Best Beach and Sand Toys for Kids This Summer

By Karen Snyder Duke and Kourtney Eidam
May 06, 2010
Kids are sure to have some fun in the sun with these sand and sea toys. We've got 10 all-new beach toys, plus some favorites that we recently shared in our June magazine.
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Color A Tote Bag

Credit: Bryan McCay

Your little fashionista will have a fab time designing her own bag and then showing it off at the beach.

7 years+

$20, alextoys.com

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Pocket Disc

Credit: Bryan McCay

Get a game of Frisbee going with this vibrant, handmade cloth disc that can fold up into your bag for easy travel.

3 years+

$8 to $15, pocketdisc.com

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Small World Toys Beach Builder Set

Credit: Bryan McCay

Perfect for a beginner, this set comes complete with a dump truck, shovel, rake, water-squirting pump and boat.

18 months+

$20, amazon.com

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Clicker Crab Toss and Grip

Credit: Bryan McCay

Thanks to the Velcro, playing catch is so simple and addictive that you might want to grab one of the cutesy crab mitts and get in on the game yourself.

3 years+

$12, melissaanddoug.com

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Sizzlin' Cool Horseshoes

Credit: Bryan McCay

Lightweight and portable enough to cart to and from the shore, this toy makes a round of this classic summer game possible at the seashore.

3 to 6 years

$13, toysrus.com

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Gecko Kite

Credit: Bryan McCay

This kite's kid-friendly design and whirling tail will keep your child's head in the clouds.

8 years+

$7, xkites.com

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Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set

Credit: Bryan McCay

What's summer without ice cream? This set has everything your kid needs -- scoops, cones and a "sprinkles" shaker -- to make sandy treats.

3 years+

$15, melissaanddoug.com

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Spongebob Squarepants 17" Bodyboard

Credit: Bryan McCay

Catch some waves with everyone's favorite Nickelodeon ocean-dweller.

5 years+

$5.50, bravosportscorp.com

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No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket

Credit: Bryan McCay

The patented no-spill design is great for travel to the beach. Plus, up to three kids can blow bubbles -- without the mess!

3 years+

$14, littlekidtoys.com

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Soffy Play and Beach Ball

Credit: Bryan McCay

Have a ball with one that's sturdy enough for active play, yet soft enough that a missed catch won't hurt.

4 years+

$12, gymnicballs.com

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Sand Grabbers

Credit: Bryan McCay

Your little one will be tunneling her way across the beach in no time with the help of this grab-and-go shark.

2 years+

$11; smallworldtoys.com

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Deluxe Sand & Water Wheel Set

Credit: Bryan McCay

Enjoy the sand and the surf with this two-in-one set that contains a waterwheel, a bucket, a shovel, and sand molds.

18 months+

$24; theoriginaltoycompany.com

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Translucent Beach Balls

Credit: Mark Lund

Beautiful beach balls? There is such a thing! We've found a great line with two different sizes.

3 years+

$12 to $19; pbkids.com

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Sizzlin' Cool 3-Piece Dive Fun Set: Frog

Credit: Bryan McCay

This affordable goggles-mask-snorkel combo just might be the steal of the summer.

4 to 8 years

$10; toysrus.com

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Good Time Tubes: Polka Dot

Credit: Mark Lund

Surf the waves in style with this colorful inner tube.

5 years+

$18; sassafrasstore.com

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Tonka Sandbox Force

Credit: Mark Lund

This classic-looking front- loader truck has a great beach bonus: It comes with a sand tool and an attachable mold your kid will dig.

3 years+

$10; funrise.com

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The Sunny Patch Sand Pail Line

Credit: Mark Lund

These precious pails have extra features: Finney Fish comes with a removable spout for water play, and Flex Octopus (shown here) has a detachable sand sifter on the bottom.

3 years+

$13 each; melissaanddoug.com

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Under the Sea! Wooden Ring Toss Game

Credit: Bryan McCay

Hook as many fish as you can with this game that builds hand-eye coordination and aim.

3 years+

$16; orientaltrading.com

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Water Bomber Jai Alai

Credit: Bryan McCay

The basket's handle is also a pump that can fill balloons with water to add another layer of play to the game.

8 years+

$20; intplay.com

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Tugboat

Credit: Bryan McCay

Made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers, this boat has a wide scoop-and-pour spout that will amuse your baby on the shore or at water's edge.

6 months+

$13; greentoys.com

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GeoSafari Sea-Scope

Credit: Bryan McCay

Kids can explore what's going on beneath the water's surface with this cool scope kit.

6 years+

$30; learningresources.com

Originally published in the June 2010 issue of Parents magazine.

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