10 Worthy Impulse Buys That Kids Will Actually Enjoy This Summer

Have you been a little hesitant on buying Play-Doh? Sure, it can be a mess if your kids aren't given a few ground rules first. But, it's a cheap and portable way to help them explore their artistic talents and imagination. Play-Doh is a key part of childhood, and it'll provide a ton of entertainment.

There's a good chance your kids are into unicorns. And, it makes sense as to why. Unicorns are straight up cool. Even cooler is the ability to color in unicorns to wear as pajamas. This may seem like a laundry nightmare at first glance, but the ink will set into the fabric after a quick iron. And, the colors won't fade in the wash. How magical.

Kinetic sand may very well be the definition of "impulse buy." It looks fun and educational, so you probably think, why not? But truth be told, this is an excellent purchase that'll offer up tons of fun. It's great for kids ages 3 and up, and will be a great sandy sensory activity for the kids who might not be heading to the beach this summer.

If you have younger kids, or multiples, sometimes it's more about quantity than quality. That said, this set of fidget toys — which are great for car rides — are pretty well-made and a big hit with fellow parents. As one mom and Amazon reviewer stated, "Even the box they came in is cute."

Decks of cards aren't usually on people's shopping list. But these are very special. These may actually help you and your child have much more meaningful conversations this summer, and they can be a lot of fun. Great for kids in grade school, this set of cards dares to bring up intriguing topics like, "How old is old?"

I know the thought that goes through your head every year. "Should I buy an inflatable pool?" It happens to every parent. Honestly, now's the time to impulse buy a pool. In the summer heat, you'll be glad you did. This particular model is easy to set up, and a great size for two kids and two adults to enjoy at the same time.

Remember back in the day when plenty of science and nature-themed stores occupied the mall? They're hard to find these days, but fun science toys aren't. This little kit from SmartLab may be the best impulse buy you make before vacation. When kids get bored, they can do up to 20 experiments with the small test tubes, beakers, and flasks included.

This one might not be as fun as some of the other items on the list, but it's one that everyone in the family (especially moms) will appreciate. It's a baggy rack to help busy parents separate out snacks. Or, even medications if that's how you travel with them. It's also great for big jobs, like leftover storage. This is, by all means, one of the biggest impulse buys. But in the summertime, it's best to save time anywhere you can — even in the kitchen.

It's like regular chalk, just more fun! Unicorn sidewalk chalk may seem like an impulse buy (especially if you have other chalk at home) but this chalk is sturdy — and will be the most popular chalk on the block. This chalk was designed and created by a pre-school teacher named Kate Leibrand, who makes chalk at her home in Philadelphia. So, you're also supporting a small business.

You might have heard about bath crayons, but what about bath stickers? This purchase would be great to take with you on vacation, or just to make bath time a bit more creative. See how many funny combinations your kids can think up.

Psst: If you choose to purchase an item from this post, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the selection may be different at a later date.