Ah, summertime and beach days! Living in sunny San Diego, going to the beach is one of our favorite summer activities. Especially during Covid last year, I think we went to the beach on a weekly basis!
While I am totally happy lounging with a cool drink and digging my toes in the sand, there is no way my kiddos are going to stay in one place for longer than a minute. Yes, the sand and waves offer plenty of entertainment, but bringing along some fun beach toys makes playtime even better. Here is a list of the best beach toys that currently top our list:
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Collapsible Beach Bucket
These are so great because not only are they made of sturdy material that won’t crack and spring a leak, they actually fold up FLAT so you can easily pack them in your beach bag. Genius!
Sand Molds
For really epic sand castles, these molds make it easy to create towering structures in less time. They’re easy to use, lightweight, and as an added bonus, if you live in areas with colder climates, it works in the snow, too!
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Play Set
How cute are these? As with all Melissa & Doug products, this adorable little set is well made and has everything your little baker needs to make some super fun “cupcakes.” Plus, it comes with a handy mesh storage bag to keep all the items together and easy to carry.
“Real” Shovel
I think we went through about 20 of those little flimsy plastic shovels before we finally bought one of these bad boys. “Real” shovels are just so much sturdier, work better, and are seriously efficient at moving lots of sand. The down side is that they are heavier and less easy to pack, so if that is a problem, a smaller gardening shovel like this one might be a better bet.
Surfer Dude
These are so cool and fun! My youngest son got one for his birthday last year and he loves it! Just throw it into the water and the little surfer dude rides the waves back to shore.
Nerf Whistling Football
Who doesn’t love a Nerf football? These mini sized ones are great for a game of catch on the beach. They are easy to throw and the fun whistling sound makes it so much more satisfying! (“Satisfying” seems to be my kids new favorite word these days, by the way, lol. Cracks me up. ) Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to pack which makes it a win-win.
Spikeball
Our neighborhood friends introduced us to Spikeball last year. It’s kind of like playing volleyball with a trampoline. There is definitely a bit of a learning curve at first–it’s not as easy as it looks! Lots of fun for when you’re with a group but probably easier for the older kids to play than the younger set.
Boogie Board
Not sure if this is considered a beach “toy” but boogie boarding is my eldest son’s favorite beach activity. It’s a lot easier to learn than surfing and makes riding the waves so much fun! Great for kids and adults alike.
What are your must-have beach toys? Have anything to add to the list? Let me know!
With love,
Liz