From adrenaline-fuelled go-karts and powerful stunt planes to TikTok water bombs and mini lacrosse, scroll on for ten garden toys to lure teens into the great outdoors.
Drifter Pro With Classic Kart, Hoverboards.co.uk, £269.99
If there’s one thing we know about teens, it’s their enthusiasm for speed and style. This two-in-one rocket-powered bit of teenage mischief offers just that. It zips, spins and blasts music like a mobile nightclub on wheels. The self-balancing Drifter Pro hoverboard with built-in Bluetooth speakers and flashing lights handles off-road like a champ. Strap on the Swegway Go Kart attachment – hello, 12 mph – and it turns into a full-blown garden racer built for drifts and thrills. We’ve taken it for a spin, purely in the name of journalism, of course – and can confirm: The Drifter Pro Go Kart is fast, fabulous and borderline addictive.
Waboba Airlyft, Three Boys Rock, £6.95
No batteries, no WiFi, no fuss – just pure, high-flying chaos. Designed for fast, long-distance throwing, the Waboba Airlyft is ideal for teens who want instant action without any complicated rules or recharging hassle. Chuck it by the tail or the ring and it soars over 100 feet, with minimal effort and maximum bragging rights. It’s the kind of low-cost, no-rules fun that teens will secretly love – even if pretending they’re too cool for it.
Spikeball Pro Set, SkateHut, £73
Seen a bunch of teens at the park or beach smacking a ball into a black and yellow trampoline-like thing? That’s Spikeball – and yes, it is as competitive, chaotic and fun as it looks. This fast-paced game has gone viral among teens – and for good reason. It’s portable, totally addictive and easy to pick up, making it the teen-approved way to settle scores and show off hand-eye skills. A mash-up of volleyball and four square, the game hits the sweet spot between sport and social, offering just enough of a challenge to keep teens hooked.
Wilton Bradley Baseline Pickleball Set, John Lewis, £29.99
Pickleball might sound like an old person’s sport but don’t be fooled. It’s now a breakout hit among Gen Z. Fast-paced, funny and weirdly competitive, it’s the kind of game that teens love because they can actually beat adults at it. From paddles to net, this starter set has everything teens need to serve sass and smash shots all summer long.
Sky Viper Vector Stunt Plane, Amazon, £90
Forget paper planes – this is full throttle air show territory that appeals to teens. The Sky Viper isn’t just a toy, it’s a remote controlled powerful stunt flyer that pulls, barrel rolls and stunts at speeds at 30mph. No pilot licence required, just nerves of steel and enough opens pace to avoid having to climb trees on rescue missions.
Foldable Quadcopter Drone, Amazon, £37.99
Techy teens, rejoice. This foldable drone has a 4K camera, slick controls and enough wow factor to turn your outside space into a Netflix set. Whether they’re chasing the dog from the sky or scouting for aerial cinematic shots, this is the kind of gadgetry that looks expensive but won’t ruin your summer holiday budget.
Waboba Mini Land Or Water Lacrosse Set, Salt & Pepper, £30
Lacrosse, but just for laughs. This mini set swaps serious sports for a chuck-it-anywhere vibe. Using a Waboba ball that bounces on both land and water, this set is built for spontaneous outdoor fun – wherever their mates are. Small enough to shove in a bag, it’s wild enough to keep teens busy for hours. Or at least until the snacks run out.
Perfly 3M Badminton Easy Set Peacock, Decathlon, £39.99
This is not your average PE lesson badminton. This is whip-it-out, set-it-up-in-a-minute, smash-shuttlecocks-with-attitude badminton. Decathlon’s lightweight, portable set, which comes with net, rackets and shuttlecocks, can be popped up in under a minute without a fuss.
Outdoor Table Tennis Table PPT 530.2, Decathlon, £399.99
It might start with a casual rally but it will end in a no mercy, spin shot showdown. This outdoor table tennis setup will provide pure entertainment all summer. The table on wheels is sturdy enough to survive British weather – and teen tantrums – making it the investment piece that transforms gardens into teen-friendly spaces.
Bunch O Balloons Reusable Water Balloons, Argos, £12
TikTok made them famous, but these viral water balloons are even better in real life. Made from soft silicone with magnetic closures, the reusable balloons fill in seconds, explode on impact, and don’t leave bits of broken plastic all over the garden. Expect screeching, soaking and sudden alliances. Messy and chaotic? Absolutely. But they’ll make hot days more bearable and at least they’re eco-friendly.
