Surf’s up – or at least the pool covers are. Get your little guppies in the swing of swimming season with these ocean-inspired offerings. We can practically smell the salt water and hear the gulls beckoning. So, as you rustle up those beach towels – and sunscreen, of course – and get ready to hit the local beach, scoop up a few of our fabulous finds, first. These nine nifty grabs are ready for summer action – and available at southeast Michigan stores.
Note: All of the listed merchandise is updated as of June 2013. To be safe, however, we recommend that you check with the shops to see if products are still available. When possible we provided a link to buy the item online, too.
Fish-Shaped Fabric Purse
Your budding artist will love to keep her coloring supplies or beach tools in this colorful tote. The purse has a drawstring closure to protect all her favorite things she carries around. Snag one for $29.
Buy it at Love Child, located at 32744 Franklin Road in Franklin (248-757-2948).
Cherokee Seashell T-Shirt
Get your little beachcombers ready for a day of fun by the water. This top with a classic print comes in a variety of sizes, from 12 months to 5T. Find this Cherokee-brand seashell T-shirt at Target for only $6.
Buy it at a southeast Michigan Target location near you.
Folding Beach Chair with Embroidered Name
Your kids will love having their very own director-style seats at the beach. These chairs are perfect for beachgoers ages 1.5-4 years. Bonus: They fold up for easy portability. These personalized chairs come in two colors and run about $49.
Buy it at Nancy’s Linens, located at 6323 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (248-539-9866).
Pink Racer-back Tank Top
Get your mermaid ready for a waterside day with this beach-inspired pink tank top. This cutie features a racer-back fit and shiny graphics sure to make your daughter smile. Comes in girls sizes 4 to 14. Snag this tank for $10.
Buy it at a southeast Michigan The Children’s Place location near you.
Stephen Joseph Quilted Backpack
Give your tyke something to brag about. This isn’t any ordinary treasure-holder: This cool quilted backpack features sewn-on sharks and even zips shut with a “shark-tooth” zipper! The price tag is about $38.
Buy it at Nancy’s Linens, located at 6323 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (248-539-9866).
Havana Cabana Striped Embroidered Beach Towel
Kids don’t want to leave the pool for lunch? Offer them this 100-percent cotton beach towel to dry-off with – and it might just do the trick. Not to mention, since it’s embroidered with their names, their towels won’t get mixed up at any pool parties this summer. Pick up this nifty beach towel for about $35.
Buy it at Nancy’s Linens, located at 6323 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (248-539-9866).
Soak ‘n Splash Water Limbo Sprinkler
If the hot weather has your tykes stuck on the couch in the air conditioning, bring this Soak ‘n Splash Water Limbo Sprinkler home – and they’ll be outside in no time. Cool down with some fun tunes; it even plays music! This sprinkler boasts easy assembly and connects to a standard hose. Buy one for about $16.99.
Buy it locally at Toyology, located at 6389 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield (248-562-7524).
What Lives in a Shell? Book
Your junior scientist can learn all about shells and the animals that live in them from this perfectly illustrated book. It offers simple explanations kids can understand to go along with cute illustrations. After they read this, they’ll be geared up to hit the beach and collect some shells of their own. Get this book for $5.99.
Buy it at Books-A-Million, with southeast Michigan locations in Beverly Hills (248-723-7106) and Roseville (586-296-1508).
Sport Zone Mega Fling Toss Game
We know you remember how much fun you had playing this fling-style toss game as a kid; pick up one so your kids can give it a try on your next trip to the beach. It’s perfect for some “mommy and me time” – or grab a few sets and make it a family game! Pick one up for $4.99.
Buy it at a southeast Michigan Sav-On Drugs location near you.
