A day at the beach with a toddler can be so much fun or a complete nightmare. It depends on how prepared you are! Here are a number of recommendations to bring with you to the beach to ensure your toddler is safe and happy. We use these beach must-haves on an almost weekly basis in summer. Don’t plan a trip to the beach with a toddler without these essentials.

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1) Swimsuit

Obviously, you can’t go to the beach with a toddler without his/her swimsuit.

Can you imagine the tantrum? One time I accidentally packed two of my youngest daughter’s swimsuits and none of my oldest’s – we made it work.

Mom Tip: If you have a daughter, I would recommend getting a two-piece swimsuit. They are a lot easier for diaper changes or when using the restroom. Peeling down a wet swimsuit is no fun.

2) Sunscreen

Don’t be the parent who forgets to bring sunscreen to the beach!

I love our sunscreen because I rarely have to reapply it, my pale girls have never burned, and EWG rates it a 1 and 2 respectively for the stick and the lotion.

3) Water Bottle

Keep your toddler hydrated with his/her very own water bottle. We’ve tried a number of different brands and this children’s water bottle is our favorite so far.

4) Snacks/Lunch

My toddlers can barely make it to the car without asking for a snack let alone a morning or day at the beach. Pack plenty of snacks to have a successful time.

I usually pack snacks in these containers and these reusable snack pouches. Then I often pack a lunch for each of my girls in these awesome lunch boxes for the car ride home (hoping that eating will distract them from falling asleep and ruining their naps!).

5) Water Shoes

My kids don’t always wear their water shoes the entire time but I never go to the beach without them.

Water shoes are great for kids to wear when walking from the parking lot to the sand, if there are rocks in the water, and if the sand is hot to walk on. I definitely consider water shoes a beach essential for toddlers.

6) Towels

Yes, I was the mom who forgot towels for a beach day recently. To be fair, I am pregnant (pregnancy brain) and remembered everything else.

To ensure this would never happen again I created a Toddler Packing Checklist and Guide to check before I leave the house. It’s free to download! You’ll find all the toddler beach essentials plus a lot more on the checklist.

7) Floats

Who doesn’t love to float on the water? For kiddos who don’t have the proper swimming skills yet, floats can be a real lifesaver for a day at the beach.

As a parent, you can go out much further with your child next to you in a float and you don’t have to be carrying them.

8) Life Vest/Puddle Jumper

You have to be safe. At all times you need to keep an eye on your toddler but depending on how far out into the water your child wants to go you most likely will want a life vest and/or puddle jumper along on your trip to the beach.

Mom Tip: Don’t forget to check weight limits!

9) Sand Toys

Keep your toddler occupied and having fun with some great sand toys. Think of objects around your house that would be fun to play with in the sand if you don’t want to spend money. But keep in mind, sand toys are sometimes lost or “borrowed” by other kids and don’t always make it back to your car.

10) Sand Wagon

This!!! I have been wanting a beach wagon for a long time and I finally pulled the trigger. After reading tons of reviews this is the beach wagon I went with. It has huge sand tires, is large to fit all your toddler’s beach essentials, and folds easily for transport.

I will never go to the beach without my wagon again!

(Optional) Sun Tent

I love, love, love our sun tent but I haven’t needed to use it this year. Last year when I was still breastfeeding our youngest I used it all the time. The flap folds up for complete privacy!

If I were planning to spend the entire day at the beach I would absolutely bring it because it makes the perfect spot for toddlers to nap but we have only been doing half-days at the beach this summer so far.

Misc

Other items you might consider bringing with you to the beach include; sunglasses, a hat, a swimsuit cover-up, swim diapers (if not potty trained), baby powder (for getting sand off of feet), garbage bag(s), wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.

For any other links for toddler beach essentials you might want (sand toys, water shoes, etc) you can always go to my SHOP MY INSTAGRAM page and click on the toddler beach essentials picture.