Too Soon for Summer Toys?

Here in beautiful, sunny Seattle I’ve had to wear my fall jacket to work. (Meanwhile, my parents in Ohio were barbecuing in 88 degree weather.  Sigh.)  I need summer to get here, like, now.  Additionally, in the office, we’ve been talking a lot about which summer toys we think will be among the hottest this year (lame pun intended.)  Basically, if it splashes, soaks or slides, it’s a no-brainer.  I was surprised to see that Wham-O still makes the Slip n’ Slide (although it now comes with extra padding to stop you from sliding off the end of it — something seriously lacking from the ones we had back in the day.)  Early reads are showing us that people are buying huge water slides (higher-priced but still cheaper than admission for the whole family to go to a water park every week.)  Lots of super soakers (a.k.a. really big water guns) are also gaining popularity while water activity tables are good for toddlers who simply want to splash in the water and taste the warm, yummy sand.  How are you planning on spending your summer?  What creative (and low cost) things do you have planned to keep your family (and yourself) cool during the dog days of summer?  Let us know. — E. Christian Moore