Back when my 8-year-old was in preschool, she came home from school one day and asked me where our beach house was. Bewildered by her out-of-the-blue question, I probed a bit to find out what prompted her inquiry. (It turned out that a few of classmates were going away from the upcoming spring break, and one girl announced that she’d be heading to her family’s waterfront compound–I kid you not.) “Right here” was the answer I finally supplied, gesturing to indicate our own humble abode. Did I mention we live just down the road from the Long Island Sound? No need to feel like that such close proximity to the water didn’t qualify as a seaside getaway…But I couldn’t blame my then-preschooler for her inquisitiveness; she’s been visiting that beach with me since before she could even crawl, and the same goes for her younger sister. If you’ve got your own water baby–or even if your passion for the sea outweighs your time spent in the parks or on the playground–we’ve got just the toy to satisfy your little one’s H2o itch. Aurora’s My Beach House is a plush playhouse whose inhabitants aren’t only indigenous to the sea, they’re ready to convert your little landlubber into a baby beach bum. Four soft friends from the sea–a stingray, sea turtle, crab and shark–are just the right size for little hands to grasp, as they find their way back home. This first toy is easy for tots to transport around the house, or even off to a sunny getaway (and not just the make-believe kind). So whether your kid is on vacation for real and just in his mind, he’ll have plenty of fun in the sun–minus the sunburn.
In a Nutshell: Beach-bound babies wanted. Here’s an adorable soft toy for little ones with an affinity for the sea. Aurora’s My Beach House will be in stores this spring and is available now on Aurora’s Web site.
