Beach vacationing with a toddler is not the same vacation I took pre-baby. Back then I had 10 swimsuits and they all fit and all I cared about packing was snacks, water, and a towel. Post-baby beach vacationing, whether it’s for a week or a weekend, the packing list has gone from 3 important items to about 50! It’s enough to drive anyone crazy!
My family and are about to go on our annual Captiva Island summer getaway. For over 10 years, my husband and I have been joining his family on their week-long beach vacation for some good quality family time as well as some much-needed sun soaking, sand between the toes time. We’re also planning a weekend with my side of the family in Daytona Beach this summer.
Both beach vacations will involve a whole lot of packing and a whole lot of stress wondering if I remember to pack everything. So, I’ve come up with a Beach Vacation Packing List for Toddlers- 32 Must-Have Items you can’t forget.
Beach Vacation Packing List for a Toddler- 32 Must-Have Items:
- Waterproof Blanket with Shoulder Strap
- Beach Cart– whether you’re walking 50 feet to the beach or 500 feet, this is a must-have to carry all your crap!
- Umbrella, Beach Tent, or Canopy- I would never have brought this on vacation pre-baby but now I realize how important it is to protect my son from the harsh UV rays.
- Kids Beach Chair
- Cooler- large coolers are great for long days at the beach. If you don’t have a large cooler, any size will do. We love our soft-sided Yeti cooler and bring it on all beach trips.
- Snacks- lots and lots of snacks! Fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt melts, goldfish, granola bars, protein bars, and fruit pouches.
- Drinks- water, water, water. Sippy cups with water and juice.
- Beach Toys in Mesh Tote– Bring familiar toys from home that are beach friendly. My son loves his cars and trucks so I always bring them. I love my mesh toy tote because I can easily shake off unwanted sand when packing up.
- Mini Pool- this comes in handy on hot Florida summer days. Fill with pool water (if pool is close to the beach) and toys so your tot can relax and cool off when it gets too hot.
- Kites
- Bubbles- bubbles are always a fun beach treat for toddlers. And it’s fun for parents to watch them chase them all over the beach. Talk about a great vacation picture!
- Waterproof Cell Phone Bag
- Sun Hat/Sunglasses- mine son hates anything on his head but I’m still waiting and hoping for the day when he’ll wear them, especially to the beach for sun protection.
- Water Shoes– tiny feet can burn on the hot sand. Water shoes can also protect against sharp shells or beach litter.
- Life Jacket/Swim Floaties
- Hooded Beach Towels
- Misting Fan
- Baby Powder- this is the magical remover of unwanted sand. I don’t know how, but it works!
- Sunscreen- lots and lots of sunscreen.
- SPF Lip Balm
- Wet Washcloth- this not only keeps hands and faces clean but can also be used to cool an overheated toddler.
- Spare Clothes or Swimsuit- accidents happen, so be prepared.
- Extra Swim Diapers & Wipes
- Johnson’s Hand & Face Wipes
- Babyganics Bug Repellant– deet free, natural repellants are the safest option for children.
- Anti-Itch Cream/Calamine Lotion- just in case the all-natural stuff doesn’t work!
- Hair Detangler- this will come in very handy for long locks that are sure to tangle in the wind, humidity, and salt water.
- Rash Cream- not only soothes diaper rash but great for chaffing legs, feet, etc.
- Exercise Ball and Pump– this will substitute for a rocking chair if your toddler still relies on motion to sleep.
- Pack n Play with Foldable Mattress– I love my foldable memory foam mattress. It comes with a travel bag and it’s perfect for vacations or daily use. It’s so much more comfortable than the thin piece of board that comes with the play yard. With this combo, your toddler is sure to sleep great on vacation. Don’t forget an extra sheet.
- Pacifiers/Blankets/Stuffed Animal/Sound Machine- remember all their familiar things to help make vacation feel like home.
- Story Books/Bath Toys– other important items for mimicking your home bedtime routine.
For stress-free beach vacation packing, print this Beach Vacation Packing List for a Toddler- 32 Must-Have Items.
For a great beach vacation with your toddler, make vacation feel as much like home as possible. While mom and dad may be looking to forget the chores, the mess, and the cooking, your tiny tot will feel safe and happy with their familiar routine.
Happy packing!
What’s your packing routine? What’s your must-have beach vacation item? Share in the comments below.
Check out the other posts you might like, Packing for Florida-5 Essential Items for Summer Vacation, Must Have Baby Gear Items, or 6 Tips for Planning a Baptism.
Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
Wow that’s a long list. Toddlers are definitely more than handfuls.
It’s funny, my sister-in-law just got back from a family vacation to Spain and although they loved the beach, they mentioned how much of a struggle it was to get to and from the beach with a toddler and a baby! So many of the items on your list would be helpful -definitely looking into these for them!
xo Jaime
Angloyankophile
haha isn’t funny how your packing list grows with each additional kid? You need a suitcase for even a day at the park. lol. Great list!
As someone who just vacationed to a beach town with two small children, I can attest that this list is 100% accurate. The wagon is such a necessity!!
Such a great list. Traveling and beach trips with a toddler means so much extra stuff! haha. We love our beach trips though!
Isn’t it crazy how much a little one needs for a day trip!? Packing for my kiddos for trips always had to be done a few days in advance to make sure I got everything we needed. This is a great list!
This is a really helpful, well thought out list! I’m saving it for my friends with kids and for when I have them. 🙂
Cheers, Sarah Camille // SCsScoop.com
We’re taking a trip to Hilton Head next month so I am totally going to use this list as a reference!
Great, I hope it helps!
This is a great packing list! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the list! My little one is only 5 months so we decided there was too much to bring if we holidayed this Summer, doesn’t look like it gets much better as they get older!!
No, our packing list has certainly doubled, if not tripled, since having a child. This could be partly my fault in thinking I have to always be prepared with stuff we may not even use!
Arghhh this list, although super mega and extensive, realy scares me out of the idea of having babies haha! I’m not even sure how you would be able to carry all these items. You’re definitely a super-mum haha!
Wow, this list makes me happy that I don’t have children! Moms must have super powers, cause there’s no way I’d be able to remember or carry all of this!
This is why my husband often refers to me as a bag lady.
The collapsible wagon is really helpful, but only when the sand is packed firmly. I almost got stranded in the soft sand a few days ago! And the waterproof blanket is fabulous. Just shake off the sand and you’re good to go. Great list!
The waterproof blanket is my favorite, must-have beach item!
Awesome list! I so needed this list when my son was young. I always felt like I was forgetting something!
With a list I still forget stuff 🙂
WHAT a helpful post! This covers everything you need for a beach vacation!
Thank you for making your article and list so easy to navigate! Loved the list and the ease of being able to print it without jumping through hoops. I have clicked on a dozen articles like this one and immediately left the site because it was so hard to navigate and almost impossible to get a simple, printable list! This one was a breath of fresh air!