Beach season is officially here and that means some serious fun in the sun!  Melissa & Doug are well-known for creating a host of unique and educational toys for children and now they are at it again with their Seaside Sidekicks toys.

If you've got a beach trip with the family planned this summer, keep reading to learn more about the newest toys that should definitely be included in your beach bag!

Everyone knows that a top-quality pail and shovel are must-haves for the beach.  I mean, how else are you going to transport all of that sand needed to make a tremendous sand castle?  Well, Melissa & Doug have your child covered with the Clicker Crab Pail and Shovel set.  This toy takes the typical sand pail and shovel to a whole new level of fun with the brightly colored Clicker Crab character.  Of course, this pail and shovel are also perfect for digging up beautiful seashells along the seashore and taking them home.

Next up is the Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set, which allows your child to whip up some fabulous mudpies or sandcakes in a matter of minutes!  Included with this toy are three shell-shaped measuring cups, a crab mixing spoon and an octopus whisk, essential cooking tools for any chef.  The turtle bowl serves as a very large mixing bowl and the turtle lid even doubles as a sifter.  There's no doubt that a child would have hours of fun concocting some sandy creations with this toy.

When traveling to the beach, I've found that a good set of molds make a wonderful toy for a child to play with in the sand.  Melissa & Doug have designed five delightful sand molds of familiar ocean creatures with the Seaside Sidekicks Sand-Molding Set.  The four smaller molds all nest inside the large turtle mold, so that cleanup can be quick and easy too.  This toy is also a perfect addition to any backyard sandbox, for plenty of outdoor fun.

Finally, your child can have a blast making their own sandy cupcakes by the seashore!  The Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set includes hinged, cupcake molds, cupcake toppers and even an icing tool so that their masterpieces can be decorated when ready.  All your child needs to supply is the cupcake "dough" and their imagination!  This 12-piece set can even be easily stored in its own mesh bag when the day is done.

If you are looking for a great way to thrill and entertain your child at the beach or in the sandbox, then I highly recommend checking out the latest Seaside Sidekicks from Melissa & Doug.  The company that is famous for designing high-quality, educational toys has also found a way to bring your child plenty of fun in the sun this season!