The 7 Most Dangerous Summer Toys For Kids That You Probably Already Have in Your Garage

For kids, the Summer months bring a chance for exploration, unlimited outdoor activities, and the freedom to do the things they love. And parents will do almost anything to make sure their kids stay outside, keep active, and enjoy the nice weather. Unfortunately, some of the most popular Summer toys are actually the most dangerous — and most of them will come as a bit of a surprise even to the most vigilant parents. From water-related toys to the airborne, danger could be lurking in your kids' favorite Summer pastime. Find out which toys may require some extra supervision, and which should be avoided altogether.

01
Backyard Water Slides

Backyard Water Slides

One of the most popular Summertime toys might also be the most dangerous! It's easy for kids to lose control on a backyard water slide, and there's the potential for head injuries when going head-first. This Summer, it might be better to stick to a sprinkler.

02
Water Balloon Slingshots

Water Balloon Slingshots

Anything that involves propelling water at high speeds can be a danger to children. A water balloon slingshot can cause eye or ear damage, depending where it's aimed, or can cause bruising and other injuries.

03
Kiddie Pools

Kiddie Pools

Kiddie pools might seem like a safe alternative to full-size pools for kids. However, shallow bodies of water are dangerous because they're often so under-supervised. Whenever your children are around water of any kind, it's important to keep a close eye on them.

04
High-Powered Water Guns

High-Powered Water Guns

Much like water balloon slingshots, high-powered water guns can cause major damage to the face and other body parts. While they might be an OK Summertime pastime for adults, it's best to keep them out of reach from children.

05
Inflatable Armbands

Inflatable Armbands

The very item many parents think is keeping their children safe in the water as they learn to swim might actually be more dangerous than they thought. Inflatable armbands are dangerous because they're so easy for your kids to slip out of, and they can cause parents to be less vigilant about watching their kids when they're swimming.

06
Trampolines

Trampolines

This Summer, leave trampolines for the adults. As you might imagine, trampolines can be harmful to children in a number of ways, whether they get their feet caught in the springs at the side or lose their balance and fall off the edge.

07
Lawn Darts

Lawn Darts

Lawn darts have undergone some changes recently to make them more "kid-friendly," but unfortunately, they still pose a hazard to kids. While the ends are no longer spiked, they are weighted and can cause injuries when thrown.