Fun in the Sun

by Andrea Pyros When it comes to amusing the kids, a day at the beach or pool is pretty hard to beat. Just stock up on vats of sunscreen and a few of these cool toys, and your kids will be set through Labor Day. With the Melissa & Doug Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set ($14.99), kids can dish up scoops of sand and serve them in plastic ice cream cones. Recommended for children 3 and up. How much do you love Haba’s clever Sun Bistro Sand French Fries ($8.09) and Sun Bistro Sand Shaker ($3.50) from Maukilo European Toys? The yellow mold makes realistic-looking “sand” fries, which can be served in the accompanying bowl and sprinkled with sand “salt.” Designed for children 3 and up. The six-piece Spielstabil Backpack Sand Play Set ($35.99) from Yoyo.com would make an awesome present for a summer birthday kid. In addition to the clear, child-size backpack (meaning your kid can carry his stuff himself!), the set includes two sand forms, a bucket, a watering can, a sand sieve and a scoop. For children 12 months and up.