What’s better than a family beach vacation? Not much, if you ask me! Traveling with kids is an adventure and often they require extra stuff to make the trip go smoothly.
This kid’s beach packing list has all of the essentials plus the fun stuff that will help make your kid’s vacation awesome. If you’re looking for a packing list for the whole family, check out my printable family beach vacation packing list.
Printable Kids Beach Packing List
I’ve made a printable version of my beach packing list for kids for easy reference when you’re packing for your vacation.
>> PRINTABLE Kids Beach Packing List <<
Scroll down for a quick look at what you’ll need to pack for a beach vacation with kids and some really fun suggestions on cool kids beach essentials like sand toys, inflatables, sun hats, towels, and lots more!
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Kids Beach Packing List – At A Glance
For quick reference, here’s a list of beach essentials for kids that you won’t want to forget:
- Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen
- Insulated water bottles (spill-proof for younger kids)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Beach towels
- Swimsuits and coverups (plus a rashguard)
- Snacks
- Children’s Tylenol
- Swim diapers for baby
- Beach flip flops and water shoes
- After-sun lotion
- Dry clothes for after swimming
- Sand toys and a sand toy bag
- Seashell collecting bag
- Inflatables
- Beach ball
- Beach games
- Mask and snorkel
- Kite
- Swim vest for toddlers or older kids still learning to swim
- Baby floaty with canopy
- Tent or umbrella (don’t forget a small beach tent with a pool if you’ve got a baby)
- Books or toys for quiet time
Kids Beach Essentials, Toys, and More
Mineral Sunscreen
A good sunscreen is a must for a day at the beach with kids. I suggest getting a mineral-based sunscreen because it’s better for your kids and the ocean — and some popular vacation spots are even banning harmful chemical sunscreens.
Baby and Toddler Sun Hat
Sun Hat for Big Kids
For long days out in the sun, a sun hat is a great way to keep kids’ sensitive skin protected. This hat comes in fun colors has sizes to fit any kids from babies to teenagers.
Beach Towel
A trip to the beach requires beach towels and your kids will love the fun designs on these soft cotton hooded beach towels.
Baby Beach Tent With Pool
Baby Pool Float with Canopy
Non-Slip Water Shoes
Water shoes are great for keeping little feet cool on hot sand and protecting feet on rocky beaches. Plus they come in lots of cool designs like unicorns, mermaids, sharks, and dinosaurs that kids will love.
Swim Vest
A swim vest for toddlers and young kids learning to swim is a must for a family beach vacation. This one is great for kids up to 6 years old.
Rashguard
Rashguards are great for days at the beach because they protect your skin without having to slather on sunscreen every 2 hours. There are tons of cute designs available for babies and toddlers as well as older kids.
Fun Inflatable Raft
Kids Snorkel and Mask
This kids snorkel set will help your kids explore the underwater world. This kid-sized set includes a mask and snorkel and comes in lots of fun colors.
Seashell Collecting Bag
What kid doesn’t love collecting seashells at the beach. With these inexpensive mesh bags, your kids can collect shells all day long without dropping a single one.
Sandcastle Set
What do kids love to do at the beach? Build sandcastles of course! This awesome sandcastle set comes with molds and shovels to build the ultimate beach sandcastle. The mesh bag keeps everything together when it’s time to clean up.
Ice Cream Sand Toys
Dinosaur Sand Toys
Kids love dinosaurs so this set of dinosaur-themed beach sand toys will be a hit at the beach. This set comes with dinosaur molds, a dinosaur track roller, and dinosaur-themed shovels, scoops, watering cans, and more.
Inflatable Boogie Boards
These inflatable boogie boards are a super fun water toy for older kids. This set of 2 boogie boards can be used at the beach or in the pool and will pack away easily once they are deflated.
Paddle Toss Game
This paddle toss game is a fun activity for the whole family. The waterproof design makes this a great game to play during long days spent at the beach.
Water Bouncing Ball
Skip Ball is a water bouncing ball set that takes the game of catch into the water. The whole family will love playing with these floating balls and disc in the ocean, lake, or pool.
Octopus Kites
Windy beaches are a great place to fly kites, and these cute octopus kites are the perfect design for your day near the ocean. Plus they come as a set of 2, so there’s no fighting who gets to use one first.
Inflatable Glitter Beach Ball
Add some sparkle to the beach with an inflatable beach ball that’s filled with golden confetti! It comes in pink or clear and deflates for easy packing.
Inflatable Shark Beach Ball
Portable Corn Hole
Who doesn’t love playing corn hole? This portable corn hole set is a great way to engage the whole family in a fun day of beach games. After you’re done playing it folds down into a convenient carrying case.
Beach Shovels
Your kids can take their sand sculpture game to a whole new level with these beach shovels. Sold as a set of 2, these shovels can be used in the garden at home when your beach vacation is over.
Final Thoughts
Packing for a beach vacation with kids can be stressful, but this printable packing list should make it much easier. Don’t forget, vacations are supposed to be fun — so leave your worries at home and enjoy your trip!
