Babble Best: Beach Toys

I Play Sandmill Dump Truck Set - $16

I Play makes great, sturdy kids' toys, and this Sandmill Dump Truck Set is no exception. It comes with two castle-form buckets, a shovel, a rake, a spinning wheel, a sand spout and, of course, a dump truck. In addition to its versatility (the buckets can be used to hold shells and sand, turned over to make castles or stacked to make a sandmill tower), this set is compact: all the pieces fit into the one bigger bucket for easy carrying and storage.

Buy it from Growing Tree Toys .

Buy it from Amazon.

Elenco Metal Detector MX-700 - $22

For a different kind of fun in the sun, keep your kiddies busy for hours searching for buried treasure on the beach, or scavenging for coins in the sandbox. Listed on Amazon's Top 40 bestselling Electronics & Robotics Kits, the Elenco MX-700 Metal Detector has a red LED indicator light as well as an audible alert when something metal has been located (be warned that this alert cannot be turned off). The device requires a 9V battery, and I'd recommend a trash bag to store all those "treasures" that aren't worth keeping. Those with older or more gadget-prone kids might like the Metal Detector Kit, which is marginally cheaper but requires assembly.

Buy it from Amazon.

HABA Tic Tac Toe Beach and Bath Towel - $24

This Tic Tac Toe Towel is indeed a lovely, 100% cotton towel suitable for beach or bath — but it also doubles as a tic tac toe game board, with included sponge X's and O's. These X's and O's also offer their own world of possibilities as objects for kids to throw at each other, toss into things, dive for in the pool, leave "hugs-n-kisses" notes on the bed and even (if you're lucky) clean the shower.

Buy it from Maukilo Toy Store.

Buy it from Amazon.

Gowi Bucket and Water Pump Set - $14

Gowi is yet another manufacturer of impressive sand toys. I test drove the Bucket and Pump Set that comes with a bucket, water pump, shovel and odd sand form (which appears to be a cross between the Pillsbury Dough Boy and a snowman). This set is great for playing with seawater away from the waves or adding some wetness to your sandbox marathon. Gowi also makes a collection of sand and water mills that make things spin, flip and turn when water or sand is poured through them. While the bucket and pump were fun, I found myself jonesing for their seven-piece Sand Mold Set in the shapes of heads, hands and feet, to make some sand renters to take up residence in all the sand castles along the beach.

Buy it from Mastermind Toys.