A family beach trip can be fun and memorable, but you have to plan ahead, especially with young kids. I’ve compiled a list of the best baby beach gear to help your day trip or vacation go smoothly. I will begin with gear for your child (or you) to wear, then talk about seating options, followed by the best tents/sunshades.
Best Baby Beach Gear
Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent
The Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent is another option multiple family members could use. While two beach chairs fit inside, I think two adults and a couple of kids could sit on the ground in its shade.
The dimensions of the tent are 87 in long x 47 in high x 49 in deep. It folds down to be 40 in x 5 in x 5 in.
The fabric provides UPF 50+ protection, and there are two windows for ventilation. The floor is water-resistant. The tent comes with a carrying case and stakes.
Some of these tents have been prone to breaking, but there is a one-year warranty on the product, so you should be able to get a replacement if yours has issues in the first year. Customer support is very good.
Most of the time the tent is sturdy, and it is easy to put up and takedown. I recommend this option to give parents and a baby some shade.
For more shelter recommendations, check out our best baby beach tents.
iplay by green sprouts Snap Reusable Swim Diaper
Another important thing you need for taking baby to the beach are i play. Reusable Swim Diapers. Even if your baby won’t be fully in the water, these are great for being at the water’s edge.
Regular diapers will absorb the water and get really big and full quickly. But these reusable swim diapers will not hold in water.
A word of warning, though. These swim diapers are designed to hold in poop, but they are meant to let the pee through since they aren’t absorbent. So I wouldn’t recommend putting them on your baby until you are at the beach, and I would use regular diapers for time spent in a tent or seat.
We used these diapers for our babies and toddlers for swim lessons, and I liked them a lot. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. For designs with more pink, check out i play by green sprouts, Girls Snap Reusable Swim Diaper.
i play by green sprouts Baby Sun Hat
A sun hat is a must for a baby at the beach, and the i play. by green sprouts Baby Sun Hat is a great option. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes from 0-6 months up to 2-4T.
This sun hat has a front brim to protect the face and eyes as well as a back flap for full neck protection. It has a string to tie under baby’s chin to help keep the hat on. There is also a drawstring in the back to cinch the hat tighter for a good fit.
The fabric of the hat is UPF 50+, which is the highest rating, so most UV light will be blocked. An interior liner is breathable so the hat shouldn’t make your child’s head too hot.
The hat is also machine washable, which is always a plus for baby items. The manufacturer says the UV protection should last about 30 washes, but they don’t recommend it goes through the dryer, as that will wear off the UV protection quickly.
Parents are very happy with the way you can adjust this hat to fit your child’s head. Some found the brim didn’t keep its shape well when wet. I have been happy with iPlay’s other products, so I would give this a try if I had a young child.
Summer Pop ‘n Sit SE Booster Chair
The Summer Pop ‘n Sit SE Booster Chair is a folding seat with tray that you could bring for general seating or meals at the beach with your baby.
The seat folds up and comes with its own carrying bag to easily bring with you. The tray has a cupholder and is dishwasher safe when you get home. You can also machine wash the fabric of the seat to get all the sand off after your fun day. It is line-dry only, though.
The seat is for 6-month-olds or children up to 37 pounds. It also comes with straps to attach it to an adult-size chair for use at the table at home or in a restaurant.
The tray can be a little tricky to attach to the seat, so practice that at home before you head out for the first time. You should attach the tray before your child is in the seat, and it may help to push the chair down as you slide the tray on.
I like that this seat and tray pack up very compactly and that they don’t have to be washed by hand. I also like that this seat could be attached to adult chairs for indoor outings.
COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap
Sunglasses are very important to protect your baby’s eyes any time she is out in the sun. The COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap is a good option to help her keep the glasses on her face.
These sunglasses have an adjustable strap suitable for 13-15 inch head circumferences. The manufacturer says they are good for babies and toddlers up to 24 months, but some parents say the strap was too small for their child. So measure your child’s head to see if the circumference is right.
The lenses offer UV 400 protection, but they can be prone to scratches. The frames are made of a flexible and sturdy material that meets FDA food-grade standards, so you don’t have to worry if your baby chews on them.
These sunglasses come in pink, gray, or black. If your baby needs a larger size, you can try these COCOSAND Kids Toddlers Sunglasses, but the toddler version doesn’t have a strap.
My children never did well at keeping sunglasses on, but these look like they’d be worth a try.
Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling Carrier
The Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling Carrier is a baby wrap made from mesh similar to basketball shorts, so it is designed to be more comfortable for mom and baby on warm days.
The material is also designed to get wet without sagging and dries quickly, so you can wear it into shallow water. Of course, you need to be super cautious any time your baby is around water. I wouldn’t try to actually swim or go in water past waist-deep or with currents with your baby in the wrap. But for wading near shore, this could let you enjoy the water while keeping baby close.
The mesh will let some sunlight through, so you will need to seek shade often during a beach trip. The fabric is also not very stretchy, which may be different than everyday wraps you may be used to. Watch for the fabric being too tight around your child’s legs or holding small babies to your chest too tightly.
This wrap is rated for children up to 30 pounds (or around 15 months).
If you are already used to babywearing, I would recommend you try this ring wrap for your beach trip to give you some hands-free time and maybe let your child experience the water differently than sitting at the shore. If you haven’t worn your baby in this way before, I would skip it for your beach trip. There might be too much learning curve to the babywearing to add in the sun and water elements.
If you are going to be boating or your child is old enough to be moving around well at the beach, don’t forget a life jacket! Here are our favorite baby life jackets.
KidCo GoPod Pistachio
The KidCo GoPod is like a portable Exersaucer for your young child. There’s a seat in the middle for your baby to sit/stand in with the top surface around them like a table.
It folds to fit in the included carrying case and is pretty lightweight. On the table surface are cup holders for a drink or snacks, plus some nylon toy loops to keep her favorite items nearby.
Underneath is an attached piece of fabric for under baby’s feet to help keep them off the ground.
The GoPod looks like it would be very useful to put your baby in at the beach so they can watch the action without being in the sand. It also would be useful indoors if you don’t want a seat out to take up space all the time, for other travel, or for in your own yard.
A downside is that the fabric is not removable to wash. You can only surface clean it. A few parents reported that their GoPod didn’t lock properly during set up, so it folded in while in use. Some others found it ripped or broke easily.
I would recommend setting this up at home first and making sure it locks and seems sturdy before packing it up for the beach. You would probably also want some sort of sunshade or umbrella to use with this one.
Summer Pop ‘n Jump Portable Activity Center
A similar option is the Summer Pop ‘n Jump Portable Activity Center. It has an included sunshade, and the fabric seat is removable for washing.
It also has toys included and the four corners have springs, so it is a jumper as well. You can adjust the height as your child grows, but it also gets wider as you make it taller, so it takes up more room.
The Pop ‘n Jump also folds up into a carrier, though it’s bigger than the GoPod when folded.
I think this activity center looks fun, and I like the sunshade and that you can wash part of it. But I think it almost looks too nice for beach use. I would recommend this if you intend to use it mostly indoors but may take an occasional beach trip with it.
Though for indoor use, watch what floor you put it on. This item is prone to scratching some floors, so putting it on carpet or a rug may be best.
Reversible Sun Hat by Sun Smarties
Another good hat option is the Pink and Blue Floral Reversible Sun Hat.
This is a more traditional full-brim hat with Velcro chin strap. It is reversible so you can show the print or a solid color. The X-Small is designed for 6-12 months with a head circumference of 19 inches. There is also a 12-24 month size.
But this hat is also adjustable. There’s an elastic adjuster in the back that can reduce the hat’s size by 2 inches around if needed.
The fabric is UPF 50+, and the brim has extra stitching to keep it up and shading your child’s face.
If you are looking for a blue/green color scheme, try the Turtle Baby Boy Sun Hat.
Skip Hop Central Park Outdoor Blanket & Cooler Bag
The Skip Hop Central Park Outdoor Blanket & Cooler Bag is machine washable for when you get home from the beach, though it also wipes clean fairly well.
It also has a small cooler bag that attaches so you can pack a few snacks or drinks instead of bringing a separate bag (if you only need a few things!). You can detach it to carry a few essentials with you while the blanket stays put on the beach as well (like for a concession or bathroom trip).
The blanket folds up and zips inside itself for easy carrying on your shoulder or back, which parents really like.
Besides beach trips, this blanket would be great for picnics, camping, or other outdoor activities. It is 5 feet by 5 feet.
Some people don’t love the feel of the fabric or the bright colors once they can see and feel it. But I recommend this one over the often-compared JJ Cole All-Purpose Outdoor Baby Blanket because this one is machine washable. That’s so convenient for moms!
SUNBA YOUTH Baby Tent
The Sunba Youth Baby Beach Tent is a tent option that’s the perfect size for a baby or toddler to sit or nap in. When it is set up, it is 2 feet tall, almost 3 feet wide, and more than 4 feet long.
It is made of a fabric with a UPF 50+ rating, which will help keep your baby safe in the sun. There is also plenty of mesh in the sides to allow a breeze while keeping bugs out. Even with the mesh, you do need to monitor the temperature inside the tent while your baby is in there to ensure he won’t overheat.
The tent folds down to fit in a carrying bag that’s 19.3 inches by 19.3 inches. It also has two tent pegs to help stake it down for outdoor use.
However, the bottom is a thin fabric, so you will probably want to put a blanket or towel underneath when using this tent outdoors or on a hard surface to make it more comfortable for your baby to sit or lay on.
Parents say this is a great travel bed as well as a beach tent. It folds up smaller than a Pack n Play but is pretty spacious inside.
I recommend this tent for beach trips with a young or napping baby or for families that do a lot of travel who can also use it as a travel bed. If you want a bigger tent, keep reading!
Monobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade
The Monobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade is an option for a baby who is able to participate a bit more in the beach fun. Its fabric provides UPF 50+ protection from the sun, but it is open on one side.
The fabric on the bottom of the tent also has a “pool” feature. If you dig a bit of a hole in the sand under it, you then have a circle to put some water in for your child to play in. This allows your baby to experience some beach fun in a more controlled way than going into the lake or ocean. Of course, any time your child is near water, even in this little pool, you must constantly supervise him.
The tent is 27 inches high, nearly 4 feet wide, and 31 inches deep. It comes with four pegs to anchor it, plus a carrying case. The canopy can be removed from the fabric bottom as well.
It can be a bit tricky to fold the tent back up into the bag, especially following the provided instructions. It may help to watch a YouTube video of it being folded and then master it at home before you set out for the beach.
I recommend this tent for babies who are a bit older and want to play with the sand and water, but they may not be quite ready to go to the water’s edge.
SUNBA YOUTH Beach Tent
The SUNBA YOUTH Beach Tent for 2-3 Person is a good option if you want to have space for more of the family than just your baby. This tent is 65 in long x 59 in wide x 43.5 in tall and folds up to less than 18 inches.
It weighs 2.2 pounds and has a carrying bag for easy transport. It also comes with 8 metal stakes to anchor it to the ground. The fabric is UPF 50+ and has a mesh window for ventilation.
The front can zip shut for more protection or nap time, but the bottom fabric comes out in front to provide more (unshaded) play space.
Users say it is easy to set up and fairly spacious inside. An adult can sit comfortably with a baby or toddler (or two). It might take some practice to learn how to fold it up nicely, so I would recommend trying that at home before your first trip with it.
I think this tent looks like a good option for families who want shade for more people than just their baby, though it may not be large enough for two adults or more than two children.
Best Baby Sunscreens
Both of these mineral sunscreens offer a SPF of 50 and protection for 80 minutes. While the Thinkbaby sunscreen is cheaper, you only get 3 ounces compared to the Aveeno sunscreen which is 7 ounces.
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Sunscreen is important for the entire family (over the age of six months) at the beach! Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a great choice for your baby especially.
It is a mineral-based sunscreen, as opposed to chemical-based. It is broad-spectrum sunscreen, blocking UVA and UVB light. This sunscreen is safe for babies 6 months and up (pediatricians don’t recommend any sunscreen for younger babies).
This sunscreen is water-resistant, which means it can last up to 80 minutes even while you are in the water. You need to reapply after 80 minutes in the water, or after toweling off, or after two hours.
As with any sunscreen, you should apply it to your baby fifteen minutes before he will be out in the sun. Make sure to use enough and don’t apply it too thinly. It is made in the USA, and it is safe for use around reefs if you are headed to the ocean.
Because it is mineral-based, this sunscreen may cause some whitening on the skin with use (it may not rub in all the way). But I think that’s a small price to pay for preventing skin cancer and avoiding some of the chemicals in other sunscreens.
As with any new skin product, it is wise to test it out on a small area of your child’s skin ahead of time to see if there is any allergic reaction. One of my children had eczema and we had to be careful what skin products we used. So I recommend you test a bit of it before you head out to the beach.
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
For my child with sensitive skin, we found Aveeno products worked well. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen is a mineral-based sunscreen developed specifically for sensitive skin.
This sunscreen is SPF 50 and offers broad-spectrum protection. It is also water-resistant. Besides the sunblocking zinc oxide, it has oats that are good for baby’s skin.
The manufacturer says it is a sheer sunscreen, but parents say it is very thick and can be hard to rub in fully or wash off later. Some also didn’t like the scent of it.
As with any sunscreen, you need to apply it to your child 15 minutes before going outside, and you need to reapply it at least every two hours (or after 80 minutes in the water or toweling off). Even though it is hypoallergenic and designed for sensitive skin, I would test it on a small area of your child’s skin at least a day before you plan to use it outdoors to check for reactions.
This sunscreen is also available as Aveeno Baby Face Sunscreen Stick for easy application to your baby’s face. While it still takes a good amount of rubbing in, using the stick means you won’t have it dripping into baby’s eyes. And it is a nice travel size.
I have been happy with other Aveeno products for my child’s sensitive skin, so I would recommend those with eczema or other skin issues try this baby sunscreen.
Baby Beach Gear Comparison Table
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| KidCo GoPod Pistachio | 9.9 | 9.2 | 64.95 |
| Summer Pop ‘n Jump Portable Activity Center | 9.9 | 9.6 | 64.12 |
| Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent | 9.8 | 9.4 | 59.99 |
| Summer Pop ‘n Sit SE Booster Chair | 9.9 | 9.0 | 37.99 |
| Monobeach Baby Beach Tent Pop Up Portable Shade | 9.9 | 8.6 | 33.99 |
| SUNBA YOUTH Beach Tent | 9.8 | 8.4 | 32.99 |
| SUNBA YOUTH Baby Tent | 9.8 | - | 29.99 |
| iplay by green sprouts Snap Reusable Swim Diaper | 9.9 | 9.0 | 28.99 |
| Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen Lotion | 9.9 | 9.2 | 25.52 |
| Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling Carrier | 9.9 | 8.4 | 20.95 |
| COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap | 9.9 | 9.6 | 16.99 |
| Reversible Sun Hat by Sun Smarties | 3.9 | 9.0 | 15.99 |
| i play by green sprouts Baby Sun Hat | 9.9 | 9.6 | 14.99 |
| Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ | 9.9 | 9.4 | 12.16 |
| Skip Hop Central Park Outdoor Blanket & Cooler Bag | 9.5 | 9.4 | - |
Buying Criteria for Baby Beach Gear
Water, sun safety
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages one to four. So safety is very important any time your child is near the water, even if you think they are too young to get away from you.
Your attentive supervision is critical when at the beach or near the pool or any other body of water. Check out other drowning prevention information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Keeping your baby safe from the sun is also important. Products that offer UPF 50+ sun protection ranked high on my list.
When it comes to your gear, check that your child meets the specific age, weight, or height recommendations for the product. Make sure you read and follow any safety instructions included with the gear you buy for your beach trip.
Convenience
There are so many items to pack and keep track of when taking a young child to the beach. I recommended items that offered a lot of conveniences to make the day as easy as possible.
One thing I didn’t include in this list is a beach stroller. If you will be walking to or around the beach, this could be a great help.
Fun
You also want your baby to enjoy the beach as much as possible for their age and ability. I’ve chosen products to keep them entertained and feeling like part of the fun as well.
Double Duty
I don’t like owning things that can only get used a couple times a year for one specific purpose. Beach gear that will also be useful in everyday life or for other travel was more likely to make it onto my list.
FAQs – Baby Beach Gear
Can I put sunscreen on my baby?
Sunscreen can be used on babies six months and older. Mayo Clinic recommends parents choose a sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and is broad spectrum. Reapply it to exposed skin every two hours. It is necessary to reapply more often if your child will be in the water. Follow the sunscreen’s directions for timing.
I have recommended some sunscreens appropriate for ages 6 months and up above.
What is appropriate beachwear for a baby?
It is pretty easy these days to find a UPF 50 swimsuit or rash guard for your baby. This will help keep his skin protected from the sun all day. A sun hat will also help shade your child’s head, face, and neck. If your baby will tolerate sunglasses, these will also help protect his eyes.
What items do I need to bring to the beach for my baby?
I think essential gear includes sunscreen (for those six months and older), UV-protective clothing, a sun hat, something to provide shade, and a safe space for your baby to sit or lay. If your baby is old enough, some beach toys may also be appropriate. I have recommended great options for sun protection and seating above.
Where can my baby nap at the beach?
A tent can provide shade and other protection to allow your baby to nap at the beach. I have recommended several options so that you can find the best choice for your child. Do not leave your baby unattended in the tent, though.
Should I take a newborn to the beach?
It is possible to do so safely, but you need to be prepared. Babies under 6 months shouldn’t use sunscreen, and young babies can’t regulate their body heat as well as older kids and adults. So you need to be cautious about your baby’s sun and heat exposure.
The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping young babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Bring a tent or umbrella to provide shade and make sure your baby is dressed properly. I would also limit the time a newborn spends at the beach. It probably can’t be an all-day outing if you want to keep your little one safe and healthy.
