Childrens Beach Toys

Purchasing some children's beach toys is the perfect way to keep children engaged and happy at the waterfront!

Children's beach toys may seem like a frivolous item, particularly when economic times are tough, but the truth is that they really aren't. Not when you consider that these toys:

• Help kids learn: Most psychologists agree that a child's job is to play. Children learn important and necessary skills while playing, including how to appropriately socialize with others and how to solve problems when difficulties arise.

• Keep kids engaged: Ask any parent, and they are more likely than not sure to tell you that a bored child is one that is constantly underfoot. Children do best when their minds and their senses are fully engaged in an activity; these toys can help accomplish that. This way both parents and kids can have a fun time at the beach.

When shopping for children's beach toys, the following online shopping sites may be of help.

Amazon.com has several different sets that are available for purchase, including:

• International Playthings Castle Bucket Set: This $16.99 play set includes a castle-mold bucket, sand/water mill, watering can, shovel and a scoop and rake; all necessary essentials for fun at the beach!

• Small World Toys 5 Pieces Beach Set: This is set is slightly different from the International play set. While it does include the typical bucket, it also has a fish mold and a mini dump truck. The colors of this set are light blue, dark blue and light green, and the total price is $11.75.

• Complete Sand and Water Beach Play Set: This comprehensive set includes the basics (a water can, a bucket and a shovel), but it also comes with a clear bag that holds all of the various toys. These toys range from a faux "car wheel" to a yellow, plastic train. It's available for $9.90.

Oriental Trading has a bevy of beach products to choose form. Some of the standouts include:

• Crab and Sifter Beach Set: This adorable beach set sifts sand, but the sifter is shaped like a crab, something the little ones might really take to. For $9.99, you get the plastic sifter pail, a shovel and a rake.

• Summer Fun Beach Sets: This may be the best set to choose if more than one child is going to the beach. Here, you'll find four mini sets in one, and each set contains a plastic pair of sunglasses, a fish squirt, a fish clapper and a mini inflatable beach ball. At $16.99, most would agree that that's a rather reasonable price.

At the Toy Connection, you'll find very few toy sets since the majority of these toys are "sold separately". In other words, you'll find all the typical beach gear like beach balls, sun hats and pails, but they are not sold in a set. Prices range from as low as $5.80 to as expensive as $13.90.

At Sand Pail Kids, you'll find three different sets of beach toys, all of which are about $14.00. There is a blue set, a pink and purple set and a yellow, red and green set. The latter is named the Deluxe Set and features a shovel, rake, sand mold, sieve and a bucket with a spout and two handles. In addition to these sets, you'll also find swim diapers, sunglasses and beach hats.

If you have a baby, don't worry about finding age-appropriate beach toys. Wonder Time is trying to see to it that they won't be left out of the fun. Their solution? The Baby Sand Bucket. Baby sized, this bucket has a scooper and is light enough for even a very young child to hold. You can purchase this toy $6.00.

All in all, beach toys are a great investment for kids. While it's true that many of these toys may not prove particularly durable, they're relatively inexpensive. Since they tend to be a lot of fun, they may prove worth the investment in the end.

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