Fun in the Sun: Three Beach Toys for Ages Three and Up

Summer is here, along with the hot weather that will drive many families to the beach this year. For families with very young children who aren't used to the water, however, it can be difficult to think of things that won't leave them out of the fun. This is a guide to some toys that will keep your little ones entertained while at the beach.

Sprig Dolphin Explorer Boat

From Barnes and Noble, this set is ideal for ages three and up. It includes a total of eight pieces, including boats, dolphins, and an adventure guide. What I like best about this set is that it's not geared toward one gender or the other -both boys and girls can have a lot of fun playing pretend on the beach. Also, parents don't have to worry about their children playing in the deep water -just give them enough water to fill a bucket and they'll be good to go with this set. The only negative is that there are a few small pieces -not small enough to create a choking hazard, but I see some potential for lost items on the beach. So if you're planning on leaving the house with this toy, you might want to leave the hat, backpack, and life preserver at home.

Castle Bucket Set

From Growing Tree Toys, this is a great set for ages three and up to build a sand castle. It contains everything that one will need, which I think makes it ideal for older kids as well as young ones. Even though there are six pieces, they're brightly colored and large enough to where you don't have to be too worried about losing part of your set at the beach.

Seaside Sidekicks Sand-Molding Set

From Fat Brain Toys, this set of plastic critters is great for ages two and up and will help your child make some fun sand creations. There are five pieces, each in a different shape, with only the seahorse seemingly small enough to be lost easily. Just by adding water, they can have unlimited fun playing in the sand -and add some nice decorations to their sand castles.