The 25 Best Beach Toys for Every Age
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Having the right sandtoyswill make or break a trip to thebeachwith young kids in tow, especially if some of them are too small to handle the waves or afraid of the water. Bring the right gear and they’ll be occupied for hours, giving the adults some precious time to read a book, tan, or doze alongside them on the sand. While most children (mine included) would be happy with a basic shovel and bucket, upping their sand-play game with a few more exciting toys will keep everybody happier for longer. Below, I rounded up the best beach toy for every age, including personal favorites from yours truly and the Strategist parents, plus a few others that look especially fun for grown-ups and little beach bums alike.
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Don’t underestimate the joys of a simple watering can.
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Strategist senior editor Ailbhe Malone’s 4-year-old daughter loves playing with a retractable fishing net. “We use it to catch crabs in rock pools, catch seaweed at the shoreline, and swish in a sandcastle’s moat,” she says. “Retractable is key because it means you can shove it in your jacket pocket when they get fed up with it instead of lugging a long pole around.”
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This “surfer dude” was all the rage at Hither Hills beach in Montauk a couple of years ago. You simply throw into the waves and it always comes surfing back to shore. It helped my older son, who was 5 at the time, feel more comfortable about playing in the waves.
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We got this set from Hape five years ago and still use it, both at the beach and playground. I love how sturdy and smooth the plastic is (which isn’t the case for all sand toys, I’ve noticed). And the bucket is small enough for toddlers to carry around.
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I love the idea of this construction set, also from Hape, that includes a cone, two diggers, and a construction sign.
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Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo’s preschooler loves making patterns in the sand with these rollers.
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Unsurprisingly, Green Toys makes some really nice beach toys.
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Another personal favorite. This dump truck is on the smaller size, making it perfect for toddlers.
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Who knew that “baking” at the beach was such a popular beach pastime? The kids loved putting “cinnamon” and other “ingredients” in the measuring cups then pouring the “batter” into the bowl and mixing away.
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It was this ice-cream set, however, that was the MVP among the younger kids. They spent half the day scooping and giving out ice cream to everyone. They loved when I put scoops of sand on their legs. They cackled over spilling their ice cream and asking for more. They also made birthday cakes with the candles (which, admittedly, are small and hard to keep track of in the sand).
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For the unicorn lover. It comes with a steamroller truck that leaves imprints in the sand.
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This little beach aquarium that senior editor Jen Trolio saw in Maine last summer comes with a vented lid and floating handle. Great for the little scientist who can spend hours catching (and releasing) sand crabs.
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These miniStapelsteinsare great at the beach, too, according to Corsillo.
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Long-handled shovels for older kids who want to dig giant holes.
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Here’s another beach hack I learned recently. A giant tub like this is great for transporting all the sand toys to and from the beach. Once you’re there, fill it up with water and use it as a sink to wash sandy hands and fill up smaller buckets and squirters. That way, you won’t have to keep running back and forth with tiny buckets of water. (Because the kids will always ask for more water.)
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And some squirters.
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This game was at a beach rental we stayed at recently. You attach the bungeed ball to a hook on the catcher and let go, flinging it into the sky. Both the kids and adults loved playing with it.
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How about beach lacrosse? Srategist senior editor Winnie Yang first encountered this on vacation in Jamaica and says all the kids were into it.
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For more advanced players, a classic game of beach paddleball.
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And for something more low-key, Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid loves this Velcro game of catch.
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Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Game Set
Spikeball is still a favorite among teens and adults.
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Someone will inevitably want to throw a football around with you.
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For another high-flying activity, try these cute kites that Corsillo likes.
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Yang also saw this full-face snorkel in Jamaica — then back at the pool in New York City, where she saw a kid using it during his swimming lesson. (For more goggles, headhere.)
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
