When my children were little, one of their favorite activities was going to the beach and who could blame them. What’s not to love about the sand, sun and surf? They never had to twist my arm very hard in order to get me to load up the beach bag and head for the shore. While there, beach combing and making sand sculptures were two of their favorite activities. With that said, I thought that I would share my picks for five of the best beach toys for little kids:
Clicker Crab Toss and Grip
What I like about the Clicker Crab Toss ($13) is that it is great for little kids. The wide, Velcro surface of the crab’s body makes it easy for toddlers to catch the ball. The fact that it is made from a soft material is also a plus just in case the ball goes astray and hits another beach goer. The only downside is that the sand tends to get caught up in the Velcro too. It is designed for toddlers and preschoolers.
Tonka Sandbox Force
If your toddler sports a “go big or go home” mentality, you may want to grab a Tonka Sandbox Force ($16) for the road. It has big, beefy tires and comes with a large sand molding tool that will have the kids building the Taj Mahal of sand castles in no time. I’d recommend it for toddlers and preschoolers.
GeoSafari Sea-Scope
The GeoSafari Sea-Scope ($30) is perfect for the miniature Jacques Cousteaus in your family. It allows the kids to look at life under the sea. I like that it comes with a built-in flashlight, thermometer and ruler. It allows the kids to better document what they find in their vacation journals. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a wrist strap. So there is a chance that it could easily get lost amongst the waves. Therefore, I’d recommend it for kids with enough motor skills to hold onto it while underwater exploring.
Kidoozie Scrunch Bucket
Personally, I love the pliability of the Kidoozie Scrunch Bucket ($10) because it can be squeezed into most overstuffed beach bags. It also has no rough edges that could cause pinched fingers. The only downside is that the silicone tends to hold dirt stains if it’s not washed out properly after each use. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t let that stop parents from purchasing it. I’d recommend it for kids up to age 7.
Kid Beach Set in a Bag
From my perspective, the Kid Beach Set in a Bag ($13) is a great value. It has all the classic beach toys needed to making sand castles and it comes with a handy carrying case. My kids always favored the shovels, rakes and sieves. This kit contains those as well as a watering can, molds and a perfunctory sand bucket. The toys clean up easily and stand up to mild punishment. Based on my experience, I’d say it would keep kids up to age 7 sufficiently entertained.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys summer sports and recreation with her family. She has also traveled extensively.
More from this contributor:
Top 5 Father’s Day Gifts
Sandy Beach Crafts for Toddlers
Top 5 Must Have Beach Essentials for Women
Tips for Keeping Refreshments Cool at the Beach
