Whether you're a once-a-year beach family or basically living in the sand all summer, having the right gear makes the whole day easier — trust me. 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, finding the best beach gear for families is one of those things that sounds simple but can be really overwhelming as 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 planning a longer beach vacation (we've done Costa Rica three times and I have thoughts 🤣), my list of beach gear, beach toys, and kids beach accessories 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. And if you’re in full summer mode, don’t miss my Summer Bucket List for Kids or my go-to Kids Travel Gear to make getting there way easier.
Happy splashing! ☀️💦
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Beach Toys & Games for Kids
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. If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll play hard at the beach… and then immediately ask what’s next 🤣 That’s when I lean on ideas from my Summer Bucket List for Kids to keep the fun going.
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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.
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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.
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Mini-Surfer and Surfboard Toy: The coolest beach toy—no batteries, just toss it in the surf and watch it ride wave after wave.
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Boogie Board: My kids spend hours riding waves and laughing their heads off. Lightweight, easy to carry, and endlessly fun!
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Kids Mesh Beach Bag: The ultimate accessory for collecting seashells, with plenty of space for the kids to stash their treasures.
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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.
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UNO Splash: The same classic game we love, but with water-resistant cards that make it perfect for beach days or backyard play.
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Waterproof Playing Cards: These cards are waterproof, making them an ideal activity for the beach or pool.
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Bocce Ball: This classic game is perfect for hours of competitive beach fun.
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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.
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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.
Ali Approved Tip: For more games the kids will actually play, check out my favorite travel games for kids list — most of them are perfect for the beach blanket too.
Shop My Favorite Beach Toys & Games 👆
Sun Protection Must-Haves
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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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 bottles for kids is this Hydro Flask or this Owala.
Shop My Favorite Sunscreens for Kids 👆
Swimming & Water Gear
Assuming you are going somewhere warm, you’ll want to bring these items so you can enjoy the ocean.
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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.
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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.
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Swim Diapers: For kids who are not yet potty trained, layer a disposable swim diaper with a reusable swim diaper.
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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!
Beach Gear for Tweens
If you have older kids, you already know they are NOT interested in the little kid stuff anymore. 🤣 My tweens want gear that feels cool, gives them some independence, and keeps them entertained without me hovering. Here's what's earned a permanent spot in our beach bag:
- Waterproof Speaker: Music is non-negotiable for my crew. A waterproof Bluetooth speaker means they can control their own playlist and I don't have to hear everything through my phone. Win-win.
- Skim Board: The step up from a boogie board — great for older kids who want a little more challenge in the waves.
- Snorkel Set: If you're at a clear-water beach, a basic snorkel set is endlessly entertaining for curious tweens.
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Personalized Towels: My girls hate sharing, so having personalized beach towels limits fighting over towels. 🤣
- UNO Splash: For downtime on the blanket, my kids love games. They love to pull out this game or waterproof playing cards every single beach trip.
- Tween-Friendly Sunscreen: Tweens who won't let you slather them need something they can apply themselves. My tweens are all about this sunscreen at the moment.
Beach Clothing & Cover-Ups
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.
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Flip Flops: Mr kids loves these sandals, while these sandals and these are my go-to pair for casual beach days. My kids prefer these Cat & Jack sandals. They come in several fun colors too!
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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!
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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!
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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.
The Best Beach Towels for Kids
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.
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Personalized Towels: I ordered these fun personalized beach towels for my girls for camp this summer.
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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.
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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 still use these to this day! They're absorbent, plush, and have UPF 50+protection.
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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 & Totes
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.
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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.
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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!
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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. I use this bag year round for carry with me to all-day kids' sporting events.
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Wet Bag: This is a must-have for keeping wet items separate!
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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.
Beach Snacks & Food Containers
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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.
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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.
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Bento-Style Lunch Box: This easy-to-pack, leak-proof lunch box keeps food separate and mess-free.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Cooler Ice Packs: These slim but powerful ice packs freeze solid and keep food cold for hours without the bulk—perfect for coolers, beach days, and long travel days.
Beach Gear & Accessories for Families
I’m wrapping up my family beach vacation packing list with the best beach gear for kids and families, and 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! Here are the kids beach must-haves I never leave home without:
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Wagon: With everything you are going to be carrying, a heavy duty, all terrain beach wagon comes in handy!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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First Aid Kit: I never hit the beach without mine. Kids, sand, and sun is basically a recipe for at least one scraped knee or mystery sting. I put together a complete DIY travel first aid kit so you can pack exactly what you need without overpacking.
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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.
Psst... if you're planning a beach trip abroad, my Costa Rica family travel guide has a full packing breakdown for that kind of trip.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Beach Gear
What beach gear do kids really need?
If you want a smooth, not-chaotic beach day (highly recommend 🤣), here’s what I recommend bringing to the beach. Sand-free beach towels, a shaded tent or umbrella, packable beach toys, wet/dry bags for swimsuits, easy snacks + water bottles, a lightweight beach blanket, and sunscreen! You can bring more… but this is the core that makes the biggest difference.
What are the best beach toys for kids?
Honestly? A bucket, a shovel, and a boogie board will take you really far. 🤣 But if you want to level up: collapsible sand toys are a space-saving win, a catch-and-release aquarium is a huge hit for curious kids who love exploring tide pools, and the mini surfer toy is one of those things that entertains for hours. For tweens and older kids, waterproof card games like UNO Splash are great for downtime on the beach blanket.
What should I pack for a beach day with kids?
Think of it in categories to make packing easier: sun protection (sunscreen, hats, rash guards, sunglasses, shade), water & snacks (insulated water bottles and easy finger foods), gear (wagon, beach bag, towels, chairs or a blanket), and fun (sand toys, boogie boards, beach games). I also never leave home without a waterproof phone pouch, a power bank charger, and a wet bag for swim gear. For a full packing breakdown by age, scroll up! 👆
What are the best beach towels for kids?
Look for towels that are quick-drying, lightweight (not bulky!), sand-resistant, and big enough for growing kids. I love quick-dry microfiber towels for older kids (compact, easy to pack, and they actually dry fast), and hooded towels for the littles — there is nothing cuter, and the hood makes post-swim wrap-ups so much easier. The Pottery Barn Kids personalized beach towel is a longtime favorite of mine — we've had ours for years and they still hold up beautifully. For tweens, the Geometry microfiber towels are the move: functional, cool-looking, and packable for camp or travel.
What beach gear is best for toddlers?
Toddlers need a little extra support at the beach. Think about bringing a pop-up shade tent, spill-proof snack containers, simple sand toys, a comfortable spot to sit and play and extra clothes. Keep it simple. Too many options = overstimulation + meltdown.
What beach gear works for older kids and tweens?
Older kids want less “baby stuff” and more fun + independence. My kids love boogie boards, beach games (paddle ball, frisbee), their own bag/backpack, and snacks they can grab themselves.
What are the best packable beach toys for travel?
If you’re traveling (or just hate clutter), look for collapsible buckets, silicone sand toys, mesh bags for easy cleanup, and lightweight sets that fit in a carry-on.
How do I keep beach gear organized?
The difference between a fun beach day and a chaotic one is these few things. Use a large tote with compartments, keep a pre-packed “beach bag” ready to go, use wet/dry bags for swimsuits, and shake out sand before loading the car.
More Summer Fun ☀️
Hope this list makes your next beach day a little easier and a lot more fun! Have a beach gear must-have I missed? Drop it in the comments — I genuinely love hearing what other moms swear by. 💗
Before you go, here's what to bookmark next:
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Planning the summer? Start with my summer bucket list for kids — it's a good one.
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Need beach reads for the ride there? Here are my favorite summer books for kids. 📚
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If you’re taking a road trip to the beach, these travel games for kids and travel activities for kids will keep them entertained during the car ride. And they’re great for flights, too.
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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.
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Heading to a beach rental or vacation house? My easy summer dinners are made for exactly that kind of trip.
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Rainy beach day? Cue up my list of the best summer movies for kids. 🍿
Happy adventuring!
