Packing List for a Beach Vacation With a Toddler

Planning a family beach vacation with a toddler? You’ll hear people say that beach days with toddlers are hard. And sure, they’re different than the pre-kid days when you could lay out, sun bathe, and read a book.

But I’m telling you – the work is so worth it. Beach days with toddlers are magical. I love seeing everything through their eyes!

Going to the beach with a toddler does require a bit more planning. You’re going to need to pack a few more things than you did before you brought a toddler along to the beach with you.

This comprehensive packing list will ensure you have the most essential items for your beach trip with a toddler!

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Beach Essentials for Toddlers

• Swimsuits – Pack at least two so that you always have a dry one ready. I like rash guard swimsuits and prefer neon-bright swimsuits. The neon ones tend to make it easier to see them in the water. Even though we always watch our toddlers closely, things can happen fast and I like the extra peace of mind.
• Swim diapers if your toddler isn’t potty trained yet.
• Sun hat for extra swim protection (although if your toddler doesn’t keep this on, you’re not alone!)
• Sunglasses
• Water shoes – it’s up to you if you want beach shoes or not. I know it can be an added expense that they will more than likely outgrow after a couple of wears. If we are at the beach in the middle of summer when there is really hot sand, we opt for them. If we’re there when it’s a little cooler, we let our kids run barefoot.
• Baby safe sunscreen
• A beach towel is one of those things that is nice to have, but not totally necessary as most vacation rentals and hotels will have beach towels you can use. But if you have the space, a twoel with a hood can be nice!
• Something for shade is a must, especially in the hot months. Beach umbrellas or a beach tent are both good options for that much-needed shade. Some hotels have chairs and umbrellas either for free or for rent if they are beachfront and many vacation rentals will have umbrellas, too.
• Portable fan to help with the heat and if you have the room, this extra duty fan is amazing on the hottest days
• Beach toys
• Beach mat – we love this beach blanket because it’s waterproof and sandproof. You’ll still track some sand on it naturally but it’s so much better than a towel that sand really sticks to.
• This is totally optional, but some toddlers love having a little pool to splash in.
• Floaties or life jacket – we personally choose not to use these at the beach but some parents love the extra peace of mind. Apparently there is some controversy over them as some say that it makes kids more confident and therefore go in farther than they normally would. Whether you use them or not, you still need to keep a close eye on your toddler at the beach.
• A disposable bag, like a plastic bags from the grocery store, for dirty diapers is a good idea in case you need to change their diaper at the beach.
• A wet bag for wet clothes or swimsuits. You can also keep things in here you don’t want to get wet, like your keys and wallet.
• A good beach bag to carry everything
• As Florida residents, we use our beach wagon constantly (you want the one with the big wheels like the one I linked). This might not be an option for you, especially if you’re flying, but I wanted to mention it. It’s one of the best purchases we’ve ever made!
• A lot of people swear by baby powder to get the sand off after a beach day. We don’t do this, we just use the outdoor shower at the beach or the hotel/vacation rental (usually there is one!)

Clothing & Extras for a Toddler-Friendly Beach Trip

• Swimsuit coverup
• Comfortable clothes for when you’re not at the beach
• Nice outfits if you plan on going out for a nice dinner or want to do family pictures
• Pajamas
• Plenty of regular diapers or underwear
• Wipes
• Diaper rash cream
• A jacket or sweatshirt if you’re visiting when it still gets chilly
• Shoes and socks
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Comb or hair brush
• Shampoo
• Bath wash

Beach Snacks & Hydration for Toddlers

• Water bottle or sippy cups
• We also bring this travel brush and drying rack to clean out the water bottle (we got it when our toddlers were babies to clean their bottles, it’s one of the most underrated travel needs for kids, in my opinion!)
• Insulated cooler for your drinks and snacks
• Toddler-Friendly Snacks – My favorite beach snacks are easy, mess-free options like squeeze pouches, crackers or pretzels, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, or peanut butter sandwiches.
• Reusable snack containers are nice to have too
• We love these disposable stick-on placemats for going out to eat
• Hand wipes

Toddler Beach Entertainment & Comfort Items

These items are probably not going to be used at the beach but are nice to have on any vacation with a toddler:

• Books they love (or a new one!)
• Toddler toys that travel well like cars, new stickers, coloring books, etc.
• A travel stroller or umbrella stroller – most travel strollers won’t handle the beach sand very well, so this is going to be more for walking around town. We have a BOB stroller for the beach because it handles the sand like a champ but the BOB stroller isn’t a good travel stroller if you’re flying because it’s so heavy.
• Baby carrier or wrap if your toddler likes being held.
• A stuffed animal or blanket if they sleep with one
• Toddler pillow if they use one

Health & Safety Must-Haves

• You may want to throw together a little first aid kit with band aids, antiseptic wipes, a thermometer, and a pain reliever like Tylenol
• Baby safe bug spray if you’re going somewhere that has bugs in the evening (ever since Hurricane Ian in 2022, Sanibel has had a lot of no see ums)
• I know I mentioned it above, but seriously do not forget the baby safe sunscreen

Road Trip or Flight Must-Haves

I have full guides on road trips with toddlers and flying with a toddler, but here are some general items that will be helpful to travel with:

• A backpack to put your car seat in for the airport
• Travel high chair – I wouldn’t say this is a must-pack if you’re trying to save on space (or if you are flying with a toddler) but it is a nice thing to have if you are driving and have the space
• Sound machine this is a must for us when traveling
• Depending on the age of your toddler, they may have outgrown the pack and play or travel bed. If so, this inflatable toddler bed is a great option.

For the Hotel Room

• Baby monitor
• If you have room, a booster seat can be really nice for meals in the hotel room or vacation rental (though do note that many vacation rentals have high chairs)
• We have used this inflatable tub for our younger toddlers (when they are too young for a shower) if we are staying somewhere without a bath tub. You could also double the inflatable pool I mentioned earlier as a bathtub.

Final Thoughts

Taking a toddler to the beach is an adventure. With the right packing list, you’ll be prepared for a fun, stress-free family vacation.