We researched the best beach toys for all ages, considering the portability, intended use, and size of each. Our favorite pick is the Click N’ Play Sand Toy Set—the set comes with 18 durable outdoor toys and a mesh backpack for easy storing and transporting—all at an affordable price. Here, the best beach toys for hours of sandy play. Included in this set are two different shovels, a watering can, two sifters, three rakes, castle molds, and more. The plastic toys are all brightly colored so you don’t have to worry about losing them, and they come in a mesh carrying case that can be worn as a backpack for easy portability. Users write that this beach toy set is an unbeatable value, and many say that their kids love playing with the sand toys, both at the beach and in the sandbox. However, some were disappointed with the smaller size of the items, so be sure to grab a few large shovels and molds to add to your collection. Price at time of publish: $25 The sturdy construction of these toys makes them ideal for playing at the beach and making sand castles. The set comes with three colorful 2-liter silicone buckets that fold down flat into 1-inch tall circles, plus they have durable plastic handles, making them easy to store and transport. The buckets are dishwasher safe. Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $32 With this affordably priced game, you’ll receive two paddles with soft foam grips and four birdies—the two red birdies are for slow play and the two yellow ones go faster. The feathers are attached to the birdies with water-resistant glue, making them safe for use near the water. To play, you simply bat the birdies back and forth, trying to keep them in the air for as long as possible. It sounds pretty simple, but you’ll be surprised at how challenging it can be. Price at time of publish: $17 To set up the game, simply dig a half-circle trench with a hole in the middle, then repeat this setup 30 paces away. Teams take turns tossing balls toward the opposite trench, trying to get them into one of the holes to score points. Don’t worry about the balls rolling into the ocean, either, because they’ll float so you can easily retrieve them. Price at time of publish: $30 With each game set, you’ll get three Spikeball balls, the Spikeball net, a drawstring bag for storage, and the rulebook. The entire net quickly breaks down into a compact, easy-to-transport set. You play with two teams of two, and it’s similar to volleyball in that you get three touches before you have to spike the ball into the net. You can adjust the tightness of the net to make the game easier or more challenging. Price at time of publish: $70 Babies will love driving the Green Toys Dump Truck around in the sand, collecting objects in the bucket, and then dumping them all out. Since the toy is made of plastic, you can easily rinse it off when you get home from the beach to prevent sand from getting everywhere. With a bit of cleaning, this toy easily transitions to the backyard or the playroom. Price at time of publish: $28
Ease of Transportation
It’s no fun to schlep anything to the beach, especially if it’s a huge set of toys. Consider how far you’ll have to carry beach toys before landing at your perfect beach spot. If they’re heavy, you may want to stick to an area close by. If you’re driving, that’s another thing. Just remember, pick what’s easiest for you.
Size
If you have little ones playing with the toys, it makes sense to have something they can easily grasp and use. Tike-sized shovels and buckets will be great for them, but the older kids may want something larger. Try to get a set of toys that’s proportionate to the person who will be using them.
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Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer specializing in decorating and design. She covers home products for The Spruce and is a regular contributor to popular sites such as Forbes, USA Today, Food52. Additional reporting was done by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays.
