The 12 Best Beach Toys of 2023

For fun in the sand, sun, and sea

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Beach Toys

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

Click N' Play 18 Piece Sand Toy Set

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Mesh carrying bag

  • Diverse set of toys

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Top Race Set of 3 Foldable Buckets

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to store and transport

  • Dishwasher safe

  • Can be used indoors or outdoors

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Adorable design

  • Portable

  • Durable materials

What We Don't Like
  • 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

SINGARE Set of 2 Large Octopus Kites

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Bright, colorful design

  • No poles to set up

  • Comes with bag for easy storage

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Funsparks Jazzminton

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Suitable for various ages

  • Can be used on the beach and beyond

  • Portable

What We Don't Like
  • 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

TidalBall Set

Amazon

What We Like
  • Mesh bag for storage

  • Comes with koozies

  • Easy to learn and play

What We Don't Like
  • 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

5
Spikeball Roundnet Combo Set with 3 balls and Backpack

Walmart

What We Like
  • Easy to play

  • Accessible to all fitness levels

  • Can control competitive level

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Green Toys Dump Truck

 Amazon

What We Like
  • Durable materials

  • Easy to clean

  • Can be used indoors and outdoors

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Create a castle

Courtesy of Walmart

What We Like
  • Specifically designed for sand castles

  • Includes storage bag

  • Detailed molds

What We Don't Like
  • 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)

Activ Life Kid's Flying Rings 2 Pack

Walmart

What We Like
  • Easy to throw and catch

  • Lightweight

  • Suitable for multiple age groups

What We Don't Like
  • 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

Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand-and-Water Sifting Funnel

Melissa & Doug

What We Like
  • Adorable ocean designs

  • Uses the elements of the beach

  • Exciting for multiple ages

What We Don't Like
  • 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

B. Toys by Battat Wavy Wagon Beach Play Set

Amazon

What We Like
  • 11 piece set

  • Comes with a wagon to carry everything

  • Unique versions of classic sand toys

What We Don't Like
  • 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.

FAQ
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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