YOUR PLACE THE TOYS OF SUMMER.

Byline: Barbara De Witt  Staff Writer

The season for fun in the sun has begun, so don't just lay in your banana lounger. Think about an adventure - whether it's at a local lake, pool or your own backyard.

With an emphasis on seeing America and rediscovering our roots, retailers have indulged us with old-fashioned fun, including Old Navy's new aerodynamically-sound jelly flying disc for $3.50, inspired by the original Frisbee.

For those who want to paddle away from reality like Tom Sawyer, Restoration Hardware has a full-size injection-molded polypropylene row boat for $595, as well as little wooden sail boats to float in a fountain or plastic pool, priced at $62. Also designed for water sports is Target's plastic treasure chest filled with toys that can be buried for pirate parties, or used as a diving game, priced at $9.99.

Plastic beach balls are back in style, too, in a design theme used by Cynthia Rowley and Ilene Rosenzweig for beach towels in their Swell collection. Even swim rings in wild prints and polka dots are back in the swim, along with water pistols (great for those wet T-shirt parties), horseshoes and croquet sets, which can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

For picnics (you'll want a retro gingham-lined basket at Macy's), you can hit a few birdies with a portable badminton set that doesn't require a net. It's $5.99 at Jo-Ann's in West Hills.

Board games also are on the rebound with new editions, and so are playing cards. One of the coolest new card games is by Umbra, with cards cut in whimsical shapes - dog bones and fish - and packaged in colorful plastic card cases called Bow Wow and Splish Splash so they won't get wet at the beach or camp. They're priced at $5 a deck at Bed, Bath & Beyond stores.

Garden centers and toy stores are also appealing to tomorrow's gardeners, with colorful trowels, watering cans and mud boots. At Target stores you can find butterfly gardens, ant hill kits and portable carriers for creatures and critters, hopefully to be freed soon after capturing. For gardening instructions that will appeal to young novices, check out the witty new book ``Good Garden Magic'' by Celia Toler (MQP Publishing; $16.95). Artwork is reminiscent of the 1950s, when teens mowed the lawn and kids climbed apple trees.

When the day is done, and it's bath time, give your rubber ducky a rest and set off some fireworks. In the spirit of the season, Lush Cosmetics has created a Street Party Bath Bomb with a festive streamer that fizzes with glittering specks of gold and emits the relaxing fragrance of lavender. It's $4.80 at www.lush.com.

Barbara De Witt, [phone]

barbara.dewitt(at)dailynews.com

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(1 -- 4) Bow Wow playing cards, $5 a deck at Bed, Bath and Beyond stores.

(5) Portable badminton set, $5.99 at Jo-Ann's in West Hills.

(6) Street Party Bath Bomb, $4.80 at www.lush.com.

(7) Target's plastic treasure chest filled with toys, $9.99.

(8) Celia Toler brings wit to her gardening book, $16.95.