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Apr 16, 2023

Best Baby Beach Tents 2023

Add an extra layer of sun protection to your little one’s beach day with one of

Add an extra layer of sun protection to your little one's beach day with one of the best baby beach tents. A tent or beach umbrella is often essential for a day at the beach as a family, but especially for those with babies too young to wear sunscreen. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should keep infants under 6 months old (who can't yet wear sunscreen due to their sensitive skin) out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m to 4 p.m., with adequate shade, such as with a baby beach tent. Our favorite baby beach tent overall, the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent, includes UPF 50+ protection, easy setup, ventilation and a padded floor mat.

Keep them safe from the sun with the best baby beach tents.

"For babies 6 months and older, apply a mineral-based (zinc) sunscreen to avoid irritation or allergies," says board-certified dermatologist and owner of Skin Center Boston Dr. Vladyslava Doktor. You’ll also want to dress little ones in lightweight, long-sleeve (if possible) sun-safe baby swimwear and clothing for an extra layer of protection when at the beach since you can never be too safe.

Of course, today's baby beach tent options go beyond simple sun protection with pop-up play yards to entertain and sometimes built-in pools for safe water play. Some key features to look for when shopping for the best baby beach tents are UV protection, ventilation, quality and whether it comes with stakes to keep it in the ground, notes pediatric nurse Shannon Tripp who is also a beach mom to five children. "As a mom with multiple kids, whenever I buy anything, I think about the weight and ease of use too," says Tripp. "This includes easy to set up/breakdown, a nice carrier strap (hands-free carrying options are key), lightweight and size."

Here are the best baby beach tents to keep your little one cool for the summer. You might also want to check out the best beach chairs and the best baby sunscreens.

Amazon

Dimensions: 86.6 x 49 x 47 inches| Waterproof: No but water-resistant | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

Big enough to fit parents too, this top-rated Amazon Choice baby beach tent is a favorite among moms and dads for a multitude of reasons. Setup is fuss-free, which is so important when you have little ones to tend to, and at just over 4 pounds, it's a breeze to bring with you. Perhaps most importantly, it offers UPF 50+ sun protection with large windows to ensure your baby doesn't overheat during those on-the-go beach naps—plus a spacious floor mat to keep the sand out. Breastfeeding moms love that it provides a bit of privacy and a comfortable spot to feed the baby too. It comes with convenient internal pockets to stash your cell phone, sunscreen or extra diapers and wipes, which is definitely an underappreciated feature.

Amazon

Dimensions: 31 x 51 x 39 inches | Waterproof: Yes | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

Whether you’re taking one toddler to the beach or planning a baby play date, this waterproof pop-up tent has them covered—and at a great price. It's roomy enough for multiple little ones and quickly sets up with one hand while you hold your child in the other (because parenting). It comes with tie-down pegs and sand pockets so you won't have to worry about it flying away. Most importantly, it packs up super fast for a quick exit when the inevitable afternoon meltdown strikes. Featuring UPF 50+ sun protection, you’ll feel good knowing your little one has a safe and shady area to relax, snack, nap or just play in.

Amazon

Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 48 inches | Waterproof: Yes | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

I love that this baby beach tent actually looks like it was designed for a child with a fun sea-creature-themed print you can't miss, which is super convenient on a packed beach. While it's not the easiest to set up of the other options here (it really requires two people), it's a great bang-for-your-buck choice if you’re not a frequent beachgoer. Spacious enough for the whole family, this tent provides the maximum UPF 50+ sun protection and extended full-length ventilation screens for ample air flow. It's also PU800 waterproof so you can stay dry during a quick rain shower—a common occurrence at the North Carolina beaches I grew up going to. It packs up compactly and, at just over 3 pounds, won't weigh you down. Front zips offer some privacy for swimsuit, diaper changes or a quick breastfeeding session.

Amazon

Dimensions: ‎44 x 25 x 18 inches | Waterproof: No | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

For families who like to hang at the beach all day, finding a safe spot for your little one to catch some Zzzs is a must. This portable pop-up baby beach tent is available in two sizes and doubles as a toddler travel bed for beach days, campouts and more. At only 5.5 pounds, it's fairly lightweight, and it folds up small to fit into the included travel bag. It features an UPF 50 protected canopy. The regular size offers a zippered mesh opening for ventilation, while the larger tent comes with a two-layer mesh and roll-down fabric shade.

Other features I love are the self-inflating pad to make beach naps more cozy, the quick and easy pop-up setup and that the cover is 100% machine washable. The only caveat is that your little one must be at least 6 months old to safely use this tent for naps.

Amazon

Dimensions: ‎27 x 4 x 4 inches | Waterproof: No but water-resistant | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

If you’ve ever stepped foot on an East Coast beach, you’ve likely seen a Shibumi Shade or, more likely, a sea of them flapping in the wind all along the coastline. A number of my family members own and rave about the Shibumi, including my mother, brother and myself. It's so lightweight (just throw it over your shoulder and go), fast and easy to set up—working with the wind—and it folds back into the carrying case without much fuss. "It's super lightweight, with just the canopy drape and two sticks and so easy to pack," Tripp adds. "Without wind, the canopy won't fly, but we’ve never had a problem, and it's the lightest option for quick, easy shade coverage."

It also provides UPF 50+ sun protection and 150-square-feet of shade. I can comfortably fit a pair of beach chairs, a cooler and a small baby beach wagon underneath. The Shibumi is definitely noisy, which can be a good thing if your little one needs a bit of white noise to sleep or annoying to the rest of your crew. It's made in the U.S. from 40% recycled plastic bottles.

Amazon

Dimensions: ‎16.5 x 16.5 x 5.1 inches | Waterproof: Yes, at base | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

I love the versatility of this stylish baby beach tent that pops up (or down) in seconds, so there's no fumbling with flimsy poles or filling a bunch of big sand bags. In addition to blocking 99% of the sun's harmful rays, this 3-in-1 baby beach tent comes with a detachable mosquito net and a built-in pool. Because it's tough to entertain a crawling kiddo only interested in shoveling fistfuls of sand in their mouth or heading straight for the waves, convert this tent into a mini pool by removing the floor mat. This lets your youngest get into the water fun minus a rough surf. It's also the perfect play yard with a comfy mat and three included infant toys.

The California Beach Co.

Dimensions: ‎‎36.7 x 6.9 x 6.7 inches | Waterproof: No | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

This portable playpen pops up in seconds, which is clutch if you’ve ever tried setting up a two-person tent with a crying baby attached to you—trust me, the convenience is well worth the price. It's constructed of breathable mesh, has a UPF50+ UV canopy and features sturdy rails that stay put thanks to the safety lock. Plus it's extra spacious, providing your little one has room to roam—or you can jump in for a breastfeeding session or snacktime. It's well-made, meaning you won't have to buy a new tent next year, and comes with six ground stakes and seven sand stakes to keep it from flying away in the wind. It also promises to be really easy to break down and pack up.

Amazon

Dimensions: ‎56 x 43 x 35 inches | Waterproof: No but water-resistant | UPF protection: Yes | Carrying case: Yes

For the adventurous family that loves the great outdoors and has multiple kiddos, you can't go wrong with this stylish, portable pop-up tent from cult-fave baby gear brand, Veer. It's big enough to comfortably fit a few small kids with room to play or a parent, toddler and baby. Designed to make your life easier, it pops up in two seconds (according to multiple reviewers) and easily folds back into the storage bag in less than a minute. It's also fairly lightweight, at 7 pounds, so it won't weigh your beach wagon down or kill your back if you’re carrying it on your shoulder.

Some features I love are the breathable mesh sides and roof, offering a full 360-degree view of the kids, so they’re always in sight, as well as the removable UPF 50 cover to shield them from the sun, rain or pesky bugs on the beach. It's also JPMA certified, and this tent zips from the outside in case you need to keep your little crawler contained in a safe space. Size up to the Family Basecamp tent if your kids are older.

To curate this list, I relied on my own personal experience as a Southern California mom who regularly schleps her three kids—including a baby—to the beach (we live walking distance). I also spoke with a board-certified pediatric dermatologist and a pediatric ER nurse and mom influencer who is raising her own five children in Puerto Rico. I considered whether or not each baby tent offered the most important features like UV protection, convenience, durability and ventilation, as well as the nice-to-haves like a carry-strap and quick setup. I pored over reviews for additional feedback and included my favorite tents here, as well as those of my sources and other parents.

This story is also regularly reviewed for accuracy and was last updated in May 2023.

Absolutely. Whether you’re looking to contain a crawling baby with a cool pop-up play yard, provide your infant a safe space to snooze or set up shade for the whole family to play under, a baby beach tent adds an all-important extra layer of sun protection. "You can't be too careful when your child is out in the sun, so having a shaded area to use for a break from the sun is a great option, especially on hotter days," says Tripp.

Tents provide good protection from the sun, but Doktor advises parents to be careful of overheating, as babies don't have developed sweat glands like adults and can't control their own body temperature as well. Finding a tent with proper ventilation and air flow is a must. "Hydration is very important too," says Doktor.

It's important to note that even the best baby beach tents are not a replacement for applying SPF, warns Tripp: "A baby beach tent can be convenient and provide additional sun protection, but you should always properly apply (and reapply) SPF to children over 6 months."

"At the beach, a 6-month-old should wear a hat with a wide brim that shades the neck, long pants and long-sleeve shirts," says Doktor. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends looking for loose, lightweight clothes (like cotton) with a tight weave. They also suggest baby sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection to shield your little one's eyes.

And, of course, you can't forget the SPF—look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of 30. Apply 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every couple hours.

"Darker colors, such as black and blue, are best for sun protection, as they block UV radiation by absorbing it," explains Doktor. "However, that makes the temperature higher in the tent." To keep your baby comfortable, look for tents with large mesh windows (or roll up sides) that let the beach breeze in and allow for adequate air flow and ventilation.

Doktor prefers a beach tent, which can shield from the sun and offer ventilation to prevent overheating. Tripp agrees, adding that beach tents typically offer more constant shade and sun protection than umbrellas. "With the right materials, they can also be cooler."