Regardless if you are spending a few hours at the beach, or a whole day, these are the 15 must have items you need for a day at the beach with a toddler. From snacks to hats and sand toys to beach towels, you will be set up for a fun and memorable day in the sun and sand.

There is something about little kids and water. 

I cannot seem to keep Zoey or William out of it. The summer William was born, I set Zoey up almost daily with buckets of water in the backyard and she would be completely entertained for hours. 

This post contains affiliate links. 

The summer we moved to Minnesota, we spent at least two or three days a week river or lakeside, which would result in me having to drag the kids away from the water so we could head home for naps. 

Even through the winter, Rob and I will occasionally take the kids to an indoor pool and are guaranteed to have extremely happy kids who beg us to go back as soon as we can.

They play hard in that water. 

As we head into the spring and summer months, I know our time in water is going to increase exponentially. With all the time we spent at the beach last summer, I have learned that there are 15 must have items for a day (or even a few hours) at the beach with a toddler. 

Flap Sun Protection Hat 

The kids absolutely live in these hats during the summer months. Whether we are just out for a walk or spending a few hours water-side, the kids are never outside without their flap sun protection hats on. 

The ties work to keep them on their heads if it is a bit windy and I love the ear and back of neck protection it gives them. Plus, they dry super fast, which means we can lay them out during a shady snack and then tie them back on for more water play.

Long Sleeve Rash Guard Shirt 

It could be that I have had a few melanomas, or the fact that I want to protect that toddler smooth skin, but I always make the kids wear a long sleeve rash guard shirt when we are playing with water. 

Not only does the rash guard protect their skin from the sun, but it also keeps them warmer so they can play longer, which is really all they want to do.

Make sure you put sunblock on their backs where their skin could be exposed (just above their pant line) so they do not burn that little strip when they are bending over to dig in the sand. 

For Zoey, we have loved this long sleeve rash guard shirt and bottoms. 

When both kids were smaller, we opted for a bodysuit rash guard. 

Reusable Absorbent Swim Diaper 

Disposable swim diapers are expensive! I am always shocked at the markup in price for them and towards the end of summer, I have debates about whether I want to buy more swim diapers, or just skip the water activity all together. 

Reusable swim diapers take that issue out. These have been our favorites and we used them with both Zoey and William. They fit pretty true to size and we have never had a blowout while wearing them. Just be sure you get two so you can get through the day at the beach with a toddler instead of having to cut your trip short for lack of clean diapers.

Wet Hand Friendly Snacks 

What is it about water and snacks that go together like macaroni and cheese? It seems like the only thing that entices my kids more about the water is the snacks that come along with it. 

I highly recommend you pack some wet hand friendly snacks. Instead of reaching into a bag of Goldfish with a damp and sandy hand, go with individual prep-wrapped items.

A few of our beach go to snacks include: 

• Individually Wrapped Jerky 
• Fruit Leather 
• GoGo Squeez Yogurt 
• Kirkland Fruit & Vegetable Pouches
• MeWe Peanut Butter Pouches
• Made in Nature Dried Mango
• Made in Nature Figgy Pops
• RXBar Kids
• String Cheese

Water Bottles

I typically bring one water bottle for each kid and one for myself. All that sand, sun, and snacking makes everyone pretty thirsty. 

I love both the Contigo water bottles (buy the three pack, we tend to lose them) and the small Hydro Flasks for the kids. They are super easy for them to open and shut on their own and do not spill when closed. 

For myself, I do not leave the house without my narrow mouthed Nalgene.  

Big Beach Mat

One thing I learned last summer was that Zoey and William want to be close to each other all the time. This includes sitting on a beach mat together rather than plopping them on their own towels.

Instead of bringing all the towels, having one big beach mat that all of our stuff can sit on and we can fit on as a family has been a lifesaver. 

Sand Toys

If the kids are not splashing in the water, they are sitting at the water’s edge digging in the sand. This requires at least one sand bucket, shovel, and rake per child. As a result, we have a mesh bag of sand toys that travels to the beach with us. 

At the rate we lose sand toys during a day at the beach with a toddler, I opt for the cheaper versions. You can go with these and not feel bad if some of them get buried beyond finding, or drift away in the current. 

Mesh Drawstring Bag 

I highly recommend you get a mesh drawstring bag for those sand toys if yours did not come with one. Sand toys tend to be very cumbersome to carry and since they are always sandy or wet, being able to simply throw them in a mesh bag and dunk them in the water to rinse them off is super easy. 

The mesh drawstring bag also makes it easier for one of the kids to carry them to the sand without everything falling all over the place.

Kids Life Jacket

While Zoey loves to be close to us, she also loves her independence, especially when it comes to swimming. If not for her ability to splash in the water, but for her safety, she is always in a kids life jacket when we are near the water. 

I cannot find the exact ones Zoey has, but they look similar to these.

Babygancis Sunblock 

Again with my melanoma worries getting the best of me, I opt for the Babyganics Sunblock as it includes Zinc Oxide while being free of parabens and fragrances. It does go on pretty thick, so you only need a little bit at a time, but I will take some painted looking legs to keep the kids safe from sunburns.

I prefer to get it in the spray because I can use it one handed and then the kids can rub it in themselves. Being pretty liberal with sunscreen, I do not just use it for a day at the beach with the kids, but when we are out and about for walks or playing in the yard as well.

Small Cooler

Since our beach trips tend to be on the shorter side (2-3 hours max), I have not had a need to pack a cooler of snacks or lunches.

If you are opting for a longer beach stay, then I recommend this cooler. It is the same one we use on longer car rides as it fits some sandwiches, fruit, and vegetables really well. I like that it has hard walls so I know the items inside will not get crushed because a smashed peanut butter and jelly or soggy strawberries is not what anyone wants to eat.

Extra Towels 

Sure this one might be a no brainer, but you should bring more than you need for a day at the beach with a toddler. For two children, I have 3-4 towels. If they take a break to snack and use up one towel, I have a hard time getting them to use that same wet and sandy towel again when it is time to go. 

Some beaches have an outdoor shower we can use to rinse off and having a clean, dry towel helps get the kids de-sanded and somewhat bathed before I strap them into a car seat. 

Sport-Brella XL Umbrella Portable Canopy 

I do not personally own this portable canopy, but I have used this umbrella multiple times for longer beach days when I visit my parents and just love it. My parents made it their mission to wear shorts year round during retirement and they have successfully done it. They have all the right equipment for a full beach day! 

This umbrella canopy stays put, is the right height for the kids, and protects against both sun and wind. The kids love to be inside it as it feels like a safe, cozy space for a snack or a rest. 

Kids Folding Backpack Beach Chair

If your child prefers not to sit in the sand, then these child beach chairs are perfect. Zoey uses these when we visit my parents (I told you they were equipped) and she loves being able to carry her own chair and have her own place to sit that is up off the sand. 

Laundry Basket 

With all the wet towels, beach mats, sand toys, and swimsuits you have to lug home after a day at the beach with a toddler, an expert tip is to keep a laundry basket in the back of the car. When you are heading out, simply throw all the wet items in it and avoid getting your car sandy and soaked. Once you get home, just haul the basket into the washing machine and get the load started. 

A quick recap of all the items you need to make your time at the beach easy: 

• Flap Sun Protection Hat 
• Long Sleeve Rashguard Shirt 
• Reusable Absorbent Swim Diaper 
• Wet Hand Friendly Snacks 
• Water Bottles
• Big Beach Mat
• Sand Toys
• Mesh Bag
• Kid’s Life Jacket
• Babygancis Sunblock 
• Small Cooler
• Extra Towels 
• Sport-Brella XL Umbrella Portable Canopy 
• Kids Folding Backpack Beach Chair
• Laundry Basket

You can certainly do beach time with less equipment, but I find that if we are planning on at least 2-3 hours (our norm), then these are the items that make our time there much more enjoyable. Whatever you decide to pack with you, just be sure to have fun and enjoy how entertained your children are!

Pin this post for later!