Every summer the same conversation happens in our factory: “What’s moving this year?”
Last year it was water blasters. Year before that, giant bubble wands on TikTok. Trends change but one thing doesn’t — parents want their kids outside, and kids want stuff that’s actually fun.
What’s selling right now
Not a scientific survey, just what our shipping dock looks like.
Bubble machines are having a moment. TikTok videos of backyard bubble parties get millions of views, and buyers are catching on. Our desktop bubble machines have been back-ordered twice this quarter.
Water guns are steady as always. They’re not trendy — they’re reliable. Every summer, water guns sell. The trick is having enough variety. Our water gun lineup ranges from tiny pocket squirters to backpack tanks.
Combo packs are up. More buyers are asking for mixed assortments — a few bubble guns, a few water guns, some bubble solution — in one shipment. It simplifies stocking and gives customers variety without ordering from multiple suppliers.
The “TikTok effect” is real
We’ve had products sitting quietly in our catalog for months and then suddenly a video goes viral and orders spike. A single bubble machine video with a cute dog in it got 4 million views and our orders for that model tripled in two weeks.
If you’re a retailer, pay attention to what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram. If you see a bubble toy getting shared a lot, order fast. The factory lead time is usually 7-15 days, but during spikes it can stretch to a month.
What to stock for summer 2026
If I had to bet on three categories this summer:
🥇 Electric bubble guns — always the top seller, nothing else comes close in volume.
🥈 Water guns with interesting designs — basic pistols are fine, but the cool-looking ones (sharks, dinosaurs, space blasters) move faster and at better margins.
🥉 Outdoor flying toys — foam gliders and throwing toys are small, light, cheap to ship, and kids love them at parks and beaches.
Order timing
If you’re stocking for summer retail, order by April at the latest. By June the factories are busy and shipping gets slower. Late orders are possible but you’ll pay more for air freight and the selection might be limited.
Right now (June) we’re still taking orders, but larger quantities may need to split across shipments. Reach out early for the best availability.