MUST-HAVE BEACH GEAR FOR TODDLERS
If you spend a lot of time at the beach, having the best beach gear for toddlers will make your time at the beach more fun.
Disclosure: Kindly be aware that certain links provided below may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It’s important to note that I am an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases. For the comprehensive disclosure statement, please click here.
There is no better feeling in the world than spending some quality time with your family outdoors in nature. The sun shining down on us as we play in the sand and waves – what could be more perfect?
This post compiles my favorite baby/toddler items so that there is one place for parents to go when they are looking for what they need before hitting up their favorite beach.
I know you are looking for the best beach gear for your toddler. You want something that will make their time on the beach fun, safe, and enjoyable!
Here are all of the must-have beach gear for toddlers, which include sun protection, cooler (for snacks), water safety vests, a beach wagon, toys, and everything else you need to make your day at the beach enjoyable with your toddler.
TODDLER SUN PROTECTION BEACH GEAR
Our priority when visiting the beach is to protect our little one from the sun, especially if you are going to the beach with a baby under 6-months-old.
We do everything we can to reduce long exposure to the sun to avoid sunburns or sun poisoning.
With the proper precautions, you can protect your toddler with some of our favorite toddler beach gear.
Long Sleeve Rash Guard
I recommend getting your little one a long sleeve rash guard to protect them from the sun. The UPF 50+ fabric is breathable, so you don’t have to worry about them getting too hot.
Long sleeves protect their skin, plus it’s less area to apply sunscreen, which helps protect the ocean from the chemicals in sunscreen. It’s a win for your toddler and the environment.
I love the Simple Joy rashguard sets, but RuffleButts and RuggedButts are the most popular rash guards for toddlers.
Related Post: Best Rash Guards for Babies
Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen
We put sunscreen on our son nearly every day before he goes to school since we currently live in Playa Del Carmen. It’s the best way to protect him from the sun when he plays outside.
Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen is our favorite baby sunscreen for the beach. It is reef-friendly, with the only active ingredient being zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
This brand is the most recommended sunscreen for little ones by pediatricians. It was the brand recommended to us when our son was a baby.
Popular Reef-Safe Sunscreen for Babies
Last update on 2024-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Wide-Brim Sun Hat
We love the SwimZip Kid’s Sun Hat for toddlers. If only our toddler loved wearing it, but that’s for another post.
This is our favorite sun hat for kids of all ages. The wide brim provides amble fun protection while this side venting keeps your baby or toddler cool.
I love the breakaway chin strap, which prevents your little one from choking. When you have a stubborn 2-year-old like us, this is a crucial feature.
This sun hat also floats, so you don’t have to worry about losing it at the beach.
With 98% sun blockage, this is the best sun hat for a day at the beach, lake, or just exploring with your toddler.
Toddler Sunglasses
RIVBOS Kids Sunglasses are the most popular sunglasses for toddlers. Although this isn’t a must-have, we can admit they are cute.
Babies or toddlers in sunglasses are adorable. Our son has had sunglasses since he was a baby (living in sunny San Diego), but he recently started wearing them on his own when we go out.
These sunglasses can withstand rough toddlers since the silicone material is durable. There are over 10 colors to choose from, so your little one can head to the beach in style.
Pop Up Beach Tent
The Monobeach Baby Beach Tent is our favorite pop-up tent for babies and toddlers. We had one when we lived and San Diego, and it was perfect.
This tent also has a pool area, so your little one can play safely in the water while being shaded from the sun.
Now that our son is older, we have a tent that he hangs out in when he gets tired, while we’re at the beach. It used to be his portable travel bed, but now we use it for beach days.
Having a pop-up tent is an essential piece of toddler beach gear. Your little one can sleep in the ten while you relax and enjoy your family beach day.
TODDLER BEACHWEAR
The toddler beach gear in this section is the perfect beachwear for spending the day in the sand. Anytime we go to the beach we spend 99.9% of the time playing in the sand because our toddler isn’t a fan of the ocean.
Our best beach gear for toddlers includes water safety vests, wearable towels, and water shoes for toddlers.
Puddle Jumper for Toddlers
When heading to the beach, water safety is our number one priority. That’s part of the reason why we start our little one in swimming classes when he was 3-months-old.
The Stearns Puddle Jumper is one of the most popular water safety brands in the US. This company has over 50 years of history with its water safety devices.
Our son likes to be independent, so puddle jumpers help us breathe easier when he is in the water. Although they are no substitute for adult supervision, they are USCG-approved.
Related Post: Best Swim Floaties for Babies
Best Swim Safety Vests for Toddlers
Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Water Shoes
There is a reason Native Jefferson Water Shoes are one of the most popular shoes for toddlers. I didn’t understand why parents like these shoes, but I purchased a pair for our 2-year-old this summer and I’m sold.
I love these shoes! They are comfortable, affordable, easy to clean, and easy for toddlers to get on and off (without help).
Our son wears them to school at least three days a week, if not every day. He’s always hot, so these shoes are perfect to let his feet breathe. I don’t know what it is about toddlers, but they can have some stinky feet.
These are the best shoes for your toddler to wear to the beach, playground, or for a walk around the neighborhood. Since writing this blog post I’ve bought two more pairs. My wife says I am not allowed to buy another pair until he outgrows the two he has now.
Related Post: Best Water Shoes for Toddlers
Reusable Swim Diaper
Our favorite reusable swim diapers are wegreeco swim diapers. We love the snaps on the side, which make getting this swim diaper on and off easy.
When you have a buddy toddler like us, getting clothes on and off is always a challenge. This diaper makes getting ready for the beach with our 2-year-old a breeze.
You can make the diaper larger or smaller, depending on the size of your little one, so they grow as your baby or toddler grows. Our son is now three years old and he uses these reusable diapers. We love having extra for when we spend multiple days on the beach or decide to go to a resort.
Remember, this diaper is only meant to keep the poop contained while in the water, so check your little ones often. We try to wait until he does his business and only needs to pee-pee to put this on.
Terry Hooded Towel Wrap
I love wearable towels for babies and toddlers. We have the terry hooded towel wrap with our son’s favorite characters, which for now is The Minions.
It’s easy to dry him off when he gets out of the water, plus is large enough for him to sit on.
This towel is soft, absorbent, and just fun for toddlers. You can use it at home or on the beach.
It’s easier to get them out of the water if they have their favorite cartoon character towel waiting on them. Sometimes it’s easier to work with them than it is to argue with a toddler.
Once he sees his towel, he knows it’s time to get out of the water and relax on the beach.
TODDLER BEACH TOYS
There are a lot of beach toys for toddlers, but you don’t need too much for your toddler to enjoy a day at the beach. Our son could have fun just playing in the sand with a stick, so a few toys will suffice.
Our son enjoys playing in the sand more than in the water, so we spend most of our time playing in the sand. These are our favorite beach toys for toddlers.
FoxPrint Beach Sand Toy Set
FoxPrint Beach Sand Toy Set is the most affordable beach sand toy set for toddlers. This toddler beach toy set has 16 pieces, which is more than enough to entertain a toddler at the beach.
It comes with a castle mold, a sand sifter, rake, shovel, watering can, and animal-shaped sand molds. You and your little one will have a blast building with this fun beach playset.
B. toys – B. Ready Beach Bag
I am a huge fan of the B. toys brand. We have several of their toys, so it’s no surprise they are included in our list of favorite toddler beach gear.
B. Ready Beach Bag is the perfect toy set for a day at the beach with a toddler. This set comes with 11 beach toys, plus a storage bag to keep the toys from getting lost.
Included in the set is a bucket, mini dump truck, pinwheel, sifter, shovel, watering can, 4 sand molds, and a sifter.
Related Post: Best Travel Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Bubble Machine
Bubble machines are one of my favorite toys for the beach. They’re perfect for keeping your little one busy, plus it’s a great workout. Your little one will be exhausted, by the time you leave.
Our son can spend 20-30 minutes, which is equal to 2-3 hours in toddler time, chasing bubbles on the beach. We actually went to the beach yesterday in Charleston and he was asleep before we hit the freeway back to our Airbnb.
TODDLER BEACH GEAR (THAT MAKES YOUR LIFE EASIER)
This section has our favorite optional toddler beach gear. These are the things that make going to the beach with your toddler easier.
We included some of the things we’ve used, but also what we wish we had when going to the beach with our 2-year-old.
Beach Wagon
The Evenflo Pivot Xplore Stroller Wagon is our favorite beach wagon for babies and toddlers. This wagon has everything you need to enjoy a fun day at the beach.
We plan on having another little one, and I want to get this beach wagon when we do. There are two different modes to push or pull, so it makes dragging in the sand easier.
The features that I love are ample storage, a removable snack tray, all-terrain wheels, and a large sun canopy.
Related Post: The 10 Best Beach Wagons for Toddlers
Beach Bag
My wife loves the SHYLERO beach bag. If we weren’t full-time travelers she’d still have this beach bag, but she sold it when we decided to take our crazy family gap year.
If you go to the beach frequently, this is the best beach bag for your family. It’s large enough to fit everything you need, plus it’s durable enough to last for years.
Related Post: The Best Beach Bags for Moms & Families
Popular Beach Bags
Last update on 2024-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Beach Blanket
Having a beach blanket to relax during your day at the beach is essential. The most popular one is the ISOPHO Beach Blanket.
I like this blanket because it comes with a travel bag and ground nails, which makes it easy to store. Plus, it’s water-resistant and durable, so this beach blanket will last you for years.
My wife and our son are usually building sandcastles (I’m terrible at building castles) or burying me in the sand.
Honestly, I usually end up taking a nap if we plan on spending the entire day at the beach. There is something about sleeping at the beach that makes it the best rest ever.
Portable Fan
We take a flexible tripod portable fan everywhere we go. Our son runs hot, so we have a fan so he doesn’t get too hot.
For some reason, he’s always sweating. He radiates heat like you wouldn’t believe. Maybe that’s why he’s never slept under a blanket in nearly three years.
It’s great to have a fan on a hot day on the beach. This isn’t a must-have, but we travel with one for our little guy.
Waterproof Wet Bag
We used cloth diapers when our son was a baby, so we’re no strangers to waterproof wet bags.
Our favorite is the Bumkins waterproof wet bag because it’s cute, but it’s perfect for putting your little one’s wet clothes after a day at the beach or if they have an accident.
We’re actually still using this wet/dry bag today, while our 2-year-old is potty training. We never leave the house without a wet/dry bag in his diaper bag.
Talc-Free Baby Powder
One of my favorite mom hacks ever is using baby powder to get rid of pesky sand. Baby powder works wonders when it comes to removing sand from your baby or toddler.
We like to use Burt’s Bees Baby Powder to remove sand from our arms and legs before going inside the house or getting in the car. No more fighting with your toddler to rinse them off before leaving the beach.
Before we started using this hack, we’d find sand throughout our apartment for weeks. It was so annoying, but no more sand thanks to this ultimate mom hack.
