15 Beach Essentials For Toddlers
Hey There, Summer Lovers!
Summer is here! 😎 👙 🐚 Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Go 'head with that summer bod, strut your stuff. Grab your book and get your tan on; it's time to relax.
Oh you have a toddler? My b. You won't be doing that.
No worries, we can at least help make your trip a little easier! The WB crew has lots of experience taking toddlers to the beach, so we've put together a list of some of our must-have kids' beach essentials.
Pack it up, Pack it In. Let me begin...
Must-have Products For Kids at the Beach
1. UPF SWIMSUIT
We love Snapper Rock. We highly recommended them in our Essentials for Baby post as well, but they carry sizes for all kids, including teenagers. Their swimwear has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+, the highest possible rating. Plus, their designs are super cute! Check them out here.
2. Beach Wagon
You're gonna need this, folks. You're gonna be carting a lot of crap, so we highly recommend a beach wagon to help you manage. Bless you, Amazon.
3. Puddle Jumper Life Jacket
We like that the Puddle Jumper Life Jacket is US Coast Guard approved and has an extra flotation aid around the chest. It's great if you have a little adventurer that likes to wade a bit farther into the water. It's also a must-have for the pool or boat. You can find it here.
4. Horseshoes
An old school favorite and also one our our favorite kids' beach activities. You can find this horseshoe and ring toss combo set here.
5. Freezable Lunch Bags
These are amazing! They're lined with a freezable gel that's built right into the bag. They're perfect for packing lunches and juiceboxes. No freezer packs needed here!
6. Spray Bottles
Nothing fancy here. Just good old fashioned spray bottles. Fill 'em with clean water and it will make removing sand from little hands much easier.
7. Babiators
I mean, is there anything cuter than a toddler in sunglasses?! It's never too early to start protecting those little eyes. Kids receive 3x more annual UV exposure than adults AND their eyes are more susceptible to sun damage.
The Babiator frames are 100% UV protected, flexible and durable. You can find them here.
They also make great Swim Goggles that are 100% UV protected.
8. SuperGoop Sunscreen
This is an all-around summer essential. We recently discovered this sunscreen and we. are. OBSESSED. We use this for ourselves, but it's also great for kids. It's mineral-based sunscreen that's free of parabens and Oxybenzone (a common chemical filter that has been found to be absorbed by the skin), which makes it perfect for sensitive skin. It goes on easily and doesn't leave skin feeling sticky and oily once it's applied. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it. You can find it here.
9. "Clicker Crab" Toss & Grip Game
Did you know Melissa and Doug are real people? Adults, actually, and they have the coolest jobs in the world! Anyway, we love all of their kids' toys, including this twist on the old velcro ball toss game. It's a great kids' beach toy and it doesn't take up a lot of room in your bag! Find it here.
10. Water Shoes
We really like iPlay water shoes. The flexible material and pull-loop make them easy to get on and off and their no-slip sole provide traction on slippery surfaces (which also makes them great for the pool).
11. Laundry Basket or Mesh Laundry Bag
You may have seen this hack before, but it does make life a little easier. It's a great beach bag for kids toys. We actually prefer a mesh laundry bag, but all of the pictures we found show bags of dirty laundry. So, no picture needed. You can buy them anywhere.
12. Waterproof Blanket
We like this one by JJ Cole. It's also great for picnics, camping, or pretty much any other outdoor activity.
13. Beach Kite
Flying a kite is one of our favorite kids' beach activities. This octopus kite is wide enough for tiny flyers to manage and it's cute!
14. Inflatable Pool
Sure, it's ridiculous. But if you want a little time to chill, this is your answer. Although you are sheer steps from the sea, kids still love to park it in this bad boy and play, all while you watch from your beach chair. You can find it here.
Full disclosure, we've never used this, but it looks awesome.
15. California Baby Swimmer's Defense
Another all-around summer essential that's perfect post-beach. This shampoo and body wash works to wash away drying agents such as sea salt. They added a bit of moisture to the non-stripping formula to soothe stressed hair and dry itchy skin. Check it out here.
There you have it. Have a great beach day!
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About The Author
Tara Saltzburg founded Westyn Baby when her son was an infant battling severe eczema. She was always on the lookout for products that would minimize the irritation and ease his discomfort, but safe, non-irritating pajamas proved difficult to find. Tara started Westyn Baby in 2016 with a mission to create better, safer sleepwear for kids - sleepwear that's exceptionally soft, flame-retardant free, sensitivity-friendly, and durable. Read more about WB sleepwear.
Tara was born and raised at the NJ shore and attended Penn State University, where she played soccer and discovered her love of mountain life. She is a mom of one boy and hopes to eventually have enough kids to form some sort of athletic team. She and her family currently reside in Central Pennsylvania and spend the summers in Stone Harbor, NJ.