The 10 Toddler Beach Essentials You Don’t Want to Forget
It’s easy to over complicate a beach trip. And it's easy to over complicate any trip with a toddler.
I’ve certainly fallen into the overplanning and overthinking everything trap. And therefore overpacking. In fact, if you like to overthink, check out this post: 37 Best Toddler Beach Hacks and Tips for a First Timer.
But if you’re looking to have a more minimalist approach to a day at the beach, just make sure you have these 10 toddler beach essentials. You’re bound to have a fun family day at the beach!
Sun Protection
Heat Protection
Sand Protection
Hydration
Food
Basic Toys
Safety
Towels
Swim Suit
A Way to Carry Everything
Sun Protection
Even on a cloudy day, one toddler beach essential is always going to be sun protection.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most obvious form of sun protection. Quick tip: For applying to your toddler’s face, use a sunscreen stick if you want to avoid the protests and complaints.
Rashie
For full upper body protection, a rashie with UV protection (like this one) never needs to be reapplied.
Hat
If your toddler will tolerate it, a hat provides all day face protection. Some toddlers may prefer this hat that doesn’t require a chin string.
Umbrella or Tent
Finally, create shade with umbrellas or tents. Some beaches don’t allow tents (like this Sun Ninja tent) during peak season, so be sure to check the rules and regulations before you go if you plan on bringing a tent. If not allowed, and you’re looking for an easier set up, bring along a beach umbrella that drills into the sand, or even a more portable chair umbrella.
Heat Protection
Tents or Umbrellas
A little shade can go a long way in preventing overheating at the beach. Check the above section for information on tents and umbrellas.
Water Shoes
Protect your toddlers’ feet from hot sand with water shoes! If you don't want to be carrying your toddler across the sand the entire day, water shoes could be a top toddler beach essential for you.
Quick note: If sand gets stuck in velcro, it may not stay closed. That’s why I like velcro-free water shoes like these.
Portable Fan
If nature isn’t creating wind for you, create it yourself with a portable fan. I like this rechargeable clip on fan. The charge lasts all day, and it can clip on to any beach chair or umbrella.
Sand Protection
Baby Powder
Ever hear of the baby powder trick? It’s life changing when it comes to removing sand from hands and faces at the beach. Put some baby powder in a sock. Gently swipe the sock around sandy toddler eyes without the freakout that usually accompanies removing sand from toddler faces.
Hand Rinse Bucket
For hands, you can also simply have a dedicated “hand rinse” bucket filled with sea water.
Hydration
It’s hot. You’re going to be active. You don’t want to get dehydrated. Dehydration would certainly be a way to ruin a beach day. Which probably makes hydration the #1 toddler beach essential… but I already have it all the way down here at #4. So we’ll just keep it here… but you get the picture. Hydration is key.
Water
Water is the easiest and most obvious choice for hydration at the beach.
To make your life easier, you can select water bottles that minimize the opportunity for sand to get in. Water bottles with closeable straws like this HydroFlask for kids. Or water bottles with sealable sports tops like this Klean Kanteen.
Electrolytes
If you want to up your hydration game, or if your toddler just isn’t tempted by water, you could try mixing in some electrolyte powder. My kids love the lemon lime Liquid IV. But in all reality, whatever will get them to hydrate will do.
Frozen Drinks
You could also freeze some water bottles or juice boxes. As they thaw during the day, you have a cold and refreshing drink waiting for you!
Food
Hydrating Snacks and Food
Anything to fuel active bodies at the beach will do. But hydrating snacks and foods are always a plus when it comes to eating at the beach. Think things like grapes, watermelon, or even pouches!
Individual Snack Packs
For more “snacky” foods, bringing individual snack packs are perfect for preventing sand from getting into the family-sized pretzel bag. Hmm… is that salt or sand? You don’t want to find out the hard way!
Cooler
You may also want to consider bringing some kind of cooler. No one wants lukewarm water in the hot afternoon sun on a beach day. Plus, it helps to keep the sand out of all your lunches, drinks, and snacks.
Basic Toys
Yes, the sand and the water are the best toys. But a shovel and a bucket can go a long way in extending fun at the beach with a toddler. If your toddler isn’t that into sand castles, burying feet, or wave hopping, you could also bring a soccer ball or even a kite.
Moral of the story? If you want to spend even a tiny bit of time relaxing or playing on the beach yourself, some kind of toy is a toddler beach essential for your family.
Safety
Even if you’re holding your toddler in the water. Or even if they’re only going in knee deep. IMHO, a floatie or a life vest is a top toddler beach essential. You just never know when a big wave will come. Or when your toddler will decide to step out just a little bit further when you’re just a little bit distracted.
My kids don’t mind leaving this coast-guard approved floatie (seen above) on all day. Plus, it comes in some really fun patterns and colors. But a regular life vest will do as well!
Towels
You’re going to want a way to dry off. Or something to wipe the sand off of legs before getting into the car. Or something to sit on other than the sand.
Towels are a versatile tool. Seems obvious, I know. But be sure to bring a few. If you're packing towels in suitcases, we love our Dry Fox towels. They pack down tiny and have lasted us for over five years of use right now!
Swimsuit
Another obvious toddler beach essential. But you don’t want to forget a swimsuit! Wet clothes are just no fun. As an added bonus, find one with UV protection. Or maybe even one with long sleeves for more sun protection.
I like this one for girls. It’s UV protected. It has separates for easier changing if necessary. And it includes a long sleeve rashie.
For toddler boys, I like this one that comes with a matching rashie, is upf 50+, and comes with a cute matching swim hat!
A Way to Carry Everything
Beach Bag
My recent favorite is a sturdy rubber beach bag. They’re easy to clean after your day at the beach. They stand open for ease of finding things. And they fit a lot.
I love my Bogg Bag. But other people really like this Magg Bag because it comes with a single shoulder strap and automatically comes with a waterproof pouch for phones and keys.
Beach Wagon
A lot of people love bringing a beach wagon for getting everything (including your toddler!) from the car to the beach. The bigger the wheels the better when it comes to choosing a beach wagon, like this one.
If you’re looking for a more thorough list of all the things you may need or all the tips and hacks for having a fun beach trip with toddlers, you may want to check out these posts:
- 37 Best Toddler Beach Hacks and Tips for a First Timer
- Your Complete Family Beach Packing List - With a Printable PDF (Coming Soon!)
- Delicious Vegan Beach Food: Fuel Your Fun in the Sun! (Coming Soon!)