by Jessica Pawl
A sandy beach with a baby or toddler? A combination that sounds both dreamy and terrifying, I’d say. But pack your bag with these trusted must-haves and you’ll be better prepared for the slew of difficulties that can spring up on your family beach day.
Sticky sunscreen mess? A clutter of bulky sand buckets? Velcro swim shoes that no longer stay velcro’d?
We’ve got ya.
Sunscreen Brushes: Yes, I realize these look like a waste of money but LET ME TELL YOU. They are the only thing that has made applying sunscreen to my children’s bodies not horrible. In fact, they make it… fun. I swear to you. Plus, the caps make it easy to toss them back into your beach bag without getting everything sticky. (On sale! $19)
UPF 50 Sun Hat: For the littlest ones, this high-quality hat protects bald or fine-haired heads and holds up beautifully. It’s stretchy nylon, so a quick spritz or dunk in the water also helps cool down kiddos on hot days, while a tie-able strap keeps it in place.
(On sale! $19)
Roll-Up Water Bottles: These silicon water bottles are such a godsend. When you’re not using them, they roll up easily and stow away without wasting an inch of space. They’re easy for little hands to hold and offer a spout that helps prevent spills. A total travel must have. ($19)
Target Kids Swim Shoes: This flexible shoe from Target lasts us the whole season (we’ve tried several higher-priced brands that haven’t!). It’s easy on, easy off, but stays put in the water. (On sale! $13.50)
Baby Float with Canopy: As long as you don’t need to deflate it, this baby float is one of the best, with a soft foam base and a handy canopy that keeps babe out of the sun when they rip off their hats. (But that never happens, right?) (On sale! $60)
Backpack Cooler: Have you ever found yourself groaning as you dragged one of those fancy name coolers that weigh a gazillion pounds to your beach spot? I have. And I’m over it. This backpack style holds just enough and keeps it all ice cold for the full day. (Starts at $90)
Collapsible Sand Toys: These handy buckets shrink down in size, making them easy to toss into an oversize bag or backpack along with a shovel for a beach stop. (On sale! $20)
You can always find our most up-to-date recommendations for beach products for babies and toddlers in our Amazon shop, too!
