Thirst Quenchers

It can be hard to keep kids hydrated without relying on sugary juices and sodas. San Francisco mom of four Kara Goldin has hit on a solution with her HINT waters, sweetener- and calorie-free water with just a “hint” of natural flavor. $1.79 per bottle. drinkhint.com.

Complaint-free Travel

The revolutionary iPad from Cupertino-based Apple may just take the “Are we there yet?” out of family travel, with its tons of engaging apps for kids on the go. Try it out with a 3-D story book like The Wrong Side of the Bed from the East Bay’s See Here Studios. iPad from $499 at apple.com. App $2.99 from seeherestudios.com.

Squiggle Fun

Or, you can wile away the time with something decidedly less high-tech and a heck of a lot cheaper. Randomline’s Squiggle sets encourage your children to use their imagination and drawing skills to create fun animals from, well, random lines. No batteries needed and no noisy bells or whistles. $4.99. randomline.com.

Sun Safety

Slathering sunscreen on kids is never fun, but Oakland’s TruKid makes it more tolerable with its highly rated Sunny Days natural sunscreen, which is free from chemicals, parabens and phthalates. Unlike many mineral sunscreens, it rubs in easily and smells good, too. $15.99 for 3.5 ounces. trukid.com.

Water Play

Your kids can make a splash in Wyland Mermaid Swim Fins and Shark Tails from Livermore’s Finis. They can work on their underwater dolphin kick or skim through the water like a bathing beauty or sleek predator. $29.99. finisinc.com.

Old-Fashioned Fun

The Slip ’n Slide has been providing backyard fun for 50 years this summer. Wham-O, with offices in Emeryville, now provides cool alternatives to the original, including the Triple Racer, with jets of shooting water and room for three. For ages 5-12. $39.99. whamo.com.