Essentials For Beach Vacation With Toddler
Picking out the essentials for beach vacation with toddler is quite a task. You have to consider features like the easy of the bag. It is vital that the bag isn’t too cumbersome. Make sure that you are able to walk with your head held high and not have any difficulties.As the school year is coming to an end, families are packing for summer vacation. Whether you are looking for a fun getaway with your friends or family, there are some essential items you’ll want to bring. The beach is one of the most fun places to go on vacation and it will be a memorable experience if you prepare your child with essentials like bags, sandals and water proof watches.
When going on vacation, one should make safety precautions a priority. However, young children can be difficult to keep track of, especially at the beach or in open areas like parks. Fortunately, there are several devices that can assist you with this burden. These include keychain GPS trackers and GPS-enabled cellphones. They will help you keep up with your little ones while they wander off to play. They are also a buffer against bad weather and emergencies.
Essentials For Beach Vacation With Toddler
When daydreaming of summer vacation, tropical beaches, fruity cocktails and long warm nights come to mind, right? But if you’re a parent, staying at the beach with your kids probably doesn’t. Scientists have shown that babies remember even before they are born. So prepare yourself for some serious fun; your baby will be babbling throughout your stay the beach with the family.
Beach Essentials for Toddlers
Long days lazing at the beach stands out as some of our happiest times spent together as a family. Toddlers on the beach, joyfully playing and delighting in the sun is pure magic. I’d be remiss to say it can also be some of the most stressful and agonizing times. It’s funny how that works.
When going to the beach with a toddler or baby, preparation of all the right toddler beach gear is vital to avoid meltdowns and fatigue. After having lived close to the beach for 15 years and planning our own beach days, we now have it down to a science and have crafted the ultimate packing list of beach must haves for toddlers.
We’ve made two lists for your beach planning purposes. The first one is a toddler beach essentials list that we think is absolutely necessary. The second list is things to bring to the beach with a toddler that would be reaaaallly nice and make life a lot easier, but can be skipped if you’re doing a beach vacation with a toddler and don’t want to bring too much stuff.
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Table of Contents
- Beach Essentials for Toddlers
- Must Have Beach Items For Toddlers
- Beach With Toddlers Checklist
- Toddler Swim Gear
- Toddler Beach Shoes
- Sun Protection for Toddlers
- Blanket and Beach Towels for Toddlers
- Toddler Beach Toys
- Beach Snacks For Toddlers
- Toddler Beach Bag
- Beach Essentials For Toddlers
- Optional Beach With Toddlers Checklist
- Beach Wagon For Toddlers
- Beach Shade For Toddlers
- Beach Floaties For Toddlers
- Beach Chairs For Toddlers
- Beach Hacks For Toddlers
*This toddler beach packing list post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you.
Must Have Beach Items For Toddlers
First up, things to take to the beach with a toddler that are absolutely necessary. Don’t leave home without them!
Beach With Toddlers Checklist
- Rash Guard, Bathing Suit
- Floaties, Life Vest
- Swim Diapers, Diapers
- Toddler Beach Shoes, Sandals
- Sunscreen
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Blanket, Beach Towels
- Beach Toys
- Beach Snacks
- Hydroflask Water Bottles
- Mesh Beach Bag
- Extra Bags for Wet Clothes
- Change of Clothes
- Wipes, Napkins
Toddler Swim Gear
Top of the list for what to bring to the beach with a toddler is making sure you have all the proper swimming. Even though most babies won’t be swimming in the ocean per se, you’ll want all the protective swimwear to keep their skin safe from the sand and sun.
- Rash Guard –Buying a rash guard that covers the entire arm is a great way to protect your toddler’s sensitive skin from the harsh midday sun. We love the Hurley Swim Set (for boys) and the Ruffle Butts (for girls) because it has UPF 50+ protection and has a lightweight dry-fit design. Check here for other highly rated rash guards.https://bab1b22b13d5990c6446253fa75a82e5.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
- Floaties or Life Vest – Even though most toddlers won’t be swimming, having them wear floaties or a life vest when they are playing is a great way to reinforce safe swimming practices. We like this life jacket from Body Glove because it is coast guard approved. Because it’s meant to be a life-saving device, it does not inflate and deflate, so it may not be the best choice for travel. If you want something that can take up less space, you can opt for this space-saving swim vest from Splash About. It helps kids float and learn how to swim, but isn’t created to be a life-saving device. Since most parents aren’t leaving their wee ones to swim in the water, it’s a good option for casual beach days.
- Baby Carrier – Another excellent option for swimming with a toddler or a baby is the Biubee Water Sling Wrap. It’s a baby toddler carrier that can be submerged into water, so you can wear your toddler while walking through the shallow waters. It’s a great option for anyone with babies or young toddlers.If you want a more conventional holder than a wrap, you can use the Boba Air Baby Carrier. It’s made of nylon so it can get wet and dry quickly. I wouldn’t recommend submerging the carrier in water, but it’s a great option for carrying a baby or toddler around a pool or beach. It’s lightweight so it travels well and can be used on regular nonwater days.https://bab1b22b13d5990c6446253fa75a82e5.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
- Swim Diapers – Pretty self-explanatory, but where there are babies, there are diapers. While cute re-usable swim diapers like these are the most economical and environmentally friendly choice, you can also opt for disposable swim diapers. Swim diapers are different than everyday diapers in that they won’t absorb water and weigh your baby down, but will keep everything in if they soil the diaper.
Toddler Beach Shoes
We think the best toddler beach shoes are the Jefferson slip-on from Native Shoe Company. They are waterproof shoes that can easily be worn in the water as well as afterward when your family is strolling along the boardwalk. Their versatility, along with their lightweight slip-on design and vibrant colors, makes them a clear-cut win when looking for beach shoes for toddlers. We like to travel light, so anything that can be used for multiple uses is a winner for me. You can check here for current prices. The only caveat is that since they have holes, they do get a lot of sand in them if your toddler is wearing them while playing in the sand. The good thing is, that you can easily wash them off in the water.
If you want classic water shoes that are affordable and simple, then buying a basic water shoe like this will be all you need to protect their feet from the hot sand and rocks.
Lastly, you can also opt to use all-purpose beach sandals for toddlers. Charley Sandals from Native is great for days at the beach or hiking along creeks and riverbeds.
Traveling with your toddler? Check out our in-depth guide to the best toddler carriers for travel.
Sun Protection for Toddlers
One of the most important things in your beach necessities for toddlers list is excellent sun protection. Their sensitive skin needs a lot of care, so it’s best to go overboard when it comes to these things.
- Toddler Sun Screen – The best sunscreen for toddlers will be a mineral-based sunblock that has no harsh additives like parabens or fragrances. While sunscreen sprays and sticks can seem convenient, the safest bet is to use a cream sunblock like Goddess Garden’s gentle sunscreen for babies or Blue Lizard sunscreen. We like that it is mineral-based, is reef safe, and the Goddess Garden is only 3.4 ounces so it can easily be packed with carrage bag
