The best packable beach gear for kids

Whether it's spring break or summer vacation, it's time to start thinking about beach vacations. But, for families, packing for a beach trip can be a hassle, especially when it comes to beach gear for kids. Of course, you want to ensure you have everything you need to make your little ones' day at the beach fun and comfortable, but you also want to save space in your luggage for more than just sand buckets and copious pairs of goggles. Fortunately, there is a solution—packable beach gear for kids. From collapsible inflatables to easy-to-stow beach games, this gear is designed to be compact so you can pack everything you need to keep little ones entertained on a trip to the beach, alongside your clothes and other essentials. Ahead, our top finds for the best packable beach gear for kids so you can let the good times roll on the next scenic strip of sand you and your loved ones land on.

The Hape Beach Rain Shovel is a versatile beach toy with a slim footprint. With its unique design, kids can use the shovel to dig a moat around their sandcastles before using the tool as a vessel for water transport to fill up the hollowed out spaces with H2O. The shovel can also sift through the sand for shells and then be used to wash them off with water, for more feet-in-the-sand fun. In addition, the durable construction with child-safe paint finish and BPA-free materials is always a win in our book.

What kid—or kid at heart—doesn’t love playing Frisbee on the beach? With this set of two Activ Life discs, you won’t have to worry about losing too much real estate in your suitcase or beach tote, and each flying ring is said to be 80 percent lighter than standard Frisbees, too. As a nice bonus, you can choose from a variety of color combos, guaranteed to delight kids when one day their favorite color is blue and the next day it’s yellow.

This play set comes with three toy pieces—two trucks and a boat—at the ready for your next beach excursion. The trucks ride smoothly on any surface, allowing your child to create fun designs in the sand and explore the ocean's tides with the boat. Moreover, these compact, suitcase-friendly toys are ideal for little hands to grasp and play with as they navigate their adventures under the sun. With movable parts that allow for filling, tilting, and digging, these model modes of transportation should keep little ones distracted for quite some time while grown-ups enjoy some much deserved relaxation time.

One small toy that can provide hours of fun? Sign us up. Hailed as the hottest new beach toy of 2023 and appearing on major news networks such as ABC, NBC, and CBS, the compact Ultimate Skip Ball easily fits into a suitcase and entertains beach- or poolside, bouncing across the water for seemingly endless fun. It also floats, for easy retrieval, and is built to last, with tough stitching to make it ultra-durable.

This high-quality quartet of foraging bags is the perfect packable beach toy for kids and adults. The vibrant colors and mesh design allow for easy collection and storage of seashells, rocks, fossils, and other natural items found at the beach. The adjustable straps are also comfortable for children of all ages and heights to carry, and the bags can be easily rinsed out to shake off the sand and allow for wet items to dry. Additionally, these foraging bags are compact and can be folded into small sizes, taking up much less space than a traditional bucket used for finding seashells and making them easier to carry and store. The expandable bottom allows for collecting more items, and the smooth zipper ensures that treasures won't be lost.

Made from high-quality, durable PVC, these floaties are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and a great choice for children learning how to swim. The unique design of this swim band allows it to adapt to the natural shape of a child's arms, so they’re comfortable and easy to use. Additionally, the swim band can be deflated and folded into a small space, a boon when you’re already low on suitcase bandwidth. Whether your child is playing in the water, training, or competing, this swim band will give them the confidence and support they need to feel confident and stay safe.

These collapsible buckets are the perfect packable beach toy for kids. Their castle-like design encourages creativity and imaginative play, allowing kids to build sandcastles to their heart's content. The set includes three vivid red, green, and yellow buckets made of high-quality, BPA-free silicone and plastic. Thanks to the sizable 2.7-liter capacity and sturdy handle, they’re practical and convenient for carrying various items from toys to snacks for a day at the beach, too. Plus, the foldable and lightweight design makes them easy to store and transport, and with an average rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon, it’s safe to say we’re not the only ones who adore these versatile buckets.