Best Beach Toys

Are you looking for the best beach toys for kids or beach toys for adults? These 12 options below are fun beach toys to help you find something to do other than lay around on the beach, run your toes through the sand, enjoy running and swimming through the water, and becoming best friends with the sand.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with that. But chances are high that if you’re making a beach trip with friends and family—especially ones under 3 feet tall—they’ll grow bored pretty fast. So it’s time to sharpen your best skills in building sand castles or investing in a sand castle toy to keep them busy so you can relax too.

Or, maybe you’re the busybody who wants to do something other than soak up the sun and smell the lake or ocean water. Here’s your chance to have family time with the best beach toys for kids that you can find and to create photo-worthy moments. Let’s check them out.

Best Beach Toys

1. SunSmart Kiddie Activity Set

If you’re looking for beach stuff for babies, this one not only has a canopy to play under but also has eight plastic sand toys to entertain them, including a watering can, shovel and six sand molds.

Key Features

• Removable sun shade (UPF 50 protection)
• Inflatable canopy
• Center mat with two side boxes that open up flat

This toy (suitable for a minimum of children ages 3 to 5 years old) has a little something for everybody: a pop-up tent for toddlers, beach toys for older kids and a starter kit for sand castle building aspirations. The soft play surface is also comfortable to plop down in to start creating in the two side boxes.

Pros

• Quickly unfolds open in seconds
• Easy to collapse and store

Cons

• One user’s mat started peeling
• Canopy would not sit straight up for a user’s 2-year-old (unclear on size of child)

Play. Scoop. Dig. Splash. Play as you want to, and then pack it up to travel to your next destination.

2. Kids Against Maturity

If you’re looking for beach games for kids that adults can also enjoy, this one game set includes 500 opportunities to entertain your family.

Key Features

• 500 questions and answer cards (10 white cards with blue cards to choose from)
• 40K combinations
• Four expansion packs

Made and played by parents, this is not the average “knock knock” and “dad jokes” game nor is it the kind of scratch-your-head educational game that feels like School Part 2. It has age-appropriate toilet humor and funny innuendos for people of all ages.

Pros

• Good icebreaker game for family reunions and get-togethers
• Commonly rated as bringing out humor

Cons

• May not be ideal for those who don’t like body humor (i.e. flatulence) jokes
• Some cards have sexual innuendos (may want to move those if uncomfortable)

Although you can play with less than four members, it’s ideal to play for four or more.

3. Duckura Jump Rocket Launchers

If you’re looking for beach toys for toddlers, this one is great for those who are just at the tipping point—2 years old and up. For the potential pilots in your life, here’s their chance to “take off” as many times as they want.

Key Features

• 360-degree ABS rotatable launcher
• Suitable for kids ages 3 and up
• Three rockets

Jump and stop on the air pump, then shoot the foam rocket to the sky. You may end up with people on either side of your family getting involved in this outdoor game. Build the model rocket toy with three brackets, and set the pump power system for blastaway. The jump option is an excellent way to help with kid cardio, too.

Pros

• Easy cardio workout
• Lightweight foam to avoid potential accidents

Cons

• One user reported that the game broke after two tries with a small child (38 pounds)
• Connection at bottom of pump cracked

Enjoy this fun game on the playground, at the beach in the sand, in your backyard, camping, at birthday parties and more.

4. Paddle Toss and Catch Ball Set

This group game comes with two rackets, two balls and one bag. You can either play a regular game of catch or enjoy the “stickier” version of the game.

Key Features

• Available in two color schemes (blue/green, royal blue)
• Nylon sticky cloth on paddles
• Unbreakable plastic discs (8 inches)

These paddles are advertised as unbreakable with “100 percent new materials with high toughness,” making the game easier to place. The nylon cloth is glued on the plastic bottom, to avoid it easily falling apart. The softer balls also lessen the impact of a high-intensity game. However, the balls are still strong enough to keep a game going. A game like this is a great way to keep your hyperactive kid busy and result in a peaceful, sleep-all-evening ride home.

Pros

• High-quality balls (but soft)
• Adjustable hand holders

Cons

• Choking hazard for children under 3 years old
• Velcro came off one paddle, for one user

If you’re looking for a game to play with your highly coordinated kids that doesn’t involve a laundry list of rules, you’ve found it. There’s also a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy and a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty.

5. iefoah Ice Cream

Maybe you have a sweet tooth for ice cream and cupcakes to eat. The beach is as good of a place as any to enjoy them. Or maybe your toddlers and older kids want to enjoy making their own ice cream and cupcakes with this 17-pack full of beach toys.

Key Features

• Beach toy sizes ranging from 2.5–7.6 inches
• Durable hard plastic
• 11-piece dessert sand molds, 1-piece watering can, 1-piece mesh bag, 1-piece 1.3 liter bucket with lid with a shovel, 1-piece rake, 2-piece spoons

This is a pretty intuitive toy to play with. Use the shovel to scoop up sand. Get it wet. And then scoop the send into the ice cream and cupcake molds. If you want to get fancy, fill in and mold the top for a final picturesque image. There are a few commenters stating that the tops don’t fit the cones, but that may be seen as a good thing for kids who want to perfect their cone-shaped, sand-building skills.

Pros

• BPA-free plastic
• Colors will not fade under sunlight

Cons

• A few users described the plastic as thin and/or flimsy
• Bucket doesn’t fit everything; use the mesh bag

If you think this is fun at the beach, you can also take advantage of it during the snow, too. It’s already wet and ready for ice cone magic.

6. Surfer Dudes Legends Wave Powered Mini-Surfer

Intended for kids who are ages 6 and up, this water toy is fully intended to have as much fun in the water as you are. For the kid who is pondering on water sports, this’ll at least teach her the basics of staying on the board while she’s in the water. (Of course, there’s nothing wrong with falling off a time or two, too.)

Key Features

• Six designs/characters
• Patented self-righting design
• Mini-surfer

Pick one character or enjoy all six—Laguna Luna and Astra, Long Beach Larry and Finley, Mako P.I. and G., Mavericks Mavy and Wavy, Surf City Sally and Malibu, or Waikiki Woodie and Carl. The surfers also have names—Bali Bobbi (pink), Aussie Alice (purple), Costa Rica Rick (orange/red), Donegan Doolin (green), Hossegor Hank (light blue), or Sumatra Sam (orange/yellow).

Pros

• Made to stay upright and “catch a wave”
• No batteries required

Cons

• Some assembly required
• Surfboard colors peeled off when one user tested it out in the ocean, after only five minutes

Keep in mind that the pin key is used to remove parts, so make sure to keep it in a safe place.

7. Geyiie Set

Whether your kid is in the bathroom, the backyard, or sitting in beach sand or snow, this 22-piece toy set has a little bit of everything to inspire their creativity.

Key Features

• High-quality ABS plastic
• Zip-up storage bag
• Handle for easy portability

These easy-to-clean toys include a giraffe waterwheel, sand bucket, beach buggy, watering can, sand castle molds, shovel and rake tool kit. Safety-test approved, these toys have soft enough edges to easily carry without their hands getting poked, prodded or hurt.

The kettle and windmill make it easier to get wet sand as needed for the next sand shape, too. If your kid is in a cooking mood, go straight for the waffles, fruit and donuts. If it’s a building kind of day, grab those steps, buildings and shovel, and get to work.

Pros

• Bendable and returns to original shape if squeezed
• Nontoxic (BPA free)

Cons

• Not suitable for kids under the age of 3
• User reported a chemical odor

If your kid wants to let people know (s)he was here, make sure to let the beach buggy’s sand pattern roller leave stamps wherever the car goes.

8. Auney Water

This lightweight, eco-friendly toy set is fun for straight shooters—literally. Whether you’re into water guns or not, this achieves the same results in a splashing good time with family and friends.

Key Features

• 24 inches
• Eco-friendly plastic
• Shoots up to 30 feet

This non-toxic, foam set (available in green, red, yellow, blue) is easy to grip and can be carried around in any bag. Dip the nozzle into water, pull the handle and blast away. Although it’s good, kid-friendly fun, it’s also a bit more aesthetically friendly for parents who aren’t thrilled with toy guns. There’s also less leaking like toy guns.

Pros

• Soft foam
• Simple structure to point and spray

Cons

• Pets may eat foam on sticks; keep away
• May be too small for bigger hands (in other words, adults, find your own toys)

If your kids have a habit of losing toys that blend into the sand, the bright colors on these will make that much easier to avoid.

9. Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cookie-Baking Set

Melissa & Doug have 30 years of experience making kid-friendly toys (approximately 2,000) for all age groups. While they have many to choose from, this one is a great introduction to helping your kid find out whether he’s a potential baker.

Key Features

• Sea-creature inspired “baking” set of sand toys
• Three cookie cutters
• Cookie add-ons (rolling pin, crab-topped sprinkles shaker, cookie sheet, spatula, two shell-shaped dishes)

Designed for kids ages 3-6, this will be great practice for cookie preparation. If your kid nails sand cookies, maybe a real baking oven and kitchen practice are next. Just wet sand, roll into flat cookies and/or stack into cookie shapes.

Pros

• Frustration-free packaging
• Rinse-through mesh bag for easy cleaning

Cons

• One user preferred the ice cream cone set from the same manufacturer because the sand doesn’t fall apart once cut
• May need to perfect spatula technique to avoid breaking cookies

When the cookies are done, serve on a plate with sprinkles and share with beach company.

10. Sand Brick Maker and Trowel Set

If you’re a handyman wondering if your kid has potential, here’s your chance. This sand brick maker and trowel set is simple to play with and easy to remove. Build a wall. Create a house. Or create a fort.

Key Features

• Two-piece sand molding set
• Trowel and sand mold
• Colorful Sunny Patch characters

Perfect for the beach or a sandbox, your kid can build any structure (s)he wants. Snap out of the bucket. Pour sand inside and wet until the structure sticks. And then dump out each brick (carefully) (7 x 4 x 4 inches) so they snack on top of each other.

Pros

• Easy storage
• Pieces snap together (ideally means you won’t step on the pieces)

Cons

• Several users had a hard time keeping bricks intact; too much water makes them fall apart
• User describes bricks coming out as mounds instead of bricks

Although the manufacturer’s recommended age is 2–5 years old, the brand would suggest waiting until your kid is at least 3 years old.

11. Coconut Float Tears of Joy Emoji Beach Ball

Yes, we know that emojis and bitmojis and ebrojis can become overkill on text messenger and Twitter. But how could it possibly get old when it’s bouncing around in the air?

Key Features

• 27 inches deflated
• High-quality plastic
• 6 ounces

Intended for kids who are 3 years old or more, this is a great game option for volleyball, catch or just playing around in the water. It should be lightweight enough to do no harm (no dodgeball) but stay in the air long enough to get a decent game going.

Pros

• Enjoyable ball game for younger and older siblings
• Easy recognizable emoji and a talking piece for onlookers

Cons

• Popped in one day, for one user
• Another user bought two (one ball lasted one day, the other was ruined in three days)

Be careful when blowing this ball up. While a few users reported a hole in their ball, as with all balloons and balls, inflating and deflating can put wear and tear on them. Keep an eye on it to make sure there are no legitimate defects upon arrival, and report it if found.

12. Sand Toys

Whether in snow, sand or water, this set of 10 toys is easy to pick up and carry anywhere you want to go.

Key Features

• Waterproof mesh bag
• Beach bucket to carry some toys
• Non-toxic, certified quality

This set of 10 beach toys includes a bucket, shovel, rake, toy dump truck, and six sand castle molds. There’s also a bonus waterproof carrying net. Who says sand toys need a theme? Play with the pyramid. Dance your fingers up the steps. Luckily, there are also no exposed parts or pieces that can come loose as a safety hazard for children (ages 3 and up) who have the chance to play with these toys.

Pros

• Bright colors to be able to easily find toys in sand
• Tested to exceed all safety standards

Cons

• One user said the mesh bag was flimsy and easily ripped
• One user reported the bucket was not strong enough to pack sand

If this isn’t the toy set for you, it’s also backed by a 12-month guarantee. Replace it at no charge to you.

Bottom Line

Did you find the perfect beach toy for kids or a beach toy for toddlers out of the 12 above? Hopefully so. Maybe you don’t want to be a contestant in the next sand building contest. Or, maybe that’s right up your alley and you cannot wait to team up with your kid to show off the creativity.

Maybe you want to just bounce a ball around or “surf” in the water. Would you rather make ice cream cones, cupcakes, or cookies? You can do that too. (It helps if you have real ones if the sand version washes away. Just wash your hands first because one tastes delicious and the other tastes like … sand.)

These 12 options are your opportunity to make the most of beach life. There’s nothing wrong with family time and just laying around and catching up. But if you’re going to the beach and know your little one needs more than a blanket and a few picnic basket snacks, this is a great time to find a happy medium for both of you.

If you can keep your kid entertained with toys like the ones above, that means you’ll also have a chance to have “me” time (or family time) of your own. If you already know what’s likely to keep their interest the most, go with that kind of toy.

Try not to pick something that they have zip zero interest in in the first place (i.e. the nonathletic kid who loves to cook will probably like dessert sand toys more than surfers in the ocean). The toys should represent the kid. And you know you found a winning toy when your kid wants to invite other kids over to show off what (s)he can do. Wear suntan lotion and enjoy rolling around.

Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert reviews!