So, you’ve got Memorial Day plans. That’s awesome! Maybe you’ll have friends over for a pool party; perhaps it’s a backyard BBQ, or maybe you’re planning a grill-and-cornhole-style backyard party. No matter what you’ve got planned, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got things designed for the kids. Especially if you’re planning a family event with all your relatives, but it’s hard to keep the kids entertained these days beyond their screens. Hard, but not impossible! This list is a collection of some of the best toys and games out there to keep your kids entertained and screen-free during your Memorial Day event, whatever it may be. They can try a storytelling board game, enjoy a backyard swing, or have fun with some pretend play. There’s something on this list for all types of kids and all ages, too, so you’re sure to keep the kids occupied while tossing a few bean bags and drinking a few beers. Go ahead, check this list out. The kids, thank you, and you’ll be glad you did.
Have a Blast With Marble Run
I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with a marble run, but let me tell you — it’s excellent! It’s like those old hamster houses that you stuck all together so your hamster could run through it, but it’s more fun because there’s no tiny creature involved. Except for your kids!
Bring Blippi Home
These kids and their Blippi. I’ve never seen anything like it. They’re obsessed! But I’m not mad about it; Blippi’s pretty educational, so you can’t complain. These awesome cars are a great way to give your kids another dose of Blippi while keeping them away from that screen.
Give Them a Taste of Your Childhood
Rope swings are so fun. Do you remember swinging off of this into a lake? Ah, simpler times. This rope swing is a great way to get your kids outside, enjoying the simpler joys of your youth in the safety of your backyard, under your slightly distracted gaze.
Level Up Your Scrapbooking With These Paper Punchers
These decorative paper hole punchers are perfect for scrapbooking year-round. There are 40 unique designs for every holiday and they come in a handy travel case. The best part is you can use those decorative holes you punched as confetti. It’s a two-in-one deal!
Battery-Operated RC Cars
My nephew has these exact RC cars. He loves them. And, honestly, I enjoy them too. They’re super simple for kids to operate but just as fun as any other RC cars out there. They’re battery-operated, so pop in the battery and go!
Distract Kids for Hours
Puzzles are the ultimate way to keep your kids distracted. And with a puzzle this big, you can keep them distracted for hours and hours. You can set them up inside in the A/C, give them some snacks, and watch them through the glass door while you kick it with all your friends outside.
Keep Older Kids Entertained Too
This game is excellent because the older and younger kids will equally enjoy it. But if you’re primarily a family with older kids, this is perfect for you. They can enjoy time outside in the lovely weather while staying occupied and entertained and out of your grown-up convos.
Peppa Pig Set Has it All
You’ve got Peppa, George, Rebecca Rabbit, Candy Cat, and Gabrielle Goat. What more could you ask for? Your Peppa-loving kiddo will adore this set and be happy to play pretend with it all evening. Plus, none of the pieces are too small so that they won’t get lost.
Easy-to-Install Indoor Jungle Gym
This kit allows you to create an indoor jungle gym for your children who are more inclined to stay inside. Or if you’ve got smaller outdoor space and really can’t set up a whole jungle gym out there. You can set this up before the party and let your kids go crazy while you grill.
Go On Safari Adventures
This kit is a fantastic idea. It’s got everything you need to create a bit at-home safari and keep your kids entertained for hours. You can hide the safari animals right before your Memorial Day get-together, and they can hunt for them with their binoculars, magnifying glass, and a little flashlight. Fun for days!
Hover Soccer Ball
This is a great way to keep the ball “low and slow,” as we say in my family. No heavy soccer balls fly through the air, headed straight for your brand new TV or favorite vase. The kids can enjoy kicking this around in the house while you drink and chat outside.
Splash Pad For Hot Days
Splash pads are a must-have for the summer. It keeps the kiddos cool, and have you ever seen a little kid get told they’re allowed to play in the water? They freak out. They’ll stay in there until they turn into a prune, so this is a solid investment for outdoor activity equipment.
Keep the Fun Going
These balls are for ball pits, but you can honestly use them anywhere! I’ve used them in a bathtub, filled a splash pad with them, and even used them across the top of a pool to see if it was fun (it was!). These are just great all-purpose toys.
Captain the RC Boat
This is an excellent choice for your kiddos if you’ve got a pool in your backyard, a creek or a pond, or even a splash pool. The remote is easy to operate and gives your kids the opportunity to try their hand at captaining their vessel.
We Love Wooden Trains
Wooden toys are underrated, IMHO. They’re better for the environment, they tend to last longer, and I honestly think they look more relaxed. These trains hook together using magnets and run on any wooden track you might already have. They’re great for the younger kiddos who still need a little work on fine motor skills.
Princess Peppa Set
Princess Peppa is even better than regular Peppa because she’s a princess. Duh! And George is a cute little knight. And there’s a tremendous little dragon here too! And the best part is that the castle turns into a carrying case so you can keep it all together and organized. No losing tiny pieces!
Pretend is More Fun
I wish I had play pretend toys like these when I was growing up! They almost look real! They’re cute and fun, and they’ll make your kids feel like they’re a grown-up on their way to do errands. Also, what is it with kids and errands? They’re not fun, kids! We promise!
Magnetic Magic
I mean it! You can make just about anything you can think of with this set. It’s so fun and so easy to use. You could give this to your kid at the beginning of the night, and after the party is over, your kid would have created an entire castle and a carriage.
Dino-Loving Kit
Dinos are cool. That’s not up for debate. But some kids out there find them more incredible than others. If your kid is one of those who love them, you’ve got to grab this! It’s got just about every dinosaur you could think of, and the book it comes with gives them info on them, complete with sounds!
This Game is Awesome
Okay, so, the game is sure to get a laugh from your kids. “Flarts” sounds like… You know. They’ll know, for sure. But after they get past the name, they’ll love this game! It’s darts, but on the floor and without the sharp, pointy, un-child-friendly ends that traditional darts have.
Challenge Them
I would have loved this set if I had them when I was younger. It’s brilliant if you have kids who love a challenge and building things, and it gets them thinking about the way things fit together, the way they work, and how they can create something incredible from those things.
Cook Up A Storm
Kids love to be right underfoot while you’re cooking. Something in their brains says, “get in the way when it’s the most dangerous.” Who knows why. But this set of plastic foods will keep them in their tiny kitchens, “cooking” for themselves while you cook for everyone else.
Go Robot
Robotics is a super fun thing to explore! And I’ve heard that it’s better to get kids interested in the subject when they’re younger — it’s like learning a language; the earlier they start, the easier it is. This excellent STEM toy kit will help them understand the basics while having a great time.
Yes, Miss!
Play pretend. It is so fun! It’s not something we do anymore as adults, but it’s an essential part of being a kid. If you’ve got a kid who already knows they want to be a teacher when they grow up, this kit is perfect. It’s got all they need to set up their own pretend classroom.
Play Royalty
I always wanted one of these as a kid. I was pretty obsessed with being a princess. If I had gotten this, I would have sat in front of it all day, brushing my hair and pretending I was a princess locked up in a tower by an evil witch. This gives your kids a perfect, out-of-the-way place to play.
Build With Blocks
These blocks are a pre-Lego for kids who are too young for all of those little pieces, but they’re a little smaller than the giant blocks you buy for babies. They’re perfect for your kiddos that want nothing more than to build towers higher and bigger than anything they have ever created before.
Learn to Sew
If you have a kid interested in sewing, this is perfect for them! You don’t have to overwhelm them with too much all at once, but you can still give them real, fun projects to complete while they’re learning. It’s sure to occupy them for a few hours while you get some time with your buds.
Stimulate With STEM
STEM is great for kids’ brains, whether or not they’re good at any STEM subjects, and they can get even better at those subjects if you start them out young. This kit is the perfect toy to entertain them while also educating them. It’s a win for everyone.
Baby Dolls
This set of baby dolls comes with six dolls, so you’re little nurturer will have their hands full, that’s for sure! These are great to give to the kids in your life who love to nurture and care, and with six, they won’t have any time to run under feet.
Swing High
Do you remember how fun swings were when you were a kid? Every time I had the chance to get on one, I would spin myself until I was sick, but don’t let your kids do that; just show them how cool it is to push each other on it and how nice and spacious it is.
Big Digger
My nephews are super into digging and construction sites and big, heavy machinery. So, I’ve grabbed this fantastic riding digger for them. They’ll love it, and I know it’ll keep them entertained for days. Maybe even years. Either way, I’m winning Aunt of the Year for a while.
Encourage The Raconteurs
This game is loads of fun. It’s got so many excellent components, but it’s still easy for kids to follow along with. And your older kids will love this one too, which is always a check in the plus column.
Double-Sided Easel
This double-sided easel is the bomb. One side is chalk, and one side is a whiteboard, so this is reusable forever and ever, which is always something you want when you’ve got kids. It’s sturdy to endure even the rougher kids, and it’s still pretty cute so that it won’t ruin your aesthetic.
Wild Kratts Fans Unite!
This set of Wild Kratt’s toys is so fantastic! It has two creature ability coins, two animals, and all of your favorite characters. And some villains too, but it’s no fun to play without at least a few villains. Who would you battle against if they weren’t around?
Mini Golf Set
A mini-golf course this advanced and well-made is the perfect thing to set your kids up with on Memorial Day. Everyone can get involved with this, parents and kids alike, but leave it out for the kids to start with so you can enjoy your party.
Wild Kratt’s Creature Ability Suit
Creature abilities are the coolest thing ever, ammiright? Wild Kratt’s is the most incredible show, as are most of the PBS shows right now, and one of the most excellent parts about the show is the creative abilities that the brothers get to use throughout the episode.
Go Like The Pros
This is a super cool design idea! It’s a storage case that also holds all of your kids’ many Hotwheels. And it’s a functional car itself. Your kids will love showing this off to all their friends at your Memorial Day festivities, and it’ll take forever for each of them to take a turn with it. Win!
Make Your Own
I love these toys! There are tons of these, but the coolest one is this fire truck. Your kids can have an absolute blast putting it all together, and then after that, they can play with it until they’re tired of it, which will take quite some time because this is so cool.