My definition of a perfect summer vacation, when traveling with toddlers, is hitting the beach. I’ve learned a lot through our beach days with a toddler. Now that I know exactly what things to take to the beach with toddlers and how to avoid some of our earlier family beach vacation mishaps, we always have a successful beach day. Here’s the best beach essentials for toddlers that I recommend (recommendations from a real mom who’s had tons of experience taking a toddler to the beach).
Based on the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics to use other important ways to keep toddlers safe when in the sun plus these sun safety tips, I start with the most important toddler beach must-haves. Those are the beach items that ensure our toddler is able to enjoy being in the sun while also preventing sunburns and staying safe in the sun.
While you’ll find sunscreen, toddler sun hats and full coverage swimsuits at the top of this list, you’ll also find plenty of other toddler beach essentials that will ensure a fun day at the beach! Plus some tips on how to handle sand and staying hydrated!
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Toddler Beach Essentials Packing List
As new parents, we don’t always know exactly what to bring for each outing. It usually takes a few times with trial and error to perfect our toddler beach packing list. I’m here to offer my personal experience taking toddlers to the beach so you don’t have to use trial and error to come up with your own list of beach necessities for toddlers.
Here are beach essentials for toddlers that should be on your beach vacation checklist:
If you plan to be at the beach for the entire day or the beach doesn’t offer much shade, a beach umbrella or pop up beach tent for toddlers will give your toddler some time out of the sun.
Find even more options for the best toddler beach tents here.
Sunscreen is the most obvious, but also one of the most important things to pack for a beach vacation. Being out in the sun all day without sunscreen is dangerous for your toddlers sensitive skin. According to American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines, always go for a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 to shield the skin against UVA and UVB rays.
I personally prefer using a spray sunscreen instead of a cream-based sunscreen as it's easier to apply and doesn’t cake on to the skin. Especially for reapplying, which is no easy feat at the beach with a toddler!
In addition to sunscreen, sun hats with velcro ties are a beach must have with toddlers. The best sun hats for toddlers are made from breathable mesh fabric with a wide brim, to protect their head, face and neck from exposure to the scorching heat (like this toddler hat with wide brim by i play.).
We also really like the Sunday Afternoon hats for toddlers, as they provide excellent protection with a wide brim and neck coverage. Find even more toddler sun hats here!
If your toddler will leave them on, toddler sunglasses are another of the important beach accessories for toddlers to throw in your beach bag! With any luck your toddler will appreciate the protection from the glaring sun and will stop playing with them!
A good sun hat (like the ones above) and a full swimsuit are the best protection for spending the day at the beach with a toddler. Plus it means less sunscreen to apply!
A full swimsuit gives added skin protection for your toddler with arm and leg coverage. A rash guard for toddlers can be added to any swimsuit to give arm coverage.
Besides being incredibly adorable we like these options:
1. RuffleButts Long Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit for Toddler Girls
2. Simple Joys by Carter's Boys' Rashguard Set
3. uideazone Toddler Zipper Rash Guard Swimsuit
4. Yober One Piece Toddlers Zipper Swimwear with Hat
5. upandfast Toddler One Piece Sunsuits with UPF 50+ Sun Protection
Most toddlers will love being in the water and even if they don’t, safety is the first priority! We all know how fast a toddler can move when we look away for a second.
As their mother, I also love watching my toddler enjoying time trying to swim and chill in the water. To keep toddlers safe while enjoying playing in the water, never forget to toss in the swim arm bands or a swim vest like this one or this one.
The first time we went to the beach, I made a rookie mistake of not bringing beach towels as we hadn’t planned to swim. I had to learn the hard way that beach towels have more than just one use. Even if your toddler doesn’t intend to swim, these towels can be used as shade and even as a picnic blanket.
Now that I am teaching them how to swim, I make them wear hooded towels on top of their bathing suits. It’s great how these towels don’t slip off when they are running.
I switched from a double travel stroller to a collapsible wagon for beach days a year ago. Why? I just realized how my little ones are growing up super fast and soon they will outgrow the stroller seats. The wagon I own now has wider seats and is comfortable for both children.
Another reason why bringing a wagon (or your travel stroller) is a must is because you can throw in all your toddler beach gear such as coolers, snacks, beach toys and backpacks. Trust me, it does make life a lot easier.
Beach and sand toys must be included in any list of beach essentials for toddlers. My toddler would not be happy to find out I hadn't packed beach toys! Save yourself the trouble and include these simple and lightweight beach toys on your beach checklist for toddlers.
Playing in the water and sand with their toys are the best beach activities for toddlers!
Some toddlers can do without the toys but not without snacks. Even if you are heading to the beach post lunch-hour, bring along some healthy and delicious snacks in a cooler. Don’t forget to throw plenty of water in too. This will help you and your toddler stay active and hydrated throughout the day.
Toddlers are great at making messes! Unexpected things like them spilling juice on their clothes happen all the time, so I got myself a large wet-dry bag in which I keep the (unused) swim diapers, snacks, toys and extra dry clothes.
Once my toddlers is out of water, the wet bathing suits go in the bag and fresh, dry clothes come out. Life made so simple!
For a toddler that are very sensitive to heat, a small fan is a beach must have for toddlers. A small portable fan, a misting fan or even a spray bottle with cold water from the cooler, can help them cool off after they are tired from playing and running all over the beach. I take it out when they stop for a snack time to provide them utmost comfort.
P.S: I also enjoy this fan as much as my toddler does.
The sand can get incredibly hot so protect your toddlers sensitive feet by adding some toddler beach shoes to the “things to bring the the beach for toddlers” packing list.
If you are planning a family beach vacation in Europe, then water shoes will be a key beach accessory for your toddler on those rocky beaches.
Get a beach blanket with room for everyone but that won’t take up a lot of extra room. With sand anchor pockets and stakes, you’ll get a ton of use out of an outdoor blanket. Especially an outdoor blanket that is sand and water-resistant.
When we travel, we don't always want to pack a large beach tent. A good beach blanket will be small enough to pack, plus it gives the entire family a place to sit. I find this essential, especially when giving toddler snacks on the beach so they don't end up covered in sand!
If you are traveling with a toddler who isn't fully potty trained, don't forget the swim diapers! i Play has a reusable swim diaper that is machine washable. Another option is disposable swim diapers.
Water and snacks are key for any outing with a toddler, including a day at the beach with toddlers! Bring your toddlers own water bottle and avoid getting sand all over your own! These are some of my favorite travel sippy cups for toddlers.
Better safe than sorry is my go-to mantra whenever I pack my beach bag for a day at the beach with toddlers. This beach checklist for toddlers guarantees an enjoyable beach day with all the necessities.
Check out our these Baby & Toddler Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts. All-Inclusive resorts make for a baby and toddler friendly vacation.
If you are flying with your toddler, consider renting toddler travel gear so you don’t have to pack it all with you! And don’t miss these Toddler Flying Tips!
Enjoy your time on the beach! A beach vacation, like spending a week at an all-inclusive resort with a toddler, makes for one of the most toddler friendly holidays!
Best Beach Holidays With a Toddler
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.