What is better than a day at the beach? If you ask me, it’s pretty much anything that involves eating something tasty and watching Netflix in the quiet. Ask my kids, though, and they will tell you absolutely nothing is better than an afternoon spent by the water. They want to build with their sand toys, run around, and feel that crazy sensation of sand squishing between their toes.
For me, I love to see my kids happy. I might hate the grimy feeling of sand in weird places or the hassle of packing up the car, but it’s worth it to snuggle on a beach towel with my toddler who smells like sunscreen and happiness. Beach trips are always worth it by the end of the day.
What to Do with Kids at the Beach
So you arrive at the beach, slather up in sunscreen, put your kids’ floaties on them (or life vests if you are boating), and claim your spot with a towel or umbrella. Now what? If you’re like me, you need to go prepared with a few activity ideas to keep the kids entertained and happy. The last thing you want is to be chasing kids around the beach all day. Here are some great sand and beach toys to keep the entire family happy during your beach visit.
Best Sand Castle Toys and Bucket Sets
Toys Icon Sand Bucket Set
Keep babies and toddlers entertained for hours with this beach toy set. This set includes 16 fun sand and beach toys ready for your toddler and their little friends to enjoy together. With a variety of shovels and sand molds, you’ll be able to encourage creative play.
Pros:
- Variety of pieces
- Fun colors
Cons:
- No carrying case included
- Need to be cleaned thoroughly
Hape Beach Basics Sand Toy Set
This set of beach toys is ideal for small hands. It’s a basic set including a rake, shovel, sifter, and bucket. The bold colors engage your little one’s interest and the child-safe materials are sure to hold up for more than one summer. These simple tools offer hours of entertainment for your favorite toddler.
These sand toys do not include their own bag so it’s best to procure one yourself. Mesh bags are great for sand toys as they don’t hold in as much sand when you’re ready to leave it all on the beach. Additionally, since this is a smaller set, you can help your toddler review her lessons on sharing if you spend a day at the shore with friends.
Pros:
- Basic beach essentials
- Perfect size for toddler hands
Cons:
- No carrying bag
- Small sets are better for two children or fewer
Click N’ Play 18Piece Beach Sand Toy Set
This beach toy set is made of BPA-free materials and is perfect for a set of toddler friends to share. The eighteen piece sand box or beach set includes:
- A sand bucket
- A sand wheel
- Two shovels
- Three rakes
- Two sand sifters
- Watering can
- Many sand molds
With so many accessories and differently shaped sand molds, this set encourages creative play. Help your little ones to shape animals out of the sand molds and play a game with them. Sandcastles will never get old and the several castle-shaped molds will keep your kids entertained for hours.
Since this beach toy set includes a storage bag with a mesh bottom, storing these toys is a breeze. You can confidently store your child’s toys in this bag knowing the sand will sift out of the bottom rather than sticking to the bottom of the molds.
Sand Toys for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers
Top Race Beach Set, Ice Cream and Cake Series
Your toddler will have so much fun playing ice cream shop with this sand toy set. Although there is no mesh bag included, the pieces of the set can all fit within the provided pail. The variety of cone, scoop, and cupcake molds ensure that your little one can get creative.
This set comes with 14 pieces, including:
- Beach pail
- Ice cream molds
- Cupcake molds
- Scooping tools
Pros:
- Beach pail comes with a lid that functions as a cone holder
- Includes cupcake holders
- Fun, colorful design
Con:
- No mesh carrying bag
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Nesting Sand Pails
The four sand buckets included in this set are numbered one through four. Helping your preschooler identify the numbers both numerically and written out is great for their beginning mathematical skills. The engaging colors and fun shapes molded into the buckets will excite your child as they unveil their sand structure. The best part is these buckets nest within one another so that storage is easy.
The downside to such a simple and compact set is the lack of shovel or carrying case. If you already have those things, this set of beach buckets is perfect for you.
Pros:
- Compact
- Fun colors
- Number learning
Cons:
- No carrying case
- No shovel included
HiDreamy Beach Sand Toys
This silicone, BPA-free set includes:
- A truck
- A watering can
- A bucket
- A shovel
- A rake
- A large sand wheel
- Eight shaped molds
The flexible silicone of these molds makes it possible for your preschool to shape the sand with minimal help. As always, close supervision in a beach setting is necessary for safety. With preschoolers, though, we want to encourage independent thinking and creative play as much as possible.
This set includes a carrying case and includes the perfect amount of toys for sharing. The bucket and sand or water wheel have some great potential for conducting junior science experiments with your little learner.
Pros:
- Carrying case included
- Soft silicone molds
- Durable materials will last
Cons:
- Colors of the toys themselves may vary from the sample images
- Some molds and toys are on the small side
Spielstabil Large Sand Scoop
If you’re looking for a versatile, durable tool, this is it! Your kiddos will enjoy digging a moat around the castles they build with these beach shovels. These shovels are durable, well-designed, and ready to go.
Pros:
- Colorful
- Extra high blade
- Soft grip for smaller hands
Cons:
- One scoop included per order
- Actual color of the scoop will vary
InJoy Joyin Toy 20 Pieces Beach Sand Toy Set
This set comes with a wide variety of toys, including:
- Ten fun shape molds
- One castle bucket
- A brick shaper
- A trowel
- A rake
- A shovel
- Three beach balls
- More sand castle shaped molds
If you’re hoping to build a wall,castle, or fort out of sand, the brick shaper tools will be what you need. Alternatively, you can use the castle shape molds and the large castle bucket to make your own sand kingdom. Populate your sand kingdom with the fun sea animal shaped molds and then follow it up with a few hours of beach ball games.
With such a high number of pieces to this set, the mesh backpack will be useful to store everything once you’re ready to pack up.
Pros:
- Large variety of sand toy pieces
- Carrying case included
Cons:
- Lots of pieces might easily be lost
- Toys are made of a more brittle plastic
Click N’ Play 18 Piece Beach Sand Toy Set
This 18 piece set includes:
- A bucket
- Two shovels
- Two rakes
- Several fun shaped molds
- A bucket
- A sifter
- And more!
This sand toy set is perfect for a day at the beach with a group of kids who are in different stages. The long handled shovel and rake are perfect for bigger kids while the smaller tools are ideal for little hands. Nothing is better than teaching your children how to cooperate and this set encourages teamwork with a variety of molds and tools. With the included mesh bag, storing this set is easy.
Pros:
- Variety of tool sizes
- Fun shaped molds
Cons:
- Only one bucket
- If left out in the sun, the colors of these toys may fade
Sand Toys and Beach Toys for Infants
SwimSchool Beach Baby Splash Mat with Canopy
This cute splash mat makes it possible for you to keep baby covered, supervised, and entertained on beach day. Use the included canopy to shield your baby from the sun and let them splash on the bad without stressing over safety.
Pros:
- Canopy included
- Fun colors
- Soft surface for baby
Cons:
- Meant for 1 baby to use
Playgro Grip ‘n’ Stack Soft Blocks
These blocks are ideal for babies and toddlers because they are well-cushioned and soft. Decorated with cute characters, these blocks will engage your baby for a perfect beach activity. Learn important developmental skills by building towers and counting the blocks.
Pros:
- Encourages gross motor development
- Encourages creative play
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- No carrying case included
One activity that works for any age is to build a sand castle! Sand toys are some of the best beach accessories you can take with you for beach day. They’re versatile, inexpensive, and help your kids play creatively.
Beach Water Toys for Kids
Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast Blaster
My kids love spraying each other with water at the beach, and the Nerf Super Soaker Scatterblast Blaster is the perfect water gun to get each other wet! This Super Soaker shoots five streams of water at once. The flip-up sight helps you aim to hit your target from up to 34 feet away! You can either buy a single gun or buy a two pack for extra fun.
Pros:
- Easy to use pump handle
- Made of safe materials
- Good quality from Nerf
Cons:
- Hard for young kids to fill water container
- Medium size water container
Bo-Toys Body Board
Let your big kids get adventurous with some terrific body boards. These body boards are a great way to introduce older children to the water. Spend an afternoon jumping through the waves. With the included leash, you won’t have to worry about the board getting lost at sea.
Pros:
- Durable materials
- Lightweight
- Different size options
Cons:
- Only 1 bodyboard comes in this set
- No carrying case or bag
Kites for the Beach
Suyisy 2 Pack Kites
This kite 2 pack is the perfect family activity everyone can enjoy. Enhance your child’s hand-eye coordination with kite flying lessons! Friendly shapes make these kites a great choice for your day at the beach!
Pros:
- Colorful shapes
- Durable materials
- Easy-grip handles
Cons:
- No carrying case
- Younger children will need assistance from an adult
Best Beach Games for Kids
EastPoint Sports Go! Gater All Weather Beanbag Toss Cornhole Game
Beanbag toss is a great way to have a friendly competition while still relaxing together on the beach. This set includes 2 boards and 8 bean bags. Easy to assemble and portable, this set is great for big kids to learn important hand-eye coordination.
Pros:
- Easy assembly
- Bean bags fit within cornhole boards
Cons:
- No carrying case – although you can fit the pieces in each board
- Only 2 colors provided – if you have a large gathering, you may need additional bean bags.
Champion Sports Rubber Horseshoe Set
This horseshoe set is optimal for either indoor or outdoor. Take it with you to the beach for a low impact, friendly competition. Big kids will enjoy learning how to toss horseshoes and older generations will enjoy the nostalgia of a familiar classic. This set includes 2 plastic dowels, 2 rubber mats and posts, and 4 horseshoes.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Good to use on a variety of surfaces
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- No carrying case included
- Limited number of participants
Beach Toys for Teens, Tweens, and Older Kids
Baden Champions Volleyball Badminton Combo Set
Beach volleyball is a major crowd pleaser for all ages. Your teens will love getting together with friends for some friendly competition. This set includes both a net and volleyball plus a convenient carrying case. Not in the mood for volleyball? Try the included badminton rackets and birdies instead.
Pros:
- Active game for the whole family
- Variety of pieces
- More than one game available
Cons:
- Considerable set up required
- Limited number of participants (if playing badminton)
Ladder Golf Set
Ever try ladder golf? This activity is great when you want to try something new. The game is played by tossing your set of bolos onto the PVC pipe posts. This set comes with PVC posts, bolos, and carrying case. It’s a terrific for 2 – 4 players and is sure to be a hit.
Pros:
- Fun, new activity to try
- Easy to set up
- Convenient carrying case
Cons:
- Limited number of participants
- Small children could get struck by the bolos. Give ladder golf participants plenty of space!
Bocce Ball Set with Carrying Case
Bocce is my absolute favorite lawn game. It’s a great, relaxed activity for your family. This set includes 4 red balls, 4 green balls, the white pallino, and a carrying case. Bocce is the ideal activity if you’re looking for something low impact and fun.
Pros:
- Convenient carrying case
- All ages can participate
Cons:
- Bocce balls tend to be heavy
- Small children may need assistance
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