A day at the beach with kids is, um, no day at the beach. (Sorry, had to.) There’s gear to pack, sand to remove from unseen regions, and safety and sun protection to be mindful of. Thanks to our team of contributors, we’ve got you covered with the products that will make your beach outing fun, safe, and comfortable and every age and stage.
Babies
Fisher-Price On-the-Go Baby Dome
This portable dome folds up easily and is a safe, shaded place for an infant to lay on the beach. I was worried that we might not get our money’s worth, but my third baby spent a lot of time in this, not only at the beach, but also in the backyard at home!
Great for babies who aren’t walking yet but want to be standing and in the action. You can snap little toys to the edges or feed them snacks while playing in the sand/keeping an eye on other kiddos. Folds up easily and had a travel case.
Toddlers & Preschoolers
I love wrapping toddlers up in hooded towels when they come out of the water. They’re just the right size for little ones and help beat that post-splashing chill.
Toddler Jese Slip-On Apparel Water Shoes
These shoes are great not only for the beach (or a lake/river), but they are perfect for easy slip on and off all summer long for all ages! (And they’re a fraction of the cost of the “other” brand and come in lots of colors.)
I’m the mom that always makes sure my kids are wearing rash guards at the beach or pool. Here are this year’s favorites for both my son and I got my 2 younger girls matching suits!
Basic binoculars are so fun for viewing boats on the horizon, distant nature and wildlife . . . or to see if dad’s almost back from his solo walk (please!)
School-Aged Kids
I was influenced on this product last summer by someone on instagram and then saw this toy at a beach shop. We had SO much fun throwing this guy into the water over and over again, but especially my five year old
Meant for kinetic sand, these also work great with plain old beach sand! The petite sizes are easier to unmold than big sand buckets, and this age loves to make little sand “cookies” and mini villages.
These velcro mitts make a game of catch so much easier for mixed ages/abilities. The ones we’ve had can handle getting slightly wet, and sand doesn’t seem to affect their stickiness. They last for years!
One of my happiest beach memories is flying kites with my kids. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but with a little practice, kids as young as 4 can get the hang of it. Plus, it’s nice to have a beach activity that’s out of the water!
Tweens & Teens
My oldest and my husband love playing this game at the beach when they need a break from the water. It can get pretty competitive and is even more fun with a group!
I don’t have kids in this age range yet but I saw a lot of older kids last summer doing skim boards and it seems like an easy, lightweight accessory to bring along.
Last summer at the beach I saw MULTIPLE groups of teenagers playing this game. It’s lightweight, communal, portable, and gets teenagers up and moving and doing something. I thought it looked fun too as an adult!
Family Fun
I cannot tell you how many sunscreens I have tried for my daughter with eczema who is darker-skinned, and they all left her eczema worse and with a white cast – until I found Black Girl Sunscreen! I always recommend it and my whole family can use it! It’s clean, women-owned and a lotion vs a spray.
I would always suggest a good quality beach shade or tailgating tent. I got my husband one of these this year and we are so excited to use this summer!
Featured Image by Hannah Pemberton on Unsplash