Before hitting the beach, you had picturesque visions of your baby sporting her adorable sunglasses, dipping her toes into the water and happily playing in the sand. And then reality set in: Babies get seriously fussy in the heat and your tot won’t keep her sunglasses on for more than three seconds. Plus, you’re not supposed to put sunscreen on infants until they’re six months old (and toddlers are so damn wriggly). All of it is enough to make you want to skip the sun and sand entirely. But don’t cancel your trip to the beach just yet! Instead, invest in a baby beach tent that will keep your babe feeling comfortable and cool. We scoured the reviews to find the five best baby beach tents that parents—and their minis—love. (Psst: You don’t just have to use these at the beach, they’re also great at the pool or even in your own backyard.)
The 5 Best Baby Beach Tents for Maximizing Summertime Fun (and Minimizing Sunburns)
1. Best Tent For Beach Fun: Monobeach Baby Beach Tent
We love a multitasking product, don’t you? This clever pick is both a beach tent and a pool. Simply fill the small, round dip in the bottom with water—up to one and a half gallons—and your infant can safely splash around on the beach, sans any unpredictable ocean waves. The sides are SPF50+ protected but can easily be detached for cloudy days (or when your baby wants to look around at all the action). Weighing less than two pounds, this pool-slash-tent is easy to transport and comes with a carrying case and four pegs. Recommended for kids ages 12 months to 3 years old.
2. Best Lightweight Tent: Fhzytg Large Baby Beach Tent
Remember when a trip the beach just required a swimsuit and a bottle of sunscreen? Now you need to bring the diaper bag, a carrier or stroller, snacks, toys and more diapers, plus the baby. Enter this easy breezy tent that weighs just 14 ounces and requires zero assembly to set up (it pops up all on its own). The UPF 50+ panels will protect your baby from the sun while the breathable mesh keeps the bugs away. It’s one of the smaller tents on the market, which means it probably won’t last until toddlerhood, but it’s a great option for parents who are planning on hitting the beach every weekend this summer.
3. Best For Napping: Babymoov Babyni Baby Beach Tent
Nothing ruins a trip to the beach like an overtired baby. Make sure your kid is set up for nap time success with this cozy tent that doubles as a sleep space and a play pen. It boasts the all-important UPF 50 sun protection, plus a removable and washable mattress for outdoor napping. The tent canopy keeps sand and wind at bay while the mosquito net keeps the bugs out. Extra bonus: The three hanging toys to keep your babe entertained while you finally find time to delve into your beach read.
4. Best For Staying Organized: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
This spacious pick is great for babies (thanks to the UPF 50+ protection and large windows for ventilation) and parents (hi, interior pockets that can store phones and sunscreen). It’s also incredibly easy to set up, with some parents claiming to have their tents beach-ready in just ten seconds. And yep, the breakdown is just as easy. Weighing about 4.5 pounds, two adults plus their mini can fit comfortably in here.
5. Best Tent For The Whole Family: Outdoormaster Pop-up Beach Tent
This highly-rated pick can easily fit a family of four, with room to spare and is ready to go in just one minute. We also love that the instructions are printed on a tag on the carrier bag so there’s no chance of losing them. With a removable skylight and three windows, there’s plenty of ventilation in here, as well as UPF 50+ protection, of course. But our favorite family-friendly feature? The ability to zip up the front entryway for total privacy, ideal for a family nap or discreetly changing out of wet clothes.