Baby and Toddler Summer Essentials
- taylor howard
- Mar 23, 2025
- 4 min read
I didn’t realize how much stuff is actually needed when it comes to babies and traveling until I had my own. Everytime I got in the car it felt like I needed to pack the house up with me! I’ve compiled a list of all of my favorite summertime favorites for my little one. Maybe some of these will make your life a tad bit easier this summer!
commissioned earned-Amazon affiliate
Full Amazon list if you don’t want to read😉:
Sunscreen:
Everyone probably knows by this point that I’m a little bit spastic when it comes to putting certain things on my kiddo’s skin. I try my best to avoid toxic ingredients and chemicals. Here are some of my favorite sunscreens with low-to-no toxic ingredients.
Earth mama sunscreen lotion- https://amzn.to/4izIGxW
This is my personal favorite for both my face and my sons whole body. It is thick, but I
personally like a thicker sunscreen for my baby.
Think Kids+ Think Baby sunscreen-
sunscreen lotion- https://amzn.to/4kRxHS2
sunscreen stick- https://amzn.to/4hTu9w5
This is another favorite of mine, I have super sensitive skin and this one doesn’t break me out!
Baby and toddler floats:
Mambobaby float:
I was skeptical about this float because of the price, but my baby LOVED IT. It has many modes of use, as well as a canopy to keep the sun out of the eyes. It’s also super safe (which was my main concern). Definitely worth the money.
Floaties/vests:
I’m not even going to lie to you, water around my kid freaks me out and I’m always going to be holding him until he learns how to swim, but here are some cute coastguard approved Floatie-vests for them!
Beach essentials:
Covered play yard:
I prefer to keep my kiddo contained when we go to the beach just because I don’t want him getting sand in his eyes and mouth, so this pop-up play yard with a canopy was the perfect match.
Covered sunshade with cooling pool:
This option is great if you have a baby that sits up on their own and wants to play in the water/sand. You just simply dig a little hole and it can be filled with water or be left empty. I’m definitely buying this for my next kiddo.
Sunshade tent:
We bought this last year so my little one could go play in the sand/water and come back in under the sunshade when he got hot or needed a nap. I prefer this over an umbrella because there is no chasing it down the beach when the wind blows. It sits pretty low to the ground so you’ll follow the guidelines for height requirements if the beach has them.
Baby/toddler Beach chair with tray:
I like this one because it makes feeding your baby/toddler on the beach so much easier. It’s also handy if you have one that isn’t quite sitting up alone, because it gives them that extra help without making them sweat like a bumbo would.
Sand remover:
This is super handy if your kid doesn’t like baby powder all over them. We honestly just pack some baby powder, but this tool doesn’t leave them super powdery.
Clothing essentials:
Sand and pool shoes:
We all know that the sand, concrete around the pool, and boat floor get HOT. I just ordered my kiddo these so he can have them for all three!
Sunglasses:
trendy ones for boys- https://amzn.to/41XBDbl
trendy girl ones- https://amzn.to/41R8FtD
My kiddo hates anything on his face, but he needs eye protection on those bright days so we tried these bad boys. They have an adjustable strap so your kiddo can’t rip them off.
Sun hat:
Cap hat with neck protection- https://amzn.to/4hBMrli
Bucket hat with strap-
Girly bucket hat-
My child hates a bucket hat, but he doesn’t mind the sun cap. He looks like a cute little old man in it, but whatever works😂! Amazon has some adorable bucket hats for both babies and toddlers for a cheap price. I prefer ones with neck straps so he can’t take them off.
Cooling products:
Fan:
I feel like every parent needs a battery powered fan. This one attatches to anything for convenience.
Gel cooling pad for car seat and stroller:
I saw these on TikTok and they seem so handy! Place them in the fridge or freezer and pop them in the car seat or stroller before putting your kiddo in them. It cools the buckles and seat.
Random:
OG Bogg bag-
I was also skeptical about these because of the price, but we take mine everywhere. This bag is so simple to clean and rinse off.
Simple modern dupe-
This one is half the price and actually lighter than the OG Bogg.
Phone protector-
I like these phone pouches because they keep sand and water off of my phone in case my kiddo plays with it.
Hair detangler and pool hair protector:
This is a detangler and it also helps keep your kiddo’s hair from soaking up the chemicals!! Win-win in my book.
Toddler pool-
We had a toddler pool at every single one of our houses last year. This blowup one is too convenient to just put in the car and head out.
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