Everyone loves a beach day, especially our kids. But before you head off to those sparkling blue waters for the afternoon, you have so much to pack!
One thing you can’t forget is the beach toys. While it can be fun to share toys with new friends, bringing your own is a surefire way to make it a smooth trip for your toddler. We’ve compiled the seven (7) best beach toys you’ll need below.
Why it’s great: A large set of beach toys will surely occupy your toddler’s time in the sun. This amazing eighteen (18) piece colorful set includes nine (9) sea-themed molds, a large shovel and rake, three (3) small shovels and a rake, a bucket with a sifter lid, and a watering can. You also get a mesh bag for ease of transport that’ll also filter sand out by the time you get to your car.
These BPA-free plastic toys are non-toxic and perfect for creative play. There are enough toys to share with siblings and other kids, too. You’ll love that it’s lightweight (your tod can carry it), easy to clean, and durable.
Keep in mind: Because there are many pieces, it can be easy to forget or lose one or two here and there. Be sure to count them after each play.
Good for: Children 3 to 10 years old, multiple children, sharing, and the beach, sand, pool, or backyard.
Why it’s great: If you want a smaller set of beach toys, this is the pack for you. You get seven (7) colorful pieces: a bucket, shovel, rake, and four (4) realistic beach animal molds (whale, turtle, crab, and crocodile).
This cute little mix is made from high-quality ABS material, and it’s extra thick for longevity. They won’t scratch baby’s hands and won’t easily break, too. The matte finish allows for easier grasping and holding, and it prevents sand from easily sticking to it. It’s BPA and phthalate-free as well as non-toxic. It’s totally safe for your baby’s mouth.
These toys wash easily because of the small mesh holes. Overall, this set promotes creativity and imagination during outdoor or indoor play.
Keep in mind: This set is made to fit smaller hands, so it’s best for younger toddlers. They’ll have an easier time carrying the bucket when it’s filled with water or sand, too.
Good for: 18 months and up, durability, and playing in the sand, bath, or snow.
Why it’s great: For the environmentally-conscious families who want to go plastic-free, Eco Beach designed this cute set with the earth in mind. This four (4) piece combination was crafted specifically for toddlers’ hands and suits boys and girls alike.
Constructed from bamboo fibers and USA-grown cornstarch, this eco set won’t easily break into small pieces like its plastic counterparts. They’ll last for many years, but if they get lost and buried in the sand, dirt, or beach, they’ll biodegrade in about 12 months.
These toys are non-toxic and BPA-free, and it also comes in a compostable box. Their simple designs also encourage old fashion creative play. It’s both soft to touch and heavy-duty when in use. Your kiddo will definitely stand out on the beach in more than one way.
Keep in mind: Because this isn’t plastic, it does cost more to make, but in turn, you get near lifetime use. Eco Beach also uses part of the sales to donate towards educating and promoting green change.
Good for: Eco-conscious families, gifting, longevity, and the beach.
Why it’s great: If your toddler is all about building, this beach toy set is best suited for their kind of play. Featuring three (3) collapsible buckets and six (6) tools (shovels and rakes), this colorful combination will help your little one create any structure they have in mind.
This bucket and tool pack is made with high-quality, double-thick plastic that’s free of BPA and toxic materials. It’s even certified by the ASTM and CPC. The buckets are made from soft silica gel, which gives them that collapsible feature. You’ll also get a 12-month guarantee to replace this set if anything happens to it.
Keep in mind: Manufacturer recommends for ages 3 and older, but some parents have had success with younger toddler users.
Good for: 3 years and older, portability, and use on the beach and sand, fishing and snow, or even car washing.
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Why it’s great: For younger builders, this 4 (four) bucket set is wonderful for the beach and sand. These colorful sand pails fit (or “nest”)into each other for self-storage, so they don’t take up too much space. This also means they’re easy to travel with.
Each bucket has a number written out on it and highlights a different sea creature (starfish, turtles, crabs, and octopi). Your toddler can also count the sea critters as well. Each bottom was thoughtfully made with one or more molds as well to inspire imaginative play.
You also get a “Happiness Guarantee” wherein you can call the company if your child is uninspired during play with these pails.
Keep in mind: These have overwhelmingly positive reviews with only one suggestion to add holes at the bottom.
Good for: Children 24 months to 4 years old, value, durability, sand, and portability.
Why it’s great: This beach toy set is quite unique for including a sensory table to improve cognitive abilities and imagination. The cool, compartmental design (four areas) means your kiddo can conveniently play with sand and water simultaneously. They’ll learn how to differentiate colors, improve hand-eye coordination, and better their composition and construction abilities.
This multi-functional table features legs that work as water containers and sand molds. The buckets are excellent for carrying water and sand, but they can also be used as a stool leg.
You also get rakes, differently shaped shovels, a watering can, buckets, molds (seahorse and crab), as well as other pieces to create a colorful and sensory-conscious twenty-five (25) piece set. It’s also easy to assemble in just a few snaps (an older toddler can independently put it together).
Overall, it’s durable and feels smooth on those tiny delicate hands. This combination is certified by the FDA and CPC.
Keep in mind: Parents found the Loyaa set suitable for 1 and 2-year-olds as well.
Good for: Children 3 years old and over, value, a sensory experience, and use at the beach and inside your home or your backyard.
Why it’s great: If your little one sees the beach as being more of a construction site, they’ll enjoy this construction combo pack. It includes a dump truck, excavator, and a wheel loader. This combination of trucks is made of sturdy plastic and works great indoors and out to encourage creative play.
The trucks measure anywhere from 4.125 inches to 5.5 inches tall, 3.75 to 4 inches in length, and they’re all 7 inches in width. You get working parts that dump, pick up, and they have wheels that move. They’re great for little hands with big imaginations.
Keep in mind: If your toddler doesn’t like trucks, they may not prefer these for the beach.
Good for: Children 36 months to 6 years old, outdoors and indoors, and toddlers who love trucks.
The Click N' Play 18 Piece Beach Toys is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
The primary benefit of primarily buying beach toys is that they are made consciously to not include any parts that can easily be damaged by water or sand.
Other benefits include keeping your toddler’s toys organized, clean (no sand in the house), and always having something at hand for planned and impromptu sea trips.
Due to their diversity, you can use these toys for other outdoor and indoor activities such as gardening or snow days.
Take a look at what your child favors playing with in general. Adjust it slightly for the beach. If they like playing with dolls, they might like a set filled with molds that can “interact” with each other. If they prefer cars, a set with trucks included would be ideal.
However, when most kids see the beach, they tend to want to create sand structures as well as gather sand, rocks, and water. Buckets and shovels would be enjoyed by any toddler.
As with buying any toys, take notice of ones that are BPA-free, non-toxic, and made with high ABS quality materials. If you want to take things further by ditching plastic, there is one eco-friendly option on our list.
You first need a beach toy that is portable, otherwise, it’ll be a hassle to take it back and forth. You also want something that’s durable so that you don’t waste money constantly buying new toys. Of course, make sure it’s good for the beach and thus contains no batteries or needs to be charged via USB or AC outlet.
The beach is supposed to be a fun time for your kiddo and it doesn’t need to be stressful for you either. Finding the right beach toy can at minimum assist with a relaxing day at the beach. You get to soak up the sun while your little one enjoys the rare trip and has toys that suit the occasion, too. Don’t forget the sunscreen and to clean up after yourselves!
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