Beach Essentials For You and the Kids

School's Out and Moms everywhere are gearing up for beach days with the kids. Here's a fun and handy list of some items to take on the beach to keep you and your kids entertained and happy:

Sometimes it's the simple, easy item that kids like to play with the most, like this big beach ball for $7.99 from Leisure Living. And Leisure Living also offers free shipping and some great pool supplies and toys worth checking out.

While this Green Toys Green Kit from Diapers.com was created in honor of Earth Day, it's good any day of the year. Love this Kit for both the items that you get with it, plus the fact that all proceeds are donated to Healthy Child, Healthy World. This set includes a Green Toys Sand Play Set (made from 100% recycled materials. BPA-free and non-toxic), CleanWell Hand Sanitizers, Food Storage Containers (kids always ask for snacks on the beach!) and a Luna Bar for Mom (all natural).

Can't get to the beach? We have this Little Tykes Butterfly Beach Sandbox. You can get it at BabyAge for $39.99. We actually use it for water on both sides but have put sand on the one side in the past. What's fun about that is that the water is right there so they can easily make sandcastles and other structures that they wouldn't normally make in a sandbox! It comes with a nice little shade umbrella and the entire structure folds up to close.

Lastly, a mesh beach bag is awesome for carting toys back and forth. The mesh helps you actually leave a little bit of the sand on the beach rather than in the bottom of your bag, your car and eventually your house. Amazon sells some nice sizable ones for $26.97.