Parents everywhere are all too familiar with the summer whines.
"We don't have anything to do."
"It's too hot to go outside."
"We're sooooo bored."
This year, with so many families staying close to home instead of taking distant vacations, the serenade may be worse than ever.
"Like most people, we can't afford to go anywhere with gas prices so high, so we're staying home this year," says Elizabeth Werner, toy expert and chief toy officer for iVillage online community.
"I don't want the kids parked in front of a video game or a computer all day," she says. "I want them to be outside and active. If you teach them active habits as kids, they continue being active and healthy adults."
Some of Werner's recommendations include outdoor structures with slides, ladders and hoops for playing with balls.
"Kids love anything with water," said Werner. "When it's hot, all sorts of water toys will help cool them down. But keep in mind that it's very important to protect kids from the sun, so try to find things that will keep them in the shade."
Trends for summer include backyard bands complete with musical instruments and toys that highlight nature.
"Kids are fascinated by pop music groups," says Bob Friedland, toy expert at Toys R Us in New York. "They love the Naked Brothers band and Hannah Montana, so anything to do with music is a big hit.
"For parents who want to create awareness of the environment, there are bug cages and telescopes," Friedland says.
"And the garden hose and a sprinkler are always a big hit, especially when it's hot," says West Sacramento mom Katherine Elorduy.
Call the Bee's Gwen Schoen, (916) 321-1146.
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