Being a mom to a boy can sometimes be quite a challenge. Although many experiences growing up are universal, regardless of whether you're a girl or a boy, let's face it - boys are way more into dirt! And that can be a good thing, really! One way you can help your son do what he loves most - like covering himself in sand, soil and mud - is to give him a special place of his own in the backyard. Stake out a little plot of land that he can use as his own construction yard where he can keep his Tonka Trucks and build his dream system of roads, bridges and tunnels. Then just sit back and let him enjoy it! For your own peace of mind, you can establish some boundaries yourself - such as setting up a little wash station by the back door or in the mud room where he can wipe his feet, clean his hands and hang up his little hard hat when it's time to come in. It's also a good idea to have "indoor" and "outdoor" Tonka Trucks - keep a few inside for those rainy days when the drive to play takes over! Check out these cool Tonka toys that are great for indoor play!

Playing with Tonka Trucks is a big part of every boy's childhood. There's nothing like it - they're rugged, realistic & guaranteed for life! It's a great idea to create a special construction yard. But half the fun is planning the site and setting it up. Get your kid involved. Let him help with the planning stage and clearing the site. Set up boundaries with beach stones, rocks, pavers, railroad ties and whatever materials you have on hand to create a vegetable or flower garden. That’s sure to make mom happy! Get real! Dirt's great, but it's not the only thing you need - you need sand, gravel, and all kinds of materials to really make the coolest, most realistic construction yard in the neighborhood. Take your son with you to a landscapers supply yard and get a bag or two of different materials. And while you're there, you might want to pick up some flowers for your son to plant outside the yard - for even more bonus points with Mom.

Don't just take shovels and pails to the beach - pack the power of Tonka and let your son build more than just a castle in the sand. Let your son help with the gardening. He can put on his hard hat and use his Tonka Trucks to dig up dandelions or gather up fallen twigs on the lawn. Get made in the shade! If your son's construction yard is a little too sunny, set up a beach umbrella to help keep him cool and protected.