Sun, Sea and Swim Diapers: 20 Toddler Beach Essentials

A day at the beach is the perfect toddler trip: soft sand to explore, cool water to tickle little feet and plenty of space to run around. With a little bit of planning, you will have all the toddler beach essentials you need for a memorable family day at the beach.

Toddler Beach Essentials Checklist

Toddler Sun Protection

Sun protection is absolutely vital and multiple “layers” of protection will keep your toddler safe from sunburn. Choose a SPF50 rash vest and sun hat, use SPF50 sunscreen, then bring your own shade in the form of a beach tent or umbrella.

UV Skinz is my favorite brand for sun-safe swimwear. The three-piece sets are great value and feature cute designs. The company was founded by a mom of three who set out to design affordable, durable sun-safe swim-wear after her husband sadly lost his battle with skin cancer.

Next, choose a good sunscreen. There is a lot of choice out there so I’ll help you narrow it down a bit! 

Sunscreen comes in two varieties: “physical” and “chemical”. Both are fine for kids. A “physical” sunscreen primarily uses titanium oxide or zinc oxide (found in baby rash creams) as its active ingredient. It sits on top of the skin and blocks the harmful UVAs and UVBs from entering the sun. 

This type is good for very sensitive skins and is reef-safe. The downside is they can need more frequent applications and can leave a white tint to your skin – not ideal for darker complexions. 

Blue Lizard makes a great SPF 50 zinc oxide sunscreen, which is safe even for sensitive skins. It is designed for up to 80 minutes in the water before a re-application is needed.

Sun Bum is another of my favourites, it is a “chemical” sunscreen but is reef-friendly and also good for sensitive skin. It also smells amazing and is very moisturizing. I have this on Amazon’s Subscribe and Save over the summer so I never run out.

Sunscreen should always be reapplied every two hours, unless you go in the water, in which case reapply when you get out. Set an alarm on your phone to help you remember!

Beach Shade

Next, bring your own shade. A beach umbrella with a sand anchor won’t blow away – we use this Tommy Bahama shade, which has stood up to windy weather and hasn’t faded in the sun.

This little pop-up sun shelter would also work well and is a perfect spot for a nap. The mesh liner will keep out bugs, while the fabric of the tent protects your baby from the sun. It’s not big enough for the whole family, however – check out this larger tent if you all want to stay comfortably in the shade.

Toddler Safe Swimming

For water fun, don’t forget to pack a swim diaper. The iPlay brand works well and is reusable. Pack two to be on the safe side!

A toddler life jacket is the safest way to swim. It will keep kids upright in the water and if they do accidentally fall in, flips them onto their back. Make sure you buy a US Coast Guard approved style such as Stearn’s Puddle Jumpers.

Water shoes are another toddler beach essential to keep feet comfortable on hot sand or rocks. 

Snacks and Drinks

Bring plenty of water to the beach, in a soft cool bag to keep everything cold.

Toddler Beach Toys

The beach is just a giant sand box, so bring a bucket and spade or a truck to keep your toddler entertained. Green Toys make the best plastic toys, all from recycled material. 

So you have your sun protection, your snacks and your toys… how are you going to get all your toddler beach essentials from the car to the sand? 

You could lug it all in a backpack (the umbrella bag has a carry strap, which helps) or invest in a collapsible wagon.

Whatever you use, bring an extra bag for all the wet and sandy things, to keep separate from your clean-ish stuff.

If you are looking for trip inspiration, California has some amazing beaches, including Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz and Big Sur.