5 Must-Have Beach Essentials for Toddlers
A day at the beach can turn into a nightmare when you’re weighed down with all of the junk that comes with being a toddler parent. With two toddlers in tow, we’ve done our best to pare things down and travel as light as possible, so both parents and babies alike can enjoy the day in the sun and surf. Here are our recommendations for the only 5 beach essentials for toddlers you need to bring to have a great day.
Before You Go: Prepare Toddlers for New Experiences
A beach day is often just one part of a bigger vacation, and it can feel like a totally new world for little ones. New sounds, crowds, waves, wind, and even the feel of sand on their toes can be overwhelming. If your kids are new to the ocean, take a few minutes before your trip to set expectations and walk them through what the day will look like.
I like to talk about the waves, the sand, and how we will stay safe near the water. If you want extra ideas, my post on How to Prepare Toddlers for New Experiences shares the simple routines and language we use before big “firsts”.
If your beach vacation involves flying, you can also check out my Toddler Flight Essentials guide.
Quick List: 5 Beach Essentials for Toddlers
Here are the 5 beach essentials for toddlers that always make it into our bag:
- Life jacket
- Water shoes
- Sand toys
- Sun protection (sunscreen, rash guards, hats)
- Snacks
Once these basics are covered, everything else becomes optional and easier to skip.
1. Sun Protection
Don’t mess with that sensitive new skin and the strength of the sun! As we adults know, a sunburn can ruin your entire vacation, so protect those little faces and toes. A sensitive-skin and reef-safe sunscreen is a must for us. We absolutely love Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Lotion (and all of their products, really!) for the kids. Not sure about you, but my little guys are champion complainers about having sunscreen applied. This is the only product I found that doesn’t seem to sting their skin when applied or eyes as they sweat. Bonus, I even use it on myself!
For us, in addition to sleeved rash guards, the kids always wear wide-brimmed sun hats. For kids 2 and up, we love Sunday Afternoons Kids Play Hats, which have breathable mesh sides and an adjustable strap to grow with your child. For under 2, our favorite is JAN & JUL Boys’ GRO-with-Me Aqua-Dry Adventure Sun-Hat (6-24 months). Both are made with quick-dry material, so feel free to splash around.
When I think about 5 beach essentials for toddlers, sun protection is always at the top of the list because it keeps them comfortable long after we leave the beach. If your toddler hates sunscreen, try turning it into a game. Try “painting” animals on their arms and legs or count to ten for each body part. Giving them a small, supervised dab of sunscreen to apply on their own arms can also make them feel more in control.
2. Sand Toys
Is there anything more fun than digging a hole at the beach? Probably not, but you don’t need to bring an excavator full of toys to have a blast. We love the sand toy sets from Androni Giocattoli. They each come with just enough items to keep the kids interested, but they are compact. The bucket holds all of the other toys when you’re not playing with them. The shovel and rake are extra sturdy, which is great for destructive toddlers.
A few molds, a shovel, a rake, and a bucket are more than enough. Involving the kids in choosing which toys make the cut before leaving home is always a good idea. It gives them a sense of ownership and also makes it easier to say no when they want to bring the entire playroom.
Sand toys are one of those 5 beach essentials for toddlers that can also double as entertainment in other parts of your trip. Kids can use the set in hotel bathtubs or at playground sandboxes.
3. Water Shoes
If there was something remotely possible to hurt yourself on, a toddler would find it. That includes sharp edges of shells or random debris people have left on the beach (please don’t do that!). Burning the bottom of your feet on hot sand is also a real thing. Thus, our kids always wear water shoes. We love HOBIBEAR Quick Dry Toddler Water Shoes. We’ve tried other well-known brands, and they always seem to lead to blisters. These never pinch, they dry quickly, and they protect their feet really well.
You can keep a pair of water shoes in your beach bag at all times during summer so you are never tempted to skip them. They also make transitions easier. Toddlers can walk from the car to the sand, through the shallows, and over rocks without needing a shoe change every five minutes.
If your toddler is new to water shoes, try letting them wear them in the house or yard first so they feel familiar. That way, when you arrive at the beach, they are focused on the waves and shells instead of the strange new shoes on their feet.
4. Coast Guard Certified Life Jacket
Even if your babe is a champion swimmer, which would be amazing for a toddler, a little extra help in the water never hurts. Drowning is a real thing, especially when you combine heavy surf and weak swimmers. Both of our boys wear life jackets around the water whenever only one adult is watching them both or if they are getting in the water.
We love the Full Throttle brand.
- For kids under 2 or those who don’t know how to swim and can’t keep their heads above water, go with a Type II life vest. We love the Full Throttle Infant/Child Under 50lbs Character Life Vest.
- If your child can swim/keep their head above water, you go get a Type III vest. Our favorite is Full Throttle Child Water Buddies Life Vest.
Life jackets do more than keep kids afloat. They also give you as the parent a little more mental breathing room when you are watching multiple children. I still stay within arm’s reach near the waterline, but I feel much calmer knowing they have an extra layer of protection. On busy family trips, that matters as much as the physical safety benefits.
If your toddler resists wearing a life jacket, introduce it at home first, just like the other beach essentials for toddlers. Let them wear it during bath time or while playing a “boat” game on the couch. By the time you get to the ocean, it feels familiar instead of restrictive.
Learn more about the different types of life jackets and their uses here, or explore the best life jackets for toddlers.
5. All the Snacks
Toddlers have two ways of eating: either everything you brought is unacceptable, or they want to eat everything in sight, including what you’re eating. At the beach, ours are typically the second. So we always make sure to have their favorite snacks on hand. Mine are particularly obsessed with the Goldfish Colors right now. We love storing them in the Skip Hop Baby Snack Containers, which let them feed themselves without the mess.
Pack a mix of salty, sweet, and fresh options in small amounts so nothing sits in the heat for too long. Think crackers, cut fruit, pouches, and maybe a fun “special beach snack” that they only get on these outings. Snacks are one of the beach essentials for toddlers that keep everyone happy during those in-between moments: waiting for sunscreen to dry, taking a break from the waves, or hanging out under the umbrella.
Final Thoughts
What items can your kids not live without at the beach? For our family, these 5 beach essentials for toddlers keep our days simple, safe, and fun. With the right life jacket, water shoes, sun protection, sand toys, and snacks, the beach becomes a place your toddlers can explore with confidence and joy, and you can actually sit down and enjoy the view.
If you have any questions as you plan your trip, feel free to email me or send a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you travel.
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London With Kids: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary
London is one of the best cities for an international family trip, and for good reason. Some of the city’s best museums are completely free, kids under 11 ride buses and the Underground for free with a paying adult, and there’s always a park or playground nearby when everyone needs a break. With three days in London, you can see many of the city’s biggest sights, mix in plenty of kid-friendly fun, and still keep the pace manageable for the whole family.
This London with kids itinerary is keeps each day in a single part of the city, so you’re not moving across the city in one day, which can be daunting: London is huge. Day one covers Westminster and the River Thames, day two is the museum district and Hyde Park, and day three is the Tower and the east side. If you have more time, I’ve added some of my favorite additional day trips to round out a 4- or 5-day stay across the pond.
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22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids
London is easier with kids than most people expect. The biggest museums are free, children ride the buses and the Underground for nothing, and there’s a park every few blocks for the moment when everyone needs to stop walking.
London is big, and the difference between a good day and an exhausting one is usually how much time you spent getting between places instead of being in them. The key to an enjoyable trip is grouping your time by location to avoid hopping around too much in one day.
If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in London with your family, this is my list of 22, with the family tips and logistics that make each one go more smoothly.
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Family | Featured | Florida | North America | United States | USA
Exploring Historic Pensacola Village and Pensacola Downtown: The Best Activities for Families
On our trip to Florida, we made our way to Pensacola expecting sun and sand—but we quickly discovered there’s so much more to explore. The Historic Pensacola Village, nestled in the city’s Historic District, became an unexpected highlight. With its beautifully preserved buildings, immersive museums, and interactive exhibits, it’s a must-visit for history lovers and families alike. Walk the America’s First Settlement Trail, dive into hands-on activities at the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and experience a side of Pensacola beyond the beach. Add it to your Pensacola itinerary—you won’t regret it!
