Sand & Sun Fun

Memorial Day kicks off three whole months of sand and surf
for families everywhere. After a long winter of indoor activities, you’re surely
itching to get your kids outfitted in their cute beach suits, slathered with
sunscreen and piled in the car for the ride to some beach fun. To help ensure that all the fun is had, we’ve scoured the web
to bring you some of our favorite beach toys – all of which pack hours of fun
into a small package, keep your kids smiling and playing and allow Mom and Dad some
quality beach reading time! Read on to find out exactly what to pack alongside
the sandwiches and juice. —  

Melissa & Doug, makers of tons of educational toddler
toys, have made the time honored tradition of dirt cake even more fun for kids at the beach.
Their Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set gives your kids all the
tools they need for hours of delish sand cupcake making – and the molds are so
enticing that actually eating these sandy treats may be tempting!
$14.99, melissaanddoug.com

And if your kiddos really love culinary sand creations, the HABA Pizza Bakery four-piece set is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. This set, good for ages 3 and up, includes a pizza plate and three texture stamps to create toppings like mushrooms and peppers. Would you like your pie to-go?
$8.50, haba.de

Geospace’s Water Slinger Flying Disc is perfect for the more
rambunctious members of your brood. More than just a flying saucer, this is a
Frisbee with water slinging capabilities. Hold the disk under water for a few
seconds so it can soak up the seawater like a sponge and then hurl it at a
friend and watch it spin through the air while spraying water in every direction.
Your kids won’t be able to get enough of this multitasking toy!
$6.99,
geospaceplay.com

While the big kids are running, jumping, building or swimming, little ones can have their own blissful beach experience with
Infantino’s Music and Motion Activity Gym – Beach Party. Simply assemble on the sand and
let your infant play with the dangling toys. Easy and portable.
$49.99,
infantino.com

And when the sun goes down, wouldn’t your fun-loving fam enjoy a ball that lights up for some late
night catch action? The Swimways Light-Up Beach Ball is an awesome way to keep the
outdoor fun going a little longer once the sun dips into the ocean. Super cheap and
durable, Swimways has made summer nights a little more festive!
$7.99, swimways.com