Image: MomJunction Design Team
Visiting beaches or going on a beach adventure can be uber exciting when you are with your family and friends. Kids can enjoy the fresh air and engage in some fun play. The best beach toys for kids can double the fun. Be it a football kick around or a mold that lets your kid make sandcastles, toys are a great addition to any beach trip.
Jennifer Stalley, a toys entrepreneur and the founder of Meemzy Magic, says, “The beach is a giant sensory bin between the sounds of the waves, the feel of the sand, and the cool water. Going outdoors can help any parent who needs a little downtime, and it encourages a love of nature.”
Beach toys would make your trip fun and memorable, filled with picture-worthy moments. This post lists some best-selling toys you can carry to the beach for your children and lets you understand how to select a beach toy set for kids.
Top Picks
19 Best Beach And Sand Toys For Kids In 2024
1. Best Recycled : Green Toys Sand Play Set
This fun beach toy set is made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs. It contains a bucket, shovel, rake, and sand mold. Your kids can happily build their sandcastle with this set while enjoying outdoor adventures.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, and external coatings
- Sturdy recyclable material
- Does not chip, crack, or bend easily
- Rope handle of the bucket is durable and does not break like plastic handles
- Available in various colors
Cons
- Expensive
"As an environmental enthusiast, I was overjoyed to find a beach set made from recycled plastic. It's notably more durable than other toys I've encountered. I also adore its simplicity. The robust bucket and shovel are also great for little gardening activities. Its design can make it a worthy addition to any toddler's playtime."
Quick factSand play can help develop a sense of textures. Also, building a castle or moat with tools like shovels and buckets can help boost their motor development.
2. Best Baking Toy Set : Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Sand Cupcake Play Set
If your little chef is enthused over baking, buy them this cupcake play set. This expert-approved 12-piece sand baking set with a colorful design contains hinged cupcake molds, toppers, cups, a baking tray, and an icing tool. After spending quality time at the beach, make sure you take your kid out for a real cupcake treat.
Age: Three to five years
Pros
- Made of sturdy, durable plastic
- Molds come in a variety of attractive shapes and colors
- Storage bag makes it convenient to store and transfer the toys
- Easy to wash and clean
Cons
- A few buyers complained that the toys have a strong chemical smell
"My 5-year-old daughter and I enjoy hours of imaginative fun with this adorable sandbox set, despite the initial challenge of getting the sand cakes out of the mold without crumbling. Nonetheless, the molds were eventually easy to use and have encouraged my little one's creativity, even inspiring a little 'beach bakery' of her own. It's perfect for long beach breaks."
3. Best Easy-To-Hold : B. toys – B. Ready Beach Bag
This set of 11 colorful beach toys can make your kids’ beach outing exciting. The set includes a transparent bag that holds a toy bucket, mini sand dump truck toy, and sand toys such as a sand digger toy shovel, rake, watering can, and molds.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Made of thick, sturdy plastic
- Phthalates- and BPA-free plastic
- Tiny toys are easy for kids to grab and hold
- Comes with a spinning wheel to keep seagulls away
- Mesh bottom of the bag helps to clear off sand stuck to toys
- Keep kids busy and entertained
Cons
- Bag quality may not be top-notch
"I got this pack for my twins' sandbox. They love the durable toys, although the pinwheel is not easy to spin. The elder twin took a fancy to the molds, finding them mesmerizing. Moreover, the accompanying storage bag is a convenient addition as sand falls through the bag's holes for easy cleanup."
4. Best For Outdoor Play : Toysmith SandBox Castle Play Beach Set
This is a play set that your kids can play with not just at the beach, but also in the backyard, a park, or even a sandbox. The set includes a watering can, a shovel-sieve, a spade, a rake, two sand molds, and one tall bucket with handle.
Age: Three years and above
Pros
- Good quality, durable toys
- Sand scoop and sieve can be used for playing in the snow too
- Toys come in a mesh storage bag
- Easy to clean and carry
Cons
- A few buyers complained that the cover of the watering could come off easily
"I found these sand toys quite satisfying. The quality is impressive—firm, not flimsy. They turned a regular beach day into an engaging learning experience, discovering little treasures on the beach. However, we noticed that only wet sand works best with the set. You can get this set to make your beach trips more fun!"
5. Best For Sandcastles : Hape Sand Toys 5-In-1 Beach Set Toys
A beach trip with kids feels incomplete without sandcastles. This five-in-one sand toy set can help your little ones build an unconquerable fort and keep kids busy with their creations. The set includes two medium-sized buckets and two shovels that fit into a huge bucket so you can store them safely in one place.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Toys are coated with child-safe paint
- PVC-, phthalates-, and BPA-free plastic
- Sturdy and durable material
- Available in different colors
Cons
- Does not include a storage bag
Quick tipSoak the toys in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Next, scrub with a sponge and rinse with clean water before letting them air dry in a well-ventilated area.
6. Best For Sand Ice Creams : Top Race Beach Toys Ice Cream Mold Set
This 16-piece ice cream mold set is perfect for making sand ice creams. The sand molds come in a variety of cool colors and shapes for creating ice creams, cupcakes, and muffins, making it a favorite beach toy among kids.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Available in bright and attractive colors
- Can be used both outdoors and indoors
- Sand bucket with handle for easy portability
- Toys have smooth edges
Cons
- Size may be a bit smaller than you expect
"I must say, the toy set turned out to be sturdier than expected despite the lids being on the thinner side. Indeed, it delighted the kids and proved an appealing sight with its delightful design. It is a nice switch from my kids' usual beach gear. Moreover, kids loved pretending to serve ice cream to everyone. Overall, the set is a quaint addition to any beach trip."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 4,726 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
7. Best Easy-To-Store : Top Race Sand Castle Building Kit
Now your children can build majestic castles in minutes as these castle molds make it simple and easy. This sand castle building toy kit is suitable for little boys and girls who fancy building the perfect castle.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Made of durable hard plastic
- Molds available in different colors
- Easy to stack and store
Cons
- All four molds are of the same shape
"I recently purchased these sand castle molds for my kids' beach outings. I appreciate the inclusion of a carry handle on each mold and their distinct, bright colors. These medium-sized castles are not too daunting for little hands. Although they may not yield flawless results, they ensure quality bonding time with the family."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The tried-and-true product has earned over 2,165 good reviews on Amazon.
8. Best Multipurpose: Sand Pal Beach Toys Sand Castle Kit
The Sand Pal beach toys sand castle kit is a nine-piece playset that comes in a travel-friendly design. Suitable for outdoor and indoor playing, the toy kit comprises molds and tools and comes in a durable mesh bag for easy carry. Made from durable plastic, this toy kit is brightly colored and works well with snow, sand, mud, and clay.
This 16-piece beach toy set includes beach sandcastle molds that help build not just castles, but also tiny animals. Fire your child’s imagination and let them create different stories with these sand molds.
Age: Three years and above
Pros
- Promotes cognitive development
- Lightweight design
- Comes with an ergonomic shovel
- Enhances skill level by developing motor skills
Cons
- May be complicated for some children
- May take a long time to build
"I enjoyed using the brick-making kit while building sandcastles with my grandkids. There's a learning curve, especially for young children, as it requires a precise balance between the sand and water ratio for the construction to be successful. Despite this challenge, the ease of using the plunger-pusher tool and paddle indeed makes the kit fun to use. Overall, it's a great kit to ensure a fun family beach activity."
9. Best Kinetic : Kinetic Sand Colored Castle Containers
If taking your kids to the beach is not a viable option, why not get the beach home. This play set comes with ten molds filled with colorful Kinetic Sand.
Age: Five to seven years
Pros
- Kinetic Sand is dry and does not stick to the hand
- The sand is reusable
- Easy to clean and store the molds
- Sand can also be used to play with other molds
Cons
- Quantity of sand may seem insufficient
"I bought this as a party favor, and it was a hit. The set offers sand in a variety of colors, and it doesn't even stick to the hands, which is quite satisfying. It has not only held my grandson's fascination but also that of my adult self!"
10. Best Portable : Dejaroo Beach Toys For Kids
The Dejaroo beach toys for kids is designed as a sandbox toy set with a silicone collapsible bucket. It also includes a watering can, a shovel, and various molds with a colorful design. It is a nine-piece set packed in a pouch for convenient storage. The kit is suitable for children above three years of age.
Pros
- Promotes hand-eye coordination
- Strong and durable
- Suitable for outdoor play sessions
- Portable size and compact design
Cons
- Might be larger than expected for some children
- Bucket may squish back with weight
"I snagged this sturdy beach toy set for a recent cruise. Easy to pack and lightweight, each child could independently carry a fraction of the set. The bucket's 'foldable' nature was a hit, as were the thick, unbreakable, silicone-based shovels that have withstood rough play in the hands of my three boys."
11. Best Sand Molds:Back Bay Play Beach Toys Kit
The Back Bay Play beach toys kit is a six-piece set of sandcastle molds and a great outdoor engagement for children. This tried-and-tested multi-colored toddler beach toy set comes in a four-piece kit variation as well and includes two shovels and four molds of different colors. It is primarily made of plastic, and the molds are available in rectangle, pointed top, flat, and round shapes.
Pros
- Durable, long-lasting make
- Holds up in extreme temperatures
- Suitable for indoors and outdoors
- Promotes creative thinking
- Boosts early motor skill level development
Cons
- Can be heavy to carry for children
- May be difficult to remove sand from molds
"Spending hours building sand castles with my son using this set was surely fun. The pieces are of good quality and the molds are not flimsy and sized appropriately to build sizable castles to keep the child entertained. I recommend this set if you are looking forward to a more creative beach time!"
12. Best Colorful Palyset:Bo-Toys 15-Pieces Beach Sand Toys Set
Now your children can build not just a castle, but also animals around the castle with this 15-piece beach sand toy set that includes sandcastle molds with animal shapes. This colorful play set comes with a big castle bucket, two castle molds, eight animal molds, and two tools.
Age: Three years and above
Pros
- Toys come packaged in a mesh storage bag
- Toys are lightweight and come in vibrant colors
- Toys are easy to rinse and clean
Cons
- A few buyers have complained that the zipper of the bag comes off easily
"I thoroughly enjoyed watching my toddlers play gleefully with these beach toys, and they've proven to be versatile too, continuing to captivate them even at home. However, considering the size of the molds, they may be more suitable for younger children. Nevertheless, the set is a worthy purchase for its sturdy and safe design."
13. Best Silicone Toy:Blue Ginkgo Silicone Beach Toys
The Blue Ginkgo silicone beach toys comprise a silicone bucket, four sand molds, a shovel, and a beach bag. These small-sized toys for toddlers are suitable for the playing needs of children above three years and have fun mold shapes such as turtles, shells, starfish, and whales. They are travel-friendly and weigh just 1.19lb.
Pros
- Durable
- Soft on little hands
- Bendable
- BPA-free
- Promotes sensory exploration
Cons
- Color may fade with continued salt water contact
- May not be easy to clean
14. Best Animal Molds:Prextex 19 Piece Beach Toys Sand Toys Set
When on the beach, kids expect to see water animals and fishes. But since you may not find real animals on a sandy beach, why not let your children create some of their own. From dinosaurs to shellfish, this toddler beach toy set has some fascinating animal molds.
Age: Three years and above
Pros
- Set includes a bucket, a castle mold, 12 animal molds, and essential tools
- Toys come packaged in a drawstring netted bag
- Durable and can withstand rough usage
- Available in attractive bright colors
Cons
- Quality of toys may seem poor in relation to the price
"On seeing these, my grandkids couldn't resist running outside and putting them to immediate use. These toys have wonderfully endured all the activities, accounting for many smiling faces. The set is certainly worth considering."
15. Best Engaging Toyset :Hape Beach Basics Sand Toy Set
The Hape Beach Basics sand toy set includes a bucket, a sand sifter toy, a rake, and two shovels. These time-tested toys have a fresh design to keep the children above 18 months engaged and have bold colors that capture attention. The toys are made of chemical-free plastic and are a great company for your children when outdoors, keeping them indulged.
Pros
- Child-safe paint finish
- Durable and long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Smooth finish with softened corners
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- May offer minimal scope for exploration
"While the measurements mentioned were a bit off, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the sturdiness of this sand set. My toddler loves the set and carries her pail and shovel around during her playtime in the garden when she is not using them on the beach."
16. Best Huge Toyset:Joyin 20 Pieces Beach Sand Toys Set Models
This is one huge beach play set containing 20 toy pieces for children. Along with molds and tools, it also includes three beach balls to let children play beach ball toss games. The toys are compatible with all kinds of sand.
Age: Three months and above
Pros
- Toys come packaged in a zipper bag
- Available in a variety of colors and shapes
- Made of eco-friendly plastic material
Cons
- A few buyers complained that the toys lack durability
"I found the toys in this set to be durable. Notably, they’re quite small—a great fit for tinier hands. The set's versatility, with its spinning hourglass, dump truck, and shovels, certainly entertains my baby. Though the molds fall short in creating distinct sand shapes, they boast charming colors and designs. Plus, the convenience of its compact travel bag is an additional advantage, perfect for beach escapades."
17.Best Exciting Toyset:Top Race Beach Pails, Sand Buckets, And Sand Shovels Set
Take your child on a pretend excavation journey to the beach with a dozen beach pail buckets and shovels. The red, yellow, blue, and green buckets can make your trip exciting and adventurous.
Age: 1.5 years and above
Pros
- Pail buckets fit easily into backpacks
- Pail buckets are lightweight
- Can be used for playing other outdoor games too
Cons
- A few buyers complained that the shovels and bucket handles lack durability
"These small buckets were a perfect fit for my kid's pool party favors. Though the dimensions mentioned in the description may be a bit misleading, they served well as table decorations and for the pool party due to their adorably compact size."
18. Best Collapsible Toyset:Toy Life Collapsible Beach Sand Toys For Kids
Designed in a foldable bucket style, these Toy Life collapsible toys are available as ice buckets, fishing buckets, camping buckets, and household buckets. You can choose from two other styles under this set to pick the appropriate one for your baby’s playing needs. Each safety-tested set comprises nine toy pieces – three multifunctional collapsible beach buckets, three sand rakes, and three shovels. The beach bucket and shovel set is suitable for indoor and outdoor adventure and is designed for children above 18 months.
Pros
- Safe and non-toxic make
- Certified quality
- Durable and long-lasting
- Soft, compressible buckets
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- May not be easy to store
"Traveling with these collapsible toys was a breeze. They are ideal for beach outings with kids. Although the buckets may not be the most perfect sand castle molds out there, they still get the job done pretty decently while also saving space in my car. Overall, my kids found immense joy in playing with this fun set."
19. Best Soft Elastic Toyset:MINGPINHUIUS Kids Beach Toys Toddlers Beach Sand Toy Set
This 15-piece fun beach toy set comes with a durable mesh bag in which the toys can be stored safely after use. These toys for toddlers are made of PP soft elastic plastic with smooth round edges to ace the test of safety and durability.
Age: Three years and above
Pros
- Portable mesh bag makes it easy to store and transfer toys
- Plastic toys are pretty flexible and easy to play with
- Toys come in pastel colors
- Shovels are strong and do not bend easily
Cons
- Suitable for dry sand only
How To Choose The Right Beach Toy Set For Kids?
Keep the following features and attributes in mind before picking a beach toy for kids.
- Quality: Beach toys need to be sturdy enough to withstand the weight and impact of wet sand. Sand can be harsh, but good quality plastic can easily withstand the grainy, rough texture of sand. Toys made from good quality plastic are also easy to clean.
- Lightweight: Beach toys for kids need to be lightweight because kids fill them with sand and water, which can make them heavy. It becomes even better if these toys come with a travel-friendly bag or a box.
- Age: Each beach toy set for children comes with the suggested age group mentioned on it. Each fun game set is created by keeping in mind the interest and safety of kids belonging to that age group. Select the ones that are appropriate for your kid.
- Learning: Creating sandcastles, sand houses, sand cakes, and so on, helps stimulate kids’ imagination and creativity. It also improves their hand-eye coordination. When buying beach toys for kids, you can try to find toys that are both entertaining and educational.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I store beach toys?
If you frequent the beach, you need a storage basket that doubles as a transport bag. Picnic baskets or plastic laundry bags are ideal for this purpose. For occasional use, clean and store them in a toy basket with a closing lid and label the box.
2. How should I clean beach toys?
Let the beach toys dry under a shade and then dust them off to remove all the sand. Now use a diluted vinegar solution or mild soap to rinse the toys with water and shade-dry before you store them.
3. How should I transport beach toys?
Use a mesh beach bag or a plastic mesh basket that has handles for easy transportation of your beach toys. These are also ideal for draining the sand and water from the toys, making the cleaning process easier.
The Bottom Line
Taking the best beach and sand toys like the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Sand Cupcake Play Set along on your beach visits with your children can amplify the fun. They can enjoy their playtime as you get the time to take a stroll or enjoy the sun by the beach. Choose beach and sand toys that are sturdy and designed to endure rough play and wet sand. The toys you pick for your child should also be appropriate for their age. When you invest in toys like the Green Toys Sand Play Set or Hape Sand Toys 5-In-1 Beach Set Toys for sandcastle building and sand cake-making accessories, you also help stimulate their imagination.
Infographic: Various Kinds Of Beach And Sand Toys For Children
Beach and sand toys for children offer endless entertainment, promoting creativity and allowing children to build, dig, and explore in a playful and exciting outdoor setting. Refer to the infographic below to discover the different variants of beach and sand toys that can enhance your child’s beach playtime.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is a passionate writer and reviewer who covers children’s toys and gifts. Here, she has compiled some of the best beach toys for kids. She has considered customer reviews to ensure the suggested toys are of high-quality and durable material. These safe toys are guaranteed to be your child’s best companions and make their visit to the beach fun-filled and exciting. Moreover, she has also included a buying guide to help you pick the right product.
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