Classic Summer Toys That Defined Yakima Childhoods

How many of these toys did you grow up with? Playing outside in the yard, driveway, parking lot, getting wet, sunburned, or even hurt if you were trying to catch a Jart (also known as Lawn Darts)? Check out our nostalgia memories of summer toys from yesteryear below.

Endless 80s Summers in Yakima

So many great memories of summer time growing up in the Yakima Valley. Naches to be more exact. Once that school bell rang on the final day, there was just a different feeling in the air. Knowing that there would be no school FOREVER! Well, for 3 months, but to a little kid, it felt like an entire year.

Haberdoedas via Unsplash

Riding bikes, playing in the camel humps (the hills above Naches), getting lost in the sagebrush in the Wenas area, and fishing at Tim’s Pond. So much fun and so many things to do.

But getting together with my older brother and our neighbors from across the street (who were roughly the same age as my brother and I), and just playing all day and into the darkness.

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Squirt gun fights with the Super Soakers! Trying trick shots while using our slip-in-slides. Getting in trouble because your little brother got hurt when he fell on the squirt gun after you tackled him. (NOTE: It was my brother who tackled me, and yes, he got in trouble. If you ask him, it was well worth it).

So much fun, and so many memories. Take a look at these summer toys below, and then Tap the App and share your summer fun stories with us.

LOOK: How Many of These Classic Summer Toys Do You Remember?

If you grew up in the Wild West of the '60s, '70s, or '80s, summer toys were a lifeline because many of us were locked outside (until the street lights came on). Inside was no place for a kid! Check out these classic summer toys that kept us cool, kept us busy, and always seemed to add a dash of danger.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz