Baby Beach Essentials: 19 Must-haves for Babies at the Beach
*This page features 19 baby beach essentials. It may contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you.
Going to the beach as a family is definitely one of our favourite activities. Every summer, we organise our vacations around family destinations that are full of beautiful beaches where we can have fun with our children. We’ve introduced them to the pleasures of the beach from an early age.
Taking a baby to the beach requires a little more preparation. Not least because their skin is much more sensitive. In our experience, being well prepared and having the essential baby beach gear is the key to having a great time with the family.
We’ve put together this list of 19 baby beach essentials. It will help you prepare for your day with baby at the beach!
Is it possible to take a newborn baby to the beach?
It’s perfectly possible to take a baby to the beach. However, paediatricians recommend that you wait until your baby is 3 months old before taking him or her to the beach.
So there’s no ideal age for taking a baby to the beach, as long as he’s old enough (3 months) that going out poses no risk to his health or sensitive skin.
Taking your kids to the beach? Discover the Best Sunscreen for Kids that will protect their sensitive skin! ☀️
When is the best time to take a baby to the beach?
Babies’ skin is very sensitive – the sun’s rays can be dangerous for them. They can also dehydrate more easily and be more prone to heatstroke.
For this reason, we recommend avoiding periods when the heat is high and the sun is at its strongest. The mornings – before 10am – as well as the late afternoons and early evenings are the best times to do this. The sun’s rays are generally weaker and the temperature milder.
If you’re taking your baby to the beach during hotter, sunnier periods, make sure you find a shady spot where you can sit with your baby. Finally, make sure you keep your baby sufficiently hydrated and cool frequently, either in the water or with a small portable fan.
19 Baby Beach Essentials
Here are the 19 beach items that, in our experience, are essential for a successful beach outing with baby. To make things easier, we’ve organised them into categories.
Baby beachwear | Essentials for a baby at the beach
Beachwear tops the list of baby beach essentials. In fact, it’s these accessories and items that will ensure baby’s skin is properly protected. Paediatricians recommend sunscreen for babies aged 6 months and over only. That’s why it’s so important to choose wisely the clothes your baby wears on the beach! Here are the essentials:
1. Beach hats for babies
It’s important to choose a hat that covers baby’s neck and face, not just the top of his head. The material is also important! Choose lightweight, breathable material so that your baby doesn’t get too hot. For the beach, it’s a good idea to choose a model that dries quickly.
This hat is particularly popular with babies. It covers baby’s head and neck very well, and is lightweight and compact.
2. Baby swimwear (UV protection)
Since babies under 6 months are too young to wear sunscreen, it’s important to choose a swimming costume that provides good body coverage and protection from the sun’s rays.
Cover baby’s lovely bulges for the duration of your visit to the beach. The less baby’s skin is exposed, the better! We advise you to opt for a model with UPF 50+ sun protection. That way, your baby will be comfortable and his sensitive skin will be well protected!
Here are a few interesting options:
This rashguard swimming costume with crotch zip comes in lots of fun colours and designs. We particularly like the crotch zip: it’s so much easier to change baby’s diaper at the beach with this type of swimming suit.
The M2C swimming costume offers excellent protection against the sun. It covers baby’s skin completely. The fabric is soft and it also comes in many different colours and designs
If you prefer two-piece styles for your baby, here are some great options for girls and boys.
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3. Sunglasses for babies
Babies’ eyes are as fragile as their skin. They are very sensitive to the sun’s rays. Make sure they’re well protected by adding sunglasses to your list of baby beach essentials.
These COCOSAND sunglasses are very popular with parents, not least because of the strap that helps keep the glasses securely in place while you’re out at the beach with baby. You can choose from a range of colours and designs.
These JAN & JUL polarised glasses are another excellent option. As well as having a strap, they are unbreakable and have impact-resistant lenses. Polarised lenses also help to reduce glare.
4. Beach shoes for baby
Beach or water shoes are one of the baby beach essentials you will want to bring. They protect baby’s feet from hot sand and sharp rocks and shells.
5. Pool diapers
For obvious reasons, swim diapers are essential for a baby at the beach.
Depending on your needs, you can opt for reusable washable diapers or disposable diapers.
Here’s a good option for washable and reusable bath diapers that is very popular with parents. They are available in many different colours and styles.
Depending on the context, disposable diapers can sometimes be a better option. This is particularly the case when you’re going on a trip or camping and won’t have access to washing facilities. In these cases, there are several brands and models of disposable swim diapers on the market.
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Baby’s comfort | Essentials for a baby at the beach
For a successful beach outing, remember to bring these baby beach essentials. They’ll give the baby all the comfort he needs to feel good.
6. Beach tent – protection from the sun’s rays
Beach tents are very useful when a baby goes to the beach. In fact, they’re the ideal place to lay your baby down for a nap, in the shade. It’s also a good place for the child to play away from the sun’s rays.
There are many different models to choose from. Here are a few popular options for families:
BBLÜV Beach Tent: this beach tent is compact and easy to store.
WolfWise Beach Tent: It is spacious enough for adults to sit with the baby – it is the perfect size for feeding the baby and playing with him/her.
Coleman beach tent: this tent is the ideal size for families. It’s spacious enough for several people to eat, rest or play. Its material offers UPF 50+ protection.
7. Beach blanket
The beach blanket is an essential accessory for all family beach outings. It allows children to sit on the beach without without burning themselves on the warm sand.
We always bring a beach blanket with us: we use it for picnics on the beach, for relaxing and for playing with the kids on the sand. There are several models available that are water-resistant and large enough for families.
8. Beach Umbrellas
To protect ourselves from the sun when we’re sitting on the beach with a baby (or without!), we always bring a large beach umbrella with us. We move it around so that it always covers the children when they’re playing in the sand. This way, you can leave your baby to play with his sand toys with peace of mind.
9. Portable Fan
If you’re planning to take your baby to the beach on a hot day, be sure to bring along a portable fan to keep him cool. You can install it in the beach tent or clip it to the stroller.
This portable fan is great because it has a flexible base: it can be used as a tripod, allowing the fan to be placed anywhere, and can be transformed into “clips” that can be easily hung to strollers or beach umbrellas.
Beach food | Essentials for a baby at the beach
Babies must eat and drink at the beach too! So be prepared and bring everything you need so that baby can enjoy his meal comfortably.
10. Milk / Food
Remember to bring all the food your baby may need for your beach outing. We recommend that you bring more than the baby usually eats for the same period of time. Damage is possible and plans can change – it’s better to have more than less.
When we went to the beach with our baby, we opted for snacks that were easy to eat and that our baby really liked. That way, fewer spills and a full tummy!
Add a bib to your beach bag – it’s definitely a baby beach essential you don’t want to forget!
11. Utensils
Bring along the utensils you normally use to feed your baby.
12. Glasses, cups, snack pots and plates
As with utensils, bring all the glasses, cups, snack cups and plates your baby needs for feeding and drinking.
Here are a few suggestions:
12. Glasses, cups, snack pots and plates
As with utensils, bring all the glasses, cups, snack cups and plates your baby needs for feeding and drinking.
Here are a few suggestions: the 360 Trainer Cups, this weighted Flexi Straw Cup, and this snack container.
13. Isothermal lunch box or cooler
An isothermal or refrigerated lunch box is a baby beach essential. It keeps milk and baby food cold which is essential!
This one is particularly popular with families, as it can hold a large quantity of products and is easy to store (it folds away completely).
14. Travel high chair / booster seat
If your baby can’t sit up on his own yet, then a travel booster seat is essential when taking a baby to the beach.
Here are a few family-friendly options:
- Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Eat ‘N Play
- Summer Infant Pop’N’Play High Chair – This travel highchair is the one we used for our two children. We used it SO MUCH. We took it everywhere: to restaurants, sightseeing, camping, hotels, Air BNBs and the beach!
- Ingenuity Booster Seat
Additional baby Beach Essentials
These items are also must-haves you should definitely add to your baby beach gear list! They will allow the baby to fully enjoy his day at the beach!
15. Sturdy wagon
A sturdy wagon is a must-have when taking a baby to the beach.
It’ll make it easier to carry all your beach accessories. Choose a wagon that’s sturdy enough to roll in the sand. Once your baby is old enough, he’ll also be able to sit in the wagon when you’re getting to the beach.
Here are a few interesting options:
- Radio Flyer 3-in-1 Collapsible Wagon with Canopy
- Amazon Basics Collapsible Wagon
- Step 2 Wagon – This is the one we have and our kids LOVE it!
16. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of baby’s beach essentials for obvious reasons! If your baby is 6 months or older, remember to apply sunscreen frequently.
17. Beach toys
A family beach outing isn’t complete without sandcastles and tunnel digging!
Beach toys definitely are baby beach essentials.
18. Baby float
Floats are essential when taking a baby to the beach. For babies, floats often take the form of a small boat in which the baby can sit.
19. Potty essentials
The accessories you need to keep your baby clean are also essential items to bring with you when you take baby to the beach.
Here are a few items to add to your bag:
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Changing pad
- Diaper rash cream
Of course, the precious items that are essential to your baby’s daily life should also be added to this list. I’m thinking in particular of pacifiers,blankies and muslin blankets for baby’s naptime!
That’s it! You now have a list of baby beach essentials. You have a better idea of what you should bring to make your day with baby at the beach a pleasant one!
