Summer Essentials with Toddlers

Parenting TipsProducts
Written By Jenna Pearson

It’s finally here! The sun is beginning to shine and the days are growing longer. It's time to gear up for an unforgettable summer with your little ones! Summer is a season filled with endless adventures, non-stop fun, plenty of sun, sand and water, and the best part - everlasting memories waiting to be made!! Whether you're planning beach trips, picnics at the park, a day at the pool, or simply enjoying lazy afternoons in the backyard, it's crucial to ensure your toddler (and you) are equipped with the essentials to make the most of this exciting time.

We’ve pulled together a helpful list of summer essentials for toddlers, exploring everything you need to keep your little ones safe, comfortable, and entertained all summer.

CHEKLIST:

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Bathing Suit

  • Cover up

  • Beach Bag

  • Wagon

  • Picnic/Beach Blanket

  • Water Bottle

  • Food Storage

  • Toys!

Sun Protection: 

Keeping your little one safe from harmful UV rays is a TOP priority. We live in Southern California where the sun is shining well past the Summer months. That constant sun exposure is a major risk for a toddler so it’s vital to make sure they’re covered (quite literally). Here are your must haves: 

Sunscreen

Always opt for something with SPF 50+ and lean towards a sunscreen that is water resistant. Kids are constantly in and out of water during the Summer so this is kind of a requirement. There’s a boat load of options available on Amazon. A few favorite and popular options are:

    • Think Baby sunscreen - This is my personal go-to. For now, Mila isn’t a fan of the spray and I like that the lotion is easier to see when applied so you can be sure you’re covering every inch of their sweet little skin. 

    • Coppertone Kids Spray - Waterproof Sunscreen - I think this is likely what we’ll go with once Mila is open to using the spray bottle. They come in a pack of 3 (don’t be silly and only buy 1 bottle of sunscreen at a time) and it’s a well known and highly rated brand. 

    • Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin - This is a great option for little ones who suffer from skin sensitivities. I love Aveeno products and use them a lot personally so I wouldn’t hesitate to use this one on Mila. It’s hypoallergenic and features a tear-free formula that is non-greasy, paraben-free, phthalate-free and fragrance-free. I can’t speak to whether this is a good option for eczema or not.

    • TruKid Eczema Sunscreen - I have not had to hunt for an eczema sunscreen but the TruKid brand seems to come highly rated. The downfall is their sunscreen seems to only go up to SPF 30. However, they do carry a wide range of products, which might be a great option for any parent looking for an eczema friendly brand of products. 

    • BOBS Kids Mineral Sunscreen Brush on Powder - I just discovered this brush on powder sunscreen that’s perfect for applying to your toddlers face. If yours is anything like mine, they hate having sunscreen smeared all over the face and its impossible to get the perfect coverage. This brush on powder works wonders for quick and easy application and doesn’t leave them looking like Casper the friendly ghost.

Sunscreen Applicator

My friend turned me onto this Full Blue Solar Buddies sunscreen applicator and it’s genius!! You simply fill it with your sunscreen of choice, shake the contents towards the roller ball and apply it to their body. There is a sponge ring which will assist with rubbing in the lotion and you can avoid the mess of squirting out too much sunscreen that won’t go back in the bottle.

Hat

As a baby, Mila wore one of these classic wide brimmed hats but as a toddler, keeping a hat on her is a bigger battle. We’ve had more success getting her to wear a trucker hat style hat like this.  However, a wide brimmed hat or one that covers her neck would be a better option. A few super cute options I’m checking out are:

  • Toddler Lifeguard Hats - I am DYING over these little hats. The wide brim should keep their face and neck well covered and they’ll be looking way too cute. This style is probably better for beach days or backyard activities and not so much for the pool or water activities, where a flexible hat works better. 

  • RuffleButts makes an adorable wide brimmed hat that can be bought with a wide array of matching bathing suits, making this a super great option for a coordinated look. The hat is also available on Amazon but finding available sizing in stock can be a bit of a challenge. This hat is versatile and perfect for beach, poolside, the park, backyard, or any other sunny outing.

  • SwimZip baseball caps with neck flaps - This isn’t necessarily the most stylish option but it’s certainly the best option when you want to ensure neck coverage. They are very practical, offering UPF 50+ and giving you more confidence that your toddler’s delicate little neck is well protected.

Sunglasses

Nothing is cuter than a baby/toddler in sunglasses. I LOVE when Mila puts hers on. There’s a million options out there but here’s a few I like:

  • Baby Sunnies Polarized Glasses - I love the color options of these ones and they are better quality than some of the other wayfarer style glasses. The polarized lenses provide better protection for their eyes and they even use recyclable materials and eco-friendly packaging to match so you can feel good about your purchase.

  • Bouryo Round Sunglasses - I LOVE the shape of these glasses and they come in the best neutral colors. So so cute. 

  • HJSTES Polarized Baby Sunglasses - These glasses are offered in 2 different shapes. Their round frame is super adorable and they’re also polarized so with these ones, it’s a win win. 

  • RuffleButts Sunglasses - RuffleButts offers a few adorable options for sunglasses like these lavender heart shaped glasses. Many of their sunglasses coordinate well with their swimsuits so your little one can be rocking the fully coordinated look!

Swimwear:

OK, this might be my favorite part!! When it's time to hit the pool or the beach, your toddler needs comfortable, functional, and obviously CUTE  swimwear. I could buy Mila 100 bathing suits but the fact that children outgrow their clothing so damn quickly prevents me from losing all control and snapping back to reality. That said, here’s some looks from RuffleButts that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Girls

BOYS

  • Swim Trunks - The swim trunks come in a ton of different patterns. My favorites are the Coastal Stripe pattern.

  • Swim Shorities - this option is great for the 0-24 months age range. They come in less patterns but the Coastal Stripe is still an option so that’s all your need!

  • Long Sleeve Zipper Rash Guard - A rash guard is a must to help aid in the skin protection for boys. This Zipper Rash Guard coordinates well with any of the Swim Trunk options and the zipper makes putting on and taking off a breeze, especially when wet and sticky.

  • Logo Long Sleeve Rash Guard - I’m a fan of the non zipper look and this option comes in a wider array of colors to coordinate well with any of the swim trunks. 

  • Short Sleeve Rash Guard - If you’re less concerned about the full coverage then this short sleeved option is a great alternative. It’s also offered in a few different colors so you can easily mix and match Rash Guards with your favorite trunks.

Outdoor Essentials: 

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, let’s talk about the most essential items for your various adventures!

Beach Bag

Any successful outdoor activity requires a bag that can handle your essentials. From the beach to the park and everywhere in between, a reliable and durable bag is a must have. My absolute favorite bag right now is the Bogg Bag. I haven’t had it long but I’m already OBSESSED with it. I have the Original XL Bogg Bag - it’s big, sturdy, great for keeping things organized, and I love the fact that it is structured and won’t fall over. I recently used it on a trip to Palm Springs and it held EVERYTHING so easily; 2 beach towels, the diaper/wipes stash, extra clothes, snacks, 2 water bottles, bag of sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and pool floaties! The fact that it’s structured also meant things stayed in their place making it easy to find when I was looking for something. It’s seriously amazing!

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If the Bogg Bag is not the bag for you, we have an entire post all about the best Family Beach bags and Totes with a wide range of price points and varying benefits, so you’re sure to find something perfect on that list. Read Article.

Wagon

Whether your heading down to the beach or spending a day at the park, a wagon comes in SO HANDY! On beach days, instead of hauling chairs, tents, blankets, towels, multiple bags, coolers, toys and our daughter, we drop everything into our wagon and it’s smooth sailing. Sure, the sand is not the easiest for our wagon but there’s a few options out there that work a little better in the sand. In my search, I found the Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon to be the most effective when pulling through loose sand. 

Picnic Blanket

I discovered this brand of picnic blanket through my mommy and me group when Mila was just a baby. We would often meet at the park and lay out our blankets and end up with wet blankets and damp butts. Then someone discovered these Little Unicorn picnic blankets. I’d say about 80% of us went out and bought one immediately. Not only are they waterproof, shake off sand easily, and fold up into a perfect little travel bag, but they also have the greatest patterns! I have the Midnight Poppy. They also come in 3 sizes to suit your needs. I just went big and got the largest one and I love it when it comes to sharing space with others at the park or for me, my husband and Mila to all have ample space when at the beach.

Water Bottles & Snacks: 

Staying hydrated is crucial during hot summer days. We'll explore innovative hydration solutions such as spill-proof water bottles and refreshing snack ideas that will keep your little one energized and hydrated throughout their adventures.

Water Bottles

  • Simple Modern 14oz - Both myself and Mila use Simple Modern water bottles daily. The 14 oz comes in a wide array of very cute patterns, they’re BPA free, spill-proof (when closed), and keep their drinks cold for extended periods. The price point is also very reasonable. We love this bottle.

  • YETI Rambler 12oz -  You can really never go wrong with opting for a YETI product. This 12oz Rambler is perfect for small hands. YETI is known for it’s durability so this one will withstand it all. They also have a great selection of colors. My favorite is the seafoam. You’ll pay a little more for this one but you’ll get what you pay for in quality.

  • IRON Flask 14oz - This is another great stainless steel option that will keep drinks cold, is BPA free, dishwasher safe, and spill-proof. It also comes in tons of fun designs. This is only slightly more expensive than the Simple Modern bottle and is comparable in every other way.

Food Containers

  • Bentgo Kids Chill Lunchbox - This insulated lunch box has a removable ice pack that you can pop in the freezer overnight and then attach to your lunchbox in the morning. I wish I had found this when shopping for Mila’s lunchbox. We have the Bentgo brand but we add a separate ice pack to her lunch bag. This built-in ice pack is genius!

  • Lille Home Stainless Steel Stackable Containers - I LOVE stackable containers. We use a plastic stackable for snacks like crackers, cereal and puffs but I always hesitate to bring any fruit or vegetables when it’s too warm because they don’t preserve well. This stainless steel option is insulated and leak proof so it will keep the cold stuff cold and the hot stuff hot. 

TOYS

Sand Toys

  • Silicone Beach Toys - We have this set and my favorite thing about them (besides being so visually appealing) is the shovel. They are such great quality and the shovel works so well. I find myself digging away, even if Mila isn’t interested at the time.

  • Collapsible Buckets - This set of sand toys with collapsible buckets is genius! Buckets are always the most annoying part of hauling toys to the beach but this collapsible design makes it so easy! Now I have no problem bringing multiple buckets to the beach!

Pool Toys

  • Splash Balls - If your Toddler isn’t swimming yet. You’ll want toys that float on the water and are easy for them to grapes. We love these splash balls. Mila likes to practice throwing them and swimming to fetch them in the water.

  • Super Foam Soaker Squirt Guns - these can float on the water, making them easily accessible to your toddler. And who doesn’t love a squirt gun fight? 

Backyard Toys

  • Reusable Water Balloons - I have been seeing these everywhere and it’s genius. No more tiny particles of balloons all over your yard! These reusable water balloons can be thrown, claim to cause no pain on impact, exploded and used time and again.

  • Little Tikes Water Table - Little Tikes makes so many options for water tables and they are a super fun activity to keep your toddler cool and entertained for ages!

Check Out All my Toy Favorites

Visit my Shop page to find my favorite toys for Toddlers 1-2 years. All available on Amazon!

Jenna Pearson
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