10 Fun & Safe Sprinklers for Backyard Fun

Parents want their kids’ summer to be about outside fun, but often, the heat gets in the way of enjoying the great outdoors. Backyard sprinklers are one of the few things both parents and kids get equally excited about: They guarantee hours of wholesome, screen-free fun, and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. They also—unlike pools, splash pads and waterparks—require minimal supervision, with maximum entertainment value. All caregivers need to do, is grab a chair and an umbrella, and watch your kids put on a show.

What to Consider

Sprinklers have come a long way since the days of basic spritzes emerging from a boring base. These days, they come in an array of shapes and sizes, with a range of bells and whistles. There is also a clear line between sprinklers designed for older kids and toddlers, so keep that in mind. Also, you will want to pick sprinklers specifically designed with children in mind, because they tend to have stricter safety measures in place. Before you buy any sprinkler, assess your space and make sure you know roughly how much running room there will be, and choose the size and style accordingly.

How We Selected

We spent hours reviewing the options, and found a range of fun—but safe—sprinklers that will appeal to kids ages 0-99. We also kept different play styles, design desires and budgets in mind. Finally, we only included highly rated items made by companies with excellent customer service.