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Let’s face it, any outing or trip with either a toddler, a baby, or both can be hectic. But don’t let the fear of not knowing how things are going to go stop you from taking adventures! It’s so worth it when you see your kid(s) having fun and making memories.
I’m a huge fan of lists. We took a trip to the beach last summer and I made a packing list for the many things I wanted to bring for my one-year-old. This year, we’re packing for a 2-year-old and a 7-month-old. Find out what essentials you need so you are prepared and can avoid overpacking. Don’t forget to download and print my free checklist below! This is the list I have saved for future beach trips – tried and true!
Related: “The Ultimate Checklist for Baby Must-Haves“
Beach Trip Packing List
1. Beach blanket and towels
My most essential beach item (especially with babies and/or kids) is a large beach blanket. I have this oversized waterproof beach blanket that I love. I use it in my yard all the time, too! This lets my kids move around and play without getting (even more) sand all over them.
I honestly only pack 2 beach towels for the 4 of us (my husband, baby, toddler, and me) since we all lay on the beach blanket to dry off. I’ve found that I can save on packing space if we just share a towel with our toddler. I like these lightweight beach towels because they are easy to store and don’t take up a lot of room. They also come with their own storage bag.
2. Beach umbrella
We have this beach umbrella that stays in the sand very well. When shopping for a beach umbrella, make sure you get one that’s large enough and that has the ability to tilt. Instead of having to move all your things around when the sun has shifted enough, you just tilt the umbrella. This one also comes with hanging hooks that we found to be very useful to hang our beach toys or bags.
Having shade is also a must when traveling with kids – especially babies or toddlers. This brings me to my next beach essential…
3. Sunscreen
Get one that sprays! I love this Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Spray because it is also easy to rub in. I always put sunscreen on my kids before we leave the beach house and then bring the sunscreen with me so I can re-apply as needed.
4. Bathing suit(s)
I pack 2 bathing suits for everyone when going on a week-long beach trip.
5. Beach tent or a kiddie pool
We have this Beach Pop-Up Pool and Sun Shade that is great for young babies. It folds up easily and comes with a storage bag. It’s lightweight and easy to carry since it has a handle.
We also have this Pop Up Tent and Kiddie Pool that’s great for babies and also toddlers. We also use this one in our yard! When we brought it to the beach last year, my husband took (several) trips back and forth with a bucket to fill this pool for my daughter. It was perfect because it warmed up enough so she wanted to play in it. We could keep a close eye on her and she got some time in the shade. We would just tilt our umbrella over the pool when she was using it to protect her from the sun. It’s a good idea to get in as many sun breaks for the kids as possible!
This Pop Up Tent and Kiddie Pool also serves as a cool and shady spot for young babies to nap on the beach when you are not using it as a pool.
6. Sun hats and sunglasses
I always bring a sun hat for the baby with me wherever I go. You could say I’m a little paranoid about sun exposure when it comes to my littles. I have this sun hat that works well. I also bring a baseball cap for my toddler.
I bought these polarized baby sunglasses that have proven to be very durable. My toddler is not gentle with them and they are still in one piece.
7. Change of clothes
This is mostly for babies. If I let my baby nap at the beach, I make sure that she isn’t in a wet bathing suit to prevent any rashes.
You can also pack an extra set of clothes for your toddler. I typically have my kids wear their bathing suits for the walk to the beach and then just pack a set of clothes in the beach bag in case they need to change out of their bathing suits.
8. Swim diapers, regular diapers, underwear, etc.
I will bring extra swim diapers for the baby, as well as regular diapers for the walk back to the beach house. Regular diapers are also good to have for when the baby takes a nap or if we decide to go out for ice cream or to eat straight from the beach.
I will pack extra underwear for my toddler for the same reasons mentioned above.
Plastic bags for dirty diapers are a must! I also use these for wet bathing suits or clothes. Don’t forget to bring wipes, too! I also have this diaper bag dispenser and these odor-blocking disposable diaper bags for those very stinky diapers or for when the baby spits up on her bibs or clothes.
9. Potty or travel potty
If you won’t have a bathroom accessible to you while you are on the beach, or your child has a tough time using public bathrooms, it’s a good idea to bring a potty. We have two toilets that my toddler uses at home that are not too bulky to use for travel. One is the BabyBjörn Potty Chair and the other is the Summer Learn-To-Go Potty. They also sell a smaller version of the BabyBjörn that is called the Smart Potty.
10. Waterproof shoes
You can bring water shoes or plastic sandals. My toddler has these slip-on sandals that are great for the beach and for summer, in general. They’re waterproof, easy to walk in, and come in lots of different colors and patterns. My toddler loves her purple ones.
11. Beach chairs
We bring one or two adult beach chairs and we also have a kid-sized beach chair for my toddler. My toddler’s beach chair is so useful for snack time. It encourages her to stay in one spot and makes snack time a little less messy on the beach (sand can be a real pain sometimes). Bonus: this chair also doubled as a high chair for my toddler when we were at the beach house!
We have already used this chair with our 7-month-old and it has been a lifesaver!
12. Toys
I always try not to bring too many toys to avoid carrying too many and losing them. I choose toys that have multiple functions, for example, a watering can (for playing in the kiddie pool, sand, and washing any sand off things or your own kids!). I put all the toys in a bucket – you could alternate toys on different days to keep your kids engaged without bringing too many at a time.
This sand toy set comes with a variety of toys, including a watering can and a construction vehicle. My daughter also really likes these wind-up water toys.
13. Wagon
Even if you have a short walk to the beach, it can be a challenge to carry all of these things (in addition to your kids). We have this all-terrain beach wagon that is a lifesaver. We fit as much as we can in the wagon and our hands are able to stay free – definitely a plus when you are also carrying a baby.
Whichever wagon you choose to purchase, make sure they have all-terrain wheels so they are easier to pull along the sand.
14. Pacifier for baby
If your baby uses a pacifier for naps like ours does, don’t forget to bring it. It will also keep them from putting sand in their mouth.
15. Drinks
We have this beach cooler that is big enough to fit everything we need and compact enough for us to carry. Be sure to put a couple of ice packs inside and you’re good to go.
Our daughter uses this water bottle that we bring with us everywhere we go. She also uses this cup for other drinks and my baby is starting to use this cup with handles.
16. Snacks
Don’t forget to put snacks in the cooler. We typically pack a lunch (peanut butter or turkey sandwiches) and always bring a container of fruit and some crunchy snacks.
For the baby, make sure to bring enough bottles. If you are carrying baby formula, I suggest preparing the scoops ahead of time by using these travel containers. They make preparing bottles on the go much easier.
17. Organizer bags
I use these mesh zipper organizer bags every time we travel, and I even use some in the diaper bag. They’re great for storing diapers, first aid supplies, or for storing your phone and wallet.
18. Portable fan
This is a great idea for those really hot days. Babies, toddlers, and kids in general overheat easily. You can attach this to the beach umbrella when your baby is nearby, put it near them when they are taking a nap, or attach it to the stroller.
There is this rechargeable tripod fan or a rechargeable clip-on fan.
19. Spray bottle with water
Once again, I tend to get a little paranoid when it comes to the heat and babies, so bringing a spray bottle with water makes me feel better. If you feel like your baby is getting too hot, you can cool them down with this spray bottle wherever you are on the beach.
20. Bug spray
Lastly, depending on what beach you are traveling to, you may need to bring some bug spray. I like to use this Babyganics DEET-free insect repellent. If you, unfortunately, get bitten, they also make this soothing itch stick
I hope my suggestions help you pack for your next family beach trip! If I forgot to mention anything, please let me know by leaving a comment. Don’t forget to download the free printable checklist! I hope you have a great time on your beach trip!
