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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. Our favorite pick is the Click N' Play Sand Toy Set—the set comes with 18 durable outdoor toys and a mesh backpack for easy storing and transporting—all at an affordable price.
Here, the best beach toys of 2022.
Best Overall: Click N' Play 18 Piece Sand Toy Set
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Click N' Play
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.
Users write that this beach toy set is an unbeatable value, and many say that their kids love playing with the sand toys, both at the beach and in the sandbox. However, some were disappointed with the smaller size of the items, so be sure to grab a few large shovels and molds to add to your collection.
Best Buckets: Top Race Set of 3 Foldable Buckets
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Courtesy of 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. The buckets are dishwasher safe.
Best for Toddlers: Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set
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Courtesy of 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.
Best for Elementary School: SINGARE Set of 2 Large Octopus Kites
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Courtesy of 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.
Best for Tweens: Funsparks Jazzminton
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Courtesy of 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.
Best for Teens: TidalBall Set
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Courtesy of 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.
Best for the Whole Family: Spikeball 3 Ball Kit
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Courtesy of Spikeball
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.
Best for Babies: Green Toys Dump Truck
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Walmart
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.
What to Look for in Beach Toys
What They'll Be Used For
Consider the age of the 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?
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce and is a regular contributor to popular sites such as Forbes, USA Today, Food52. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays.