The 15 Best Beach Toys To Keep Kids Entertained At The Shore

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.