Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/74289
live with family Child'sPlay Summer fun is a snap with simple toys that keep kids active and engaged in the world outside New best buddy: Toddlers will love saddling up on the infl atable (and lovable) horse named Rody for bouncy rides around the backyard and beyond. By Ledraplastic, $57; Capitol Kids, 8 S. Carroll St., Madison; (608) 280-0744. Nothing but net: Set your kids free to chase the fl ying wonders outside with a simple wooden butterfl y net. By Toysmith, $7; Whoops and Co., 555 S. Midvale Blvd., Madison; (608) 236-4555. Ask Doctor Mom Safely splashing through summer By Dr. Kristin Seaborg What could be more fun on a hot summer day than splashing the heat away with your family at the local pool? Pools can be a great source of exercise, a needed respite from the heat, and the perfect place to meet friends. As with many fun activities, however, swimming with young children does not come without risks. With just a few extra precautions, you can have a fantastic time cooling off with your kids. To ensure your child's safety and Watch them fl y: Inspire a love of nature with a pop-up habitat that houses caterpillars until they grow into fl uttering butterfl ies ready for the wild. By Insect Lore, $21; Whoops and Co., 555 S. Midvale Blvd., Madison; (608) 236-4555. confi dence in the pool, children ages 4 and older should be taught to swim. Parents may chose to enroll children younger than 4 in swimming lessons, but younger children are not develop- mentally ready to swim independently. No matter what their age or experi- ence, swim programs should never be considered to make a child "drown proof." Parents should always remain at an arm's length of a young child or toddler when he or she is in or near a pool. "Floaties" or swimsuits with fl oatation devices should also not be used in place of regulation life vests. These less-effective fl oatation devices often give children and parents a false sense of security. Also, be aware of the condition of the Bubblelicious: It's a magic wand of a different sort! Create the most magical (and sizable) bubbles with a wand that does all the work for you. By Extreme Bubbles, $17; Capitol Kids, 8 S. Carroll St., Madison; (608) 280-0744. 22 BRAVA Magazine July 2012 Jump for joy: A classic toy that never gets old, a sturdy jump rope promises to put all that youthful energy to good use. By Just Jump It, $6; Whoops and Co., 555 S. Midvale Blvd., Madison; (608) 236-4555. pool you're swimming in. Children and adults are at risk of underwater entrap- ment and drowning in pools that have broken, missing or loose drain covers. Teach your children never to play near pool drains and talk to a pool operator if you notice a broken or damaged drain or suction outlet. If you're vigilant, summer days basking in the pool will only be marred by the whistle the lifeguard blows to signal the end of the day. It doesn't take that much to feel like a kid again, does it? If only it were this easy the rest of the year! Kristin Seaborg is a pediatrician with Group Health Cooperative and mother of three.