There is not much nicer than a day at the beach during those long, hot days of summer. However, when you have a baby in tow it gets trickier. You need to be super careful about exposing baby’s tender skin to the sun’s blistering rays. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under six months of age avoid sun exposure all together. But that doesn’t mean you have to skip the beach – just take a handy baby beach tent.
We will run down all of the reasons to get a baby beach tent and what to look for in a good one. Plus, we have ten fantastic tents to show you that are all highly rated by users. Let’s go!
Reasons to Get a Baby Beach Tent
If you’re new to the idea, here are the reasons that a baby beach tent will make your whole family’s lives better.
Protection from the scorching sun
Babies’ skin actually produces less melanin that that of adults, so they are more prone to painful sunburns. Of course you’ll slather on the sunscreen when you head outdoors with your baby, but a beach tent can provide an extra 30-50 SPF, not to mention cooling shade.
Effective windshield
Coastlines tend to be windy, and a day at the beach can definitely cause some tangled hair for that reason. For babies, though, wind also quickly dries out delicate skin. A beach tent can turn that wind into a gentle breeze.
Sand reduction
Ok, sand will get everywhere when you’re at the beach, especially if anyone is the slightest bit wet. There’s not a lot that can be done about it, but a beach tent can really help block it when the wind kicks sand into the air, when you need to change a diaper, or when it’s snack time.
Insect avoidance
There are a ton of insects at the beach, many of them looking for a tasty snack or soft place to land. That doesn’t have to be your baby. With a beach tent that can zip fully closed, those bugs will just have to look elsewhere for someone to sting.
Cozy nap spot
Babies need their rest, but if the other kids (or adults) are not ready to go when it’s naptime, a beach tent provides a comfy and secure place for the baby to rest. It’s a much better solution than sitting in the car with the AC running for two hours. After all, you still need gas to get home.
What to Look for in a Baby Beach Tent?
All baby beach tents have the same basic purpose, just like any camping tents, but they can have vastly different forms and features. What works best for you depends a lot on your child’s age and personality, as well as what type of landscape you’ll be visiting most often.
Is the beach rocky or soft? Do you want to be able to take your tent to the pool as well? Does it need to accommodate more than one child, or even an adult? These are questions to ask yourself before buying.
Following are a few more considerations that should help you narrow down the perfect baby beach tent for your family.
Ease of assembly
Many baby beach tents feature pop up assembly, meaning that you don’t have to mess around with threading any poles or making manual connections. This saves a ton of time and stress! Unless you are an old hand with tent assembly, we recommend a pop up tent for the sheer convenience of it.
Sun protection level
Since this is presumably your number one reason for having a baby beach tent, be sure to verify what level of protection your chosen product offers. Most are in the range of 30-50 SPF. Using a beach tent doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen, but it goes a long way toward extending the time your family can spend at the beach with no ill effects for baby’s sensitive skin.
Size
Before making your purchase, consider how many children need to use the tent and whether you’ll want to get in there, too. A baby beach tent can be the perfect solution for breastfeeding moms, but only if they can fit inside with baby. Some models are just big enough for the infant, while others are designed for the whole family.
Durability
It gets pretty windy at the beach, and you’ll want a tent that can handle this without shredding the moment you open it up. Look for a tent that is made with a durable material. You may want to choose cotton if you want your tent to be breathable but able to absorb a little water from the air.
Nylon fabrics are waterproof but not breathable, so in this case make sure the tent has mesh panels that allow for a breeze.
Security
Some tents are merely sunshades with open fronts, while others can be zipped closed entirely. In any case, it’s best to choose a model that comes with pegs or sandbags that secure the tent to the ground. This will help keep your tent stable against the onslaught of wind and/or active children.
Extra Features
Some beach tents actually feature a little kiddie pool inside of them so that baby can splash around safely while the bigger kids hit the ocean. Some have multiple mesh panels for air flow that may or may not zip closed. Many models have ground covering but some do not. You’ll need to delve deep enough into the product description to be sure you are getting everything you want in this tent.
Best Baby Beach Tent on the Market Reviews
Following is everything you need to know about the 10 best baby beach tents on our list.
1 Bend River Automatic Instant Baby Tent with Pool
This baby beach tent has lots of fun and useful features, including a mini-pool inside and windows on both sides. The screened front panel can also be fully zipped to keep out bugs and at least some of the sand.
Setup is pretty easy, though not quite one-handed. Simply unfold the tent and pull up on the release wire while pushing down on the hub assembly. Four pegs are provided to keep the tent securely on the ground. A convenient carrying bag is provided for travel.
Made from durable 210T polyester taffeta, this tent offers 50+ SPF to shield baby’s skin. There is plenty of room inside for mom or dad to sit with baby in the shade, but floor space is considerably limited by the pool if it’s filled.
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2 Tamar Baby Beach Tent
The Tamar Baby Beach Tent also has an inside pool that can be used by digging out a little hole in the sand underneath the tent. One of the nicer extra features of this product is the inside pocket for storing toys and supplies. You also get a bonus floating ring for baby with your purchase.
The shade that covers the top of this tent is removable, but of course, it would provide no shade if you did that. This tent is open to the front; there is no way to fully enclose the space. However, to improve air flow, you can open the window in the back to reveal a mesh panel.
Setup is easy as this tent pops right up when removed from the included carrying bag. The strong parachute nylon material offers 50 SPF UV protection as long as you angle the open front away from the sun. Four staking pegs are included to keep the tent in place.
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3 SUNBA YOUTH Baby Tent
This sweet little tent is the perfect size for baby to rest or play inside. It can zip fully closed but has a mesh panel encircling the bottom for plenty of air flow at all times. The front panel has two layers so that you can create a darker space with both of them closed, or a lighter, breezier space with only the inner mesh panel zipped.
The Sunba Youth Baby Tent is made with non-toxic polyester material that has a special silver coating to reflect harmful UV rays away. It offers a UV rating of 50+ .
Setup is easy as the tent simply pops up and folds back down for storage in the included carrying bag. At less than two pounds, it is certainly a breeze to carry. Secure the tent during use with two tent pegs that affix at either end of the oval.
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4 MASCARRY Baby Beach Tent
Mascarry makes a baby beach tent much like Sunba, except that breathability is the prime focus in this design. Made with 190T nylon fabric, all of the panels permit air flow while still keeping out bugs and other pests.
With 50+ UPF UV protection and the ability to see your baby from all angles, this tent definitely does its job. But even nicer is the bonus gift of a cute little sun hat for baby to wear at the beach. One potential downside is that this is a smaller tent that doesn’t leave room for a parent to get inside, too.
Like the Sunba, the Mascarry tent can be fully zipped closed or tied open. It pops into position with no assembly required and there are two tent pegs included to secure it in place.
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5 NEQUARE Baby Beach Tent, Portable Pop Up Baby Tent
If you need something a little bigger to accommodate older children, this pop up beach tent from Nequare could do the trick. With a mini-pool inside plus two side pockets for storage, it is certainly convenient to use. And with a choice between pink and blue colors, it is also stylish.
This product is made with 190T special silver-coated UV protection waterproof fabric to ensure effective Anti-UV function. Your babies will get 50+ SPF coverage while inside the tent. However, the tent is really more like a sun shade as it is fully open in front.
An additional mesh window at the back allows for greater air flow. Four tent pegs secure your beach tent to the ground.
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6 Babymoov Anti-UV Tent
Babymoov offers three super-cute patterns for its beach tent, making it easy to spot on the beach. It’s also large in size, allowing for other members of the family to get out of the sun. The 50 UPF rating blocks 99% of harmful UV-A and UV-B rays and keeps wind and sand from bothering your baby.
The pop-up assembly is very easy to fold and unfold, and four pegs will keep your tent secure while in use. This tent has two mesh front panels that snap together with magnets. It’s enough to keep bugs away, but not secure against little hands. If desired, the panels may be tied back to keep the front open.
Despite its ample size, this tent is extremely lightweight at just 1.5 pounds and travels very nicely in the included carrying case. Buy with confidence as Babymoov offers a lifetime warranty on all of its products.
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7 SGODDE Large Pop Up Beach Tent
Larger families may want to consider this Sgodde beach tent. It can comfortably accommodate 2-3 people at a time and is perfect for moms who want to breastfeed in privacy and comfort. The fabric is silver-coated for optimal sun protection so you get a solid 50+ UPF.
One of the nicest features of the construction is that it is both ventilated and insulated. Many beach tents get hot inside no matter what you do, but the addition of insulation here keeps the air inside much cooler. Three large mesh windows let you catch the breeze.
Pop up assembly can be done one-handed but it could be a little more challenging to secure the tent via eight ground stakes that must be attached using rope (included). Also, this tent has no front panel, so it remains open at all times.
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8 Trendy Pop Up Shark Tent
If you are looking for something fun and different, why not spend your beach day in the mouth of a shark? This adorable shark-shaped tent is actually surprisingly roomy – large enough for 3-4 children or two adults to enjoy at the same time. You will also never have to worry about spotting on the beach it again after a trip into the ocean.
Because of its shape, this tent is longer than it is wide or tall. Some people may feel claustrophobic sitting toward the back, but there are mesh panels along each side to allow for viewing and air flow. The tent pops up automatically and comes with both stakes and sandbags to keep it secure.
The material is premium braided polyester fabric and the frame is made of high-quality fiberglass, allowing the tent to retain its shape well and last for a long time against the elements. This product blocks 99% of UV rays and is waterproof and wind-resistant.
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9 Schylling UV Play Shade, SPF 50+, Ultra portable
Multi-child families will love the roomy Schylling beach tent that can hold 2-3 children and stays dark enough inside for naps. Of course, you also get SPF 50+ protection from the sun’s brutal rays. A large mesh panel at the back and front panels that can be tied open create a nice breeze throughout. When you need privacy, simply close the front panels and roll the opaque window covering down.
Set up is easy with no assembly required. This product also has conveniently located “sand pockets” to use for securing it down. On grassy terrain, use the included ground stakes.
Some users wished for storage pockets on the inside, but are otherwise thrilled with the form and function of this product. The “Go Anywhere” carrying bag has straps that sling over your shoulder for transport.
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10 Wayfinder TravelTot, Baby Travel Tent Portable
And finally, from Wayfinder comes another oval-shaped tent made just for babies. It is constructed with breathable mesh around all sides and is only opaque on top to shield baby from the sun. It can be zipped closed to protect against bugs and sand while still being able to keep an eye on your baby (and vice versa).
UV50+ protection will keep your baby’s skin safe from burns. In cooler weather or when baby needs a darker environment for napping, you can zip down the side covers. Orange piping against a gray background makes this tent easy to spot from a distance, too.
The tent has an internal pole structure that allows it to pop up instantly. Two stakes are included to help secure it to the ground. Storage and transport is easy with the included carrying bag, but as with most beach tents, there is a bit of a learning curve to getting the tent back in the bag after use.
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Conclusion
For trips to the beach, pool, or anywhere outdoors, you will want the best portable tent available. Of course, your personal best will differ from others. A lot depends on how many children you have and how old they are, as well as what features are most important to you.
For the best travel tent you probably want something on the smaller side, but the good news is that each of the products on our list folds down quite compactly and has its own carrying bag. Even the best small tent is not helpful if it won’t fit the needs of your family.
Whether you have one baby or have been blessed with multiples, we think you’ll find the best baby beach tent for your needs on our list. There are ten great options to choose from, each with something special about it. Now you can enjoy the sun without worrying over what those rays will do to your sweet baby.