20 beach products that turn overwhelmed parents into beach day pros

First and foremost, sun protection! There are tons of great babe-friendly formulas out there, but Sun Bum’s Baby Bum is always a favorite. It’s unscented, super gentle for sensitive skin and the addition of coconut oil and shea and cocoa butters make it moisturizing as well. Since it’s zinc based, it does leave a bit of a white cast but it’s not too ghost-like, and honestly, with squirmy little ones, it’s helpful in making sure you don’t miss a spot. Best of all, it’s readily available at places like Target and CVS and is affordably priced as well.

Super easy to wipe clean and perfect for setting up a sand-free spot on the beach, these oversize blankets have countless other uses when you’re not spending the day at the sea. They’re incredibly compact and lightweight, made from a material that’s similar to a packable camping hammock–a bonus when you’re likely bogged down with 400 pounds of other stuff! And don’t worry about fighting the wind. They’ve got four loops and ground stakes to keep them in place. When you’re ready to pack up, it easily stuffs right back inside the attached bag.

A sun hat is a must-have for your day at the beach, and this top-rated fave from iPlay by Green Sprouts is hard to beat. The thoughtful design can be cinched at the back so that it actually stays on their head (despite their best efforts to yank it off) and doubles down with a tie below the chin. The brim is wide enough to keep the sun out of their eye but not so ridiculous it obscures their view. It’s also got a sweat-wicking liner, offers 50+ UPF protection and costs just $15. (Looking for more choices? Check out our round-up of the best sun hats for babies and toddlers!)

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for beach entertainment, the Hape beach toy essential set is it. Not only does it include 11 high-quality BPA-free sand toys, but they’re all conveniently packed up in a mesh backpack that even a toddler can carry. (And if you need more, check out our sand toy round-up!)

Or, if you’ve already amassed a crapload of beach toys, this is the bag you’ll want to corral them all. It opens up super wide to make loading and unloading a breeze while leaving the sand on the beach where it belongs.

The basic canvas totes from L.L. Bean have been around for ages. Their utilitarian, no-frills, durable construction makes the the ultimate mom bag for the beach or really anywhere. You can load them up with two tons of junk day after day, year after year and find it no worse for the wear. It’s made from a heavyweight canvas so it stands up on its own even when empty and even though it’s not water resistant, it still manages to keep things dry. The regular handle length is great if you’ve packed below the brim, but if you tend to overpack, we suggest opting for the longer handles to make hauling it easier.

Worried about what will happen if you hand your toddler a pair of sunglasses? With the shatter-resistant and ultra-flexible frames from Babiators, you won’t have to. They’re not only great at keeping your little one’s eyes safe from the sun’s harmful rays, but they’re virtually impossible to break. Even better? The brand will also replace them if they get broken or even lost. (You just have to register them on their site.) We also recommend the cinchable fabric strap which does a great job of keeping them on reluctant wearers.

Finding a shady spot for baby is key to a great day at the beach, but we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t struggled with finding a beach tent that doesn’t require an engineering degree to set up. Until we found this cabana—it’s light, easy to carry, and 100% foolproof. The poles are all attached to the umbrella-like mechanism which pops open in one motion, so you don’t have to worry about maiming a kid (or getting a divorce) in the process of putting it up or taking it down. There’s plenty of room for 2-3 adults and a window at each side for ventilation. (Check out more options in our beach tent round up!)

An Amazon #1 Best Seller and dubbed “the best $35 you’ll spend this summer” by Motherly’s Trending News Editor, it’s safe to say the hiccapop OmniBoost has fans. And even though this is technically a portable high chair, the foldable camp chair-esque design makes beach days with babes so much easier! (If you’ve ever tried to keep snacks and sand separate, you know the struggle!)

It’s got a wide, stable base that makes it perfect for use at the beach or on grass–or even grandma’s living room floor. In addition, it comes equipped with straps to secure it to a chair and use at the table. The fabric is washable, it sets up in seconds, and it’s easy-peasy to clean.

One of the most game-changing gear swaps we’ve ever made was changing from plush terry towels to lightweight Turkish towels. Sure the thick ones are incredibly warm and cozy, but that bliss becomes a bummer when it’s wet, sandy and weighs 20 pounds. These thin cotton Turkish towels are not only absorbent and dry super quickly, they also don’t get caked with sand. It also takes A LOT for them to smell musty or mildewy. Only upon return from summer camp did they need a little industrial washing TLC. Otherwise they’re pretty much always fresh as a daisy. Because they’re so compact, you can easily take a whole stack along which feels both smart and indulgent. A fresh towel halfway through the day? Look at your crew living like Beyonce.

You know what will set off a baby tantrum fast? Sun-warmed water in their sippy cup. Keep a stash of icy cold H20 for the whole family in Hydroflask’s non-toxic BPA-free 40-ounce water bottle, which keeps liquids cold for 24 hours. After battling with seemingly every bottle under the sun, we’ve deemed the Hydroflask the best of all the options out there. We love the simplicity of their bottles which makes them easy to clean as well as a wide mouth opening which makes it easy to add ice cubes. The design also accommodates a variety of lid styles which you can purchase separately if you’d like options. (And if you’re looking for a bottle that’s all theirs, these are our favorite stainless steel water bottles for little ones.)

Feeling like you want to transport your fridge to the shoreline… just in case? We hear you, babies are demanding and fickle—sometimes they want grapes, sometimes they want yogurt, sometimes they want cheese sticks! Be armed with all of the possibilities by bringing Yeti’s Tundra Haul cooler to the beach with you. Yeti is the granddaddy of luxe coolers and this newest version has two ultra-tough, puncture-proof wheels that can take on sand, rocky terrains, rugged trails and more—all while keeping up to 45 cans of beer (er, juice boxes and bottles) or 55 pounds of ice at freezer-esque temps.

Even if it fit all your gear, your average stroller isn’t cut out for sand travel. On the contrary, here’s where many stroller wagons shine. Our top pick? The Veer All Terrain Cruiser. Yes, it’s pricey. But if you’re in the market for a stroller wagon that can literally go anywhere, it’s worth every penny. As basically the Land Rover of wagons, this sturdy beauty is made for adventures like trail walks and beach hangs but looks just as sleek cruising the streets. (If you’re more of a “beach as a lifestyle” family versus the occasional weekend warrior, you can also opt for a separate purchase of the Beach Wheel Kit to make the trek across sand totally smooth.) Ready to park? The one touch foot brake does the job without smashing your toes. When it’s time to pack it up, it folds super flat and best of all, can be hosed down when it needs a good cleaning.

There’s also a host of other rad accessories to customize it to your family’s style. From custom colorful sidewalls to bug shields, travel bags and even a nap system that turns it into a JPMA safety certified bassinet, you can trick this bad boy out to be the most comfortable place to hang no matter where you push, pull or drag it. It’s also compatible with their super-innovative Switchback seat–one seat that attaches to everything from a stroller frame to your bike!

If wrangling your little one into a towel doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend your beach day, a hooded poncho is the perfect solution. This clever bamboo style from Konny is one of our favorites mostly because it’s ultra-soft, ultra-absorbent, and quick-drying. But the detail that sets it apart is the fuss-free shoulder snaps. It makes it super easy to put on and take off and is great for changing without a changing a room!

When you go to beach with baby, you’re not likely to spend much time sunbathing. But you still need a superior sunscreen to protect you from the harsh rays and La Roche Posay’s Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk is one of the safest on the market. With an SPF 60, it consistently racks up a perfect score from Consumer Reports, comes highly recommended by dermatologists, and best of all can be used on your entire body–face included. No need to carry two different formulas!

Although disposable swim diapers are certainly an option, reusable ones are arguably the better bet for both the environment and for your wallet. (They’re pretty darn cute, too.) This one from the basics masters at Primary features snug-fitting legs to prevent leaks and comes in an assortment of great colors.

That said, sometimes you’ve got to go the disposable route. After all, few things are less fun than scraping poop out of a sandy wet diaper. Huggies Little Swimmers are a go-to when you want to keep leaks under wraps and avoid a 75 pound waterlogged bum. They’ve got a convenient resealable side and are totally fragrance and paraben free!

Wet bags are perfect for storing drenched, sandy bathing suits, but they’re also great for containing snacks, packing an extra set of clothes, or more. We like to have a few in our beach bag for whatever the day may bring! This affordable version has two compartments one for wet and one to keep dry things safely tucked inside as well.

#Momhack alert: Rubbing sandy skin with baby powder is an easy, effective way to remove sand from your skin! We always stash a bottle in our bag for a day at the beach, especially when there are sand-loving littles in tow.