Our two kids have always loved jumping on the trampoline, but they spend even more time on it in the summer now that we have the Neoformers trampoline sprinkler. A kid is only going to jump on a trampoline for so long on a really hot summer day, but add the cooling effect of dozens of streams and mists of water and you can comfortably stay outside and play much longer with less chance of heat injury. The sprinkler also drastically reduces the temperature of the surface of the trampoline jumping mat itself, as large black surfaces like these get quite hot in direct sun. The water makes the mat a bit slippery, but this just adds to the fun and your kids will love the added challenge of staying on their feet.

This setup comes with 39 feet of sprinkler hose. Our trampoline is 12 feet in diameter, so with the circumference just under 38 feet, we overlapped the last foot of hose and it works great.

It took less than 20 minutes to install this from start to finish. It’s certainly possible to install it by yourself, but it will be a lot easier if you have someone who can hold up the rest of the sprinkler hose as you zip tie it to the net since you’re going to be working with your hands stretched out above your head.

There are two sizes (8″ and 12″) of zip ties included. Use whichever one fits better based on the style of enclosure you have and trim off most of the excess. The holes for the water are only on one side of the hose, so make sure these are oriented inward and not out. You don’t want to zip tie the hose too tightly to the net, as you need to leave room for the hose to expand when it fills with water.

You can leave the sprinkler installed when you’re not using it. The nicest thing about this is that you don’t have to do anything to set it up each time your kids want to use it — simply turn on the hose.

The sprinkler hose is installed on the inside and the hose and trampoline enclosure are both black, so you can’t even really see it when it’s turned off except for the garden hose leading up to the top of the net. We plan on keeping it up over the winter. The UV rays from the sun in the summertime most likely do more to degrade the plastic than the cold. In any case, I can’t imagine that we wouldn’t get at least a couple of years out of it.

Yes, this tube costs several times what a basic one from a department store does, but it’s going to outperform and outlive the “El Cheapo” that goes into the landfill after a single season. It’s the difference between six-piston disc brakes on a Ferrari versus drum brakes on a KIA. The Bradley tube is designed for tubing and skiing facilities and will be more than enough for casual recreational use at your local sledding hill.

I landed on this one as a result of my quest for the most durable snow tube on the market that I could tow behind my John Deere Gator side-by-side. In order to minimize their legal liability, the manufacturer is going to state that their product is not intended for towing behind a motorized vehicle. While you should follow their recommendations, I can attest that this tube, especially the sewn-in tow loop, is up to the job. Our kids have a blast getting whipped around our expansive front acreage on this at 30+ mph. Use common sense, a strong rope, and always be cognizant of where the tube is in relation to the tow vehicle and fixed obstacles.

Once it’s inflated, the tube will measure about 43″ across. This is more than enough for any kid and most adults. The deluxe edition (the one that I have linked to) includes the insert for the bottom of the tube so that small children can use it. The company lists a 200-pound limit, but I’m sure they’re being extremely conservative given how overbuilt this tube is. I am 6’1″ and 250 pounds and I fit comfortably in it.

I love that this is manufactured in America. This was my first experience with this company, but they have earned my respect with their commitment to quality and attention to detail.

You will go fast in this tube! I was impressed with how effortlessly this tube slides along the surface of the snow even just on level ground. Don’t worry about trying to wax the bottom to make it go faster – there is hardly any drag at all.

The black plastic/canvas material on the bottom of the cover is tough. We used the tube a couple of times when you could still see the very tips of the grass poking up, so I’m sure we were going over all kinds of sticks and twigs. I even sent my son gliding over the gravel driveway (which, unlike the grass, wasn’t covered by snow) without getting putting even a scratch on the bottom. The company does sell replacement covers separately, but I doubt that you’ll ever need one unless you’re really abusing it.

The tube comes with detailed instructions, even though it’s straightforward how to fit the cover onto the tube. Make sure that you adequately inflate the inner tube. The bottom of the tube should make a drum sound when you tap on it. You will need an air compressor, as the rubber of the tube is truly commercial grade.

You don’t have to be a kid again to enjoy a Red Ryder BB gun – the standard to which all others are compared.

This kit includes everything you need to get a young person (or yourself) started in the hobby of air rifles. In addition to the gun, it comes with safety glasses, a container of BBs, and some targets. Throw in some aluminum cans and you’ll be ready to teach the next generation how to shoot safely and have fun doing it.

Not much has changed from the original, as the name of this rifle implies. I was impressed by the quality of the stained wood stock. It has a great feel to it and balances the weight of the rest of the gun nicely.

I was a little disappointed to see that the lever is made from polymer (plastic) instead of metal in keeping with the design of the original that I had when I was young. It feels solid, but it’s one of those pieces on a gun that really shouldn’t be made of plastic. I did learn that Daisy sells a metal replacement for about $5 that is easy to swap out.

The Model 1938 has a maximum velocity of 350-feet per second which is standard for a lever-action gun. I was impressed with its accuracy out of the box and the rear sight is adjustable.

This is the ideal first air gun for teaching the fundamentals to children who are around age 10. I recommend the shorter Red Ryder Buck 105 lever-action for younger shooters. A lever-action rifle is better for teaching new shooters in my opinion, as it provides a good opportunity to teach them about muzzle awareness as they load the next round. A lever is also easier for younger children to operate by themselves (with your supervision until they’re ready, of course) than a pump.