Our Favorite Things:
Summer Fun
Take a look at some of our favorite, new summer games and toys for kids of all ages.
From our provider:
FamilyFun
A Backyard Play Area for Pint-Size Construction Crews 
Horse Trading -- With Cards -- for Kids
Personalized Postcards With a Built-in Stand
ZookiDooki critters
Get in the Swim With This Fun Fish Game
Under a sunny orange umbrella, the Builder's Bay Sand and Water Table hosts a bevy of sandbox and water-play action in two side-by-side troughs. On dry land, kids can put the giant backhoe and dump truck to work, then haul their load across a sturdy bridge in the included semi. Or they can use the crane to transfer the cargo to a boat, then float it through the canal. Lids protect the table from unseasonable weather and, with built-in driving paths, make a terrific extra play area. Sand not included.
Ages 3 to 6. Little Tikes, $100 -- Beth Honeyman
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The beautiful illustrations of fanciful horses on Bella Sara cards immediately captured the imaginations of my 10-year-old twins, Katie and Megan. In addition to enjoying the classic trading and sorting activities, young enthusiasts can visit the online stable, where they enter codes from the cards to play with an on-screen version of their collection. But, in what I consider a brilliant move, the site limits visitors to one hour of online play a day. What really surprised me, though, was how Katie and Megan truly connected with the inspiring messages printed on the cards. They give a lot of thought to choosing one with a special saying ("Be the hero of your own story," "Take a chance and follow your heart") to put under their pillow or carry in a pocket.
Ages 5 and up. Hidden City Games, $2 per pack of 5 cards -- Lisa Stowe
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Post-a-Photo Kids lets your child create custom postcards and then send them off in a ready-for-display frame. To do so, he selects a favorite photo or draws on one of the ten included cards, places it in the colorful frame (with a protective film), adds a message and address on the back, and slips it into the mail. The lucky recipient then pops open the flap on the back to display the card upright. Comes with 4 crayons.
Ages 3 and up. Post-a-Photo, $6 -- Ruth Spiro
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With big eyes and bold, Japanese-inspired designs, the line of hand-painted ceramics brings a little spunk into any room. Our favorites? The 12 banks, with names such as Ikurara, Tofufu, Wasabibi, and Bok Choy Choy. But you can expand your collection with canisters, salt and pepper shakers, and pet bowls.
Ages 5 and up. Fashion Angels, $20 bank; $30 canister; $14 shakers; $14-$24 pet bowls -- Ellen Harter Wall
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In Bubba the Bottom Feeder, the goofy grin of a plastic-and-mesh fish entices kids to feed him floating plastic goldfish. Little swimmers take turns bringing him the identical-looking -- yet differently weighted -- fish as he rests at the bottom of the pool. The champion is the one who gives Bubba the morsel that makes him float to the surface.
Ages 5 and up. Fundex Games, $15 -- Ellen Harter Wall
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