Looking for a beach day packing list for baby?
So, it’s time to pack for the beach! So exciting. Obviously not as exciting as when you would go without a baby, but nonetheless still a great feeling.
After many unsuccessful attempts at beach days, either bringing too little or bringing too much, I’ve found just the right number of items to pack for a great family beach day.
So, take a look at my list below and plan out what to pack for your day at the beach with baby. This is an exhaustive list, so just bring what you’ll actually use.
Key Takeaways
- It’s very easy to overpack when visiting the beach with baby, but the key is to get organized and plan ahead.
- The most important items to bring for baby are sunscreen, a bathing suit, towels, toys, water and snacks.
- To make your beach day a little easier, choose a beach with facilities, food nearby, with rentable items available.
Table of Contents
⚠️ Heading to the beach with baby for the first time? ⚠️
Check out these posts for everything you need to know:
Tips for Taking Baby to the Beach
Best Beach Hacks for Toddlers and Babies
Best Beach Wagons for the Sand
Sun Safety Tips for Baby
Beach Day Packing List for Baby
Setting Up Your Spot
1. Beach wagon
The ultimate beach ride! This wagon has room for 2 kids and all your gear. It has extra-wide beach tires for a smooth ride too. PLUS some wagons even come with car seat attachments. If you want to browse the best beach wagons, check out my full list here.
2. Big beach bag
Gotta have a place to put everything, right? A mesh beach bag is a great choice because it allows sand and water to drain out, keeping your gear sand free.
3. Beach blanket or fitted sheet
This blanket comes in 3 different sizes and can fit up to 7 people – but still fits in a small travel bag. Plus, it’s sand proof and water resistant!
Another idea is to bring a fitted sheet, turn it upside down, place your beach bag, cooler, or other heavy items in the four corners of the sheet to create a raised area. This creates a perimeter and keeps sand from blowing in.
4. Portable pop-up tent (if you’re flying), beach umbrella /canopy (if you’re driving)
Beach tents are great for the little ones that need a spot to nap or a break from the sun. They collapse easily and can be fit in luggage. A beach umbrella or canopy is another great way to block out the sun if you’re not flying (check to see if the beach you’re going to rents these!).
5. Beach chairs
If you want an alternative to baby making a mess on the beach blanket, get them their own beach chair to sit in. This chair folds up, has a cup holder and comes with a storage bag. If they’re still too small for a beach chair, try this floor seat.
6. Beach towels or beach towel poncho
You can’t (or shouldn’t) get in the water if you don’t have a towel to dry you off! These beach towels are thick, huge, and they dry quick. Another option for baby is a beach towel poncho, not only are they cute, but they are super soft and absorb water well. More importantly, they can’t slip off!
7. Bring a portable fan
Want a step-by-step plan for your beach trip?
My Baby Beach Guide breaks it all down – from packing lists to nap tips, beach hacks, and how to prep without losing your mind.
Food and Drinks
9. Cooler
Instead of lugging a huge cooler, this soft cooler is great for snacks and some drinks for a beach day. it has a shoulder strap and many pockets.
10. Drinks
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Keep your baby hydrated by frequently offering water or nursing/bottles. Bring a water bottle for everyone (an insulated one would be best so it’ll stay cool longer). And if it’s possible, freeze water bottles the night before and leave them in the car or beach bag for after!11. Insulated cups
Hydration is key when you’re at the beach and these insulated water bottles will keep water cool for longer, are spill proof, and have an easy hold. They are perfect for all types of outdoor outings!
12. Snacks
Bring different kinds of easy-to-eat snacks and pack them separately. Dry snacks like crackers, goldfish, granola bars, and chips work great. Throw some cool snacks like sandwiches (in quarters or halves), fruits, veggies, yogurt pouches, cheese sticks, and some popsicles in a cooler. One sandy hand can ruin a whole bag of food, so pack everything separately, or have it individually wrapped.
Baby Clothes and Shoes
The most important thing to remember about kids at the beach is to cover them up. Their skin needs protection!
13. Sunscreen
Keep baby (and yourself) lathered up at all times! Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, protects against UVA and UVB raps, labeled safe for babies and free of irritants like fragrances and oxybenzone. Mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are generally gentler on sensitive skin.
14. Rash guards
Rash guards are key to protecting baby’s skin from the sun, bug bites, and scrapes or scratches. This one is great quality, lightweight, dries fast, and comes in many different colors.
15. Bathing suits
Try to look for bathing suites with built-in UV protection. Clothing labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 50+ are best. UVSkinz makes a UPF50+ swimsuit that is easy to move in, full coverage (including neck!) and comes with pockets.
16. Baby sunhat
Cover up as much skin as you can! A sun hat is essential to protect a baby’s face, ears, and neck from the sun. This one is lightweight, breathable, and has a chin strap so it doesn’t fall off.
17. Reusable swim diapers
18. Water sandals
Protect those little feet from hot sand, rocks, and whatever else can appear in the sand. These sandals come with a rubber sole, breathable cutouts, and protects their toes.
19. Baby water float
A water float is perfect when you want to bring baby in the ocean or pool with you. My kids loved kicking their feet in this float when they were in it.
20. Waterproof baby carrier
20. Extra pair of clothes
Bring extra clothes for the drive/walk out. That wet swimsuit smell is gross! Plus, it’s just not comfortable or hygienic. Get everyone in a fresh set of clothes before you get going. Put the wet clothes in a wet bag away from the rest of your stuff.
For Sand Toys
A few toys will enhance the beach fun but don’t bring too many—you’ll have to carry everything there and back.
And really, a bucket and a couple of shovels really does the trick. If you want to keep baby in one spot, you can dig a hole in the sand and put a bucket of water next to them to splash around.
21. Inflatable baby pool
22. Sand truck set
23. Bucket and shovel
Extras
24. Baby powder to remove sand (it’s magic!)
25. Plastic or garbage bags for trash, wet towels, and wet bathing suits
26. Wipes for cleaning off hands and faces
27. Age appropriate items: nap routine items; sound machine, portable potty, comfort item, etc.
Packing List Tips
- Contact your hotel/rental house to ask what type of beach items they offer, so you don’t have to buy them
- Consider beaches that have facilities, rentable items (like beach chairs), and food nearby to make your beach day easier
- You can rent baby items, like wagons or strollers, using services like babyquip. That way you won’t have to lug everything there!
FAQs: Beach Day Packing List for Baby
What should I pack for a beach day trip?
The essential things to pack for a beach trip with kids are sunscreen, bathing suits, towels, water, snacks, and sand toys.
But if you’re planning on staying for a while, consider bringing a few more items on my list above!
How not to overpack for a beach vacation?
The best way to not overpack is to prepare beforehand! Make a list of everything you will need and stick to it.
Starting packing early to ensure everything fits and you aren’t rushing at the last minute.
How do you spend a full day at the beach?
The most important tip for spending the full day at the beach is to load up on the sunscreen and get in the shade. The sun can really fry your skin!
Additionally, bring lots of snack and water to stay hydrated and full.
Wrapping Up: Beach Day Packing List for Baby
It takes a little more planning, but beach days with the kids can be a blast.
Remember to bring your inner kid too, mom and dad!… get out there and dig holes and play in the waves with them.
Enjoy these silly beach days while you still have them.
