over, but September can be just as sweltering as August, so make sure you enjoy those late summer days while you still can! This is also the perfect time to get yourself some water blasters, as many are enjoying discounts because Fall is approaching.And no, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy water wars – you’re still allowed to have fun as an adult! And if simple fun isn’t cutting it for you, here are a few cold-hard facts to reassure you it’s totally fine to enjoy soaking your friends and family with a water pistol from time to time: for one, you’re outside, which means you’re getting some vitamin D, two, you’re running around, so you’re getting some exercise, and three, you’re getting some much-needed stress-relief. There, now go forth and enjoy your guilt-free water fun!

When using splash pads, always put them on a surface with lots of traction, such as grass, to prevent injury. Although this splash pad features a non-slip textured surface, it's safer if you have your kids wear water shoes to prevent falls, especially if multiple children are playing together. Drowning can happen even in inches of water; always directly supervise water play on a splash pad, even if your child is older. Key Specs: Spray distance - An average water blaster can fire a distance of around 10 to 40 feet, but the majority of water guns fall somewhere around 30 feet. If you're looking for water guns for children, 30-ish feet is plenty, but the best water guns for adults should have a greater range. This said, if soaking power is your main focus, a shorter range is totally fine. Practical Uses For A Water GunOne minor detail that sea creature-obsessed kiddos might notice is that this toy only has six legs, while a real octopus has eight—but we're willing to overlook the tiny inaccuracy. We love that the octopus and the rings both float, so toddlers won't have to go under the water to find them. And since there are no holes in this toy for water to gather, it won't get all moldy. Discover the wonder of water play with the Step2 Pump & Splash Discovery Pond. This water garden is designed for little ones to splash and play in their own way, for outdoor sensory fun.

We paid close attention to each model's design and features to separate the awesome water guns from the duds. When it comes to water guns for adults, we looked for models with bigger water tanks so you don't have to refill your blaster over and over again. Kids require smaller and lighter squirt guns that are easy to operate, so that's where our focus was when selecting models for children. In both cases, we kept price and build quality in mind. Whether your little one wants to take a dip in the kiddie pool or the bathtub, this adorable Nuby Floating Octopus is guaranteed to be tons of fun. The toy is made from flexible BPA- and latex-free materials and is designed for kids ages 18 months and older. Kids can try their hand at ring toss, which promotes hand-eye coordination, although some children might find it frustrating that the rings don't catch the curved tentacles easily.

The X-Shot Fast-Fill Water Blaster is one of the best singular water guns on the market. If you or your kid want to be king of the water battlefield, the X-Shot is the blaster to get. It’s an ultra-large gun that can hold around a liter or around 30 ounces of water, so you won’t need to refill it constantly. Speaking of which, refilling this bad boy is a piece of cake. All you need to do is dunk the blaster in water, and it will seal itself the moment you pull it out – it takes about a second! You can also adjust the nozzle at the top of the gun to change the velocity of the water stream. The gun itself is relatively small, but it fits well in most sizes of children’s hands. There is no need to pump the gun ahead of time, as is the case for most other water guns; all you need to do is aim straight at the target and pull the trigger to blast water at your opponent. With a water capacity of 3.3 fluid ounces, ZipFire holds a small amount of water that is ideal for smaller kids. While compact, the gun is tough and durable and will not break when dropped on the floor accidentally. Durability: Water toys are made from plastic, rubber, and vinyl, which, depending on the quality, can deteriorate over time. Keep water toys dry when not in use to prevent mold and mildew build-up. Look for battery-operated water toys that have rubber seals to keep water out. Store them in a cool and dry place in the off-season to protect the toy’s longevity. Kimberly A. Morrow, a teacher and author who holds a Master of Education degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education The Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is ideal because it holds 5 gallons of water and includes 13 accessories, like a strainer, cups, toys, spinners, and half pipes to create a water maze. We love that it has two levels, so kids can pour water at the top and watch as the rain falls on the bottom tier. It's also big enough for several kids to play together, and it's super easy to clean: just drain it and wipe it down with a dry cloth. Levy also recommends this water table because rain showers and waterfalls can have a soothing effect on children.

Tamar Levy, a former educator, reading specialist, founder of That Peach Mommy, and mother of two toddlers Playing battle games with water guns are not only fun, but they also teach kids to socialise with other children. The games encourage them to think strategically, communicate well with others, and work with a team. Last but not the least, water gun games are opportunities to exercise and maintain physical fitness.