There was no pump to find before our beach trip. Pink contrast panels stood out against the sand, and the compact football slipped into the top of our gear bag.

Neoprene made this comfortable to catch with wet hands, even when a throw landed awkwardly. The 16cm length suits children and keeps the game relaxed in a small area.

Several missed catches sent the football rolling along the shoreline without affecting play. A quick rinse removed salt and sand before we left it outside to dry.

Full-size footballs are cumbersome for our youngest child, but this 16 by 10cm version was manageable. Bright colouring also helped everyone follow quick passes in the water.

The fabric-like outer felt less slippery than a smooth plastic ball once everyone was wet. Short passes worked best, and children could wrap their fingers around the narrow shape.