Top 10 Beach and Sand Toys for Toddlers
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Wondering what to pack for the beach for your baby and toddler to enjoy? Or maybe you just got a sandbox and are looking for ways to play with it.
We’ve compiled our favorite beach toys along with the best toys for the sandbox in this post!
Outdoor play for your toddler isn’t limited to your backyard. Playing at the beach (or in sand!) is a whole new sensory experience for babies and toddlers!
These toys can set the scene for play without it turning into throwing or eating sand (although, they’re still toddlers… so those things may happen anyways!).
01. Surfer Dudes Mini Surfer and Surfboard Toy
This is such a cool beach toy for kids and really fun to play with! It’s essentially a surf boomerang! Walk down to the ocean waves and throw your Surfer Dude into the water to watch him catch the wave and surf right back to you!
You can use functional language and build anticipation by saying, “Ready, set, GO!” and throw it into the waves. This toy is entertaining for all ages and is a beach must-have!
02. Spielstabil Large Sand Pail
A sand bucket that won’t crack! Everyone knows you need a great bucket for building sandcastles and this is it! The brand is known for their heavy-duty sand toys that are perfect to take to the beach year after year. The handle is flexible yet sturdy and a great size for toddlers!
03. Melissa & Doug Sand Baking Set
Melissa & Doug Sand Baking Set
This set is a top-rated beach toy and can be used as a toy in the sandbox, too! We love this set because it’s well-made, durable and provides a variety of play!
You can engage in pretend play and bake a yummy treat in the sand for a fun sensory experience. It comes with measuring cups, a whisk and spoon, a larger bowl, and a strainer. A great set for targeting functional language while playing, too!
Use words like: stir, pour, dump, scoop, etc.
04. John Deere Sand Toys
If you have a toddler who loves trucks and tractors, these tractors are for you!
A tilting dump bed and lifting front loader make them function realistically. They’re affordable and top-rated on Amazon with thousands of 5-star reviews. Pretend the sand is a construction site and get to work!
05. B.Toys Sand Toys
B. Toys Wavy Wagon & Sand Toys
A set that provides all you need for beach and sand play! Use the wagon to transport all your toys to the beach.
The set is affordable (under $20!) and comes with sand molds, a shovel and rake, a sturdy bucket, sand sifter, nesting cups and the wagon. Have fun making sand molds, digging holes in the sand, sifting to find shells or other sand creatures, and more!
We love this set. It's perfect for 2 year olds and older - my 4 year old still plays with it!
06. Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set
This set is another great sand toy from Melissa & Doug! We love the quality of their toys and their functionality. Pack the cupcake molds with sand to create fun, beachy cupcakes.
Have a bake-off at the beach, then bring them home to enjoy in the sandbox, too. A top-rated beach toy that’s great for 3 year olds and older.
07. Hape Bricklayer Beach and Sand Toy Set
What a great toy for building sandcastles! Work together to build a cool sandcastle with this set! Fill the mold, press the sand down, and slide the tool across to make it smooth!
These tools are sturdy and well-made and can be used for summers to come!
08. B.Toys Sand Truck
Perfect for toddlers who love trucks! Take this excavator to the beach, in the sand or water, or dig in the dirt! Scoop the sand with the movable parts and “work” the construction site. The larger size is great for 1 year olds and older! And bonus points: it’s easy to clean and can be used indoors or outdoors for year-round play!
09. Melissa & Doug Sand-and-Water Sifting Funnel
Melissa & Doug Sand-and-Water Sifting Funnel
Pour sand and water into the funnel and watch it sift and spin. I love this one because you can use functional language like dig, scoop, pour, spin, in, and out. There are so many language opportunities!
10. Beach Sand Shovels
Shovels that are kid-friendly and easy for toddlers to hold! They’re 16 inches long, so a perfect size! These come in a pack of 3 for under $20. They’re perfect for digging holes and moats in the sand and building sandcastles. Your toddlers will also be working their gross motor skills when playing with these!
Our Favorite Beach Bag for Sandy Toys
Once you accumulate beach and sand toys, you’re going to need a bag to put them in when schlepping them to the beach and back. This mesh bag is a must-have for the beach with kids! It’s affordable (under $15), a generous size to fit lots of beach toys, and easy to shake and get the sand and water off the toys - then hang to dry! Keep all your toys organized and able to air-dry. It’s a win-win!
Looking for more?
We detailed out our Summertime Favorites for the whole family! Our favorite products for every part of summer — sunscreen, pool toys, beach faves, and more!
