Are you planning a trip to the beach with your little one? A baby beach tent is a must-have accessory for your day at the shore. Not only does it provide a safe and comfortable space for your baby to play and nap, but it also offers shade and protection from the sun, wind, and sand.
When it comes to summer sun safety for newborns under 6 months old, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding direct exposure to the sun (1). To ensure protection, finding a baby beach tent that provides ample shade is just as important as wearing sun hats, sunglasses, or applying sunscreen.
With so many options available, choosing the best baby beach tent can be a difficult task. That’s why we’ve researched and compiled a list of the best baby beach tents on the market to make your decision a little easier.
Our Top Picks
- Best Pop Up Beach Tent For Baby: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
- Most Affordable Baby Beach Tent: Sunba Youth Beach Tent
- Best Baby Beach Tent For Newborns: Bend River Automatic Instant Baby Tent
- Best Baby Beach Tent For Toddlers: Schylling UV Play Shade
- Modern Baby Beach Tent: Babymoov Anti-UV Marine Tent
- Best Baby Beach Playpen: Summer Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard
- Best UV Baby Beach Tent: Bend River Pop Up Baby Beach Tent
- Best Baby Beach Tent For Families: OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent
- Best Baby Beach Tent With Pool: Monobeach Baby Beach Tent
- Most Versatile Baby Beach Tent: Coleman Beach Sun Shelter
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Baby Beach Tents Picks
Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent – Best Pop Up Beach Tent For Baby
- Double-lined stitching
- Waterproof floor
- Can fit multiple people
- Can handle winds
- It filters the sun but does not block it/produce the same shade as a thick umbrella
The Pacific Breeze Beach Tent weighs only 4.5 pounds and folds down to 40 L x 5 W x 5 H, making it the perfect beach companion for all you and your baby
Featuring UPF 50+ sun protection, this beach tent is constructed from breathable polyester, making it both water-resistant and airy. Its wide windows provide ample ventilation, while its sturdy design shelters your baby from the elements.
This beach tent is built to last, with a strong and lightweight fiberglass structure, and a water-resistant PE floor. Additionally, it comes with stakes, sand pockets, and a convenient carrying case, making it easy to transport to your next outdoor adventure.
Sunba Youth Beach Tent – Most Affordable Baby Beach Tent
- It is lightweight and compact
- Provides good sun protection
- The size is good for a baby laying down or sitting up
- The color is cute
- Once your baby is mobile, they’re probably not going to want to be in there
This baby beach tent is made from a specially crafted silver-coated cloth that provides maximum UV protection, with a UPF 50+ rating. Plus it’s spacious and comfortable enough for 2-3 people.
This beach tent is designed to be quick and easy to set up and take down, with its self-inflating design appearing in just three seconds. The frame is made from elastic metal that can endure being bent thousands of times.
The eight powerful metal ground anchors provide additional stability, so your baby can enjoy the sea breeze through the mesh window. At just 2.2 pounds in weight, the beach tent is lightweight and easy to transport, and when it’s time to pack up, refolding it into the carry bag is a breeze.
Bend River Automatic Instant Baby Tent – Best Baby Beach Tent For Newborns
- Super lightweight and small when closed
- Easy to use
- Great price
- Comes with pikes
- Can only fit 1 baby
Designed with a built-in kiddie pool, this tent provides a safe and enjoyable play area for your baby, allowing them to experience the joy of playing with water in a secure environment. The screen door can be closed to keep out unwanted pests and mosquitoes.
It features a UPF50+ rating and is made from durable 210T polyester taffeta. The top-pull hub system makes it easy to put up or fold the tent, and four pegs are included to keep the tent firmly anchored to the ground or sand.
Plus, the windows on both sides of the tent allow for air to circulate, keeping your baby cool and comfortable, even on hot days.
Schylling UV Play Shade – Best Baby Beach Tent For Toddlers
- It folds up surprisingly easily into a neat little package and is contained in its own carry bag
- Good UV protection and shade
- Can handle winds
- Tie-backs to keep the doors open
- You won’t be able to fit inside if your baby or toddler is there
With a Sun Protection Factor of greater than 50, you can rest assured that your toddler is protected from the harmful effects of UV rays while enjoying the beach.
This tent is designed with portability in mind and comes with a lightweight “Go Anywhere” travel bag, making it easy to take with you wherever you go. Plus, the tent comes with tie-down pegs and unique sand pockets to keep it firmly in place.
Babymoov Anti-UV Marine Tent – Modern Baby Beach Tent
- Easy transport
- Easy setup
- Great at blocking sunlight
- Great size for baby
- Not the easiest to fold back up
This modern tent comes with a UPF 50+ rating, blocking 99% of UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation.
The tent’s pop-up design makes it incredibly easy to set up and store. Plus, it is spacious enough to accommodate two children, providing ample room for them to play and enjoy the great outdoors.
It has two windows with flaps in the back and a large aperture in the front for easy ventilation, as well as a mosquito net to protect your child from pests and insects. The ground surface is water-repellent, providing added protection in case of any minor accidents, and the tent comes with three pegs for added stability on the ground.
Summer Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard – Best Baby Beach Playpen
- The padding at the bottom is great
- Easy to set up and take down
- The shade is good
- It’s large enough that the baby has room to move around and play
- It’s not easy to take down
With a generous play area of 14 square feet, your baby will have plenty of room to move around and play.
The playpen features a full-coverage canopy with two zip-open panels and mesh sides, offering shade and protection from the sun while still allowing for plenty of fresh air and visibility. With a UPF rating of 50+, the playpen filters off 98% of harmful UVA and UVB radiation.
It features a pop-and-fold design that sets up and comes down in seconds. Plus, the cushioned floor adds an extra layer of comfort and safety.
Bend River Pop Up Baby Beach Tent – Best UV Baby Beach Tent
- Easy to set up
- Great sun coverage
- Easy to carry
- Fits a baby well
- It takes a while to figure out how to fold it up
With a UPF 50+ rating, this tent provides top-notch protection against the sun’s dangerous UVA and UVB radiation. But this tent offers so much more than just UV protection. It also has a built-in kiddie pool that offers hours of entertainment.
The pool is a great addition to the tent, but it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your child while they play in the pool. If you don’t want to use the pool, simply cover it with a blanket and your child will be content for the entire day.
The screen door on this tent is also a major plus, as it helps to keep mosquitoes and other insects out, so your child can play in peace. Additionally, the three windows on the tent allow for excellent airflow, preventing your child from overheating.
OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent – Best Baby Beach Tent For Families
- Can set up and take down with 1 person
- Adequate and functional as a shelter and can also be used for napping and changing
- Windows close with hooks, front door with zippers and velcro
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- A little more difficult to get back into the bag
This tent is designed to provide ample space for up to 2 adults and 2 children to sit comfortably. It is made with the highest quality materials, including a 3000mm PU covering and 210T polyester that is both breathable and durable.
Large mesh windows allow for ample airflow, while the internal zippered door offers privacy for changing into dry clothing. Additionally, there are mesh pockets above the windows to store your valuables.
This tent is also incredibly easy to set up. It comes with poles and built-in sandbags, so you can quickly install it on any surface.
Monobeach Baby Beach Tent – Best Baby Beach Tent With Pool
- Good sun protection for baby
- Durable
- Perfect size for an infant
- You could make the hole as shallow or deep as you want
- Not the easiest to fold
This tent offers a combination of shade and a small pool with a capacity of 1.5 liters of water. The automatic-popping shade canopy is constructed from high-quality, UPF50+ material that provides ample protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Plus, the tent is easy to set up and use, with a compact design that fits into a convenient carrying bag. It also comes with four pegs to secure the shade and pool. Additionally, the tent features large mesh windows and an internal zippered door that provide excellent ventilation and privacy.
Coleman Beach Sun Shelter – Most Versatile Baby Beach Tent
- The extended roof provides ample shade
- Included ground stakes to secure the tent to the ground
- Intuitive color-coded rod loops make assembly easy
- The rear door is a two-piece design comprised of a mesh and a solid barrier giving the option to vent through the mesh
- The large size can be a bit cumbersome to assemble in the middle of a crowded beach
This beach shelter is designed with a more open structure, allowing you to comfortably sit with your children and enjoy the shade. The built-in storage compartments and washing lines allow you to keep your belongings organized and hang out your child’s swimwear to dry when they are ready for a nap.
Plus, the front floor can be extended to create extra space or zipped up for more privacy, and the back window offers ventilation. Although it does take some time and effort to set up, this tent comes with a ground anchor and lines to ensure stability.
It is important to note that tent stakes, while useful for camping, may not work well in sand and additional support may be needed to hold up the tent.
How To Choose The Best Baby Beach Tent?
- Sun Protection: Look for a tent with a high UPF rating above 50 to ensure that your baby is protected from the harmful effects of UV rays (2).
- Size: Consider the size of the tent and how much room it will provide for you, your baby, and any necessary supplies.
- Portability: If you plan to take the tent to different locations, look for a lightweight, compact design that is easy to transport.
- Ease Of Set-Up: Consider how quickly and easily the tent can be set up and taken down.
- Ventilation: Ensure that the tent provides adequate ventilation to keep your baby cool and comfortable.
- Anchoring: Having pegs or sandbags for securing the baby beach tent is a crucial aspect of ensuring the tent’s stability and safety in windy conditions. Not all baby beach tents come equipped with these accessories.
- Additional Features: Some baby beach tents may include features such as built-in storage compartments, mesh windows for added ventilation, or a pop-up design for easy set-up.
Are Baby Beach Tents Worth It?
Yes, baby beach tents can be worth it as they provide a shaded and protected area for infants and toddlers while they are at the beach. These tents also offer parents a space to change diapers, feed the baby, and keep them cool and away from the sun’s harmful rays. By choosing the right baby beach tent, parents can ensure that their child stays comfortable and safe while enjoying the beach.
What Do Babies Need At The Beach?
- Hat, sunglasses, and baby-safe sunscreen with a high SPF (3)
- Baby beach tent or umbrella to protect them from the sun
- Beach blanket or towel
- Sand Toys
- Swim diapers
- Swimsuit or a rashguard
- Snacks and bottles if they are still being breastfed or formula-fed.
- Life jackets or floaties if they are in the water.
Can Baby Wear Regular Diaper At The Beach?
Regular diapers are designed to absorb liquids and are not suitable for use while swimming. When wet, a regular diaper becomes saturated quickly and will no longer be able to absorb any more liquid, like urine. The added weight of the wet diaper may also cause it to come off your baby’s body.
Does My Baby Need Sunscreen If I Use A Beach Tent?
Although a beach tent provides shade and protection from the sun, it is still recommended to use sunscreen on your baby’s exposed skin. Sunscreen with a high SPF, like SPF 50, can help protect your baby’s delicate skin from harmful UV rays and prevent sunburn (4). It’s important to reapply every two hours or after your baby has been in the water.
Is It Safe For Babies To Nap At The Beach?
Yes, it is safe for babies to nap at the beach, but it’s important to ensure that they are protected from the sun and heat. A baby beach tent provides shade and a cooler environment for your baby to nap in. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that the tent is properly anchored so that it won’t blow away in the wind. It’s also recommended to keep an eye on your baby while they nap, especially if they are close to water.
Baby Beach Tent Safety Tips
- Always supervise your baby: While the tent provides shade, it’s important to always keep an eye on your baby and make sure they are safe.
- Use proper anchoring: Ensure that the tent is securely anchored to the ground to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.
- Check for ventilation: Make sure the tent has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Use a baby-safe pool: If the tent has a pool feature, make sure it’s designed for babies and not too deep for them to stand or sit in.
- Avoid leaving your baby unattended: Never leave your baby alone in the tent, even for a short period of time.
- Check for harmful chemicals: Make sure the tent material is free of harmful chemicals that could be harmful to your baby’s skin or health.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for set up and use to ensure the tent is used correctly and safely.
