What Should I Pack to Take My 1-Year-Old to the Beach?
I must have searched this question a hundred times while preparing for our summer trip to Florida. My husband and I were gearing up for a road trip to Destin with our 14-month-old, and the thought of packing was overwhelming.
I didn’t just want a list of products; I wanted real insights from other moms about what they packed and actually used. So, after our trip, I made a promise to myself that I would share my experience and the items that truly made a difference.
Here’s a detailed list of what baby beach gear we packed and what we found essential during our beach vacation. I hope these tips for beach trips with toddlers helps make your packing process a little smoother!
**This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase from these links.**
Foldable Mini Pool –
We picked up a plastic pool at the dollar store when we arrived. Within 20 minutes of arriving at the beach, I knew it was the best purchase of the trip. It got me thinking about how we could’ve made things easier. A quick search on Amazon revealed a foldable, travel-friendly version that’s perfect for on-the-go. The best part? You can use it in your backyard when you get home!
Supergoop Sunscreen –
Sun protection for babies can be a hot topic in the mom world. We all know we should use it when we’re in the sun, but you’ve probably seen the debates: non-toxic vs. toxic, spray vs. lotion, zinc-based, mineral-based, and so on. It can be overwhelming with so much information out there.
My advice? Use whatever YOU are most comfortable with. What would you put on your body? How long will you be in direct sunlight? Where will you be – on a boat, at the beach, by the pool, or on the patio?
We use Supergoop. I like it because it works for the whole family and I can buy it through my HSA account on Amazon—doesn’t get easier than that!
Bogg Bag –
I’m sure you’ve seen these around if you’ve been to a public pool or beach lately. And I will be completely honest…I thought moms were absolutely crazy for spending that much on a bag. Then I got my own…and now I have realized I really need to stop judging others! This is one of those bags that feels like a gut ounch to your bank account when you purchase but then you use it once and you realize that this bag will be with you until your kids are headed off to college.
Water Shoes –
I bought these because they were affordable, cute, and fastened with velcro. I didn’t put much thought into it since we only needed them for this trip. The sand can get HOT, so if you have a little walker, definitely grab a pair!
Sunglasses with Strap –
If your kid is anything like mine, they love to throw things!
These sunglasses with a little strap make it easy for my daughter to tear them off her face, but they won’t go flying into the ocean or into the sand. Once she realized they weren’t a viable throwing item, she left them on her face and gave up!
Waterproof Beach Blanket –
This photo doesn’t do this waterproof beach blanket justice. Our whole family was thrilled with the purchase. No one had seen one before, and now we all plan to have one for every beach trip. The sand can get HOT, and this gave us a safe spot to relax without sitting directly on the hot sand. With little ones, snacks, diaper changes, and more, I loved having this large blanket spread out. It comes in multiple sizes and includes four stakes to secure it to the ground.
Bonus: We even set it up in the grass in our backyard the other day, so it won’t just be used for one week!
Foldable Chair with Tray –
This foldable chair and tray were not only great for keeping our daughter contained and clean during meals at the beach, but we also used it for all her meals at the beach house. It folds down small and fits easily inside our Bogg Bag. If you still use a high chair for meals, this is a fantastic travel alternative!
One Piece Long Sleeve with Matching Hat –
Adorable and affordable—what more can I say? We now have this same swimsuit in three different colors. Surprisingly, we like it even better than her more expensive name-brand suit. They come in cute patterns and colors, each with a matching hat! It’s lightweight, so my daughter didn’t pull it off too often. Now that I’m writing this, I might just have to go buy their new purple floral one! 😉
Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator –
This is one of those products that, once you buy it, you’ll never go back to the old way. Sure, you don’t need a sunscreen applicator—our hands have worked just fine for years. But I’m willing to spend on anything that helps avoid a toddler tantrum turned mom meltdown.
Baby Float with Canopy –
I’ll be honest, I don’t own the baby float with a canopy, but we have many friends who highly recommend them. My daughter is in swim lessons and prefers to splash around in our arms, so we’re a bit past this phase. However, I wanted to include it for those who think it would benefit their child!
If you liked these products, be sure to check out my Amazon Storefront where I share all of my favorite baby, kid and family friendly products!
Friendly Reminder: Everything I share is a recommendation, plain and simple. You know your kids and family best, so only buy what you know you’ll love and use!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip. Do me a favor and leave a comment letting me know which products you bought for your trip and whether you’d recommend them to others!
DISCLAIMER: This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links provided I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
