Inflatable pools are driving a deluge of toy sales during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers try to enhance at-home leisure for their children, their pets and their feet.

Market research firm NPD Canada says inflatable pool sales rose 107 per cent year over year between April and June, when widespread lockdowns were in effect.

The pools, like other items seeing a surge such as puzzles and board games, offer a communal activity for families 91裸聊视频� dogs included 91裸聊视频� and a refreshing distraction for kids stuck at home, said NPD analyst Joan Ramsay.

91裸聊视频淲ith the parks being closed, parents were looking for ways to provide some entertainment for their children at home outside,91裸聊视频� Ramsay said, noting prolonged school shutdowns increased the need for other activities.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 things that you can do as a group 91裸聊视频� It wouldn91裸聊视频檛 surprise me if adults 91裸聊视频� if not fully sitting in the pool 91裸聊视频� are at least sticking their feet in to cool off,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淎 fellow I work with said that they bought a bigger inflatable pool so he and his wife can fit in it with their one-year-old.91裸聊视频�

Inflatable pools, which typically cost between $100 and $600, were among a flood of larger online purchases that included play sets and trampolines, while sales of smaller toys dropped off slightly in April and May, according to NPD.

91裸聊视频淵ou might not go online to buy one little doll but you might if you91裸聊视频檙e buying a bigger purchase,91裸聊视频� Ramsay said. 91裸聊视频淵ou don91裸聊视频檛 have the impulse purchases with your child pulling at your pant leg when you91裸聊视频檙e at the store either,91裸聊视频� during widespread brick-and-mortar store closures.

Over the past three months, pools 91裸聊视频� the No. 1 toy item in May 91裸聊视频� were surpassed only by puzzles, with sales of jigsaws of 1,000 pieces or more growing 150 per cent compared with the same period last year as homebound consumers flocked to the activity.

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Total toy sales rose 16 per cent last quarter, NPD said. Video games and consoles 91裸聊视频� aimed at adults and children 91裸聊视频� enjoyed a sustained sales boost of 57 per cent, yielding record numbers.

The popularity of toys and entertainment items fits into a broader trend toward comfort and convenience in the home.

91裸聊视频淭he bread-maker phenomenon is well documented. And if you91裸聊视频檙e not going to Starbucks every morning, you can splurge for a better coffee maker,91裸聊视频� Ramsay said. 91裸聊视频淥r it91裸聊视频檚 getting a computer monitor so you91裸聊视频檙e not squinting at a laptop.91裸聊视频�

Recreational goods have also benefited, with Canadian Tire seeing 91裸聊视频渦nprecedented91裸聊视频� demand.

91裸聊视频淏icycles, backyard fun products (including inflatable and steel-frame pools and pool accessories) and boredom busters such as trampolines and basketball nets are a few examples,91裸聊视频� said spokeswoman Cathy Kurzbock.

At Home Depot, the 91裸聊视频淟lamacorn91裸聊视频� pool float 91裸聊视频� a pink, inflatable llama with sunglasses and a colourful forehead horn 91裸聊视频� proved extremely popular. Sturdier above-ground pools and related accessories have also enjoyed a major sales boost, the company said.

Toys 91裸聊视频楻91裸聊视频� Us found itself swamped with calls for inflatable pools as sales climbed 70 per cent year over year alongside more purchases of balloons and backyard waterslides.

Books and building toys saw more demand earlier in the pandemic, Toys 91裸聊视频楻91裸聊视频� Us spokeswoman Paige Exell said in an email. Now families are trying to reclaim a few gallons of summer from the pandemic.

91裸聊视频淭he recent heat wave is driving a big portion of demand, but with kids at home and no camps, and the playgrounds and splash pads closed (in some areas), parents are looking for anything to keep their kids busy 91裸聊视频� and cool,91裸聊视频� she said.

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press

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