Planning A Beach Vacation With Toddlers?
Remember going on beach vacations before having kids? Sleeping in, chilling at the beach all day, day drinking, having no concept of time…good times. Things look a little different since motherhood huh? But the good news is that a beach vacation with toddlers can still be a genuinely good time!
It may not be as carefree as it used to be, but as long as you go in prepared, you can have a great time and make some amazing memories this summer at the beach with your toddler!
Before we get into the Beach Vacation With Toddlers Packing List, let me start with a few amazing tips and mom hacks!
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Scroll to the bottom of this post to get the FREE Packing List!
Toddler Sunscreen Tips
I’ve found that it’s actually easier to put the sunscreen on before putting their bathing suits on. Just give it a few minutes to dry before putting their suits on.
But my FAVORITE, most game changing mom hack for putting sunscreen on your toddler is USE A MAKEUP BRUSH! It can be helpful on the body too, but it’s especially helpful when applying it to the face.
I use this flat top kabuki brush and it works fabulously!
Don’t Over Pack With A Bunch Of Toys
Going to the beach is still a really new and fun experience for our toddlers. We don’t need to pack 10 million different beach toys that we’d then have to haul all the way to the beach. In fact, that sounds absolutely miserable!
This set from Amazon is PLENTY for the whole trip, and it comes with a carrying bag.
You’ve got your bucket, your shovels and rakes, sifter, watering can, and sand molds. Trust me, you don’t need any other beach toys!
- FUN FOR TODDLERS & CHILDREN – Kids 3-10 years old will love the Click N’ Play colorful 18-piece kids beach toy set! Our beach toys are great for a creative day at the beach or can be used in sandboxes.
- SAFE & HIGH QUALITY – Our sand toys are made with your child in mind and are made from non-toxic, BPA-free plastic.
- 18-PIECE SET – This set of kids beach toys includes 1 sand bucket with sifter, 2 shovels, 3 rakes, 2 sand sifters, 1 watering can, and 1 mesh storage backpack so that you can easily carry all the pieces with you. Approximate box dimensions – 12.5″ x 7″ x 10.5″
- CREATIVE LEARNING – This Click N’ Play kids sand toys set includes fun molds that will encourage creative play. The beach toy set includes molds for a sea horse, turtle, octopus, sea shell, duck, starfish, boat, and castle.
Ok, now let’s get into some of the top essentials for your beach vacation with toddlers!
Packing List for Toddler Beach Vacation
Toddler Beach Tent
- Large Outdoor Play Shade – This large tent creates the perfect play area for your baby, while ensuring they are protected from sand, dust, bugs, sun,…
- Baby Beach Essentials – High anti-UV protection (UPF 50+) baby canopy protects your child from 99% of harmful UV-A and UV-B rays, essential for sunny…
- Durable & Thoughtful Design – Features a ventilation window for good airflow to keep baby cool on those warm summer days. The fine mesh roll-up…
- Fold & Unfold in 3 Seconds – Pop-up system makes it very easy to fold and unfold. Tent is ultra-lightweight (1.5 lbs, 39″ x 39″ x 31.5″) and folds up…
This one is pretty non-negotiable. You need a Toddler Beach Tent to give your little one a place to cool off and get out of the sun.
I love this Babymoov Anti-UV Tent! It has strong UV protection, and folds up into its own carrying case making it super easy to transport to and from the beach!
Highly recommend it!
Toddler Rash Guards
Include some long sleeve rash guards in your toddler’s bathing suit collection. This will help protect them from the sun, and also save you the hassle of having to reapply sunscreen so many times. You can get these Carters ones on Amazon for a really affordable price! They have a bunch of styles to choose from.
- Pull On Closure
- Imported
- 83% Polyester, 17% Elastane
- Machine Wash
Here’s some great options for the little boys!
Insulated Water Bottle
Don’t forget an insulated water bottle for your toddler so they can stay hydrated! All that sun and beach play will really work up a thirst! Make sure to get an insulated one so it keeps their drink nice and cold.
These are my “go to” for my toddler’s beach water bottles.
- Flip, Bite, Sip: Drink through straw
- Durable 18/8 Stainless Steel stays dry with sweat-proof vacuum insulation
- Leak-Proof: Leak-proof when closed, spill-proof when open
- Easy to Carry: Comfortable Carry Handle
- Easy to Clean: Cap and vessel dishwasher safe
Hooded Beach Towel/Poncho
These hooded beach towels are great for a lot of reasons. They offer some extra sun protection over their bathing suits, use them as a picnic blanket on the beach, dry off from the water, and plus they are cute! (Multiple options available for boys and girls!)
- Ages 3-7 years
- Machine Washable light weight cotton terry fabric
- Pull-over, hooded
- Great for use after a bath or a day at the pool or beach
Sunscreen
Pack plenty of sunscreen! I always order this 2-pack of Babyganics Sunscreen Spray.
- All-mineral sunscreen made without PABA, phthalates, parabens, fragrances or nanoparticles. Made without oxybenzone and octinoxate.
- Made with plant-derived, certified organic and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients
- Broad spectrum SPF 50 UVA/UVB protection
- Pediatrician and dermatologist tested
- Tear-free and non-allergenic
In addition to the genius (if I do say so myself) makeup brush hack, I also always have a couple of these Sun Bum Sunscreen Sticks on hand for some quick application.
- BABY BUM SPF 50 SUNSCREEN FACE STICK. Our convenient, get-out-the-door faster format is 100% mineral based protection. The easy roll-on face stick applies and absorbs quickly to face (and body) with a non-oily feel for UVA/UVB protection.
- GENTLE, PLANT-BASED SKIN CARE. Our plant-based formula contains natural zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter to nourish and hydrate all skin types. Vegan, Cruelty, Gluten and Dye Free to meet the needs of delicate baby skin.
- HOW TO USE. Chase ‘em down and get their face. Swipe across forehead starting at the hairline and work your way down careful not to miss a spot. Apply 15 minutes before sun. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming, and immediately after a towel dry.
UV Sun Protection Beach Hat
- UPF 50+ Fabric: Made with premium polyester fabric, breathable, durable adn skin friendly. UPF 50+ sun protection blocks 98% of UV Rays
- Sun Protection: 6.6cm/2.6″ foldable floppy wide brim will help shield your kids’ skin and offer extra protection
- One Size: Best fit for head circumference: 50cm-54cm (19.7″-21.3″), one size fits most children aged 2-6
- Adjustable: The non-scratch hook and loop fastener chin strap securely holds the hat in place, while an elastic drawcord with a toggle at the back allows for adjustability
- Breathable & Packable: The mesh side vents provide superior airflow, while the moisture-wicking sweatband keeps kids cool and comfortable. It’s packable for easy on-the-go use
Pack a couple sun hats to help protect the top of their little heads! These are great and come in a bunch of different color options!
Collapsible Beach Wagon
This will make hauling stuff (and kids!) to and from the beach a lot easier! This beach wagon has nice thick tires, which will make it easy to roll on sand. Be sure not to get one that has narrow tires!
You can throw in your cooler, snacks, towels, toys, EVERYTHING. Total life saver.
- 4 cf of storage capacity
- 150 lbs weight capacity
- 2 externals mesh pockets
- Double Ply 600D Polyester fabric
- Folds completely flat
Toddler Swim Vest
Safety first! Do NOT forget your toddler’s Swim Vest! This one is great, and highly rated. It comes in tons of different designs that your toddler will love. Toddler’s love playing in water and we love to watch them have fun, but as their mothers, safety is of course a top priority!
- US COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORT CANADA APPROVED – The Paddle Pals is a level 70 (Type V/III) PFD for children 33-55lbs. Paddle Pals meets the U.S.C.G. (and TC) standards of quality providing safety and security for kids and children in water-based activities
- SUPERIOR COMFORT – Prevents chafing made with durable polyester material and multi-panel design for superior comfort
- SAFETY SHOULDER HARNESS – Keeps the vest from sliding off during use
- PLENTY OF DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM – We have a variety of different colors and graphic designs to choose from that kids will love!
- BUCKLED STRAP – Located on the back of the Paddle Pals vest is a strap with a buckle system that prevents children from removing the vest without parental help
Beach Toys For Toddlers
Like I said though, you really don’t need to overdo this one. This set from Amazon is a perfect choice.
Portable Fan
Beach Vacation With Toddlers Must: Portable Fan
You’ll love this toddler beach essential as much as the kids! The beach feels 10 times hotter when you’re wrangling a crazy little one. Do yourself a favor and pack at least one of these bad boys on your beach vacation with toddlers!
![JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan, 3 IN 1 Hand Fan, USB Rechargeable Small Pocket Fan [12-19 Working Hours] with Power Bank, Flashlight, Portable Fan for Travel/Summer/Concerts/Lash, Gifts for Women(Pink)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31b6q6tj2NL._SL160_.jpg)
- Small In Size, Big On Function: Featuring a Fan, Flashlight, and Backup Power Bank, the JISULIFE pocket bear fan is your summer go-to essential for staying cool on hot days while offering versatile functionality to meet your diverse needs
- 12-19 Hours Cooling Time: With up to 19 hours of cooling time on a single charge, this mini handheld fan ensures you stay refreshed during travel, concerts, and outdoor adventures; Conveniently rechargeable via USB
- A Palm-sized Backup Charger: Designed with a pocket size, this portable fan easily fits into any bag for on-the-go convenience; Doubling as a backup power bank, it keeps your devices charged when needed, making it your travel and summer essentials
Snacks and Waters
Load up your Beach Cooler with some sandwiches, chips, carrot sticks, and WATER. (I really like this Beach Cooler!)
These reusable sandwich and snack bags are great! They come in several different designs to choose from.
- REUSE AND REDUCE WASTE – Bumkins reusable cloth sandwich and snack bags are made from our original waterproof fabric with zippered closure; sandwich bags are large enough to fit a bagel; not just for lunch, they make excellent organizers for storage and travel; stash inside purse, diaper bag, or travel bag
- ABOUT OUR ORIGINAL FABRIC – 100-percent polyester with embedded TPU for waterproofing; although fabric is waterproof, bags are not completely leakproof due to zippered closure
- SAFETY TESTED – At Bumkins, we use 3rd party labs to ensure the products we manufacture comply with CPSC and CPSIA standards for BPA, Lead, and Phthalates
- EASY TO CLEAN – Our fabric is wipeable, machine washable and dishwasher-safe (top rack); turn inside-out to wash; to extend the life of our reusable bags, we recommend air drying our quick-dry fabric
More Other Beach Essentials for Toddlers
Talc-Free Baby Powder
Mom Hack Alert! Order this Talc-Free Baby Powder for your beach vacation with toddlers! It is a total game changer for getting sand off your feet/body. After all, who likes putting sandy feet back into your shoes? Yuck.
Wet/Dry Bags
Old plastic shopping bags work as well, but these reusable wet/dry bags are just nicer and of course MUCH better for the environment!
These will come in handy for dirty diapers, clothes that have been spilled on, wet bathing suits, and so on.
- PACKING AND TRAVEL – Essential travel organizers for carrying diapers, baby items, parts and accessories, towels, dirty gym clothes and wet swimsuits; not just for wet stuff – must have totes for toys, toiletries, electronics, shoes and more
- REUSE AND REDUCE WASTE – An alternative to single-use plastic bags, our bags are made from Bumkins’ original waterproof fabric that’s both soft and strong (although fabric is waterproof, bags are not completely leakproof due to zippered closure)
Beach or Water Shoes
Water shoes are a great idea to bring on a beach vacation with your toddler. We all have experienced that painful sprint on the beach when the sand is scorching hot! Just trying to make it to the wet sand or your beach towel.
Spare your little one’s feet with these adorable water shoes.
- Non-slip and durable:These toddler water shoes are lightweight, with wear-resistant and non-slip sole, and a soft upper that is not easy to cut.
- Convenient Design:closed-toe design reducing hurt caused by collision.
Download The FREE Packing List For A Beach Vacation With Toddlers!
