The Complete Guide to Zuru Summer Garden Toys for Kids UK [2026]

Why I Nearly Bought Every Zuru Toy in the Garden Section Last Summer

Last July, my seven-year-old spotted a wall of colourful packaging in Smyths and declared, "I need ALL of those." I looked at the price tags—surprisingly reasonable—and realised I was staring at one of the UK's fastest-growing toy brands: Zuru.

If you've got kids between roughly three and twelve, chances are you've encountered Zuru products. Maybe it was the self-tying water balloons your neighbour's children were hurling around, or those collectible Mini Brands your daughter keeps finding in her party bags. The New Zealand-founded, Hong Kong-based company has quietly become the seventh-largest toy supplier in the UK, and their summer garden range is particularly brilliant.

But here's the thing—with dozens of product lines under the Zuru umbrella, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. I've spent the past year testing everything from X-Shot blasters to Bunch O Balloons, and honestly, some products are worth every penny whilst others... well, I'll tell you which ones to skip.

X-Shot Blasters: The Budget-Friendly Nerf Alternative That Actually Works

Let's address the elephant in the room: most parents searching for dart blasters immediately think "Nerf." And fair enough—Hasbro's brand has dominated the foam dart market for decades. But X-Shot blasters from Zuru have been quietly building a loyal following, and after testing both brands extensively, I can see why.

The Price Difference Is Genuinely Significant

Here's what surprised me most: X-Shot products typically cost 30-50% less than equivalent Nerf blasters. The X-Shot Insanity Motorized Rage Fire, for example, often retails around £24 when Nerf's comparable options sit at £40+. For families buying blasters for multiple children (or hosting a garden party where several kids need weapons), that price difference adds up fast.

Performance: Closer Than You'd Expect

I'll be honest—I assumed X-Shot would feel like a cheap knock-off. Wrong. After running informal backyard tests with my son and his mates, the performance gap between X-Shot and Nerf has essentially closed:

• Range: Both brands fire darts around 80-100 feet in optimal conditions
• Accuracy: Comparable, though neither is exactly sniper-level
• Dart compatibility: X-Shot darts work in most Nerf blasters and vice versa
• Build quality: X-Shot has genuinely improved. Their latest models feel solid, though Nerf still edges ahead on long-term durability

The one area where Nerf maintains an advantage? Accessories and customisation. If your child wants to mod their blaster with tactical rails and attachments, Nerf's ecosystem is more developed. But honestly, most kids under ten couldn't care less about that.

My X-Shot Recommendations for Summer 2026

After testing the range, these are the X-Shot blasters I'd actually recommend:

1. X-Shot Skins Series - Brilliant value, good capacity, handles well for smaller hands
2. X-Shot Crusher - If you want the "big gun" experience without the Nerf price tag
3. X-Shot Water Guns - Perfect pairing with Bunch O Balloons for water fights

Controversial opinion: for most families, X-Shot offers better value than Nerf. There, I said it. My son's Nerf Elite sits in a cupboard whilst his X-Shot gets daily use—largely because replacement darts cost half as much.

Bunch O Balloons: The Product That Genuinely Changed Water Fights

Remember spending hours before a birthday party, filling water balloons individually and watching half of them pop before they left your hands? Bunch O Balloons changed that forever, and honestly, it's one of those rare "why didn't someone invent this sooner" moments.

How They Actually Work

Each Bunch O Balloons stem contains 35 balloons that attach to a garden hose. Turn on the water, wait about 40 seconds, give them a shake, and they self-tie and drop off. You can fill 100+ balloons in under a minute.

The first time I used these—truly—I felt like I'd discovered some sort of magic. My kids had more ammunition in sixty seconds than they'd have managed to prepare in an hour doing it the old-fashioned way.

The Environmental Question

I know what you're thinking, and it's valid: all those balloon fragments are concerning. Zuru has responded with several changes:

• Stems and caps are now made from recycled, traceable plastic
• Balloon material is natural rubber (plant-derived, not petroleum-based)
• They've introduced reusable magnetic Bunch O Balloons that can handle up to 10,000 splashes

The reusables are genuinely impressive—soft silicone balls with magnetic closures that refill in seconds and burst on impact. At around £15 for a pack, they pay for themselves after a few sessions versus disposables.

Where to Buy Bunch O Balloons in the UK

Availability is excellent across UK retailers:

• Smyths Toys - Often the best in-store selection
• Argos - Click & Collect makes last-minute purchases easy
• Next - Surprisingly good toy section online
• Costco - Best bulk deals (490 balloons for around £20)
• Amazon UK - Widest selection including reusables

I'd recommend the Tropical Party packs if you want variety, or the X-Shot Water x Bunch O Balloons Crazy Splash Pack if you want water blasters included.

5 Surprise and Mini Brands: The Collectibles Taking Over

Whilst not strictly "garden toys," Zuru's collectible ranges deserve mention because they dominate birthday parties and end up scattered across garden picnics everywhere.

5 Surprise A-Lot-A Axolotls

These have exploded in popularity over the past year. Each capsule reveals a unique axolotl character (15 to collect) with themed accessories and coloured sand. Names like "Dance-A-Lotl," "Snacks-A-Lotl," and the ultra-rare "Astrolotl" keep kids hunting.

For indoor-outdoor flexibility, the 5 Surprise range works brilliantly—kids can take the small figures outside without worrying about losing expensive electronics.

Mini Brands

If your child watches unboxing videos on YouTube, they've seen Mini Brands. These miniature replica grocery products have become genuinely collectible, with kids trading them at school and displaying them in miniature shopping trolleys.

The Mini Brands series (now in multiple iterations including Disney versions) aren't garden toys per se, but they're the Zuru product most likely to appear at outdoor playdates. Plus, they connect nicely to Grocefully's core mission—kids learning about real brands through play.

Rainbocorns: More Than Just Another Surprise Egg

When I first saw Rainbocorns, I'll admit I rolled my eyes. Another unboxing toy. Another surprise reveal. Another thing my daughter would desperately want.

But here's the thing: they're actually well-made, and the variety keeps kids genuinely engaged.

Current Rainbocorns Lines Worth Knowing

• Rainbocorns Eggzania - The flagship line with multiple "hatching" layers to peel
• Kittycorn Surprise - Cat-themed versions with reversible sequins
• Puppycorn Rescue - Dog versions including adoption certificates
• Bunnycorn Surprise - Bunny variants (popular around Easter)

The Eggzania range includes sensory elements like slime and putty, which extends playtime beyond the initial reveal. My daughter spent a solid hour exploring every layer of hers, which for a £15-20 toy represents decent value.

The Honest Downside

I can't ignore the plastic waste concern. The packaging is excessive—multiple wrappings, plastic eggs, accessories in separate pouches. Zuru has made sustainability pledges, but Rainbocorns specifically could do better here.

Also, the "surprise" element means you might get duplicates if buying multiple. My daughter ended up with three Kittycorns in the same colour, which caused some disappointment until we found other kids to trade with.

Robo Alive: When Batteries Meet Garden Play

Zuru's Robo Alive range brings robotic creatures into outdoor settings, and some of these are genuinely brilliant for garden play.

Standout Products

The Robo Alive Snake slithers with surprisingly realistic movement—cue screaming from unsuspecting grandparents at barbecues. The Robo Alive Dinosaur walks and roars, making it perfect for stomping around sandpits or flower beds (much to my wife's displeasure).

For water play, the Robo Alive Fish swims autonomously in paddling pools, giving toddlers something to chase that doesn't require parental involvement.

Battery Considerations

These toys eat batteries. If you're buying Robo Alive products, invest in rechargeables straightaway—you'll thank me when summer hits and the dinosaur needs fresh AAs every few days.

Oosh Slime: The Sensory Play That Actually Travels Well

Oosh slime deserves a mention for parents looking to combine indoor sensory play with outdoor picnics or camping trips.

The product comes in resealable tubs that travel well without drying out. Unlike some slimes that turn into carpet-destroying disasters, Oosh has a denser consistency that's slightly easier to manage outdoors. It's not my favourite Zuru product—I find the sensory craze slightly baffling, honestly—but kids genuinely love it, and it keeps hands busy during long car journeys to grandma's house.

Where to Buy Zuru Toys: A UK Price Comparison

After a year of tracking prices, here's my guide to getting the best deals:

Top tip: The Range often stocks Zuru products at reduced prices towards the end of summer—August is prime time for clearance bargains.

The Verdict: Which Zuru Products Are Actually Worth It?

After extensive testing (and, admittedly, a slightly excessive collection now taking over our garage), here's my honest assessment:

Definitely Worth Buying

• X-Shot Blasters - Best value dart guns on the market
• Bunch O Balloons (Reusables) - Environmentally better, genuinely fun
• 5 Surprise Axolotls - Collectible without being absurdly expensive
• Robo Alive Fish - Perfect paddling pool companion

Worth It For The Right Child

• Rainbocorns - If they love unboxing and won't mind potential duplicates
• Mini Brands - If they're collectors who'll actually play with them
• Oosh Slime - If sensory play is their thing

Skip Unless On Sale

• Traditional Bunch O Balloons - Reusables are better value long-term
• Robo Alive Spiders - Novelty wears off fast, battery drain is real

One thing I've genuinely appreciated about Zuru: their price-to-quality ratio is consistently fair. You're not paying premium prices for average toys, which is refreshingly unusual in the children's market.

Final Thoughts: Why Zuru Dominates UK Gardens

There's a reason Zuru has climbed to become the seventh-largest toy supplier in the UK. They've identified gaps in the market—affordable blasters, self-tying balloons, collectibles that don't require mortgage-level investment—and filled them with products that actually work.

This summer, whether you're hosting garden parties, planning camping trips, or simply trying to prise children away from screens, Zuru products offer reliable options at prices that won't make you wince.

Just prepare for the Bunch O Balloons addiction. Once you've experienced filling 100 water balloons in a minute, there's no going back to the old way.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Zuru Summer Toys

Is X-Shot better than Nerf?

X-Shot offers comparable performance to Nerf at significantly lower prices—typically 30-50% cheaper. Dart compatibility means X-Shot ammunition works in Nerf blasters and vice versa. For most families, X-Shot provides better value, though Nerf maintains advantages in accessory ecosystems and long-term durability. The performance gap has essentially closed in recent years.

Where can you buy Bunch O Balloons in the UK?

Bunch O Balloons are widely available at UK retailers including Smyths Toys, Argos, Next, Costco, Amazon UK, and B&M. Smyths typically offers the best in-store selection, whilst Costco provides the best bulk deals (490 balloons for around £20). For reusable magnetic versions, Amazon UK has the widest selection.

Are X-Shot darts compatible with Nerf blasters?

Yes, X-Shot darts are compatible with most Nerf blasters. The dart dimensions are nearly identical, making them interchangeable for standard Nerf Elite-style blasters. This cross-compatibility is a significant advantage, as X-Shot darts typically cost less than official Nerf ammunition.

What are the best water balloons for kids?

Bunch O Balloons by Zuru are widely considered the best water balloons for kids, thanks to their self-tying technology that fills 100 balloons in under 60 seconds. For eco-conscious families, Zuru's reusable magnetic Bunch O Balloons offer up to 10,000 splashes per balloon, making them better value and more environmentally friendly long-term.

Where can I find 5 Surprise Axolotls in the UK?

5 Surprise A-Lot-A Axolotls are available at Smyths Toys, B&M, Amazon UK, eBay UK, and various independent toy shops. Smyths offers click & collect, whilst B&M typically has the lowest prices. There are 15 unique Axolotls to collect, including the ultra-rare Astrolotl.

What is a cheap alternative to Nerf?

X-Shot by Zuru is the best cheap alternative to Nerf in the UK. Blasters cost 30-50% less than equivalent Nerf products, with comparable range and accuracy. Dart compatibility means you can use X-Shot ammunition in Nerf blasters. Other budget alternatives include Adventure Force (available at some UK retailers) and JoyX.

Are Bunch O Balloons environmentally friendly?

Zuru has made improvements: Bunch O Balloons stems and caps are now made from recycled plastic, and balloon material uses natural plant-derived rubber rather than petroleum-based materials. For maximum eco-friendliness, their reusable magnetic Bunch O Balloons are the best option, offering 10,000+ splashes per balloon without single-use waste.