11 Beach Essentials for Toddlers in 2024

Summer is coming and a beach vacation with the whole family sounds like the perfect getaway. But you have finicky toddlers, so how are you going to manage a beach day while keeping everyone happy and in a good mood? These beach essentials for toddlers will do the trick.

I can’t guarantee no meltdowns, they are toddlers after all, but these are the 11 items you need (and 6 optional but helpful items) for a successful beach day with toddlers. Now set your expectations in the right place, beach days will look different. You most likely will not be able to relax in the sun with a book and a refreshing drink. Now a beach day will consist of running through the water, digging in the sand and handing out snacks. It can still be enjoyable though and it is the perfect setting to make so many awesome family memories. I bring my toddler to the beach 1-2 times per week and have been since he was three months old. I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.

We have adapted our list from the baby beach essentials because toddlers have different needs than babies! Now these are the things I don’t leave home without on beach days. I have forgotten all of these things at least once and paid the price! So learn from my mistakes and successes.

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Toddler Beach Essentials

Shade

Shade is so important for a successful beach day, especially if you plan on having several beach days back to back. Having shade will help prevent sunburns, dehydration and overheating especially in young toddlers whose bodies are still working on temperature regulation.

There are so many options for shade, even if you are traveling to your beach destination. A beach umbrella is a classic and can usually be rented at popular beaches. Beach tents come in all varieties of sizes but are harder to pack. These pop up tents can be easily packed in the bottom of a suitcase and are extremely lightweight.

Beach Bag

A large beach bag is a must to keep everything together as you go to and from the beach. I prefer one large bag that can hold everything from sunscreen to beach toys to towels rather than lots of loose items or several smaller bags.

These mesh beach bags are the best because the sand falls out through the bottom instead of collecting in the bottom and the holes allow air in so things dry better if you happen to leave wet towels and swimsuits in the bag overnight.

Young toddler running on the beach enjoying a fun family day in the sun.

Toddler Swim Gear

Next beach essential for toddlers is swimwear. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit for your toddler! I have and although my kiddo was happy to run around in a swim diaper I felt so bad.

For extra protection I like to grab full body swimsuits with long sleeves or put on a rashguard in addition to their swimsuit. It is miserable watching your toddler have a sunburn so it is important to cover up large surface areas that could get burnt like their back, chest, head and shoulders.

If your child will keep them on, a sun hat and sunglasses are great as well, especially to shade their face from the sun. I know it can be a battle, and it is not a battle I fight for more than a minute or two, but it is worth trying.

Sun Protection for Toddlers

Make sure you bring sunscreen! Little kiddos usually have such fair, sensitive skin that will burn easily. I like to put sunscreen on first thing when getting to the beach. I usually set up the umbrella then switch my kiddo from his normal clothes to his swimsuit and put on sunscreen then. The first coat I put on everywhere, even where his swimsuit will cover. Then I reapply just where the swimsuit doesn’t cover throughout the rest of the day.

Another option is to apply the sunscreen before leaving home or the hotel while getting them dressed for the day.

I like this Babyganics sunscreen but I recently heard about this Blue Lizard sunscreen that has no chemicals. I will try that one next!

Swim Diapers

There are reusable swim diapers that can be washed in the washing machine and have snaps so that they are similar to disposable diapers. You simply put them on under your child’s swimsuit and you’re good to go. Another option is disposable diapers that they wear and then get thrown away after one use.

If you plan on visiting the beach often then a reusable diaper makes a lot of sense, just make sure you have a place to keep it in your beach bag as you head home. If you’re unsure which option is best for your family, this complete guide to swim diapers for babies and toddlers can help!

Pro Tip: Swim diapers are not absorbent, they are only for when a child soils themself. This is the biggest reason I wait to get my toddler dressed in his beach gear until we are ON the beach.

Beach Snacks for Toddlers

Snacks may just be the single most important thing you bring to keep your toddler happy at the beach. In my experience a good snack fixes almost any problem. To try and keep sand out of the food I like to hand my kiddo snacks a little at a time instead of letting him reach into the bag.

I also always make sure we have plenty of water and my toddler has a water bottle with a straw that he can easily drink out of any time he wants. Try to offer the water bottle to your child often as well.

Some of our favorite beach snacks are:

Applesauce pouches
PB+J Sandwiches
Veggie Straws
Pirates Booty
Chopped Fruit
Cuties
Smoothie Melts

Beach Toys for Toddlers

The beach is really just one giant playground for our cute toddlers. I do think having a few staple toys helps them take full advantage of their surroundings though. A bucket, a shovel and, if you can find one, a small watering can! Many inexpensive toy sets will have these basics and can be picked up at your destination or beforehand. If you pick them up before leaving, consider bringing a collapsible bucket to save luggage space.

If you are driving to the beach or have space to bring them other beach toys that are fun are:

Large shovels
Balls
Trucks
Pool noodles

11 beach essentials for toddlers to make your next trip to the beach a smooth one. From snacks to toys to gear, preparation is key to a fun beach day with kids.

Beach Towels

Towels are a beach essential for toddlers because they have a couple different uses. They are, of course, good for drying off after getting wet. Towels are also good for getting sand off sticky hands and faces, keeping warm if the wind turns chilly, or as a sand free place to sit for a second.

I recommend bringing one towel per person plus one. You never know when a towel will get food all over it, get absolutely soaked on accident or any other number of mishaps. These microfiber towels are perfect for traveling. They fold up smaller than a regular towel, are very absorbent and quick drying. They even come with convenient carrying bags.

Beach Blanket

If you don’t want to have to resort to sitting on your towels and getting them all sandy then a beach blanket is going to be very handy. I find that anything I put on the ground gets sandy pretty quickly though, even mesh blankets. I like having a small blanket to sit on though while eating snacks between digging holes and splashing in the water.

Shop Beach Essentials for Toddlers:

Wet-Dry Bags

Wet-dry bags are a lifesaver on the beach. You can buy designated waterproof bags to reuse or simply use a couple of ziplock bags. Then store anything in them you want to stay dry or sand free like a wallet, clothes for the ride home etc.

Once you are finished up at the beach for the day, switch out the clean clothes with the wet swimsuit and swim diaper to take home to clean and dry. Then nothing else in the bag will get soaking wet.

Wipes

Messes are inevitable with toddlers and sand sticks to those messes like glue! I find it best to let most messes go and wipe the hands with a towel but I do keep wipes on hand for the big messes. I like to wipe his face free of sand periodically with them as well.

Convenient but Optional Beach Gear for Toddlers

These items will make a trip to the beach with toddlers easier but they are not essential. Especially if you are traveling far and need to save space, do not feel like you need these items.

Collapsible Wagon

A collapsible wagon is a game changer when making the long trek from your car to the beach and back. Instead of loading your gear up in your arms while chasing your toddler in the right direction you can place it all in the wagon.

The wagon is also a great place to corral your toddler if you need to while cleaning up or walking to the beach. It will give your arms and back a break from carrying everything. Although pulling it through the sand can be a bit of a workout still.

Beach Chair

The next optional beach essential for toddlers is a beach chair. This last year we invested in some beach chairs for the first time and they are wonderful! It is actually really nice to be able to sit up off the sand and relax. Roman, my toddler, loves to climb onto the chairs and sit down to eat as well. Did you know they even sell child sized beach chairs? You can purchase them their very own toddler beach chair to make the beach experience extra special.

Of course there are many options in most places to rent beach chairs if you can’t bring your own.

Sand Remover like Cornstarch

Sand can be a big pain to get off skin and it can be especially uncomfortable to toddlers who don’t understand what is making them uncomfortable. Cornstarch or baby powder is the perfect solution. Simply rub the cornstarch or baby powder all over their bodies and it knocks the sand right off.

I don’t know how it works, I just know that it does work and it is magical. Use this trick right before getting into the car and you’ll avoid having a mountain of sand inside your car!

Life Vest/Floaties

We don’t let our toddler by the water without us nearby and I am always ready to get wet if he falls and needs help. However, using a life vest or puddle jumper can help make you feel more comfortable with your child around water and there is nothing wrong with that.

Life vests are bulky to pack but would be worth the space for peace of mind. I like these circular floaties at the pool and it would be a nice way to bring a young toddler into the water with you. Otherwise, these puddle jumpers are a great option as toddlers start to try and swim and explore in the water.

More Beach and Summer Fun:

Toddler Beach Shoes

In Tampa the sand is very soft and it doesn’t get hot due to its composition so I let my toddler run around barefoot at the beach. When visiting a rocky beach or the beach has hot sand then some waterproof shoes would definitely be a beach essential for toddlers.

These sandals are breathable and waterproof and would work great plus it’s so nice that they can be worn at other times. Unfortunately, due to the holes in them they would fill up with sand pretty quickly. Traditional water shoes are another wonderful option that wouldn’t fill up with sand but they are less versatile and can’t really be worn in other situations.

Baby Carrier

If your toddler is still ok with a baby carrier then it is a really handy way to carry them to and from the beach while leaving your hands free. I still do this when I bring Roman to the beach by myself. Then if he won’t stay close by while I am cleaning up, I stick him in the carrier and finish up.

Beach Essentials for Toddlers

These are all my beach essentials for toddlers to keep them happy and the whole family sane on a fun beach day. Visiting the beach may be more work than before and involve less relaxing than before but it is so worth going! Use this beach packing list for toddlers when packing for your vacation to make sure you don’t forget any of these essentials!

One last tip to help keep your beach day fun, try to let your toddler get at least one solid nap during the day. Whether it is in the car, in the hotel room, on a beach chair or in your arms doesn’t matter as long as they actually fall asleep. This will help make sure that dinnertime and the evenings are still enjoyable too.

Have fun!