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1. Baby Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen, a must-have for parents and their littles — it's unscented, moisturizing, 100% mineral based, vegan, cruelty-free, and dye-free. It'll certainly get the job done!
I've been using this on my 1-year-old son and it's been great! In a pinch, I've used it on myself as well. It rubs in easily (thankfully because putting sunscreen on kids is a TASK and a half) and smells nicely of coconut. I also use Sun Bum's Sunscreen Stick on my son's face, which is equally fantastic, because it's easier to apply in a pinch than a cream.
Note: sunscreen is only made for children over the age of 6 months.
Promising review: "This is the only mineral sunscreen I will use or put on my children. It's the only brand I've tried that goes on smooth and not super thick, and doesn't leave a white residue. Works great and no harmful ingredients, what's not to love!" —Natalie Anderson
Get it from Amazon for $15.45.
2. A pop-up beach tent complete with a splash pool and UV protection that'll keep your baby cool — can't promise they'll be calm and collected, but it's a start.
This item is noted for children under the age of 3.
Promising review: "Found this after our first experience with our 9-month-old at the beach. He wanted to crawl straight in the beach so I wanted to find something that would keep him busy but yet be able to play with sand and water! This was perfect!!!! He loved it and it kept him occupied all day, on and off. We didn’t use the shade since we had a canopy up already for shade so not sure how strong the shade part of it is." —Brittany
Get it from Amazon for $36.95.
3. A bug bite suction tool, invented by a mom, that sucks the irritating part right out of an insect bite with a pull of the plunger. You and your mini-me can continue to enjoy your pool day without worrying about any future itching and scratching.
Check out a TikTok of the Bug Bite Thing in action and how it can be used to remove splinters too!
You may have seen this product featured on Shark Tank! It is chemical-free, reusable, and safe to use on all ages, including children, toddlers and babies. Be sure to use light pressure. If you do it too forcefully, you can leave a mark on your skin!
Promising review: "I saw this product on TikTok and had to get it. I’m super glad I did. My daughter and I always get a ton of mosquito bites, and this helps alleviate the itching as soon as you pull the suction back. It’s great." —Rebekka Talley
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in four colors and multi-packs).
4. A battery-operated fan with a flexible handle so you can adjust it as needed to keep your little the perfect temperature while kicking back on a towel at the beach.
Reviewers have also attached it to their little one's cribs and car seats for extra air flow. I personally used this in my stroller during my son's first summer (he was about three months old at the time) and will definitely be using it during our walks this year as well.
Promising review: "As summers get hot I knew I needed a fan for my newborn. This was perfect for his crib side, stroller and in the car. Its quiet, and I love the three settings. I don't use the light but it's nice to have. I can leave it on all night on low on a hot night so my son has some air movement in his crib and a breeze on our walks when his stroller gets stuffy. I fully charged it before I used it so the battery life isn't bad but will only last maybe two hours on highest setting before dying. Battery life is short but not bad if you use it on the low setting. I charge it every few days and its held up nicely. Not too bad for the price." —Queen Sweetnez
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
5. Spillproof Munchkin snack catchers so your tyke can grab a lil' treat whenever the mood strikes without making a crumbly mess all over.
Once your kiddo learns how to grasp their little treats themselves, you'll adore this product. My son has been using it since he was about 10 months old and it's quickly become his favorite companion (lucky me, haha).
Promising review: "These are a must-have for a small toddler and their snacks. The top is soft and flexible so I don’t have to worry about my little guy scratching his little hands when he’s digging around in the cup. Very easy to clean and they’re priced well. Buy them now!" —Wooty
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $6 (available in two color combos).
6. A portable pack of soap sheets, because entering a public bathroom is grime-y enough without having to worry "will there be soap left in the dispenser???" These will melt away in your kiddo's hands and ensure they'll be squeaky clean.
Promising review: "I’m thrilled to have purchased these! Amazing soap sheets. The scents are not overwhelming. I have sensitive skin and, does not irritate my skin. Hands feel soft, clean and smells great. My 6-year-old son loves these. With pretty much everything still closed down, due to COVID-19, we have been doing a lot more outdoor activities. It’s nice to have soap handy when in middle of hiking or biking and, need to wash hands before eating lunch. I would strongly recommend these soap sheets." —Ann
Get three packs of 100 sheets each from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in lemon, orange, lavender, a variety pack of the three scents, or unscented).
7. A leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates you can count on to revive your mini-me's precious curls after a day at the pool. Summer tangles are not to be underestimated!
Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy. SoCozy is a small business!
Promising review: "You need this! My 2-year-old daughter has curly frizzy hair. And I have tried sooo many leave in conditioners to tame her hair. Nothing thus far has worked. But this stuff is amazing! Truly defines her curls without any hold or crunch. Soft bouncy curls. The smell is quite strong- but it does smell good. If you are sensitive to smells you might want to prepare yourself ahead of time for this. I will buy this again and again. So glad I found something that works for my toddler's curls." —mike
Get it from Amazon for $9.29.
8. A Tushbaby hip carrier you may have seen across your TikTok travels — parents love how much it saves their backs and that it has a ton of pockets for storage. You'll be thankful to have it when you're lugging your toddler around at a public pool or to find a spot in the sand at the beach.
It's recommended for children between 8 and 45 pounds and can be used in four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face.
Tushbaby is a small business run by three California moms — they specialize in products that bringing a little more ease to everyday parenting life.
See it in action on TikTok.
Promising review: "This has been one of MANY items I have purchased thanks to TikTok, and I'm glad I did. Super easy to use, easy to adjust, and most importantly it helps with support tremendously. It comes with pockets and a place to hold bottles/sippy cups, which can be very handy. My 8-month-old weighs around 30–35 lbs, and he's basically attached to me 24/7, carrying all day was killing my back and arms! Thank God for this invention, my arms and back can rest." —Jennifer Calle
Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in three styles).
9. A portable Hatch Rest Go sound machine that'll be your saving grace when it comes to getting your little one to sleep in an unfamiliar place like the beach. Go ahead, book that vacation and know that you'll be (somewhat) prepared to take on nap time.
Promising review: "I've purchased multiple Hatch Rests for each of my kids, and was excited to see them come out with a portable version! The Hatch Rest Go easily attaches to my stroller for naps on the go and its compact size makes it easy to travel with. It's SUPER easy to use — one press of the button toggles through various sounds, all equally soothing. Seems to have a long battery life and is easy to recharge. It's cute too! Highly recommend!!" —Katie R.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in five colors).
10. A rash guard one-piece swimsuit to add some more coverage from the sun to your little one's adorably chunky arms and legs while also ensuring they look cute as a button.
11. Huggies Little Swimmers diapers you'll pat yourself on the back for purchasing when the opportunity to take your baby for their first dip in the pool or ocean arrives. These easily open at the sides, so they're a breeze to take on and off.
I bought a pack of these for my son's first summer (when he was only a few months old), during which he really only went in a pool twice. Cut to a few months later, when we signed him up for swim classes, the diapers still fit! The smallest size fits babies from 16 lbs–26 lbs (huge range) so one pack will definitely last a while. I also really enjoy the cute Finding Nemo patterns on them — who wouldn't? A fun fact I didn't know about swim diapers is that they are only really designed to hold in poop — so don't plan to keep your kiddo in them all day long an expect not to get peed on. Lesson learned.
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in sizes 3–6).
12. Polarized WeeFarers sunglasses, which will protect your baby's eyes from the harsh sun while also ensuring they'll look like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. (And that's just as important!)
I "splurged" on these for my little one and have zero regrets! He, shockingly, doesn't mind wearing them at all and he looks so freakin' cute in them I can't help but take a million photos anytime he has them on. I love that you can register them and if something happens to them within your first year of owning them you'll be able to get a replacement. I even bought them as a gift for my friend's baby's first Christmas — I love them that much.
Promising review: "We love these! I can’t even believe my 3-month-old doesn’t try to pull them off, but apparently he finds them comfortable enough to just leave them. We get so many compliments when he has them on and people love the play on the classic Ray-Bans Wayfarers and the 'WeeFarer' name. Best of all, I can rest assured that his little eyes are protected. The little strap is great to keep them in place. We will definitely be buying the next size up when he grows out of these." —Sara
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in 4 sizes and 10 styles).
13. A JellyCap you can pop onto most regular bottles and will magically transform it into a makeshift sippy cup — ideal for anyone planning to hit the beach with their kiddos this summer and *knows* their mini-me is going to want to drink out of their water bottle.
Check out a TikTok of the cap in action. JellyCap is a small business that creates BPA-free caps that'll transform every cup into a sippy cup.
Promising reviews: "Hands down one of my best Amazon purchases for my girl! I love finding hidden gems like this to make parenting a little easier lol. We go camping a lot and these are life savers and save me so much time washing and re-washing sippy cups! Plus my daughter can now be trusted with her beloved Danimal yogurt! A win for mom and a win for my very satisfied and not yogurt covered 1.5-year-old! Great idea!!" —Ab223
Get a three pack from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two color options).
14. Some reusable pouch tops that'll fit any one you've purchased from the store — yes, even that VERY specific brand that's the only one your kiddo will seemingly CONSIDER eating. It has a no spill control valve you'll thank your lucky heavens for when your little one is eating in the car on the way home from the beach.
In addition to being dishwasher-, freezer-, and boil-safe, these tops are BPA-, PVC-, lead-, and phthalate-free.
Promising review: "My now 2-year-old has never, ever eaten more than a few sips out of these pouches, of any kind. I got this spill proof lid to put on it.... she's on her second one in a matter of minute. I think the problem was she didn't like getting messy or having me constantly pull it away. This gave her so much more control and It prevents them from being squeezed all over. Wish I discovered it a year and a half ago!" —Amazonian
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color options).
15. A grape cutter because who on earth wants to spend their precious time cutting grapes??? This lil' gadget will ensure your kiddo's favorite fruit is the perfect size without costing you an entire afternoon.
16. A sandwich cutter and sealer that'll make it easier than ever to make Smuckers Uncrustables copycats at home — embrace your love of kid-friendly meals once and for all!
I took the plunge and ordered this lil' kit and it was SO easy to use. My first attempt (pictured above) took literally two seconds to do. My bread was on the smaller side, but it still produced a perfect crust-less PB&J!
Promising review: "These have been a GAME CHANGER in this house!! My son has always begged me for Uncrustables but my wallet didn’t agree with them. I LOVE being able to make them at home and customize them to exactly what they would like them filled with! I make two weeks' worth of sandwiches at a time and store them in sandwich bags in the freezer so in the morning during the school year we can just grab and go! Love them!" —Katherine Smaczniak
Get it from Amazon for $15.96
17. A Java Sok to keep your drink chilled, perfect for any parent who is tired of drinking watered-down iced coffee because they got caught up in the morning madness with their baby and didn't have a spare moment to sip on it.
Wow, I need one of these. Not only do I never have time to calmly drink my iced coffee, but my son is also currently obsessed with pulling on straws. So, if I'm with him (which I typically am) I have to hide my drinks or set it somewhere far from us.
Java Sok is a small business that sells an array of reusable neoprene cup holders designed to keep drinks colder and eliminate condensation.
Promising review: "Obsessed! Great stocking stuffers or a gift to yourself! Will be buying more. I’m someone who takes a while to drink their drinks (mom life) so it keeps my drinks from watering down! Love this product! Feels like a coooozy." —Thumbs up
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in a variety of prints and five sizes).
18. A utility wagon capable of holding everything a parent may need when heading out for the day with their kiddos in tow (which is A LOT of stuff, TBH). The wheels can handle most terrains, including sand and dirt, and it folds up flat to easily fit in the trunk of your car.
Promising review: "This wagon is a must have!!!! I love how compact it is when folded up (it also comes with a nice carrying back making it easy to move around!), this feature is important to me as trunk space is limited when packing the family up for a day trip to the beach or park. We found this wagon to be very easy to set up. Simply pull out of the bag and unclip and fold out! Simple as that, it's now ready to use!!! I found the cargo area to be large enough to carry all of our items easily, it holds a lot and a good amount of weight, too. The wheels are great quality, easy to pull on pavement, grass even a dirt path. The front wheels swivel making it easy to maneuver. Overall, we are very impressed with the make, quality, and durability of this wagon. We highly recommend it and would purchase it again!" —Jess & Craig
Get it from Amazon for $120.47.
19. A 2-in-1 silicone feeder pacifier you can use to introduce your baby to new foods (yuuuum!) help soothe painful gums (teething, fun!) or just offer them a frosty treat to cool down with. You can fill it with frozen fruits, veggies, or milk and take a sigh of relief when you see how much your kiddo enjoys it.
The set contains two feeders, two large silicone teats, two medium silicone teats, and two small silicone teats. My kiddo enjoys this — we treat it like a lil' snack. He likes chewing on the rubbery end and sucking yummy fruits out of it. It keeps him busy for a bit without creating a total mess.
Promising review: "This is amazing!! I am such a germ freak, so the mesh ones were not going to fly with me. The fact that this entire thing comes apart to sterilize is wonderful. Then add the different-size heads for it; great for those just starting foods. My little one has two teeth and absolutely loves this thing. We use frozen cut-up fruit and veggies and he goes nuts. Keeps him occupied for hours!! Definitely recommend. 😀" —Danielle Fox
Get a set from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two styles).
20. Reusable water balloons made of eco-friendly material — sooooo easy to fill so you'll spend less time prepping and more time indulging in an intense water balloon battle alongside your kiddos.
Promising review: "The adults in this house love water balloons but not the mess…plus with toddlers around, it didn’t quite make sense to have water balloons but we saw a random video on TikTok and HAD to find reusable water balloons to try out. These were the first ones we bought to try out, and WHOA we were blown away! Super easy too for the 2- and 3-year-old to use, which means more fun for all of us!! Do not think twice or continue with regular water balloons, you’ll waste precious time cleaning up and filling that could be used to make memories." —Taurus
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $13.49+ (also available in packs of 6, 12, and 16).
21. A set of sand castle molds that'll solidify your "cool parent" status when you break 'em out at the beach and help your kiddos craft a structure worthy of a prince or princess.
Top Race is a small business.
Promising review: "So glad we bought these for our beach trip this year. My 5- and 2-year-olds had so much fun making multiple sandcastles using these. With the right amount of water and sand mixed, they were easy to use. Also great to use them as baskets!" —HS
Get a set of four from Amazon for $12.99.
22. And collapsible buckets you'll love because they won't take up precious cargo space in your trunk — which you and I both know is packed to the brim when you bring your kids anywhere, let alone the beach.
Top Race is a small business.
Promising review: "BEST BUCKETS EVER! I’ll be buying more! I love that they collapse! I bought them for the beach and I loved that they didn’t take up room during travel. And now they don’t take up room in our outdoor toy bin!" —KB
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $16.99.
23. A set of adjustable mesh "sea shell collecting" bags tykes can use to gather all the exciting treasures they find while strolling along the beach or, honestly, even in their own backyard!
Promising review: "I bought these for my kids to use on vacation where we'd be camping and doing lots of outdoor activities. They used them to collect rocks and other interesting finds. They held up well and several months later with use at home there are no rips or tears. The mesh was convenient when collecting rocks on the beach, and we wanted to hose everything down before bringing them inside. They have an adjustable strap and very easily fit all of my kids ranging from 2–10 (could fit older kids, too). I highly recommend!" —a_bennet
Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes and four color combinations).
24. Waterproof playing cards so you can get a fierce game of Go Fish going without fear of the moment your kids inevitably spill their drink all over the table.
Promising review: "These playing cards are a HIT. I take them out with me for social events and when visiting people, even to the beach. We just play and play. So you can get them wet and they won't soggy up and tear it just become a little hard to shuffle. It is so cool that they look like you can see right straight through them but you can't." —Tabs
Get them from Amazon for $6.97.
25. Spikeball, an easy-to-transport game that is kinda like volleyball and will have your kids asking you to bring it on every beach trip.
My friends are OBSESSED with Spikeball. While I'm not super coordinated and prefer to be a cheerleader (I'm accident-prone, OK!), this game is one of the most fun beach activities I've seen in a minute. It has been described as "if volleyball and foursquare had a baby" and can be played in a variety of ways. Also, Spikeball is a small business!
Promising review: "This is a great beach game. Its simplicity as a spin on volleyball will have you and your friends be the envy of the beach. On multiple occasions I was asked where I bought this game. Great fun, and a great product. Assembly was simple enough. It's just plastic clips and then finding a way to get the net tight enough onto the hoop. You might think it isn't springy enough but it will be. Remember... This isn't a trampoline!" —Btschultz
Get it from Amazon for $62.
26. A travel urinal you'll consider to be a saving grace when your child, once again, has to pee even though you *JUST* asked them 10x if they had to go.
Promising review: "I purchased this for my son and our long car trips. How many times can we pull over to potty on a three-and-a-half hour car trip? Ask my 4-year-old. When I saw this, I couldn't resist. We brought it along, and when he had to pee, no problem. It's only a little gross when you dump it later. Well designed, definitely recommend." —Evan
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in eight styles).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.