Beach Travel with Toddlers: What No One Tells You (But I Will)

A mother and child explore a sandy beach at sunset. The person points at the sand, while the child watches

Let’s be real: a beach trip with a toddler is 30% joy, 70% sand in weird places. As a mom of 3, I’ve packed up the swimsuits, snacks, and shovels more times than I can count—and every single trip brings new surprises. Some magical, some… sandy.

Whether it’s your first seaside getaway or you just need a better game plan, here’s everything I’ve learned (the hard way) about surviving—and even enjoying—beach travel with toddlers.

1. Pick the right beach (not just the pretty one)

A toddler in a striped shirt and diaper holds a bucket, walking through shallow water on a sandy beach

Forget the remote cliffside cove with 100 stairs. You need:

Easy parking
Bathrooms nearby
Shade options
A beach with gentle waves

Flat, calm beaches are your best friend. Bonus if there’s a grassy area nearby for snacks or a meltdown break.

2. Go early (like grandma early)

Curly-haired toddler in a light dress stands barefoot on a sandy beach, examining a handful of wet sand, with gentle ocean waves in the background

Toddlers wake up at sunrise anyway, so hit the beach by 8 or 9 a.m. It’s cooler, quieter, and you’ll be packing up by the time the sun gets intense and the crowds roll in.

3. Pack light… but also pack smart

Here’s your essential beach-with-toddler packing list:

Swimsuit + backup outfit
Swim diapers AND regular ones
Wipes (like, a lot)
Hat + rash guard
Snacks that don’t melt (think crackers, fruit, pouches)
Plenty of water
Beach toys (a bucket and shovel are enough!)
Pop-up tent or umbrella
Towel + small mat
Wet bag for sandy clothes

Optional but useful: mesh laundry bag for sandy toys and a spray bottle with water for quick clean-ups.

4. Set expectations low

A woman in a white dress holds a toddler’s hands as they walk on a beach at sunset. Waves gently touch their feet.

This is not your chill, sun-soaked vacation. This is toddler beach day. Expect:

One good hour of beach play
One sandy snack
At least one meltdown over nothing
One “pee in the ocean” conversation

If you get a nap on the way home, it’s a win.

5. Make peace with the sand

A toddler in a straw hat and blue top sits on the beach facing the sea, surrounded by colorful sand toys

It will be in their ears, snack cup, diaper, and possibly your mouth. Don’t fight it. A dusting brush or baby powder helps get it off little legs and toes.

Real talk from a mom of 3:

My oldest would happily dig for an hour, my second needed constant snacks, and my third once tried to eat seaweed. Every beach trip is different—but every one is worth it. Even the sandy, sticky, chaotic ones.