Best Beach Toys 2023

While adults might relish a day of leisure at the beach, kids often prefer a few distractions, namely toys and games. The best beach toys allow kids to explore the sand and surf in new ways, keeping them a bit happier, a bit longer, while you enjoy time together as a family. Beach toys also get kids active and moving, points out Lori Smyth, co-owner of Delaware beach-based toy stores Kids Ketch and Tide Pool Toys & Games. "The beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sand, water and sunshine," she says. "Adding toys for open-ended play will bring even more happiness to their beach experience."

The best beach toys provide a bit of distraction for kids during a long day on the sand.

Beach toys offer sensory play—and that's crucial for kids, adds Dr. Daniel Ganjian, M.D., pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. "Kids are still developing in all regards," he says. "Sensory play allows them to feel the world in a different way, developing and fine-tuning their perceptions and senses in the process."

There are a lot of beach toys out there and some are admittedly junky, lasting for only a trip or two to the shore before breaking or falling apart. Those aren't worth your time or money. These are the best beach toys on the market to ensure you and your little one will have fun in the sand and surf, now and in the future. (While you’re at it, check out our lists of the best beach towels and baby beach tents.)

Amazon

The Spielstabil sand scoop has unique features that help it stand apart from your average shovel. It boasts a thick, sturdy neck, so you don't have to worry about the head snapping during vigorous shoveling. A wide scooper allows your little one to carry plenty of sand, while the large handle is easy to grip. It also has smooth edges that come in handy for castle-making and other sand designs. This beach toy has an impressive 10-year warranty.

Amazon

I bought this shovel three-pack for my kids three years ago, and each shovel has stood up to regular use at the beach and home with no issue. My kids (and their friends) love these shovels and often leave them outside for days at a time—they haven't cracked, splintered or changed their look at all. The shovels have a heavy duty plastic spade and handle for easy gripping, and each is a different color to allow everyone to have "their" shovel. At 31 inches high, these shovels are big enough to make the task of digging large holes a breeze.

Amazon

Making castles can be tricky, especially for younger kids. The sand conditions have to be just right, and things may not always come together the way they imagined. This mold set has different casts with easy-open hinges to make it simple to create a design that will stay put (meaning, no plopping buckets over and praying they won't collapse). The kit includes a 10-inch tower, 6-inch tower and corbel for in between.

Amazon

Spielstabil sand pails are just built different—the brand is known for creating sturdy buckets that won't crack or break easily. This sand pail is a roomy 2.5 liters, giving your child plenty of space to foster sand crabs, transport water or dig up sand. Made of strong ABS plastic, it can carry plenty of weight, and the handle itself has slightly rounded edges, so it won't dig into your hand. It's free of BPA, PVC and phthlates. Worth noting: My kids have eight different bucket to choose from in my garage, and this is the one they consistently fight over.

Amazon

Plenty of toys can be taken to the beach, but they’ll often get gunked up by the salt water and sand. This mini toy car set is designed to withstand the tough conditions of the shoreline, rolling through dry and wet sand with no issues. The set features two beach trucks and a boat for a variety of play. There's even an excavator and dump truck that can be used to haul sand around. Want to get a little more life out of your toys? They make excellent bath toys, too.

Amazon

This adorable set is so popular in my area, you have to write your name on it to make sure your version doesn't accidentally wind up in a friend's beach bag. The Melissa & Doug kit has measuring cups, a whisk and scoop, all with a sweet ocean theme, to help little kids "bake" using sand. The mixing bowl works great for making sand castles (or seaside concoctions), while the turtle lid doubles as a sifter. "I love it, because it allows my girls to be creative and is super easy to carry on and off the beach," says mom of two Becky Serman. "I also love that it translates into real-life conversations about baking and what foods they like and/or want to try."

Amazon

Little kids like variety to keep them entertained—and this set has plenty of it. It features a beach cart with 11 toys that can be used for a range of play. There's a bucket, sifter lid, nesting cups, shark lid, fish sand mold, boat, rake and shovel, all with cool patterns to create shapes in the sand. The wagon has wide wheels that leave a cute pattern in the sand. All of the items neatly pack away into the wagon for simple storage. It's also advertised as BPA and phthalates free.

Amazon

Surfer Dudes is a unique toy—kids toss it into the water and it "surfs" back to shore like a water boomerang. There are no batteries or cords, it just finds its way back on the waves. "Surfer Dudes are one of our hottest items in the summer," Smyth says. "Parents like them, too, because they provide hours of active entertainment." Choose from a range of colors and styles.

Amazon

The Green Toys tug boat is impressively durable, with a thick plastic construction that can power through the water and even sand. The boat has a neat hidden feature—it stores water underneath and doubles as a watering can of sorts. It features a large handle that's easy for little hands to grip and pour. Bonus: It's made in the U.S. from recycled milk containers.

Amazon

This sifting funnel is busy enough to keep your children engaged, while its large size and impressive features will draw in older siblings. The beach-themed set is designed for play in water or the sand and offers different layers that funnel, move, spin around and sift pretty much whatever is put inside. The bright colors make it hard to lose in the sand, while a large handle allows for easy carrying.

Amazon

This lightweight 33-inch boogie board is just right for kids under age 10, just learning to catch their first waves. It includes a wrist leash to keep it from floating away and a sturdy but thin build, making it easier for younger kids to carry and maneuver. Size them up to 37-inch or 41-inch body boards if a taller tween or teenager.

Amazon

Bulzibucket is a skeeball-like game, with stackable buckets that translate to different points. Players take turns tossing balls into the buckets to try to get the highest score. The game can occupy kids for long periods of time. My 15-year-old nephew and 3-year-old daughter once spent two hours facing off against each other, with various family members jumping in. Once the fun is over, the lightweight buckets nestle inside themselves and are stashed in a carrying case.

Target

Paddle ball is a beach classic, and this set from Target is just $10 or less when on sale. Enjoy two ball options—a more traditional small ball and larger counterpart—so you can adjust the play based on the child's age. Comfortable grips allow you to play for longer periods of time. "Traditional beach games like paddle ball and bean bag toss are not only fun for all ages to play, but they can help develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills at the same time," Smyth says.

Amazon

This wildly popular beach game can be played by kids of all ages. It features a bouncy net in the center where kids try to "spike" the ball away from each other. "Spikeball is another bestseller," Smyth says, noting that it's great "for anyone who likes a little competition." The kit sets up and tears down easily, with the parts stored in a carrying bag that's simple to tote over the dunes.

Amazon

It doesn't get more classic than football on the beach—and this lightweight Wave Runner is ideal for a game of catch near the water. It's the right size for kids and water-friendly, making it ideal for a day at the beach or the community pool.

I’m a mom of four kids, ranging in age from one to 10 years old. I live at the beach and spend summers and the offseason in the sand with my kids. We’ve spent countless hours playing with our own sand toys, as well as those of friends, and I’ve learned firsthand that investing in quality beach gear will save you money (and tears) in the long run.

To choose the best beach toys, I consulted with Smyth, an owner of popular beachside toy stores, for her take on what makes a quality toy, along with pediatrician Dr. Ganjian for his input on elements that contribute to good sensory play. From there, I canvased fellow beach parents for their input on the toys that really shine, as well as relied on my own experience. I also looked at the most popular products on the market and narrowed the field based on elements like durability, quality of materials, ease of transportation over dunes and, of course, fun. Reviews from real parents were factored in as well to ensure we had the best view of how these toys perform across a range of beach conditions and over time.

This article is frequently reviewed for accuracy and was most recently updated in June 2023.

There are a lot of beach toys to choose from, and it's understandable to have questions while you shop. Keep these in mind during your search.

There's a wide range of beach toys to consider, and a lot of your purchase decision depends on the age of your child. Most kids will love basic sand toys. "What beach day would be complete without some shovels, castle molds, toy boats and construction vehicles?" Smyth says. "These staples for beach play come in a variety of price points and designs and are always a great way for kids to create, pretend and explore at the beach." Older kids—and even their younger counterparts—often enjoy games like Bulzibucket and Spikeball, which require basic hand-eye coordination or even just the ability to toss a ball.

Silicone beach toys are increasingly becoming popular and with good reason. "Most silicone beach toys are nontoxic and very durable," Smyth says. They’re also more flexible than standard plastic toys, which makes them easier to pack, she points out. For example, some silicone buckets fold into themselves to create a small square that can be tossed in a beach bag. But silicone beach toys aren't perfect. "The downside is silicone beach toys usually cost a little more than plastic beach toys," Smyth says.

Sand spades are small handheld shovels that can help with more precise tasks, like digging tunnels, filling buckets and crafting small holes. Ultimately, though, "spades are made for digging," Smyth points out. "When people are looking for a sand spade, it needs to be sturdy and durable to hold the weight of the sand, especially if they are digging in the wet sand," she says. The Spielstabil Small Sand Scoop is a great choice—it's small enough for little hands to grip, but has smooth edges for sand designs. It's also backed by a 10-year guarantee.

The best organization method is ultimately the system that works for you. However, many parents have success with stashing their stuff in mesh bags. These "allow the sand to fall out but the toys stay in," Smyth points out. You can even hose off a mesh bag of sand toys when you get home without having to clean each item individually. Just let it dry off in the sun afterward before storing it away for next time.