Beach Essentials for Toddlers Plus a Printable Checklist

Heading for a family beach vacation and taking a toddler? Well, You’ll need this list of beach essentials for toddlers! Going to the beach with a toddler can be a fun and exciting experience, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. In this blog post, we'll cover everything you need to know about beach essentials for toddlers. keep reading for more on what you need to add to your packing list for a toddler beach vacation!

Beach Essentials for Toddlers

Toddlers are special anyway, so it goes without saying that they also have special needs and require specific beach essentials to ensure their safety and comfort on any family beach vacation. In this post we'll cover everything you need to know about beach essentials for toddlers - from sunscreen, to rash guards, and even beach chairs for those little people!

Must Have Beach Essentials for Toddlers

Sun Protection Beach Essentials for Toddlers

In your packing list for a toddler beach vacation, the most important thing to think about is sun protection.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen is essential to protect your toddler's delicate skin from harmful UV rays. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and apply it to your toddler's skin at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
Sun Hat: A sun hat is another important item for sun protection. Look for a hat with a wide brim that provides shade for your toddler's face, neck, and ears. A hat with a chin strap can help keep it in place on windy days.
Sunglasses: Sunglasses can protect your toddler's eyes the sun too. Look for sunglasses with UV protection and maybe even a comfortable, adjustable strap that will stay on your toddler's face.

Clothing Beach necessities for Toddlers

Rash Guards / Swimsuit: Swimsuits are a must have for toddlers going on a beach vacation. They’re great to swim in, but they also provide sun protection and are easy to move around in. Look for swimsuits and rash guards with UPF protection and a comfortable, non-irritating fabric.
Water Shoes: Water shoes are great for toddlers to walk around on the beach and play in the water. They protect their little feet from rocks, seashells, and debris.
Beach shoes / Sandals: Other beach shoes and sandals are also great for protecting your little one’s feet.
Cover Up: Cover-ups can provide extra sun protection and can be worn over swimsuits to keep your toddler cool and comfortable. Look for cover-ups made of lightweight, breathable fabric that provide ample coverage.
Swim Diaper: Swim diapers are a must-have for toddlers who aren't yet fully potty trained. Look for swim diapers that fit snugly and have elastic around the waist and legs to prevent leaks.

Beach Gear for Toddlers

Beach Bag: A beach bag is essential for carrying all your toddler's beach essentials. Look for a bag that has compartments and pockets to keep everything organized.
Beach towels: Beach towels are essential for drying off and for sitting on. Get good quality beach towels for the best results.
Beach Toys: Beach toys can keep your toddler entertained and engaged for hours. Look for toys that are safe and age-appropriate, such as buckets and shovels, beach balls, and sandcastle molds.
Life Vest / Floaties: Life vets and floaties are essential toddler items at the beach so they can play in the water, with adult supervision of course, but still also have an extra layer of protection and comfort.
Wet Bags and Dry Bags: Wet bags and dry bags are needed to keep the wet clothes that are covered in sand separated from the clean, dry clothes. Simple enough.
Wagon / Stroller: Toddlers are the cutest, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much of an essential some kind of something with wheels on it is when you’re walking around with them. Gotta love them, but they are slow walkers LOL!
Toddler Beach Tent or Umbrella: A beach tent or umbrella will provide extra protection from the sun plus a comfortable place for your toddler to rest, eat, or even nap on the relaxing beach!
Toddler Beach Chair: We take our own beach chairs as adults, so toddlers should have their own chairs to enjoy the looks and sounds of the ocean as well.

Get the Toddler Beach Essentials checklist here!

Other toddler Must haves for the beach

A few other items should be considered for your packing list for a toddler vacation. They are:

Blanket or play mat

Portable fan or mister
Books and toys for entertainment
Snacks and Drinks
First Aid Kit

FAQs on Toddler Beach Essentials

What should I bring to the beach for my toddler?

You should bring all the basic beach essentials for toddlers to the beach for them to be comfortable and entertained. All the beach essentials you’ll need for your toddler are included in this post, and you can download the printable packing list for a toddler beach vacation right HERE.

How do I entertain my 2 year old at the beach?

The beach can be a fun and exciting excursion for 2 year olds. Some simple ways to entertain them are:

Playing with beach toys
Having water play time
Playing beach games
Taking nature walks
Having story time
Having rest time right on the beach

How long should a toddler be at the beach?

The amount of time a toddler can spend at the beach depends on the age of the toddler, their tolerance and the exposure to sun and heat, the toddlers general temperament. Be sure to prioritize your toddler’s time at the beach based on his or her own level of comfort so that you’re both happy campers during your family beach vacation.

Should a toddler wear a life jacket at the beach?

Having your toddler wear a life jacket at the beach is great to ensure their extra safety. With unpredictable waves, it’s not a bad idea even though you’ll be right there supervising them the entire time. Wearing a life jacket can also give your toddler a sense of confidence to more freely explore the water. Also, there’s nothing like having peace of mind from a life vest if you’re a parent.

Final Thoughts on Beach Essentials for Toddlers

Going to the beach with your toddler can be a rewarding experience for the both of you, so packing the right beach essentials such as sunscreen, swim diapers, beach toys, and snacks, you can ensure your toddler stays safe, comfortable, and entertained. I hope this post on beach essentials for toddlers gives you all the security you need in knowing you’ll have everything packed that you need for your beach vacation. Remember, with the right beach essentials, you and your toddler can enjoy a fun and relaxing day at the beach.

If you love this post, be sure you also check out the Ultimate Beach Packing List for Families!