We live in the city, approximately 2.5 hours from the nearest decent beach. You know; clean(ish) water, boardwalk fun, rented cottages galore. And even then, our beaches border lakes and bays – think Lake Simcoe, Lake Erie, Georgian Bay… but never Lake Ontario (eww). Hence, a day at the beach bears a slightly different connotation than say, Lauren Conrad of The Hills jumping into the North Pacific Ocean.
Translation: Ontario beaches excel at mediocrity.
Give me a sparkling, blue ocean. Miles and miles of white sand. Gentle waves lapping at the shoreline. The intense smell of sea air. Give me a real beach.
(Dear British Columbia and The Maritimes: I am jealous. Signed, Lena.)
Last year, we introduced our boys to the beach bum life by way of our Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise with Fisher-Price. At our stop in Cozumel, Mexico, both Ryder and Reid laid eyes on a beach for the very first time. And they loved it!
Rolling in the sand, jumping in the shallow water, making castles with their sand buckets. It astounded me just how at home they felt on the beach. And then I looked around, and realized that all the children were having the time of their lives. Of course they were!! There is nothing better than outdoor play on a beautiful day.
And so I made a promise to myself that come summer, I would put my prejudices aside, and take them to a beach. Even if it was a beach in Ontario.
Well, summer is well under way, and I’m happy to report that the boys were treated to a beach day this past weekend. Of course, one of the benefits of visiting a beach close to home is toting along a copious amount of beach toys that can help keep them occupied all day long. And if you’re looking for high quality toys that can go from backyard to beach (and back again), look no further than Fisher-Price!
Here are some great Fisher-Price toys that offer hours of enjoyment, especially with the warm summer weather:
Power Wheels Dune Racer – Super Sounds Soccer – Grow to Pro Golf – Grow to Pro Junior Basketball – Barbie Tough Trike – Grow with Me 1,2,3 In-Line Skates – Triple Hit Baseball – Servin’ Surprises Ice Cream Party – Bubble Mower – Laugh and Learn Sweet Sounds Picnic – Little People Disney Ariel’s Coach – Power Wheels Hot Wheels Jeep Wrangler… to name a few!
We took our Super Sounds Soccer set with us… think soccer in a park is fun? Soccer on the beach is EPIC.
What are some of your favourite beach toys? Besides the ol’ shovel and bucket, do you pack other toys/ activities for your small children?
I am part of the Fisher-Price Play Ambassador program and I receive perks as part of my affiliation.
The opinions on this blog are my own.
I love the fact we are SO close to so many great lakes & beaches here in Manitoba – from 30 minutes to an hour to be transported to what feels like another planet..
There is something so magical about a day at the lake on the beach! :-)
Enjoy your time there!
Ah, I’ve never been to Manitoba! I’ll have to visit one day!
Well I am in AB and am jealous of BC , Maritimes and Ontario we have basically nothing here at all, I love the ocean and could read and listen to it all day!
Me too :) In fact, all I want to do is simply stretch out and listen to the sound of the waves lapping against the shore….
The beaches in Toronto used to be a great place to go (the Islands, Sunndyside, Bluffer’s Park, the boardwalk), now there is so much pollution, I agree with you “Ewwwww”. I live in Barrie now, and I am about a 15 min bus ride to the beach (5 min if I drove there but add half an hour to find a good parking spot LOL). During the summer they have lots of activities, in fact this weekend coming up is “Kempenfest”. Hope the weather decides to cooperate and warm up a bit (and not rain like it is right now).
Barrie is gorgeous and yes, you have access to great beaches!
a pail and a shovel are the best beach toys ever. I love making castles
Agreed! Sometimes it’s best to keep it simple!
We have a sandbox in the backyard that always gets alot of attention fromt he kids, but nothing compares to an afternoon or morning at the beach. We have a lot of beaches within an hour driving distance of where we live so we clock many hours playing and building in the sand. shovels, pails and watering cans are always a favorite
Sounds divine, Terri, and your kids are so lucky!
I love Bay Beach in Crystal Beach, Ontario and Nickel Beach in Port Colburne, Ontario. It’s so much more peaceful here than the touristy ocean-front beaches. We love it!
Added to my “to-see” list Rachel, thank you!
We’re old school here… just a pail and shovel.. Oh and some moulds so that they can make different shapes
A lobster mold I hope! They’re my fave!
I’m with you on the quality of Toronto beaches. It’s funny, though. I grew up in Toronto and I used to LOVE Toronto beaches. Nowadays, while I still love going to the beach, I don’t have anywhere near the same appreciation for the beaches in the city… Like you said, there are some nice beaches a few hours away — Sandbanks and Sauble Beach are favourites of mine, although my friends and I haven’t found the motivation to drive there in quite a few summers. Gosh to be young and energetic again…
Absolutely and completely agree with you. I’ve only been to Sauble once, but I do remember enjoying it!
Have you been to Grand Bend Beach? We spend the summer camping 5 minutes away from the beach!
I’ve never been! Will definitely look it up!
I absolutly love sauble the water; SO CLEAR the sand; SO SOFT, it’s like a peice of Florida in our own backyard!
We keep it simple with bucket and shovel !