The only correct answer to those scorching summer days.

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The only answer to those hot summer days. 

Ask any kid for their memories of an Aussie summer, and you can guarantee there was water involved. But while not everyone has a backyard pool and not everyone lives near the beach, pretty much everyone with some sort of outdoor area can manage an outdoor sprinkler. All you need is a hose and a couple of square metres and bam: hours of fun. But sprinklers have come a long way since we were kids - now they come in all shapes, sizes and colours. If you're looking for something affordable, fun and best of all portable to add to your backyard this summer look no further: we've got you covered. 

Sprinkler Pad & Splash Play Mat, $39.95 at Amazon TeHappy Splash Pad for Kids, $29.99 at Amazon

Rainbow Slide Sprinkler Pool, $76.95 at Myer Bestway Inflatable Kids Play Pool, $129.95 at Catch

BigMouth Giant Fire Hydrant Sprinkler, $89.99 at Toy Universe Bestway Jumbo Caterpillar Sprinkler, $49.99 at Catch Big Mouth Toys Ginormous Pink Elephant Sprinkler, $98.49 at Catch Octopus Water Sprinkler, $34.95 at Amazon

All Directions Super Sprinkler, $49 at Innovations Frog Sprinkler Attachment, $6 at Catch

Want us to tell you why we're adding these to our shopping cart? Read on.

If you're looking to split the difference between a kiddie pool and a sprinkler system, a splash pad is the answer you've been looking for and one that all kids - even big kids - will love. Super large - 170cm - in diameter, you just hook it up to your sprinkler for an instant waterpark. Shallow enough to give you peace of mind yet enough water for splashing, the fun sea creatures will entertain the youngest of kids while the big kids will delight in getting drenched. "Kids had absolutely so much fun! We opened it on a warm day! They can't stop saying they are in a swimming pool lol," writes one reviewer. 

Another affordable splash pad option, this one doubles as a learning tool! With a fun and engaging alphabet decal, kids can practice their ABCs while they're splashing about in the sun! 

If you have your heart set on a kiddie pool, this is a great option. Inexpensive, with a small slide and a happy rainbow for lounging under, you attach a hose to a water sprayer for hours of splishy-splashy fun, 

Can't make it to a tropical island right now? We feel you. But you can turn your backyard into a lagoon with this tropical paddling pool! With a mini slide and plenty of fun sea creatures to play with - including a dolphin, two clown fishes and an octopus ring-toss game, there's something for pretty much every kid. You can also attach the garden hose to the water sprayer for even more fun. Totally safe thanks to the tie ropes for the slide, it's easy to fill and comes with a repair patch in case you have any accidents. "Exactly what I was looking for," writes one, adding, "Fun and good quality. Easy to use, five stars." 

This giant inflatable sprinkler is perfect for bigger kids who can tear around underneath it while it sprays water from its' top. Fantastic for larger backyards, it inflates super fast and stores away easily when not in use. 

Looking for something a bit more whimsical? This happy, friendly caterpillar connects to any standard garden hose, creating a super fan archway of water for kids to run under. Sturdy and lightweight at the same time, it's quick to inflate so you can have it ready to go in minutes. "So much fun," writes one reviewer. "My kids just love their caterpillar!" 

Fancy a sprinkler that is a bit more anatomically correct? Grab yourself this adorable pink elephant friend, who sprays water from its' trunk to delight everyone who passes by. Great fun for all ages and easily stored when the weather doesn't warrant a giant, water-spraying elephant in the backyard.

Not into something inflatable? No worries, this small but mighty octopus sprays water out of his tentacles and is small and portable enough to fit in pretty much any backyard. It also comes in a whale model (but frankly, the octopus is more fun, we reckon). 

The thing is, you can get yourself a fancy, brightly coloured, kid-approved water spraying device or you could just literally get... a sprinkler! Sure, they're not as much fun to look at, but they do the job fine. (They sure did the job for every kid in the 80s, when I grew up!) This sprinkler rotates up to 360˚ and you can set various angles, directions and intensities and clicks onto a standard hose fitting - so whether the kids - or the plants - need a good soaking, this device will do the job.  

If you're in the mood for something super cute and SUPER budget-friendly, this adorable frog sprinkler attachment from Catch will tick the kiddie box whilst still doubling as a functional sprinkler for the kids and the garden. Attaching to any standard garden hose, this frog friend will bring a touch of whimsy to your garden. "He's cheap, but he's loved," writes one reviewer. 

As with any toy, you need to consider how much room you have to store it and play with it. Many of these will fold up into something you can easily store in the garage or a backyard shed, but you need to think about how much room there actually is in your backyard for water to spray. 

Finally, just remember when it comes to inflatables you'll always need time to dry out the sprinkler before folding it and storing it, to reduce the risk of mould. 

While they're no doubt fantastic for an afternoon of summer fun, children have drowned in kiddie/splash pools and they should never, ever be used without adult supervision. As a general rule, if there's water involved and the child is under five, an adult should always be within an arm's reach, but in this case, considering there's always the potential to fall and/or slip, an adult should always be present when children up to ten are anywhere near water. 

Want more great summer buying guides? Here are the best sand and water tables and here are the best developmental toys for one-year-olds. Want to buy great toys at great prices? Here are all the best deals on offer at Catch.