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The Spruce / Kevin Liang
The right water and sand toys can keep kids busy and engaged on their beach adventures.
We researched the best beach toys for all ages, considering the portability, intended use, and size of each.
Click N' Play 18 Piece Sand Toy Set
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Amazon
Affordable
Mesh carrying bag
Diverse set of toys
Smaller than expected
If you want an affordably priced, diverse set of sand toys for your kids, this pick from Click N' Play comes with 18 items that are perfect for the beach and will keep kids of all ages entertained for hours.
Included in this set are two different shovels, a watering can, two sifters, three rakes, castle molds, and more. The plastic toys are all brightly colored so you don’t have to worry about losing them, and they come in a mesh carrying case that can be worn as a backpack for easy portability.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 7 x 12.5 x 10 inches | Pieces: 18 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Top Race Set of 3 Foldable Buckets
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Amazon
Easy to store and transport
Dishwasher safe
Can be used indoors or outdoors
Lighters colors may stain depending on what you put inside
Beach buckets are a must-have for any fun day at the shore, but the problem is that they’re a pain to store and carry. Luckily, the Top Race Foldable Pail Buckets solve this problem thanks to their collapsible design.
The sturdy construction of these toys makes them ideal for playing at the beach and making sand castles. The set comes with three colorful 2-liter silicone buckets that fold down flat into 1-inch tall circles, plus they have durable plastic handles, making them easy to store and transport. Plus, the buckets are dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $21
Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.3 x 5 inches | Pieces: 3 | Material: Silicone | Recommended Age: Not Listed
Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set
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Amazon
Adorable design
Portable
Durable materials
Lid does not stay shut
Encourage your young ones to use their imaginations with the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set. These sand toys are designed to resemble baking supplies, so your toddlers can whip up silly pretend “dishes” as you hang out on the beach. Your little ones will love playing with the shell-shaped measuring cups, octopus whisk, turtle sieve, crab mixing spoon, and mixing bowl.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 4 inches | Pieces: 7 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
SINGARE Set of 2 Large Octopus Kites
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Amazon
Bright, colorful design
No poles to set up
Comes with bag for easy storage
Can only be used on windy days
Once your kids get a little bit older, they might enjoy a more active beach toy, such as the Singare Large Octopus Kites. You’ll get two octopus-shaped kites and you can choose from a few fun colors. Each kite comes with a carrying case, as well as 200 feet of line that allow you to launch the ocean critters high into the air.
Price at time of publish: $32
Dimensions: 8.46 x 6.69 x 0.91 inches | Pieces: 2 | Material: Nylon | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Funsparks Jazzminton
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Amazon
Suitable for various ages
Can be used on the beach and beyond
Portable
Difficult to play when windy
Keep young teenagers entertained at the beach with Jazzminton, a fun, portable paddle game that doesn’t need a net! This unique game is a cross between badminton, ping pong, tennis, and paddle ball.
With this affordably priced game, you’ll receive two paddles with soft foam grips and four birdies—the two red birdies are for slow play and the two yellow ones go faster. The feathers are attached to the birdies with water-resistant glue, making them safe for use near the water. To play, you simply bat the birdies back and forth, trying to keep them in the air for as long as possible. It sounds pretty simple, but you’ll be surprised at how challenging it can be.
Price at time of publish: $17
Dimensions: 8.62 x 1.06 x 15.94 inches | Pieces: 6 | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
TidalBall Set
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Amazon
Mesh bag for storage
Comes with koozies
Easy to learn and play
A bit expensive
TidalBall is an amazing beach game for teenagers and adults. It’s small enough to pack in your beach bag, easy to set up, and tons of fun to play on the sand. Your older kids will be entertained for hours as they get into the cornhole-inspired game. TidalBall comes with six balls, a sand scoop, and a mesh bag—that’s all you need to play. The kit also includes several TidalBall koozies to keep your drinks cool on the beach.
To set up the game, simply dig a half-circle trench with a hole in the middle, then repeat this setup 30 paces away. Teams take turns tossing balls toward the opposite trench, trying to get them into one of the holes to score points. Don’t worry about the balls rolling into the ocean, either, because they’ll float so you can easily retrieve them.
Price at time of publish: $30
Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 10 inches | Pieces: 9 | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Spikeball Roundnet Combo Set with 3 balls and Backpack
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Walmart
Easy to play
Accessible to all fitness levels
Can control competitive level
Need to adjust the net for ideal play
Get the whole family involved in a fast-paced game of Spikeball on your next trip to the beach. You might have seen this cool game on the TV show "Shark Tank"—it’s quickly become a family favorite for thousands of happy reviewers.
With each game set, you’ll get three Spikeball balls, the Spikeball net, a drawstring bag for storage, and the rulebook. The entire net quickly breaks down into a compact, easy-to-transport set. You play with two teams of two, and it’s similar to volleyball in that you get three touches before you have to spike the ball into the net. You can adjust the tightness of the net to make the game easier or more challenging.
Price at time of publish: $62
Dimensions: 21.25 x 9 x 4.5 inches | Pieces: 5 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Green Toys Dump Truck
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Amazon
Durable materials
Easy to clean
Can be used indoors and outdoors
Some reviewers noted a chemical smell right out of the package
This durable, easy-to-clean toy is perfect for babies, providing hours of entertainment while helping them build fine motor skills.
Babies will love driving the Green Toys Dump Truck around in the sand, collecting objects in the bucket, and then dumping them all out. Since the toy is made of plastic, you can easily rinse it off when you get home from the beach to prevent sand from getting everywhere. With a bit of cleaning, this toy easily transitions to the backyard or the playroom.
Price at time of publish: $30
Dimensions: 10 x 7.5 x 7 inches | Pieces: 1 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 1 year and up
Create A Castle Sand or Snow Castle Split Mold Set
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Courtesy of Walmart
Specifically designed for sand castles
Includes storage bag
Detailed molds
Large pieces take up a lot of space
The Create A Castle Kit transforms the daunting task of building a sandcastle during a beach trip into an enjoyable, easy, imaginative activity that the whole family can partake in. The 5-piece set comes with molds and tools to build a gorgeous castle with ease. The sturdy, high-quality molds include easy-to-open hinges for a sample process that results in a stunning castle with impeccable detail.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 13 x 11.5 x 7.25 inches | Pieces: 5 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: Not Listed
Activ Life Kid's Flying Rings (2 Pack)
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Walmart
Easy to throw and catch
Lightweight
Suitable for multiple age groups
Can break easily
First-time frisbee players and avid fans of the sport alike will fall in love with Activ Life's easy-to-throw flying rings. The unique rings are engineered to fly straight every time and feel comfortable in your hands when catching, so they don't hurt upon impact. They can soar up to 80 feet in calm weather and they float on any pool or ocean surface, so you can easily retrieve them. We love that the whole family can get involved in this fun outdoor activity, and not worry about injuries.
Price at time of publish: $28
Dimensions: 9.88 x 9.88 x 0.74 inches | Pieces: 2 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Funnel Fun
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Melissa & Doug
Adorable ocean designs
Uses the elements of the beach
Exciting for multiple ages
Large toy to tote to the beach
Melissa & Doug's seaside sidekicks line features innovative and adorable toys for toddlers that are meant for the beach. We love this sand or water funnel for hours of interactive play for little ones as young as 2 years old. The different layers of the sea-themed funnel spin, topple, and tilt as water or sand travels through. Kids can experiment with different amounts of water and sand and watch the adorable sea creatures come to life.
Price at time of publish: $23
Dimensions: 15 x 7 x 6 inches | Pieces: 1 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 2 years and up
B. Toys by Battat Wavy Wagon Beach Play Set
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Amazon
11 piece set
Comes with a wagon to carry everything
Unique versions of classic sand toys
Can be hard to drain/ clean the wagon
The best part about this play set from B. toys is that it comes with its own carrier for all of the pieces. Little ones can push or pull their wavy wagon from the car to the beach and fill it with their favorite beach toys. With the wagon, you'll get 10 beach toys including a shovel, a bucket, a boat, and more. Choose from red or a translucent blue that mimics the ocean's waves.
Price at time of publish: $18
Dimensions: 13.75 x 9.28 x 8.25 inches | Pieces: 11 | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 18 months and up
What to Look for in Beach Toys
What They'll Be Used For
Consider the age of the toddlers, kids, or adults that will be using the beach toys, as well as the complexity of the projects they'll be creating. Kids and toddlers will need something more user-friendly and safe without small pieces or sharp edges. Often, the simplest toys can keep kids occupied for hours, but if you're dealing with a large group of children or kids who like to take on multiple projects, a bigger set of toys can offer variety.
Ease of Transportation
It's no fun to schlep anything to the beach, especially if it's a huge set of toys. Consider how far you'll have to carry beach toys before landing at your perfect beach spot. If they're heavy, you may want to stick to an area close by. If you're driving, that's another thing. Just remember, pick what's easiest for you.
Size
If you have little ones playing with the toys, it makes sense to have something they can easily grasp and use. Tike-sized shovels and buckets will be great for them, but the older kids may want something larger. Try to get a set of toys that's proportionate to the person who will be using them.
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How do you store beach toys?
Luckily, many beach toys come in a mesh storage bag or bin for easy storage. During off seasons, beach toys should be stored in a cool, dry place like a basement or garage. Plastic bins or crates are perfect for storing plastic toys when they are not being used. They also make it easy to organize and reach for before big trips. Lawn games should be stored in their original packaging, often a bag or box, to ensure their longevity, so your whole family can enjoy these products summer after summer.
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How do you clean beach toys?
Plastic beach toys can easily be cleaned with soap and water to remove dirt, sand, or salt. Wooden toys can also be washed with soap and water. Just be sure to let them dry fully before using them or storing them. Before leaving the beach, rinse off your toys in the ocean to remove excess sand to keep bags, cars, and houses clean.
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Where can you buy beach toys?
Major online retailers like Amazon have tons of options for beach toys for kids of all ages. Big box stores including Target and Walmart also have multiple options, but displays in-store may be more seasonal. Local surf shops in beach towns are also a great option for in-person shopping. When shopping online, be sure to order ahead so all of your toys and supplies arrive before a big trip or beach vacation.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays.