Summer means fun in the sun, and we are headed to the beach this summer! Having the right beach gear and beach toys for kids of all ages helps to ensure both a fun and a safe time.
And honestly, there is always so much to do and think of when it comes to being a parent. Sometimes, it’s nice to just go online, type “family beach vacation packing list,” and find a post with ideas and tips all laid out for you. Anything to reduce the mental load is good!
As a mom of three, I’ve learned over the years what’s essential to pack for the beach with kids. Whether you’re doing a short day trip, going for the weekend, or taking a longer vacation, my list of beach gear and beach toys for kids will help give you an idea of what to bring. I’ve also included beach essentials for babies and toddlers since they have different needs to consider.
Happy splashing! ☀️💦
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Beach Toys & Games
This really comes down to your personal preference! At the end of the day, most kids are happy playing in the sand with a bucket and shovel. If you plan on being at the beach for a long time or multiple days in a row, it might help to bring a few other beach toys for kids.
- Collapsible Buckets: These collapsible buckets are a game-changer for beach days—easy to pack, quick to rinse, and perfect for collecting shells or hauling sandy toys.
- Sand Toys: This 18-piece beach toy set has everything kids need for serious sandcastle action—buckets, molds, sifters, and more—all in a mesh bag that makes cleanup easy.
- Mini-Surfer and Surfboard Toy: The coolest beach toy—no batteries, just toss it in the surf and watch it ride wave after wave.
- Boogie Board: My kids spend hours riding waves and laughing their heads off. Lightweight, easy to carry, and endlessly fun!
- Kids Mesh Beach Bag: The ultimate accessory for collecting seashells, with plenty of space for the kids to stash their treasures.
- Beach Aquarium Kit: This catch and release kit is a fun way for kids to learn about sea life, then return what they’ve discovered to the ocean.
- UNO Splash: The same classic game we love, but with water-resistant cards that make it perfect for beach days or backyard play.
- Waterproof Playing Cards: These cards are waterproof, making them an ideal activity for the beach or pool.
- Bocce Ball: This classic game is perfect for hours of competitive beach fun.
- Portable Corn Hole: This is lightweight, easy to set up, and folds down small—perfect for backyard hangs, beach days, or travel fun with the kids.
- Skip Ball: If your kids love to play in the water, take this ball with you! It skips along the water, so it’s perfect to use in the ocean where you can spread out and have plenty of space.
Sun Care
Now that we covered the beach toys, it's time to focus on how to stay safe in the sun. These ideas will help protect your skin from the sun’s rays while also ensuring everyone stays comfortable in the heat. The last thing you want on your beach vacation is to feel miserable!
- Sunscreen: For those new around here, I love sunscreen! I slather myself and the kids daily, so a trip to the beach is no different. Check out this post for my complete list of family favorite sunscreens.
- Aloe Vera: Just in case of an accidental sunburn, you might want to pack along some aloe vera to soothe the skin and help reduce inflammation.
- UV Detection Stickers: If you aren’t sure if you’re applying enough sunscreen or when to reapply, these are a game changer and another way to reduce your mental load while at the beach!
- Sunglasses: Keep everyone’s eyes protected with sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays. Here are my favorite sunglasses for babies and toddlers and sunglasses for kids three and up.
- Water Bottle: You need to hydrate more when it's, warm out, so make sure to grab everyone's water bottle before you head out! My favorite water bottle for kids is this Hydro Flask.
Swimming & Splashing
Assuming you are going somewhere warm, you’ll want to bring these items so you can enjoy the ocean.
- Swimwear for Kids: Pack comfortable and appropriate swimwear for your kids. I love this Boden swimsuit for girls and these swim trunks for boys. Consider rash guards for added sun protection. My girls love these long sleeve one piece rash guards.
- Swimwear for Adults: Personally, I prefer a one-piece swimsuit — and this one comes in so many fun colors! Another style I like is this front crossover swimsuit. Mr. Kids wears these quick-drying swim trunks.
- Swim Diapers: For kids who are not yet potty trained, layer a disposable swim diaper with a reusable swim diaper.
- Goggles: My kids compete on the swim team year-round, so they love their goggles. But even before they were in the pool daily, they wore goggles at the beach as salt water would sting their eyes. These racing goggles and these Swimple goggles are our favorites as they are mirrored, so they basically act like sunglasses too!
Clothing
Whatever you wear at the beach, you’ll want to feel comfortable. Make sure to bring loose, lightweight clothing that’s easy to change out of or into. You may also want to bring along an extra pair of clothing for your kids in case they get wet or dirty.
- Flip Flops: Mr kids loves these sandals, while these are my go-to pair for casual beach days. My kids prefer these Cat & Jack sandals. They come in several fun colors too!
- Water Shoes for Babies & Toddlers: Baby and toddler toes need protection at the beach too. These are a great option for little feet that can't manage flip-flops yet!
- Swimsuit Cover-Up: This dress shirt is super cute, lightweight, and easy to throw on, then remove while at the beach. I can't get enough of the sarong cover up either!
- Hats: Make sure to grab hats for your kids and sun hats for babies that offer UPF protection. If your kids don’t like to wear hats, remember to use scalp sunscreen. Personally, I always pack along my straw hat.
Towels
There are so many fun prints out there, but for me, the best beach towels are the ones that are absorbent, dry quickly, and are easy to shake the sand from.
- Personalized Towels: I ordered these fun personalized beach towels for my girls for camp this summer.
- Geometry Beach Towels: These beach towels are compact, quick-drying, and ultra-absorbent—and the fun patterns make them just as cute as they are functional.
- Amazon Basics Beach Towel: These lightweight yet fluffy towels are great for days at the beach, pool and sending your kids off to summer camp.
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PB Kids Beach Towels: My kids each got a personalized PB Kids Beach Towel for their first birthdays and we sitll use these to this day! They're absorbent, plush, and have UPF 50+protection.
- Sand-Proof Mat: Anything that keeps the sand out of your car is a must! This lightweight blanket is also water resistant and large enough to fit an entire family.
Beach Bags
While the beach is fun, getting sand everywhere is something I like to avoid. I highly recommend bringing a mesh beach bag for anything that’s going to get wet or dirty, like towels, flip-flops, and beach toys for kids.
- Mesh Beach Bag: I love my Bogg Bag, but for trips where we need to fly to the beach, I love this packable mesh beach bag! It’s lightweight yet spacious enough to carry all my essentials and has compartments to keep things organized.
- Lands End Canvas Tote Bag: My sister turned me onto this tote bag a few years back. It’s made from 100% cotton, so it’s durable for the beach, and it can hold up to 250 lbs!
- Mark & Graham Waterproof Zip-Top Tote: The perfect companion for your next beach-bound adventure! Waterproof and sleek, it'll keep your stuff dry and take you from sightseeing to lunching in style.
- Wet Bag: This is a must-have for keeping wet items separate!
- Cooler Bag: If you plan on being at the beach for a while, an insulated bag comes in handy for packing snacks and drinks. You can also use it to store breastmilk or formula for babies.
Food and Snack Containers for Beach Days with Kids
- Waterproof Zip-Top Tote: The perfect bag for everyday use or travel! It is water and tear-resistant, has many pockets and is oh so cute.
- Freezable Lunch Box: Simply throw this lunch box in the freezer the night before your beach trip, and the built-in ice packs will keep food cold for hours.
- Bento-Style Lunch Box: This easy-to-pack, leak-proof lunch box keeps food separate and mess-free.
- Stackable Bento Box: This stackable, three-compartment lunch box makes packing meals easy, keeps food separate, and even comes with built-in utensils—my kids love it for school too!
- Freezable Snack Bag: This compact, freezable snack bag keeps food cold for hours, making it perfect for school, road trips, and those days when kids suddenly need a snack every five minutes.
- Reusable Food Storage Bag: These bags are perfect for traveling with kids—easy to pack, simple to clean, and a lifesaver for keeping snacks fresh on the go.
- Reusable Ice Pack: These slim, kid-friendly ice packs keep snacks and meals cold without taking up too much space, making them a must-have for travel and lunch on the go.
Beach Gear & Accessories
I’m wrapping up my family beach vacation packing list with a few essentials that will make your time at the beach easier and more comfortable. I’ve also included a few safety items to put your mind at ease!
- Wagon: With everything you are going to be carrying, a heavy duty, all terrain beach wagon comes in handy!
- Beach Chairs: For those of you who go to the beach often, these beach chairs (at least for the adults) are hands down our favorite.
- Beach Canopy: If you’re going to be at the beach for a while, you'll want some extra shade and sun protection. These tents are so easy to put up. A smaller version is also great for babies under six months since they can’t wear sunscreen. And it’s useful for diaper changes, too.
- Portable Lock Box: Depending on where you travel, you may want to lock up your phone, keys, and wallet while at the beach — especially if everyone wants to take a dip in the ocean.
- Waterproof Phone Pouch: Going out onto the ocean? Make sure to store your phone in a waterproof case. That way you can take photos without worrying about your phone getting wet.
- First Aid Kit: I like to take this DIY kit with me whenever we travel anywhere.
- Sand Remover: If a towel just isn’t cutting it and your kids are sensitive to sand, you may want to try a sand removal powder that’s talc-free and reef friendly. You can also use these sand-off mitts for easy removal.
More Ideas
Have any other beach gear or beach toys for kids you’d add to this list? I’d love to hear what you bring or find helpful for family beach days!
If you’re taking a road trip to the beach, these travel games for kids will keep them entertained during the car ride. And they’re great for flights, too. For more ideas on traveling with kids, check out my post on travel gear for kids. For those of you with babies and toddlers, these travel strollers are highly recommended.
Happy adventuring!
