Cool by the Pool

Safe Splashing
Keep little ones secure, shaded and cool with the Baby Spring Float Activity Center. This float for kids 9 months and older has a balanced, buoyant design and an adjustable UV canopy. Both you and your baby can relax while he or she gets acquainted with the water … and there’s fun aboard, too, with four attached toys and an octopus pal. The float folds flat and includes a carrying tote. For up to 28 lbs. Find it at www.onestepahead.com for $34.95

Cool Shades
Wrap-around sunglasses by Baby Banz are equipped with an embedded silicon nose and brow piece, making these shades a great fit and comfortable, too. Baby Banz sunglasses originally were designed and tested in Australia — one of the world’s toughest ultraviolet environments. The company also offers head-to-toe protection with UV swimwear. Made from non-toxic materials, all products are Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act compliant. Baby Banz has won an iParenting Media Award, the Toy Man Award of Excellence, and the Creative Child Top Choice of 2009. Find sunglasses at www.babybanz.com, starting at $17.

Time’s a Tickin’
Check out the cool, new Submergency Dive Toy. Kids set the timer and drop the ball in the water. They then try to disarm the ball before the time runs out. The dive-and-search activity with a deactivation component increases excitement of underwater play. Players can adjust Submergency to float, sink and even suspend in between; and they can set the LED timer from 15 seconds to 90 seconds. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Requires 4 AAA batteries (not included). Get Submergency at www.toysplash.com for $28.99.

Handy Helpers
Here’s a mom-invented product that’s making life easier for other moms … and their kids. Pop Pals (www.pop-pals.com) are the first and original insulated ice pop holders that slide effortlessly over freezer pops to help keep little hands warm and clean. Pop Pals also make it easier for kids to squeeze up their frozen treat, while minimizing drips. And, thanks to Stephanie Veve, the mompreneur and mother of three young children who grew frustrated by having to wrap paper towels around ice pops to protect her kids’ hands, Pop Pals are lead-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free and BpA-free. Find a two-pack of Pop Pals for $4.99 at Babies “R” Us stores or online at www.keendistribution.com,
www.onestepahead.com and www.leapsandbounds.com.

Earth-Friendly and SPF 40
Think Green Skin Care & Sunscreen offers planet-friendly protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. Anthelios Sunscreen was InStyle magazine’s Best Beauty Buys 2009 winner of Best Facial Sunscreen, and is the only brand on the market to use the breakthrough sunscreen technology of FDA-approved Mexoryl SX — the sun filter found only in formulas that have been approved for protection against short UVA rays. Anthelios Sunscreen is tested safe for children and noncomedogenic (does not produce pimples), as well as fragrance- and PABA-free. It’s perfect for the entire family, including children 6 months and older. The company mails its sunscreen products using 90 percent recycled paper mailers and does not pass shipping charges along to the customer. The SPF 40 1.7-ounce tube sells for $32 at www.thinkgreensunscreen.com.

Heads Up
From babies to moms and dads, Wallaroo Hats are great for sunny days by the pool. Wallaroo Hat Company’s 2010 collection of fashionable, functional headware includes new UPF 50+ sun-protective hats for active families. The hats are available in crushable fabrics in solid colors or tropical prints and neutrals. And, 4 ½-inch brims provide maximum sun protection, and feature an internal or external drawstring to ensure one size fits all. The company also is committed to skin cancer prevention, and donates 1 percent of its net profits to skin cancer research. Available for $20-$36. Find locally at Blackhawk Hardware and B Natural in Charlotte, as well as Village Store in Davidson, or online at www.wallaroohats.com.

Cover your bum
For moms that have little ones to keep up with this summer, girltrunks provides comfort and coverage while on the move. The fast-drying bottoms are great for splashing in the ocean and poolside, and have mix-and-match top options. Find girltrunks at www.mygirltrunks.com., $79.