10 Best Beach & Sand Toys for Kids in 2024
There is nothing quite as relaxing as a day at the beach. It can be a welcome distraction to today’s busy lifestyle, a break from the everyday humdrum of repetitive activity, and a chance for you and your family to soak up some vitamin D and spend some quality time together. Taking a beach vacation may be something that you and your family do every weekend or perhaps it’s a once-a-summer specialty but whichever is the case there are few things that can help burn off your little one’s excess energy and keep everyone focused on fun like beach and sand toys. We have gathered a selection of toys guaranteed to create some fun memories with your little one this summer. We hope that one of our 10 Best Beach & Sand Toys for Kids will help your little one remember your next trip for years to come!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 12 hrs of research
Enhances creativity
Various options to choose from
Portable
Bright colors
Toys are made out of heavy plastic and are very durable
10 Best Beach Sand Toys Reviewed
1. KKONES Toy Truck with Bag
Enhances creativity
Various options to choose from
Portable
Bright colors
Toys are made out of heavy plastic and are very durable
Some customers were a bit disappointed with what was included in the set but still enjoyed the set overall.
This beach toy set comes with various toys and beach tools that your little one will love to play with on those summer beach days. We know that to keep your little one entertained and happy at the beach toys are always a must-have item. These toys are bright and come with their own portable bag so that your little one will be able to carry to and from the sand.
Read moreDurability
Being able to last for generations, these toys are perfect for growing families. They are sturdy and parents don’t have to worry about any type of mildew getting inside them if ocean water happens to touch them. They are made of a very specific environmental plastic to ensure protection for your little one.
Ease of Use
Incredibly easy to use, this go-to beach set comes with its own carrying case. Perfect for any lake or beach day use. It’s incredibly safe for your little one to use as well. These beach toys will even help enhance your child's creativity as they explore the sand and ocean life around them.
Entertainment Value
This set includes a watering can, beach tools such as castle molds, a bridge, crab, dolphin, starfish, turtle, octopus, shell, and many other little toys as well. Your child will be able to spend hours and hours of fun creating sand castles. They’ll be entertained for hours. It’s the perfect summer toy for your toddler to have!
2. Seahorse Ice Cream Play Set
Lightweight and easy to clean
Introduces life skills, such as scooping and serving ice cream.
Can be used to build sand castles, and during bath time
Great for enhancing imaginative and social life skills
Sand has to be damp or the sand will not adhere to the mold properly
Kids love ice cream. Now they can pretend to be the masters of ice cream with the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set.
Read moreDurability
What better way is there to cool off at the beach than with freshly made sand ice cream? This quality-made sand ice cream set is great for imaginative play. The Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set also has dual functionality, as it could also be used to create sand castles.
Ease of Use
One way to get your child to use their imagination is through pretend-play. A creative way that your child will be able to express their creativity is through pretending to ice cream scoop. Your child will be able to act out scenes and be entertained for hours. These toys are recommended for children ages 3 to 5 so that they’ll be able to easily recognize numbers and enhance their counting skills
Entertainment Value
What better way is there to cool off at the beach than with freshly made sand ice cream? This quality-made sand ice cream set is great for imaginative play. The Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set also has dual functionality, as it could also be used to create sand castles.
3. Seaside Baking Set
The sifter doubles as a mixing bowl lid
Measuring cups could double as seashell-shaped molds for sand castle building
All of the items in the baking set can fit into the mixing bowl, for easy storage
Made of durable, thick plastic and it’s lightweight makes it effortless to carry back and forth to the beach or playground
The turtle-shape isn’t easy for children to snap on securely
It's great for stimulating creativity and exploration among kids. Comes in different colors which can reinforce color mastery.
Read moreDurability
There are no small pieces included in this set thus even young children can enjoy it. Your child’s imagination will be stimulated as they bake mud pies and sand cookies that would even make Gordon Ramsey proud. The bright colors and the painted on cheerful sea creatures will have your child too excited to bake in the sand.
Ease of Use
It’s obvious that creativity went into designing this set. The logic in the design is also very clear with the mixing bowl serving as a sifter and storage space for the rest of the set. This baking set is perfect for your aspiring young chef.
Entertainment Value
The Melissa and Doug Seaside Sand Baking set will combine your child’s love of sea creatures, baking, and beach days! The three measuring cups included in the set are in the shape of shells, the mixing bowl/ shifter is complete with a turtle-shaped lid, the mixing spoon features a cheerful crab, and the whisk is in the shape of an octopus.
4. Click N' Play 18 Piece Toy Set
Eighteen pieces in total
Mesh bag with straps for carrying
Multiple shovels, rakes, and sand sifters so builders can work together
Fun, cute sea creature molds
BPA Free Materials
Products are smaller than most customers expected
Build the castle (town, or fortress) of your dreams with this fun eighteen piece Beach Toy Set by Click N’ Play. The accessories all come in a handy mesh bag to make carrying easy. The netting means you won’t be carrying extra sand home with you unless accidentally, and the straps make it easy to wear as a backpack.
Read moreDurability
The set includes a bucket, a sand-wheel, two shovels, three rakes, two sand sifters, and a watering can as well as lots of fun aquatic-themed molds. The set is bright, bold, colorful, and made from completely BPA free materials, so you can feel good about sending your little ones to the beach with fun, safe tools to shape that sand.
Ease of Use
There’s a wide variety in this set of tools and molds that can be used, and it’s nice that they’ve included duplicate copies. Sometimes the biggest challenge in sandcastle building is sharing the tools, but Click N’ Play has thought ahead to make this an easier group activity.
Entertainment Value
This set will help your child with fine motor skills and basic building and construction, while also allowing them to engage in the important, creative elements of imaginative play.
5. Sandbox Vehicle Truck and Tractor
The truck and tractor both have free rolling wheels, perfect for rolling over any surface.
The truck has an operational dump bed and the tractor has a moving front loader, allowing for kids to actually use the toys to learn more about how they operate in real life.
Durably made to ensure your kids can play with them for years to come
Two-pack so that more than one child can play with them at once
Metal axles could rust when submerged in water
Whether it’s hauling sand or seashells the John Deere Sandbox truck and tractor can get the job done! The dump truck features a working dump bed and the tractor is equipped with a working front loader.
Read moreDurability
Both vehicles are composed of plastic that not only makes them easy to clean but also highly durable so your child can enjoy john deere sandbox adventures for years to come. They are geared towards children eighteen months and older. Weighing in at 12.8 ounces they can easily be lifted by tiny hands. This vehicle set is sure to be a beloved toy by your child!
Ease of Use
They are great for indoor or outdoor play as their free rolling wheels allow them to roll on any terrain. The green and yellow color scheme stay true to the John Deere brand.
Entertainment Value
TOMY recommends sandbox play for the John Deere Sandbox Vehicle but we find it to be particularly useful in beach plays. This is the perfect toy for helping kids stimulate their creativity while building sand castles and other structures.
6. Red Octopus Flyer Kite
No assembly required, making it easy for kids to use on their own
Lightweight and comes with a storage pouch to easily keep up with and transport
Material dries fast so that you don’t have to worry about have a damp toy in your vehicle as you leave the beach
Very large in size and vibrantly colored, making it very easy for your kid to keep up with it as they fly
The tentacles of the octopus may become tangled
Let’s go fly a kite, more specifically the Hengda Red Octopus Flyer Kite. Four hundred centimeters long, thirty-one centimeters wide and bright red, this octopus kite will have the whole beach watching in awe.
Read moreDurability
The nylon material of the kite makes it lightweight, so your child can carry and fly it with no help at all. The material is also very durable which allows the kite to survive the windiest days. The storage bag makes it easy for you to transport the kite to the beach and on other family vacations.
Ease of Use
The kite requires no assembly. It is as easy as removing it from its bag, pointing it in the direction of the wind, and off it goes. Best of all, you can join your kids fly the Red Octopus which can be an excellent way to bond and strengthen family ties.
Entertainment Value
No assembly is required and your child can immediately start flying it after they pull it out of the bag. When you’re done flying it simply fold it up neatly and store it in the reusable plastic bag it came in.
7. Toysmith Set
Transparent reusable storage bag, making it easy to travel with and to keep up with all of the pieces
Contains toys that are easy for children to use to promote independence
Helps to master motor skills
Includes a variety of sand toys, so that your kid will stay entertained for hours
Some items, such as the sand shifter may come apart during rough play
The design is very simple which allows for greater imagination and creativity from children. The beach toy also helps kids master their fine motor skills while at the same time building their own self-confidence from their accomplishments.
Read moreDurability
The Toysmith Beach Set contains all the tools your child needs to have a fun time in the sand. A shovel, watering can, spade, sifter, rake, bucket, and two sand molds are all included. If you’re thinking, “But how will I carry all those toys? We already have enough stuff to worry about when going to the beach.” Push those negative thoughts out because all of these sand toys come in a clear storage bag. The bag is equipped with a zipper to get keep everything secured inside and has handles to make it easier for you to carry. The plastic material of the toys and storage bag make them both easy to clean.
Ease of Use
Raking, shoveling, or even sifting the sand will improve your child’s motor skills. Your child can easily use these toys on their own thus developing their independence.
Entertainment Value
There are enough tools included that your child can also develop their social skills by playing with a friend. Their imagination will run wild as they dig in the sand for buried treasure and come with other fun beach day adventures.
8. ALEX Toys Craft Color A Flower Bag
This bag encourages creativity as it allows your child to color the design as they want.
It is large enough to hold the necessary beach accessories.
The bag’s waterproof material protects the contents from outside liquids.
Improves coloring skills as your child works to stay inside the black lines of the design
The pens that are included dry out quickly and don’t work as well as sharpies
The waterproof material makes this a great bag for the beach. Especially since it is big enough to hold a beach towel, sunscreen, bathing suit, and other beach day necessities.
Read moreDurability
Although the bag is already pre-designed it still encourages creativity as your child decides what color to use. The nylon material makes the bag durable so your child will be able to use it for years to come.
Ease of Use
Recommended for your child ages 7 and up, this create-your-own flower bag is a great activity for outdoors. Your child will be able to express themselves by creating their very own personalized bag. What’s even better is little to no parental assistance is needed as this create your own bag is incredibly easy to follow and design on their own. It’s a perfect bag for school, vacation, the pool or even to bring to the beach. Your little one will love designing the next hit thing. This bag does include 6 permanent markers.
Entertainment Value
If you’re raising a little fashionista this next product is a must-have for the beach. The ALEX Flower bag is a great activity for your little girl and it will allow her to go to the beach in style. The bag comes with six permanent markers so she can begin coloring immediately. Your child can color the bag on the way to the beach or even at the beach. It’s a messenger style bag and can easily fit her beach accessories. Once the bag is finished, the world will be able to see your child’s creativity.
9. Catch and Release Aquarium Kit
Catch-and-release design ensures no creatures are harmed during an observation
Sturdy top handle helps small hands lift the kit out of the water without spilling
Promotes respect of nature while learning about a variety of different water and land dwellers
Screen lid top suitable for underwater or above water use
The lid can come off easily which may allow captured creatures to escape
The plastic material can melt or deform if left out in direct sunlight
Make your next trip to the beach extra-memorable by teaching your child about the beauty of nature all around them in a convenient and easily observable aquarium!
Read moreDurability
This durable globe-like aquarium has been specifically designed to capture and then release a variety of sea life without harm. Simply grip the padded handle that is the perfect size for little hands, remove the lid, and submerge the entire globe beneath the water. With a little luck and patience, your child could snare anything from hermit crabs to fish to various plant life and algae. The screen lid slides back on top allowing for both air and water to easily pass through, preventing any harm from coming to the flora and fauna inside.
Ease of Use
Bring a little fun and a lot of learning to your next vacation with the portable catch-and-release-style aquarium. Encourage your child to explore the land and sea by creating a journal of anything that they catch inside their globe. Explore the different symbiotic relationships between the flora and fauna that inhabit your favorite vacation spot. Introduce an entirely new and hidden world of wonder to your little one by showing them what was swimming just beneath their feet all along. This kit can provide hours of educational fun for any child and is a perfect lesson companion for homeschoolers.
Entertainment Value
When you think about a beach vacation, the first thing that probably comes to mind is mai tais and sandy shores. Taking the family to the ocean may be a little less relaxing than a solo snooze on a private beach but that doesn’t mean that it has to be boring. After all, there are only so many sandcastles or swimming contests you can judge before boredom sets in. With the Catch and Release Aquarium Kit by Dry Branch Sports Design, you can introduce your little one to the previously unknown wonders that await just below the waves.
10. Happy Giddy Chair
Easy to travel with and lightweight
Comes with a carrying case, making it very convenient to take to different places
Includes a cup holder, that could be used to hold crayons if your kid wants to draw outside or to hold a snack
Water-resistant so that rain or ocean water will not ruin it
Cup holder is too small to fit sippy cups
While the Sunny Patch Happy Giddy Chair is not necessarily a beach toy, it can provide absolute comfort for the child who may want to rest after several hours of beach play.
Read moreDurability
The beach chair comes with an easy to clean and very colorful carry bag. The chair itself comes with a functional cup holder.
Ease of Use
The chair is easy to use; just open and your child can already have his or her own throne right in the beach. This can help them master their dexterity while giving ample time to relax.
Entertainment Value
With its happy face and bright colors, this beach chair is sure to help with skills such as recognizing facial features and noticing the difference between colors. The Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Happy Giddy Chair has a sturdy frame and is covered with thick, durable material, ensuring safety. Whether you’re at the beach, on the patio in your backyard or on a camping trip, this chair is dependable. The matching carrying bag allows for easy storage and mobility.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Durability
If you want your beach toys to last during the summer months, and afterward, you need toys that are made of durable, hard plastic. These beach and sand toys were made to stand up against ocean and pool water, dry and wet sand, as well as the summer heat. Our passionate team of researchers was able to pull through the mountains of data to bring you only the best in terms of what they can help develop in your child as well as its inherent safety and quality. Furthermore, we have taken into consideration the hundreds of reviews from parents and individuals who have already bought the products below for their respective children or loved ones.
Ease of Use
From the beach to the playground to the bathtub, the last thing you want is for you or your child to have to carry around bulky toys. All of these toys are so lightweight that children as young as 18 months can carry the majority of them. In addition to that, several of these sand toy sets are equipped with a carry bag, making transportation easier than ever! Because these toys will be played with by toddlers and children in damp places such as the beach, pool, and bathtub, it’s important you can easily clean and sanitize them in an effortless manner, frequently. These sand toys are made from tough material and are designed to hold up against warm water and soapy detergents, often.
Entertainment Value
These sand toys allow children to learn as they play! With a variety of shapes, colors and textures, children can learn and review basic life skills. In addition to that, these toys promote creativity, imaginative play, independence, and hand-eye coordination as they aid in stimulating your child’s senses. Kids use toys to learn more about themselves including his or her surroundings. Using the correct toys for their age simply means that children are able to harness their full growth and development potential. Toys teach kids about creativity and imagination which can provide the foundation for more structured logical and critical thinking later in the child’s life. Toys can also help children feel a lot better about themselves which can lead to healthier emotional states and healthier social relationships.
Beach toys are excellent when it comes to stimulating kids’ creativity, imagination, and exploration skills. These are also important in promoting a healthier self-concept which can lead to healthier social relationships.
The sun is an ample source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to bone pain and muscle weakness. If you needed further excuse to enjoy some time on the beach, there it is!
Other Factors to Consider
Compatibility
Parents love toys that their child can use with other toys as well. What’s great about these toys is your toddler will be able to use these at the beach, lake, their own backyard or inside as well. They’re very versatile. Toys that have multiple uses mean extra amount of entertainment for your little one to enjoy. Many of the toys on our top ten list can even be used not at the beach! They are great and easy to travel with and some even come in their own carry-on bag. Whatever kind of toy you're looking for to entertain your little one on those summer days we are sure you will find the perfect gift for them for your next beach adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Can these sand toys be used for other activities other than going to the beach?
Yes. For the fact that many of the toy sets include items such as inflatables, sand molds and cooking tools, these sand toys can be used in a variety of settings such as the sandbox, pool, bathtub and during free play. In addition to that, you can use several of the beach toys that we researched for our list in childcare settings. Kids will really enjoy doing creative Play-Doh crafts with the sand molds and baking sets.
q: Are these toys suitable for boys and girls?
Yes, owing to the fact that these sand toys come in a variety of different shapes and colors instead of one color that’s geared toward either gender, all kids can equally enjoy them. Boys and girls can learn to bake in the sand, build sand castles, play with paddles, dump trucks, tractors and more.
Furthermore, many of these toys enhance imaginative, physical and social play. They also promote hand-eye coordination, enhance creativity and teach basic life skills such as colors, animals and shapes. These toys aren’t only suitable for kids, adults can enjoy a few of them as well.
q: Can I put these toys in the dishwasher to clean them?
Durable, heavy plastic toys that aren’t made from inflatable material are usually safe to put in the dishwasher, but please read the manufacturer’s packaging to make sure it’s safe. In the meantime, you can easily clean them yourself if you aren’t too sure about putting them in the dishwasher. To clean them, we suggest to start by getting the sand off the toys by running them under a faucet of warm water or spraying them off with a garden hose. Then, spray them down with your favorite environmentally friendly cleaner to wipe down each surface of the toy. To sanitize the toys, disinfect them by using warm soapy water to scrub any bacteria off. Afterward, rinse the toys off with fresh water, and allow them to air dry.
q: Are the sand toys durable?
Yes, the majority of the beach toys that we researched are made out of heavy, durable plastic. They are designed to stand up against elements such as salt water, pool water, fresh water, sandy environments and rough play. To extend the life of these sand toys, it’s important to bring them inside after hours of outdoor play in the sun. Leaving your sand toys outside to soak in the heat of the sun day after day, could potentially damage them by causing them to crack, and the vibrant colors to fade.
q: What’s the age range for these sand toys?
The age range is from about 18 months to 10 years old. In addition, all of these toys can be enjoyed by adults as they play alongside their kids.
Sources
- Washing and Disinfecting Toys , Online Article ,
- Science shows gender neutral toys empower children, and possibly society at large, Online Article ,
- Cleaning Children’s Toys, Online Article ,
- Top 5 Most Durable and Time Tested Kid’s Toys, Online Article ,
- Educational Benefits of Providing Toys To Children, Online Article ,