"The closer we get to summer, the more I find myself looking forward to beach trips with my family. Although I canât tell you when my mom took me and my sister to the beach for the first time, as a Florida native, it feels like the beach is my second home.
When I was younger, my beloved beach trips did not always include sunscreen or protective coverings. The focus was on having fun and creating memories, but, as you could have guessed, it also meant sunburns. Now that I know better and plan to take my toddler to the beach this summer, Iâm making sure heâs protected while having fun. In addition to toddler-safe sunscreen, Iâm investing in a baby beach tent for nap time, snack time, and general shade time. After all, shade is the best protection for little ones.
If youâre planning a trip to the beach soonâor could use more shade in your backyard, at the park or anywhere, reallyâwe did some research to find the best baby beach tents to consider, based on your needs. Whether you want the potential to make it a baby pool, have an easy pop-up assembly, or be a bigger size to grow with your family, here are our picks for the best baby beach tents for all your family summer fun.
The Best Baby Beach Tents
Best Budget-Friendly Beach Tent: Babymoov Portable Pop-Up Sun Shelter
The Babymoov Portable Pop-Up Sun Shelter is cute, convenient, and highly-rated across all major retailers. The best part? Itâs an affordable option at just under $50.
Key Features:
- Spacious enough for comfortable play for babies and toddlers
- Protects against the sunâs harmful rays and has an anti-UV coating of 50+
- Pop-up system makes set-up and break-down fairly easy
- Lightweight at just 1.5 pounds
- Comes with a transport bag and pegs to secure tent
Best Beach Tent for Travel: Monobeach Pop-Up Pool Tent
This ultra-lightweight style is ideal for those looking for a tent to bring along on vacation. Plus, the addition of a pool allows for hours of fun on the beach.
Key Features:
- Designed for children under age 3
- Anti-UV coating offers sun protection
- Easily folds and unfolds
- Includes four pegs to secure tent
- Weighs only 1.5 pounds and collapses into a 21âł carrying case
Most Versatile Beach Tent: Babymoov 3-in-1 Pop-Up Tent
If youâre looking for a tent that works at the beach, at the park, in the yard, and even inside, this is the one for you. It can be used as a classic beach tent, or the bottom section can hold up to 20 gallons of water for a baby pool, thanks to its waterproof bottom fabric.
Key Features:
- 3-in-1 design for supervised naps and play in a shaded environment
- Mesh net to protect from mosquitoes or other bugs
- Comes with three plush toys and a removable play mat for baby to enjoy
- UPF 50+ dome protects baby from harmful UVA rays
- Easy pop-up system
- Comes with a transport bag and pegs to secure tent
- Lifetime warranty
Roomiest Beach Tent: L.L. Bean Sunbuster Folding Shelter
The L.L. Bean Sunbuster is a great option for those looking for something that fits the whole family. If you are lucky enough to live near water and frequent the beach, this could be a great investment that your family can use year after year.
Key Features:
- This large pop-up tent can fit little ones and parents
- Spacious floor mat for play in sun and shade, which can also be hung up over the front for privacy
- Made from UV-resistant ripstop polyester with rated sun protection of UPF50+
- Features inner gear pockets to store small items like sunscreen and phones, and outer pockets to hold tent in place with sand
- Extra roomy at 7â11â x 4â11â
- Comes with a transport bag
Best Investment Beach Tent: Pop âN Go Foldable Outdoor Playpen
If youâre ready to invest in something that you wonât have to worry about replacing season to season, consider the Pop âN Go Foldable Outdoor Playpen, which is available on Amazon. This option is especially great for crawling little ones that you would like to keep contained.
Key Features:
- Features a secure pop and release system that takes the guesswork out of setup and has a safety lock to ensure it doesnât move
- Has mesh netting that allows the air to circulate
- Includes UV-protective, SPF 50 shade cover to block the sun
- Can be used inside or outside
- Tested and approved by parents
- Comes with a transport bag and pegs to secure tent
Best Beach Tent for Long-Term Use: Venustas Beach Tent Sun Shelter
This Amazon beach tent is big enough for more people to enjoy, so your family can grow into it and use it through all phases of lifeâfrom baby to toddler to big kid years (and itâs big enough for adults too!).
Key Features:
- Spacious enough to fit anywhere between 3-8 people inside, depending on product selection
- Extended front floor provides more space
- Floor zips up for privacy (great for changing swimming suits or breastfeeding)
- Comes with a transport bag and pegs to secure tent
