If your family holiday packing list usually includes buckets and spades, swimming costumes and enough snacks to feed a small army, there’s one more thing worth making room for this summer – Waboba.
The family-run outdoor games brand has built its reputation around creating clever, portable and genuinely fun products designed to get people moving, whether you’re at the beach, beside the pool, in the park or simply in the garden.
And with the summer holidays about to get into full swing, Waboba could be just the answer for parents looking for ways to keep children entertained without resorting to a screen.
From a family holiday idea to a global brand
Waboba’s story began in Sweden in 2005 when founder Jan von Heland was on a family holiday and came up with the idea for the original Waboba Ball.
The concept was simple but ingenious: create a ball that could bounce across the surface of water.
Unlike a stone, which simply skims across the water, the Waboba ball is designed to bounce from person to person, turning the sea, a lake or a swimming pool into one giant playground.
The name Waboba comes from “Water Bouncing Ball” – and the original idea has since grown into a whole range of outdoor games and activities.
Today, the range includes water-bouncing balls, paddle games, beach games, flying discs, lacrosse-style games and plenty of options for land-based play. The products are designed to be portable, making them particularly appealing for holidays when suitcase space is at a premium.
Why we like Waboba for family holidays
One of the best things about Waboba is that you don’t need to be particularly sporty to enjoy it.
The games are easy to pick up, encourage children to run around and, importantly, they can involve the whole family.
They’re also the sort of toys that don’t necessarily require a complicated set of rules. Throw, bounce, catch, chase and repeat is often enough!
For parents, that makes Waboba a welcome addition to the holiday bag – particularly when you’re looking for something that will entertain children beyond the first five minutes of arriving at the beach.
Waboba Moon Ball
The Moon Ball is probably the product that generated the most excitement in our testing.
It may look like a small, crater-covered ball, but throw it onto a hard surface and it takes bouncing to another level. The unusual cratered design helps create an unpredictable, high bounce, while the impact produces a satisfying popping sound. It measures around 63mm and is suitable from age three.
The fun comes from not quite knowing where it’s going to bounce next. One minute you’re throwing it down, the next you’re chasing it across the garden.
Our verdict: This is a brilliant little boredom-buster. It’s small enough to pop into a holiday bag but provides considerably more entertainment than its size suggests. It’s particularly good for children who like active, fast-paced games – and we suspect plenty of adults will find themselves joining in too.
It’s also a good way to practise hand-eye coordination, reactions and catching skills without making it feel like exercise.
Best for: Gardens, parks, campsites and hard outdoor surfaces.
Age: 3+
Waboba Bounceback
If your child is the sort who simply cannot sit still, Bounceback could be their perfect travel companion.
It takes the Moon Ball and attaches it to an elastic string and adjustable wristband. Throw the ball out in front of you and it bounces back, allowing you to catch it and repeat the process.
The strap is adjustable for both children and adults, while the ball remains attached – which is particularly useful when you’re playing somewhere where you don’t want a ball disappearing over a fence or into the bushes.
We loved how simple it is. There’s no equipment to set up and no complicated game to learn. You simply strap it on and start bouncing.
It’s also surprisingly addictive. Once you’ve mastered the basic bounce, you naturally start trying to get faster and improve your catches.
Our verdict: A great choice for active children who enjoy practising skills and challenging themselves. It’s also small enough to keep in a suitcase, backpack or even a day bag.
Best for: Parks, holidays, travel days and burning off some energy before bedtime.
Age: 8+
Waboba Jumbo Beach Ball – ?????
Nothing says summer quite like a giant beach ball, and Waboba’s Jumbo Beach Ball gives the classic holiday favourite a bit of an upgrade.
At around 36cm in diameter, it’s large enough to turn a simple game of catch into a family activity. It’s designed for beach and pool games and has a durable polyester cover, while the material is designed to dry more quickly after getting wet.
It’s particularly good for families because you don’t need to explain what to do with it. Kick it, throw it, catch it, keep it off the ground or start your own beach-ball volleyball game.
The size also makes it easier for younger children to get involved.
Our verdict: A classic holiday essential that gets everyone involved. It takes up a little more room than the Moon Ball or Bounceback, but it’s worth packing if you’re heading to the beach or have access to a pool.
Best for: Beach days, pool games and family holidays.
Age: 6+
For more information and to explore the range, visit the Waboba store on Amazon UK.
