Summer gifts to keep kids entertained

School's out, the routine is gone, and by the third afternoon of "I'm booored" you're already scrolling for ideas while pretending you're not. Here's the silver lining: summer is actually the best time to give a kid a gift. There's real free time, no homework competing for attention, and pretty much anything that gets them outside (or a little messy) is a guaranteed hit.

Here are ideas sorted by the kind of kid — or the kind of summer — you're dealing with, so you don't end up buying yet another toy that lasts three days.

For the pool or beach crowd

If this family's summer is basically one long swim, the gift picks itself: water toys that go beyond the usual pool float — a proper water gun, a diving ring set to fish out from the bottom of the pool, or an inflatable obstacle course if there's a garden involved. For older kids, a decent pair of snorkeling goggles or a snorkel set opens up a whole new world at any rocky beach. And if you want a sure win with zero waiting around, towels or flip-flops with their favorite character are the kind of small thing that lands surprisingly well.

For the ones who can't sit still

Some kids never stop moving, and for them the best gift is anything that gets them to the park: a new bike if the old one's too small now, a scooter, skates, or a good ball. Classic outdoor games that have somehow never gone out of style also work great — badminton, a frisbee, a mini set of lawn bowls, or a light-up jump rope. They're cheap, take up almost no space, and guarantee hours outside (and away from screens).

For lazy afternoons on the sofa

Not every summer day is action-packed. During the hottest hours, when going outside feels like a punishment, a good gift is something calm: a craft kit (friendship bracelets, rock painting, slime-making), a book or comic on their favorite topic to read at their own pace, or a board game built for quick family rounds. If a car or train trip is coming up, something small and screen-free still beats a tablet: activity books, a deck of cards, or one of those puzzle toys you solve with your hands.

For camp and day trips

If the kid is heading to camp or spending the summer on excursions, think useful-but-fun: a cool backpack, a sturdy water bottle, a flashlight, a small pair of binoculars, or a simple camera to document their adventures. These are gifts that don't end up forgotten in a drawer come September, because they actually get used.

For when you don't even know their exact age

If the gift is for a friend's kid or a nephew or niece you don't see much and have no idea what they're into these days, play it safe: something water-related (it always wins in summer), a board game that works across ages, or just ask what show or character they're obsessed with right now. A simple safe bet usually beats an elaborate gift that misses the mark on age or interest.

The real trick: something they'll use this summer, not next

The best summer gift for a kid isn't the most expensive or the most elaborate — it's the one they'll actually use now, over the next few weeks, while they have time to spare. Before deciding, think about how they really spend their days: mostly in the water, at the park, or at home. That detail is what separates a gift that lands from one that ends up gathering dust.

Still not sure? Tell us a bit about the kid in question and we'll help you land on the right idea in a couple of questions.