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Heading to the beach can make for a great day with your family, but that’s only if you’re prepared. Making sure you have everything your family needs will give you peace of mind and set you up for an epic day of fun with the kids. On the flipside, you don’t want to lug a ton of stuff to the beach only for it not to be used. After all, when it comes to kids and their stuff, it can really add up.
So, where to begin? Lucky for you, we’ve eliminated all the extras to bring you exactly what you need for a fun-filled day in the sun. See our roundup of beach essentials below.
Sunscreen
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Kids Gentle Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60
- CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45
- Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin
Toys
- CoolSand Advanced Building Sand Molds And Tools Kit
- Hengda Kite Pack
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Clicker Crab Toss & Grip Game For Kids
Beach Blankets
Beach Chairs
- Kelsyus Kid’s Canopy Chair
- Rio Beach Big Boy Backpack Chair
- Melissa & Doug Clicker Crab Folding Beach Chair
Towels
Swim Safety Gear
Cooler
- YETI Hopper Flip Portable Cooler
- One Savvy Girl Ultralight Backpack Cooler Chair
- CleverMade Soft-Sided Collapsible Cooler
Tent
Beach Cart
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Sunscreen
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La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo-Kids Gentle Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60
This sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays and is free of parabens, dyes, and artificial fragrances. It does have added antioxidants that will also help protect your child from the sun and is water resistant.
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CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45
Free of harmful chemicals and water resistant for up to 80 minutes, CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF45 contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide and absorbs quickly.
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Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin
This sunscreen is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and like all Aveeno products, is made with oatmeal extract which helps skin stay moisturized. It’s free of fragrance, parabens, dyes and phthalates.
Toys
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CoolSand Advanced Building Sand Molds and Tools Kit
Sandcastles are a breeze with this handy kit that includes everything from molds to shovels. Your sandcastle will be the envy of the beach.
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Hengda Kite Pack
These kid-friendly octopus kites come in a pack of three and are perfect for a windy beach day. Your kid will love that this kite is so easy to use and will stay off the ground! They’ll look like a kite-flying pro!
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Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Clicker Crab Toss & Grip Game for Kids
Velcro pads and crab-shaped mitts make playing catch easy and fun in this grab-and-toss game from Melissa & Doug (shop link), which is suitable for kids as young as 3.
Beach Blankets
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FYLINA Sand Free Beach Blanket
This blanket is quick-drying and made from high-quality materials, meaning that it’s super durable. Its large size can accommodate a number of people, and it even comes with a handy carry bag for easy setup and breakdown. Anchors on the side of the blanket ensure that it won’t blow away.
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ZOMAKE Picnic Blanket
This stylish blanket is water resistant and folds up for easy carrying. It’s machine washable and comes in a variety of colors and designs, including a beach-appropriate pattern in aqua blue.
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Abeter Sand Free Beach Mat Blanket
Sand is a non-issue with this amazing blanket, because the grains slide through tiny mesh holes to keep everything clean. The blanket also comes with a convenient carry bag and a set of four anchors.
Beach Chairs
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Kelsyus Kid’s Canopy Chair
This foldable chair is light enough for older kids to carry on their own and comes with its very own UPF 50+ canopy for extra protection from the sun.
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Rio Beach Big Boy Backpack Chair
Talk about handy! This chair can be carried like a backpack, leaving your hands free to carry all the other must-haves you plan to bring to the beach (including the kids). It also comes with a storage pouch and comfy neck pillow.
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Melissa & Doug Clicker Crab Folding Beach Chair
This adorable beach chair for kids has a sturdy metal frame and its very own cup holder. Kids will love the fun crab design and convenient storage bag!
Towels
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Funny Fish Beach Towel
This 100% cotton towel is soft and warm while at the same time very breathable. It’s also UPF 50+ for an added level of protection. Kids will love the fun fish print and the fact that it can also be personalized with their name.
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Bavilk Kids Children Hooded Poncho
A poncho design and added hood will ensure that this towel stays on and keeps kids warm and dry after swimming. IMade from 100% cotton, the eco-friendly towel comes in a variety of adorable prints, including a whales and dinosaurs.
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Stephen Joseph Hooded Towel
Kids can play dress-up at the beach with this fun towel. Available in styles from sharks to mermaids to an alligator pirate, this is the towel your kid will never want to take off. It’s made from 100% cotton velour and has enclosed corners to keep hands dry and clean.
Swim Safety Gear
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Body Glove Paddle Pals Learn to Swim Life Jacket
This U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket is perfect for beginner swimmers and will keep kids’ heads safely above water.
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Stearns Puddle Jumper Basic Life Jacket
Durable, colorful and comfortable, this life jacket is designed for kids who weigh 30-50 pounds.
Cooler
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YETI Hopper Flip Portable Cooler
If you’re planning on spending all day at the beach, this cooler will do the job of keeping those juice boxes and sandwiches as cold as when you left the house. It’s resistant to UV rays and water.
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One Savvy Girl Ultralight Backpack Cooler Chair
This cooler can be worn as a backpack and also turns into a stool. It comes with a convenient storage pocket for your sunscreen or wallet and also has a cup holder.
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CleverMade Soft-Sided Collapsible Cooler
Strapped for space? No problem! This leak-proof cooler is great for families because it collapses down when empty. It can also hold a lot! Fill ‘er up!
Tent
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Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
This hassle-free tent can be set up with the pull of a string — literally! It’s got convenient pockets on the inside, and parents will love that the tent’s UPF 50+ material protects little ones from the hot sun.
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Baby Beach Mesh Tent
Even your infant can tag along to the beach with this tent that was built especially for their safety and comfort. The mesh fabric is totally breathable and also provides sun protection while baby naps.
Beach Cart
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Custom Big Wheel Beach Cart
This cart has large 12” ballon wheels that make pushing it over sand a cinch. It has 15 feet of cubic storage, which means you can fit all those chairs, towels and toys in this convenient cart.
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MAC Sports Outdoor Utility Wagon
Throw your umbrella, chairs, cooler and everything else in this packable wagon, which comes in a wide range of colors. The handle is adjustable and the wagon folds down to a small size when not in use.
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Tommy Bahama All Terrain Beach Cart
This cart can carry four beach chairs and also has a cooler, making it the only thing you’ll need to get all your stuff to the beach in one quick trip. Even better? The super durable cart can hold up to 100 pounds.
