Best Beach Stuff for Babies
If you are planning to spend some fun time on the beach with your little one, then you should have the best beach stuff for babies. And no, they are not like the regular gear we adults are used to. They are more like fun items that can protect your kid and keep them safe while on the beach. You need to keep your baby safe from the sun, keep them hydrated, and keep them away from the sand (if they are too small for that), all while having a good time.
You are going to spend some money to get these products, but they would be a worthwhile investment, especially if you take the time to study this carefully researched content. There are many brands out there with different outdoor baby swing and other stuff, but not all of them would serve you and your little one effectively for a long period of time. In this post, we handpicked and reviewed the best of them all for you to select from.
How Did We Pick the Best Beach Stuff for Babies?
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Best Overall
Crocs Kids' Crocband Clog
Key Features
- Available in different sizes and colors
- Manmade synthetic sole
- Very lightweight and true to size
Why It is Better?
- Great looking sporty design
- Allows circulation of air to the feet
- Straps to the leg for a secured hold
- Why Do You Need Beach Stuff for Babies?
- How to Pick Right Beach Stuff for Babies
- Top 5 Best Beach Stuff for Babies
- 1. Crocs Kids’ Crocband Clog
- 2. I Play. by Green Sprouts Baby Sun Hat
- 3. Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Baby Swim Float Children
- 4. Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
- 5. Shade Shack Beach Tent Easy Automatic Instant Pop Up Camping Sun Shelter
- Types of Beach Stuff for Babies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why Do You Need Beach Stuff for Babies?
Best beach stuff for babies are beach essentials every parent should take with them to the beach with their little kids. Before we go into these essentials, it is important to note that a child who is less than six months old should be kept away from the sun completely, but if she is more than that, you can let her enjoy sand play and other fun activities under the sun as long as it is not too hot. Here is a pointer – keep your little one away from the sun between 11 AM and 3 PM when the sun is usually hottest.
There are probably dozens of different items your little one needs to have a great time while out by the waterside. You would need a baby backpack carrier to hold most of the stuff together in one place. This would help you to stay organized and collected enough to care for a baby on the beach without missing out on the fun yourself. Do not be one of those parents that are scared to let their babies swim because she is “too young for that.” You may not want to let your little one go underwater when she is just two months old (which is not bad by the way), but three to four months is old enough to swim with proper instruments, like a baby life jacket, and supervision.
It is no longer news that children should be handled with extra care seeing as their immune system is still underdeveloped. Their skin, for instance, is usually sensitive, and putting them under the sun may cause them some complications. This is why parents are advised to invest in baby sunglasses for their child since this would help to protect their eyes from the UV rays, sand, and other elements. A baby beach tent is also a great addition to the list. It helps to shade them from the sun while they play in the sand. A baby sun hat and sunscreen are also helpful in protecting your little ones from the sun.
Aside from protecting your little one from the sun, you also need to protect her from water. That sounds kind of impossible considering that she may come in contact with water a lot, but that is not an excuse for not putting in an effort to make sure your little one is dry most of the time. Go with a good number of baby beach gear for your little one to change into when she is wet and away from the water. About five to six changes of clothes would do. Remember to also go with some extra clothes that can cover her body properly just in case it gets a little chilly under the shade.
Another essential you may want to consider is a baby travel system, especially if you do not have much help. You do not want to struggle with your bags, instruments, and the baby at the same time. With this system, your little one can stay put and give you the chance to handle other things. In addition to that, this item makes it easier to move around with your baby on the beach. Speaking of mobility, you may want to get infant bicycle carriers if you are going to be riding on a bicycle to the beach or while at the beach. This is another way to multitask and have some fun time without neglecting your baby.
There are a lot of other beach stuff for babies that you may need to improve you and your baby’s experience by the shore. Toys, towel, water bottle, water-resistant blankets, disposable bags, baby powder, and so on. They may seem like a lot, but hanging out by the seashore one time with them would reveal to you what you have been missing.
How to Pick Right Beach Stuff for Babies
Knowing what beach items for baby you need to get is one thing, but getting the right ones with the best quality and functionality is another ball game altogether. Over the course of our research, we discovered that a lot of manufacturers do not put basic standards in place while making their products. All these guys want is to put “just any product” on the market, market it aggressively to make it look nice, and then make a lot of unsuspecting and gullible clients pay for them. We took time to inspect a good number of these products, both the popular and not-so-popular ones, and and our decisions were made based on the following factors.
- Brands: This is probably the best place for you to start from when searching for what beach gear to get for your little ones. The idea is to start by looking at the popular brands to see if they check out all the requirements on our checklist. We know of a few popular brands like Crocs, a company known to make great outdoor footwear both for adults and babies. You can also check out IPlay. By Green Sprouts, they make some really cool and quality baby products like swim and sun wear, feeding items, toys, and so on. Other brands that are highly recommended include Free Swimming Baby, Think Baby, and Shade Shack.
- Functionality: Whatever you do, make sure the product you are going for is highly functional. You do not want to get a baby sunscreen that would end up causing rashes on your baby’s skin without protecting it from sunburn. You do not want to go for a complicated tent that is hard to pitch and can fly away easily with the breeze. In some cases, functionality also means originality. In other words, to buy functional items, make sure you are getting the original product straight from the brand outlet or through a verified vendor.
- Design: As fun as the beach may be, you have to be extra careful when you are out there with your kids. Every product you get should be designed to make your little one look fun without sacrificing their safety. For instance, if you need a chair, you should get one that is strong and sturdy enough to stand the wind. It should also be one that you can fold away easily in case of an emergency.
- Safety: The safety of your little ones should be the number one thing at the back of your mind at all times. Items like inflatables can help your baby stay afloat water while sunscreen products, hats, glasses, and tents can help protect the harshness of the sun, Crocks can help protect their feet, and a baby bike trailer can help you with mobility. While it is important to get products that would ensure the safety of your little one, it is also important to practice safety tips while at the beach.
- Durability: It is not easy finding the most durable products for your little one. The best baby beach gear for your little one should be simple enough and aesthetically appealing, made from the best quality fabrics like polyester (with a blend of lycra in some cases), polybutylene terephthalate, and nylon. If the toys are plastic, make sure they are quality and toxin-free plastic material. The most durable products of them all may cost a little more, but it would be a worthwhile investment if you purchase them.
- Protection: Every item you purchase for the purpose of going to the beach should protect you and your little one in one way of the other be it the skin, feet, hair, eyes, and so on. It is important that parents take their time to inspect any beach stuff for babies based on these factors (and even more depending on your needs). This would help improve your experience while engaging in fun activities.
Top 5 Best Beach Stuff for Babies
In this section, we will review some of the best beach stuff you can get for your baby. We understand that a lot of parents and caregivers may not have the time to carry out the required in-depth research before purchasing these baby products. That is why we have put in so much research effort to come up with the following products. Note that these selections were made based on the criteria explained above and professional recommendations.
1. Crocs Kids’ Crocband Clog Review
Key Features
- Available in different sizes and colors
- Manmade synthetic sole
- Very lightweight and true to size
- Bold midsole stripe
- Ventilation ports
- Pivoting heel straps
We Like
- Great looking sporty design
- Allows circulation of air to the feet
- Straps to the leg for a secured hold
- Suitable for various informal occasions
- Protects your baby’s feet
We Don’t Like
- Fake crocks sold by fake vendors
- May encounter some size problems
A pair of crocs should be the most common and easy to find footwear there is, but that is not reason enough for you to pick just any pair that comes your way without proper scrutiny. The Crocs Kids’ slip band shoes are some of the best-selling footwear you can get for your little one, and not just for the beach, but for any other casual outdoor occasion.
One of the interesting features of this product is that it has a pivoting strap at the rear end of the shoes which serves the purpose of holding your little one’s foot properly in the Crocs. This means that they are going to stay in place all day long so you do not have to worry about them getting lost on the beach. The ventilation holes allow for proper air circulation, and the bold midsole stripe gives it a cool sport appearance. It is so lightweight that your little one will hardly notice she is wearing anything, which is great. It is available in different colors and sizes as well.
2. I Play. by Green Sprouts Baby Sun Hat Review
Key Features
- Pull-on closure
- Made from 100% polyester material
- Extra neck coverage
- Tie strap and adjustable toggle
- Available in different colors and sizes
We Like
- Easy to clean and maintain with washing machine
- Quick-dry material for active play
- Comfortable to wear
- Can be adjusted for a custom fit
- Long-lasting and can be adjusted to suit baby’s size
- Lightweight material
We Don’t Like
- Knockoffs available from fake vendors
- Brim droops when it is wet
This product says “baby girls’ sun hat,” but you can also get it for your male babies. The design is so cool and effective for a baby’s day out on the beach on a sunny day. It comes with an extra brims on the front and another one at the back to protect your little one in the best way a hat possibly can.
It is made of polyester, a light quick-dry material suitable for the seashores, and some tie-straps to hold it secure to the head of your baby so you do not have to worry about it flying off when it gets windy. Maintaining this hat is quite simple, all you have to do is toss it into the washing machine for a wash after use. You can adjust it for comfort fit and it comes with some adjustable straps that make it possible for your baby to grow into it. It is comfortable to wear and dries quickly when wet. This product comes highly recommended by parents and caregivers.
3. Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Baby Swim Float Children Review
Key Features
- Available in three different sizes
- Suitable for babies between three to seventy-two months of age
- Swimming posture friendly design
- Portable and great pool float
- Safety strap
- Available in different colors
We Like
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Can be used in any water body
- Beautiful and effective design
- High quality material
- Quality customer care
- Functional and durable
We Don’t Like
- Can burst when fully inflated
- Tips over when in use
This is one irresistible inflatable! The design is top-notch on different levels – it is beautiful and attractive, it is ergonomically shaped to suit the body frame of a baby, and it has a strap that can keep it secured to the body. It comes in a wide range of colors and sizes for you to pick from. Be sure to have the right measurement of your little one before placing an order. It is suitable for little kids between the ages of three to seventy-two months.
To ensure the longevity of this product, do not inflate it to the brim. Inflate it to about 80 to 85 percent each time you need to use it. It is important to note that this baby beach gear requires maximum supervision when in use. There have been reports about it tipping over and holding the baby upside down inside water. Yeah, that sounds scary, but if you can stay close to your little one while she is using this, then you do not need to worry about that at all.
4. Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ Review
Key Features
- Verified by Whole Foods Premium Care and EWG
- SPF 50
- REEF friendly
- Applies and absorbs easily
- 80-minute water-resistance
We Like
- Does not contain any biologically harmful chemicals
- Highly effective in protecting the skin against the sun
- Easy to use
- Suitable for even the most sensitive skin
- Smells pleasant
We Don’t Like
- May cause skin reaction in rare cases
This product has the highest level of water resistance compared to other similar products, which makes it the best baby sunscreen for beach hangouts. So, your baby can wear this sunscreen and go into the water without the water washing it away. According to over 85% of the buyers, this product works better than any other. It does not have a strong smell, does not leave a white cast on the skin, and is quite effective.
This product has been tested and verified by Whole Foods Premium Care and confirmed to be safe for babies. It does not contain any biologically harmful chemicals, and it is a multiple award-winning product. It has a high SPF of 50, which is very effective in protecting your baby’s tender skin under the sun. It smells quite nice, is easy to use, and absorbs very quickly into the skin. It is also a great product for people who are on a budget.
5. Shade Shack Beach Tent Easy Automatic Instant Pop Up Camping Sun Shelter Review
Key Features
- Fastest setup technique
- Half-dome styled beach tent
- Windows for proper ventilation
- Zinc coated UPF30+
- Lightweight and portable
- Available in one large size
We Like
- Offers more than 75% protection from the sun
- Big enough to shelter up to four people
- Easy to secure on the ground
- Open floor design
- Durable and quality material
We Don’t Like
- A little hard to fold
- Does not hold firm to the ground
The hot sun is probably one of the top problems people have to face on a beach day out, especially if you have a little one with you. A beach tent like the Shade Shack Beach Tent is what you need to make protect your little one and yourself from the hot sun while you enjoy the cool breeze and sand. One thing that makes this product stand out from the rest is how easy it is to set up. It comes in a portable bag, and it is lightweight when folded away.
Setting it up takes less than 30 seconds, which is great. It has three walls rounding the huge umbrella-like roof to protect the occupants all around. You can also fold up one of the walls to give you more views and better ventilation. This product is available in one large size and can hold about four people at a time. It is made of quality polyester material that is zinc coated UPF30+ to keep ultra violet rays at bay by over 90%.
Types of Beach Stuff for Babies
There are different types of items you are going to need while at the seashore with your little one. In this section, we will list them in categories and explain their uses and benefits.
- Sun protection: There is no way you are going to the beach without considering how best to protect yourself and your little ones from sun damage. You would need some sun-protective items like a sunscreen cream, SPF swimsuit, hats, a tent, and so on. You may also want to bring along some cover-all clothes just in case it gets too cold for your baby while at the beach.
- Toys: There are a good number of toys you can get for your baby’s pleasure at the shore. A bucket and shovel are a great pair, and probably the most common beach toy for children. If your little one is still too young to play with that, you can get other types of toys suitable for her age. Some of such toys include plastic cars, squishy water toys, inflatable toys, and beach balls to throw around.
- Swimming: A proper swim suit, reusable swim diapers, floaties, and swim shoes are some of the things you may need for swimming. The key is to make sure they are safe enough and fun at the same time. No matter how safe you think a product is, make sure you are close to your little one all the time to avoid accidents in or outside the water.
- Others: Other things you may need include infant beach chair, umbrella, beach bag, blanket, powder, disposable tidy bags, baby carrier, and towels. The key is to check yourself and plan your activities way before time, make a list of all the things you may need at the beach, and use the list when shopping and packing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are still a lot of things you need to know about this topic, but what we have in this post so far is the information you need to have a beautiful time out on the beach with your little ones. We understand that you may have some inquiries to make, which is why we have put together five of the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
Yes, you can let your baby take a relaxing nap with the beach tent shielding her from harsh sun and other environmental problems. You can take it a notch higher and apply some sunscreen on their bodies to protect their skin from sun damage.
Yes, you can, if they are machine washable. Your baby’s swim suits, reusable swim diapers, blankets, towels, hats, and other clothing can be washed in the machine. You can also use your dish washer to clean your baby’s toys. The rest of the stuff should be cleaned manually by hand according to the directives of the manufacturers.
Truth is, a lot of these tents are not strong enough to stand on their own when there is heavy wind. So, check your weather reports to ensure that the wind is not too heavy for a beach day, or it may topple your tents and other items.
You can get extra pegs to hold down the edges of the tent if you think the stakes supplied with the tents are not strong enough to hold it down.
Using sunscreens is your best bet when it comes to sun protection. A good sunscreen should protect your kid’s skin and keep UV rays at bay, even in the water. Go for a quality sunscreen with an SPF of 50. You should also go for hats, beach tents, and sun shades. Babies can easily get fussy and may not want to keep these items on, but for the little while they wear it, it would do their skin and eyes a world of good.
Conclusion
These are some of the essentials that you and your baby need at the beach. We reviewed just five of them, but there are tons of them out there. Investing in any of the items we have reviewed in this post would be a worthwhile investment because we have done all of the research for you and we came up with all five of them based on strict standards as stated above.
We implore you to use these standards (and more where necessary) when purchasing any other beach stuff you may need for the sake of your little one’s wellbeing. Always consider safety, functionality, effectiveness, and durability when making a purchase.