14 Best Beach and Sand Toys For Toddlers
Spending a summer day at the beach with the kids sure has a nice ring to it, but while you’ll want to take a break and relax, your little ones will be bursting with energy and will spend most of the day running, playing, and having a blast. To ensure both of you are happy, you’ll want to equip them with the best beach toys money can buy.
We’ve compiled a list of 14 toys that will engage your kids and allow them to have tons of fun while you manage to catch some rays and soak up that vitamin D.
Create fond memories and enjoy your family time with these amazing toys.
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23pc Kangaroo Beach Toys Set
If you’re not eager on spending a lot of money and you don’t want to experiment with novelty items, the Kangaroo Beach Toys set is a no-brainer in our opinion. The toy set is a classic take on what sand toys are all about. You have your shovel, your rack and a bunch of other tools including a variety of unique-looking molds allowing your kids to customize their sand castles with shapes such as a fish, octopus, shell, and even a cat. Additionally, creating a unique castle has never been easier, thanks to the included castle-shaped bucket.
There is a total of 23 pieces included in the set, all for the price of a single toy! Now that’s value for money! Sit back and relax as your little ones demonstrate their architectural prowess and build unique castles all day long.
Benefits:
- Bright colors
- Variety of molds included
- Variety of tools
- Great value
Silicone Collapsible Buckets
When packing your stuff for the beach, bear in mind you can never have enough reliable buckets. However, the problem with regular buckets is that they will take up too much trunk space, leaving no room for other important items. Fortunately, these silicone collapsible buckets from Top Race are the solution to your problem. Their collapsible design means they fold down flat into a compact circle, going from 8 inches wide and 10 inches tall when fully open to just 1 inch when entirely collapsed, allowing you to bring as many as you like.
These buckets are made from a durable silicone material and have a capacity of 1.5 gallons. They also come with a sturdy plastic handle that’s easy to hold. The entire bucket is dishwasher safe, so cleaning them after use is quick and straightforward. Beach buckets are an absolute necessity for summer vacation fun and sand castle building, but the best part is they can be repurposed later on when your kids grow up. Use them for storing purposes, car washing, fishing, or even for keeping your drinks cool. This set includes 3 buckets for the price of one, so we definitely recommend you picked them up before your vacation.
Benefits:
- Their collapsible design makes them easy to store and transport
- Great for sand castles
- Can be used in a variety of ways
Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Play Set
Helping your child engage in imagination-driven play is essential for developing his social, emotional, and language skills, not to mention it’s a lot of fun! The beauty of pretend play is that it can be done pretty much anywhere, and especially on the beach. So what do kids love more than anything else in the world? You’ve guessed it – ice cream! With the Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Play Set, your kids can come up with new flavors and create their favorite dessert out of sand.
The set includes 2 scoops, 2 cones, 1 sprinkle shaker, and an adorable bucket decorated in a seahorse theme. The bucket also doubles as a sand castle building tool, allowing your kids to put their creativity to the test as they create unique-looking structures made out of sand. When playtime is over, the entire set can be neatly stored inside the bucket and put away.
Benefits:
- Promotes the development of essential skills
- Aesthetically looks great
- Fun and engaging
- Can be used in more than one way
Click N' Play 18 Piece Beach Sand Toy Set
Next on our list of best beach toys for kids, we have another excellent toy set that has everything your child needs for playing in the sand. The 18 piece beach sand toy set from Click N’ Play comes in a convenient mesh backpack that ideal for transportation and storing purposes. The set includes a bucket, a sand wheel, 2 shovels, 3 rakes, sand sifters, a watering can, and an entire collection of unique and colorful molds.
The entire set is made out of a durable plastic that’s also BPA-free so you can rest assured knowing your kids are exploring their creativity with toys that are safe for their health.
Benefits:
- Great value for money
- Variety of toys and molds included
- Easy to transport thanks to the included mesh bag
John Deere Sandbox Vehicle
Shovels and racks are fine, but if you want to equip your toddlers with some heavy machinery, John Deere’s Sandbox Vehicle set is the way to go. The set includes two vehicles, a dump truck with a moving dump bed and a front loader tractor. Both vehicles are easy to use and can provide hours of entertainment both on the beach but also indoors. These little trucks are rightfully called heavy-duty as they are made out of durable and sturdy plastic that allows them to take a beating and remain intact.
Watch your kids as they have the time of their lives while driving their new vehicles all around the sandbox, imitating the sounds of engine noises.
Benefits:
- 2 vehicles included in the package
- Built to last
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
Octopus Kites
For kids that just can’t seem to sit still and always want to run around, the Octopus Kites are a sure thing. These colorful kites are an ideal way to provide your child with a fun and active way to spend his day at the beach and use all that stored energy in a safe and productive way. The set includes two octopus-shaped kites for the price of one, so if you have two kids, both get to enjoy them, or even you can tag along.
Assembling and flying these kites is like a breeze. Just pull them out of the bag, release them into the air and run as fast as you can. The included 200 feet of line will allow them to soar high into the sky while your kids get to exercise and enjoy the scenery in an effort to lift the kite even further. Combining these adorable kites with other movement-based games will keep your child active and satisfied.
Benefits:
- 2 for the price of 1
- Easy to assemble and use
- Great for active kids
Toysmith Deluxe Beach Set
The beach set from Toysmith Deluxe should be your choice if you’re looking to purchase just the bare necessities at an affordable price. It’s not as comprehensive as some of the other beach toy sets we’ve put on this list, but it will still provide your child with all the essential tools he needs to build his fantasy castle. The set includes a shovel, rake, spade, sand sifter, watering can, 2 unique sand molds, and a bucket.
Probably the best part about the Toysmith Deluxe Beach Set is its transparent reusable storage bag. The bag is made out of a durable material and has a pair of sturdy handles. It’s can also be conveniently opened and closed with a zipper. For the price, this is definitely a toy set worth getting before you head out to the beach.
Benefits:
- Has all the basic toys your kid can enjoy
- Great transportation capabilities
- Reasonable priced
Color A Flower Bag
If you have an aspiring creative toddler, the Color A Flower Bag is an absolute must-have and needs to be among your luggage before you leave for your family vacation. This ingenious bag comes with a predetermined design but is completely customizable when it comes to the choice of color. Your children can express their creativity by using permanent markers to create a totally unique color theme for their bag.
The Color A Flower Bag is made out of a combination of nylon and PVC and is waterproof, making it an ideal choice for the beach. It also comes with 6 permanent markers included, so you don’t need to buy them separately.
Benefits:
- Sparks creativity
- Waterproof
- 6 permanent markers included
Catch and Release Beach Aquarium Kit
For kids that are huge fans of nature and animals, especially those found in the sea, the Catch and Release Beach Aquarium Kit is everything they need to enjoy their vacation to the fullest. This item is more than just a toy, it’s an educational tool and a great way to promote your child’s curiosity for the marine ecosystem. The kit consists of a see-through plastic globe that’s sealed by a screen lid. The lid allows water to flow in an out so that the temporarily captured sea creature always has access to fresh water and can be safely released back into the wild.
Nurture future animal conservatives and fuel their curiosity for the world around them with this unique beach aquarium kit. If you’re a parent to 2 or more toddlers, purchase a few of these and see who can get the rarest catch.
Benefits:
- Easy to use
- Creates a healthy connection with nature and marine life
- Educational and fun at the same time
Bocce Ball Set For The Entire Family
Next on our list, we have the Bocce Ball set, and it’s one of those toy sets that the whole family can enjoy, especially during traveling with kids. Up to four players of all ages can participate and compete to see who ends up winning it all. The package includes four green balls, four red balls, and a white pallino marker ball.
The game is best played on terrain such as grass, dirt, and especially sand. This makes it an ideal family activity for a sunny day at the beach. However, when you’re not soaking your feet in the ocean and enjoying your vacation, Bocce Balls can be a great way to spend your Sundays in your own backyard or at the nearest park.
Benefits:
- Group activity for the whole family
- Competitive and fun
- The set includes everything you need
Beach Toy Truck with a Bag
The Beach Toy Truck offers a variety of sand toys similar to some of the other previously mentioned beach sets on this list, but what really sets them apart from the competition is the included multifunctional truck. The truck doubles as a dump truck and an excavator, giving lots of opportunity for imagination-driven play. While the truck is definitely the centerpiece of this set, the included complementary tools are far from being lackluster. It includes a large sand sifter, a watering can, all the essential beach tools and 8 unique castle building molds. To top it off, the manufactures included a convenient handbag that makes storing and transporting the entire set a piece of cake.
The Beach Toy Truck is definitely a worthy purchase if your toddler has a natural liking for building sand castles or just generally playing with sand.
Benefits:
- Features a big truck with an excavator tool
- 8 marine-themed molds for castle building
- Comes with a bag for storage and transportation purposes
3 Pack Super Water Gun
For the ultimate splashtastic experience, look no further than the 3 Pack Super Water Guns. These water guns offer countless hours of excitement, regardless of your age. Don’t let your kids have all the fun, join in and show them who has the sharpest aim. Fire a stream of water at your foes and remember – either you get soaked, or you soak them!
The high-capacity reservoirs on these guns can hold up to 27 OZ (800ML) water, giving you an ample amount of splashy ammunition to use on your enemies. The water guns are also easy to use, just pump the pressure rod around times and fire away!
Take them with you to the beach or square off in your own backyard.
Benefits:
- High-capacity reservoirs
- Easy to use
- 3 for the price of 1
Beach Toy Set with Activity Table
From the moment you introduce your little toddler to this beach toy set and activity table, he’ll immediately fall in love with it and will want to explore it thoroughly. There’s a list of reasons why we decided to include this toy set among our best beach toys for toddlers, but the main reason has to be the sheer versatility that it offers. Your little one can enjoy it at the beach during your holidays just as much as he can play with it every day in your own backyard. The table is super easy to assemble, and once you connect all the pieces, it’s sturdy and reliable.
Aside from the multifunctional table, the set includes a shovel, watering can, small sailboat, and a plethora of molds used for creating unique shapes from sand.
Benefits:
- Easy to assemble
- Can be used anywhere
- Includes 10 beach toys and a table
- Made from non-toxic and harmless plastic
Kid's Flying Rings
For beachgoers that want to stay away from their cell phone screens and introduce their active lifestyle to their little ones, the Kid’s Flying Rings should feel right up their alley. These flying rings are specifically made to be light and easy to throw, so even toddlers can join in the fun. However, being lightweight doesn’t mean they are not made from durable materials that guarantee you’ll be using them for seasons to come.
Enjoy hours of countless fun with the youngest members of your family and help them adopt healthy habits from such a young age.
Benefits:
- Keeps you and your children active
- 2 flying rings included in the package
- Lightweight and easy to throw even for children
How to Choose the Best Kids Beach Toys
Determining what kind of toys to bring with you on your trip to the beach will depend on several factors. What some parents would consider being the best sand toys, others might find unnecessary or not in their budget. Some beach toys are also too bulky and take too much space in your trunk. Then there is also the factor of knowing what kind of toy can keep your child engaged and entertained longer than 10 minutes. We suggest you stick to the following criteria when shopping for beach toys.
Pay attention to the recommended age
You don’t want to subject your toddler to overcomplicated toys that are designed for older children. A toy should be challenging enough to make them think, but if it’s too overwhelming, they’ll quickly give up and move on to something else. That’s why you always want to pay attention to the recommended age indicated on the packaging.
Plan ahead when packing
If you’re leaving for an extended vacation with your whole family, you’re probably working with a limited amount of space for all your luggage and other essential stuff. This means you’ll want to check the size of toys you’re bringing along to keep your kids entertained.
If in doubt, stick with the classics
If you’re not sure what your little ones are into, you can’t go wrong with some of the standard beach toy sets we’ve listed above. All of them contain all the necessary tools to build huge sand castles and enjoy destroying them when they’re done.
Criteria We Used
When it comes to the criteria we used, our focus was on a few key factors including:
Quality
The overall quality is always the number one criteria we take into consideration when compiling our lists. While a product can be attractive due to its lower price, all that doesn’t matter if it’s lacking in quality and doesn’t last longer than a few hours after being unboxed.
Materials
The materials used in manufacturing these products are directly responsible for their overall quality. However, we tend to avoid certain products that have not been thoroughly tested and approved for being non-toxic and safe for both your children and the environment.
Educational Value
Aside from being fun and exciting, we want you to provide your kids with toys that also offer educational value. You’ll find that most of the items on our list promote the development of some kind of skill that will be useful for them later in life.
FAQ
Are these beach toys safe for my kids?
We have a habit of sticking to products that are tested and approved for being completely safe. On top of that, they are made of light but durable materials, so injuries directly caused by the toys are a rare occurrence.
Where can I find more information about your products?
You can always look for user reviews online and read about other people’s experience with the product you’re interested in. Most manufacturers list additional information about their product either in the detailed product description or directly on their website.
Conclusion
That rounds up our list of best toddler beach toys that you should definitely consider purchasing before you visit the coast. Hopefully the information we provided will help you make a more informative purchase ensuring that both you and your children are happy with the end result. Also, if you liked this article, we urge you to check out some of the other lists we have on our page.
Proud mom and stepmom to an adorable bunch of kids aged 7 and up. Deeply appreciates three things in life: the help of older siblings in the house, texts on parenting, and strong coffee. Shares her stories and experiences in order to help others navigate the unpredictable waters of parenting.
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