Best Beach Toys for Kids

Want to know what the best beach toys for kids are?  Toys that are age appropriate and match the interests and swimming abilities of the kids are important.  You can have a fun time at the beach ... in and out of the water.  Body boards, sand toys and floats will keep the family having fun all day.

Best Beach Toys for Kids in the Water

best beach toys for kids

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Body Boards and Skim Boards

Body boards or boogie boards are used to ride the waves while the skim boards are thin and flat and are used in shallow water.

Skim Boards

best beach toys for kids

Skim boards are thin and flat and are used in shallow water.  

They range in size from around 30" to 41". 


best beach toys for kids

Around age 8 or so kids can start to master the skill of skimming across the top of the water.

Some are made of wood laminate and others are made of solid wood with a traction pad for better grip. 

Skim Boards for Kids

Body Boards

best beach toys

Ride the waves on a boogie board.  For beginners you don't need anything expensive - just be sure it has a leash that attaches to the wrist and the board so that you don't have to keep chasing your body board. 

kids at the beach

Body boards or boogie boards come in different lengths - from 33" to 42". 

Be sure to get one with  a  coiled "leash" that connects the wrist to the board so it doesn't get away from you. 

Bo-Toys Body Board Lightweight with EPS Core

Paddle Boards for Kids

Enjoy paddling around the lake or ocean on a quiet day with a paddle board.  If you are in the ocean around 30A Florida you may even see a pod of dolphins. 

paddle boards for kids
Paddle Boards for Kids

Goggles and Fins

best beach toys for kids

Swim goggles allow kids to search for shells, observe crabs or follow fish. Add some fins which makes it easier for kids to swim and gives them confidence in the water.

Teach your kids how to snorkel so that they can enjoy all the undersea wonders.This junior snorkel fin set from Amazon has everything they need:

Seavenger Kids Snorkel Set with Trek Fin, Single Lens Mask and Gear Bag, XS/XXS - Size 1 to 4 or Children 10-13

best beach toys

This adjustable kids size snorkel set with fins comes with us on every beach vacation.  More hours are spent in the ocean looking for small fish, shells and coral with a leak proof mask and fins to help keep you afloat. 

U.S. Divers Junior Mask, Trigger Fins and Laguna Snorkel Combo Set

Fun Inflatable Floats

floats for kids

While this unicorn may be able to fly, he prefers to swim with lots of little and big passengers. 

best beach toys for kids

Large inflatable floats to take to the beach will be a big hit for kids of all ages.

Bring a couple of inflatable swim rings to ride the waves along with adult supervision. These swim rings provided hours of entertainment.  Get a set of 4 so everyone has their own.

best beach toys for kids
Intex Frost Tube Inflatable Sturdy Swim Pool, 36" (4-Pack)

Our youngest grandchild who is 4 is a great swimmer and unafraid of the water.  However she loved sitting in the spring float - I know it says it's a baby float - and she never would have gone in one in the pool - but she loved being out in the waves with her dad and her big sisters. 

We never would have brought this for her,  but it was at the house we rented so we carried it with us to the beach each day.

best beach toys for kids

Depending on what time of year we are at the beach with our family, we may spend more time playing in the sand when it's cooler and in warmer months spend more time in the water. 

Best Beach Toys for Tweens and Teens

Start chillin' the second you hit the sand with Chillbo Shwaggins. No pump needed - just scoop some air into the opening and voila - it is filled and ready for you to enjoy.

beach fun for kids and teens
beach fun for kids and teens

 When fully inflated Chillbo is approximately 7ft long x 2 ft wide and 3 ft high. It comfortably holds 1 person while lying down and up to 3 people when sitting on it like a sofa. Easy to deflate to get it back into it's own carrying bag. Super lightweight which makes it very portable.

Chillbo SHWAGGINS 2.0 Best Inflatable Beach Lounger

Best Beach Toys for Kids in the Sand

toddler beach toys

Whether it's creating sand castles or playing frisbee there are lots of fun ways to have fun at the beach without getting in the water. If you are looking for toddler beach toys you will love the collection of sand toys by Melissa and Doug:

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set

Building Sand Castles

best beach toys for kids

Our grandkids wanted to up their sand castle building skills so we got them a super duper sand castle building kit.  A bit expensive, but it ended up being worth it.  They spent hours building in the sand with moats all around and towers on each corner.  Their biggest disappointment was when their 3 year old sister decided to knock it down.

Sand Castle Set with Molds and Tools Kit -- 37 Pieces Includes: Castle, Bricks and Walls Molds, and Tools
best beach toys for kids

A sand bucket with a spout provides needed water for building sand castles. We've had this sturdy bucket by Melissa and Doug for years. Finney Fish comes with us on every beach vacation: 

Beach Shovels

best beach toys

Serious shoveling in the sand requires a serious beach shovel.

Older kids need something bigger than the traditional plastic shovel.  The shaft is made of wood and the shovel part is made of heavy duty plastic. 

Most sand digging is done near the surf so it is quite possible it will end up out in the water after a serious wave decides to "grab" it. The good news is that these shovels float.

31" Heavy Duty Wooden Kids Sand Shovels with Plastic Spade & Handle - 3 Pack

You are never too old to play in the sand - but as your kids get older, get sand toys for older kids. 

Beach Nets

While interest in some beach toys come and go, a set of beach nets always gets packed.

best beach toys for kids

Catching crabs at the ocean or frogs and minnows at the lake seems to keep their interest more than any fancy toys. 

Of course we can't just bring one net :)

Our favorite time at the beach is in the cool of the evening which is when the crabs like the beach too :). We do catch and release.

Beach nets comes in several different colors - blue, pink, orange and green. Some with telescoping poles and others with waterproof lights.

Beach Nets for Kids

Kadima Paddle Ball Set

My neighbor just got back from a weeks vacation at the beach with her 3 girls - elementary through high school ages.

Their family always packs their Kadima set and says it is their favorite game to play on the beach.  Just hit the ball and volley it back and forth for a fun game to play in the sand.


Kadima Paddle Sets

So pack up some of these best beach toys for a great time at the beach for all the family. 

Go from Best Beach Toys to Kids at the Beach

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