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10 Best Baby Beach Tents of 2024

Updated
Sunscreen and sunhats alone won't cut it.

Kids need more sun protection than adults; babies under six months shouldn’t even be in direct sunlight. If you are spending extended periods at the beach this summer, you’ll need something with wider coverage.

We’ve scoured countless online retailers, taking into account UV protection, ventilation, user-friendliness, sturdiness, and budget. Our final list highlights the most durable, effective beach baby tents on the market, so you don’t have to wade through the sub-par options.

Whether you have a newborn or toddlers to protect from unnecessary sun exposure, these are the best beach baby tents on the market.

Our Top Picks

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Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup
Best for Wind & Safety
Pacific Breeze Easy Setup
  • Fillable sandbags keep tent firmly grounded
  • Easy to set up and take down
  • Waterproof materials keep you safe
Product Image of the Sunba Pop-up Tent
Best Pop-up Tent
Sunba Pop-up Tent
  • Opens quickly and easily
  • UPF 50+ with ventilation
  • Extended floor panel means more room
Product Image of the Bend River Pop Up Baby Beach Tent
Best UV Protection
Bend River Pop Up Baby Beach Tent
  • One-touch setup saves time
  • Built-in mini pool
  • Screen door to keep bugs out
Product Image of the Pacific Play Lil Nursery
Best for Toddlers
Pacific Play Lil Nursery
  • Plenty of mesh panels for airflow
  • Easy-to-clean polyethylene tent floor
  • Fun designs & colors appealing to kids
Product Image of the Babymoov Anti-UV Tent
Best Lightweight Tent
Babymoov Anti-UV Tent
  • Ultralight and easy to carry
  • Mesh screens prevent bugs
  • UPF50+ for optimal sun protection
Product Image of the OutdoorMaster Pop-up Tent
Best for the Whole Family
OutdoorMaster Pop-up Tent
  • Large screens keep tent cool
  • Easy to set up without hassle
  • Zips for privacy
Product Image of the Pop-up 4 Person Tent
Best for Twins
Pop-up 4 Person Tent
  • Spacious to fit more than one child
  • Collapses into small carrying bag
  • High-quality UV protection
Product Image of the Monobeach Pool Tent
Best with a Pool
Monobeach Pool Tent
  • Easy-to-fill pool
  • UV protection materials keeps baby safe
  • Weighing under 2 pounds
Product Image of the Wilwolfer Pop-up Sun Shelter
Best Budget Tent
Wilwolfer Pop-up Sun Shelter
  • Affordable option
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Can fit a child and adult
Product Image of the Schylling UV Play Shade
Best No-Fuss Tent
Schylling UV Play Shade
  • Great sun protection
  • Simple set up and take down
  • Carry bag included


The Best Baby Beach Tents of 2024

These are our favorite beach tents for babies on the market.

Pacific Breeze Baby Beach Tent

Best Baby Beach Tent for Wind & Safety

Our favorite tent for especially windy days is the Easy Setup Beach Tent from Pacific Breeze. Don’t let the compact size fool you! This tent is sturdy and comes with several features designed with safety in mind.

The tent frame is durable fiberglass with polyester and plastic materials outfitting the sides and floor. The frame won’t buckle or snap when a strong breeze blows off from the ocean.

With the plastic flooring, not only can you easily wipe off sand when you’re done, but you can also place heavy items inside the tent to help anchor it. Not that you would need to, because this baby beach tent has both stakes and sandbags to anchor it down. You can secure the tent by digging the stakes into the ground or filling up the attached sandbags with sand.

These added anchoring features may make this tent a good fit for you and your family if you live in an especially windy area.

You may think all of this sturdiness would lead to a heavier beach tent that is hard to carry around and set up. Luckily, this beach tent has a special hub system for assembly and breakdown. Simply pull on the drawstrings to snap and secure the frame into place.

In total, the entire tent in its carrying bag weighs about four and a half pounds.

Pros

  • Fillable sandbags ensure the tent is anchored.
  • Unique hub system makes setup easy.
  • UPF50+ with waterproof materials for sun and weather protection.

Cons

  • No front panel means you can’t close the tent off, making it hard to change clothes or breastfeed in private.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 87 inches by 47 inches by 49 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4.5 / 5
Stability
5 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.75 / 5

User Experience

When I first bought this product, I was looking for a beach tent that was easy to set up and manage on my solo adventures. I'm happy to report that this tent is not only simple to assemble but also provides excellent shade and is surprisingly durable in windy conditions. The sand pockets are a great feature, and I also found it useful to fill empty Ziploc bags with sand for additional weight and stability. The tent is a bit smaller than expected, fitting two adults comfortably, but it's perfect for storing my belongings and keeping them sand-free.

Sunba Pop-up Baby Beach Tent

Best Pop-up Baby Beach Tent

We love that this specially-designed beach tent, made with elastic metal material, can pop up in three seconds flat. It may take a little bit of practice, but you can supposedly collapse the tent in three seconds as well.

To open the tent, simply remove it from its case. It should immediately spring open and take shape. A small shake may be needed as you position it.

To collapse the tent, you fold it in half once and then begin folding it again. As you do so, the flexible frame will curl into a ring formation you can easily stack into a circle, which then fits into the circle-shaped carrying bag.

If you are a mama who wants to embrace the “beach bum” lifestyle this summer, this pop-up tent may be a great option for you. Setting up a more complicated tent regularly will get old fast! Plus, you do not want to waste time you could be spending with your family.

This tent has many other positive features. It has a UPF of 50+ and is made of breathable, water-repellent polyester. Mesh windows provide ventilation, and the floor mat extends, which will allow older children and adults to stay close to the tent more comfortably.

The entire tent weighs a little over two pounds and can be easily carried to and from your car, making cleanup a less stressful experience.

Pros

  • Opens quickly and easily — saves time for more fun.
  • UPF 50+ with ventilation for safety and airflow.
  • Extended floor panel for your comfort.

Cons

  • It may take some practice to learn how to collapse it properly.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 65 inches by 59 by 43.5 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4.5 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.5 / 5

Personal Perspective

In my experience, this product has been beneficial for spending time outdoors with young children, providing ample sun protection and a comfortable space for them to play or nap. While the tent itself is made of good quality material and is easy to set up, folding it back into the carrying case can be a bit of a challenge and may require some practice. Unfortunately, the tent doesn't withstand windy conditions well, and the stakes provided for securing it in the sand aren't sufficient. The silver coating does make the interior warmer, so using a portable fan or setting it up in a shaded area can help with temperature control.

Bend River Pop Up Baby Beach Tent

Best Baby Beach Tent for UV Protection

This baby tent is a top choice for UV protection since it has UPF 50+ coating — but it also has some other features that make it stand out from the crowd. Sometimes UV protection isn’t enough to keep your baby happy and cool during a trip to the beach.

But this tent goes the extra mile. For starters, it has a mini swimming pool inside, which can keep your baby occupied and cool even on hot days. Of course, keep an eye on your baby while the pool is filled, even though it’s only an inch or two deep. If you don’t want to use the pool, it’s not obtrusive at all. Many parents just cover it with blankets, and their babies are happy all day!

We also love the screen door. It keeps all kinds of bugs and mosquitos out. Besides the screen door, this tent has three windows which provide great ventilation, so the tent doesn’t get too warm. When you close the screen door, you can still see your little one, but sand and mosquitos will stay away!

Pros

  • UPF 50+ for UV protection.
  • One-touch setup — easy for beginners.
  • Built-in mini pool, so baby stays in the tent.
  • Closable screen door to keep bugs out.

Cons

  • Quite small – may only fit one baby.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 35 inches by 35 inches by 39 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
5 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.75 / 5

Community Feedback

Definitely a handy beach tent with some pros and cons. I love that it's white, which keeps it cool in the sun, and it's spacious enough for me to sit and nurse my baby. However, the pool feature raises some concerns about extra fabric and suffocation risks. Folding it up can be tricky initially, but becomes easier once you get the hang of it.

Pacific Play Lil Nursery Tent

Best Beach Tent for Toddlers

This tent is called Lil Nursery for a reason! With bright and fun colors, the design of this beach tent is perfect for keeping toddlers entertained and contained. Not only will your little one enjoy being inside this tent, but the multiple mesh ventilation panels mean they can enjoy beautiful beach views.

The tent has three mesh panels, two on the side and one roll-up mesh door. To keep your baby safe from the sun, the mesh panels on the side cover the bottom half of the tent. The upper half has UV-treated, waterproof fabric.

If you have toddlers who love to explore and see the world around them, this tent is a great option to keep those happy smiles on their faces. The floor is also made of easy-to-wash polyethylene fabric, so you can clean up messes in a jiffy.

Each lightweight tent can be easily assembled, collapsed, and stored away in the included carrying bag.

Pros

  • Plenty of mesh panels for beautiful beach views.
  • Easy-to-clean polyethylene floor.
  • Fun designs and colors to catch babies’ eyes.

Cons

  • It doesn’t include anything to anchor the tent with, so you need to be careful if it’s windy outside.
  • UPF 30 rating, so it may not be a great option for super sunny, bright days.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches
UV Protection No
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup No

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
2.5 / 5
Ventilation
4.5 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
3 / 5
Total Rating
3.5 / 5

First-Hand Impression

My experience with this product has been fantastic, as it provided a convenient and comfortable shelter for my baby during our beach trips. The compact design made it easy to set up and pack away, while the ventilation on three sides allowed for a cool and pleasant environment inside. Although the tent doesn't come with stakes, it remained sturdy and secure with the help of a heavy bag or some sandbags. I appreciated the waterproof bottom, which helped to keep sand out, and the non-mesh side that could be turned to shield the sun.

Babymoov Anti-UV Tent

Best Lightweight Baby Beach Tent

Important, essential features do not always mean added weight. This baby beach tent was designed to be ultralight and portable. Moms looking for a quick solution for sun protection may want to consider this beach tent.

The small size is how it stays light. Big enough for your baby and some of their essentials, just set it up next to you. We especially like the neutral design.

If needed, an adult can kneel inside the tent comfortably. With two-way zippers, you can open the tent from the inside and outside.

All of the panels are made of high premium fabric with a UPF50+ rating. The entire tent can be enclosed, but just unzip the large panels to reveal the mesh ventilation panels.

The high-quality net was made specifically to protect your baby from bugs and sand.

Each tent also comes with a storage bag and stakes you can use to anchor the tent down.

Pros

  • Ultralight design and size for portability.
  • High-quality mesh panels to prevent bugs and sands from getting in.
  • UPF50+ fabric for optimal sun protection.

Cons

  • Terrible folding instructions.
  • Some customers have not received the pegs.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 35 inches by 33 inches by 38 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4.5 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

User Experience

In my experience, this product provided excellent sun protection during our baby's first beach visit and even served as a bug shield with its zippered nets. It was lightweight and relatively simple to set up and fold, although getting it back into the carry bag took a bit of practice. The tent could benefit from being a few inches taller, as I'm 5'5" and could barely sit inside to feed my baby. Despite some minor stability issues on windy days, this tent has been a valuable addition to our outdoor adventures.

OutdoorMaster Pop-up Beach Tent

Best Beach Tent for the Whole Family

Whether your family is hanging out on the beach or lounging in your own backyard for a big outdoor party, you’ll need a place to hide from the sun’s strong rays.

The OutdoorMaster Pop-up Beach and Shade Tent will give you the protection you’re looking for so you don’t have to head indoors to catch a break.

The tent can easily fit a family of four, with room to spare. It can be set up in one minute. Although you shouldn’t need them because it’s so easy to set up, the instructions are printed on a tag that’s attached to the carrying bag it comes in, making them impossible to lose.

The tent offers 97.5 percent UV protection, and it has screens on three different sides, so air continues to blow right through. So even when it’s hot outside, you’ll still get to feel any passing breezes.

Outdoor Master Beach tent review

If you want a secure place to change your clothes after a day of frolicking in the waves, you can zip up the tent and give your family total privacy to take off their wet swimsuits and get dressed into dry summer clothes.

It comes with easy-to-insert stakes so the tent won’t blow away if the weather starts to get a bit windy. Since it has a rain- and wind-resistant shell, it’s also a good option for camping in warmer weather.

It’s so lightweight that you’ll be able to carry it with you anywhere you go. With this tent, you’ll be able to make unforgettable family memories while giving yourself a break from too much sun.

Pros

  • It won’t feel hot inside this tent because of the screens that let air in.
  • You can zip it up for privacy or summer campouts.
  • Easy to set up and take down.
  • The stakes for the tent are brightly colored, so you don’t have to search for them.

Cons

  • The material of the tent is a bit thin.

Product Specs

Size After Setup XL
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation No
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.5 / 5

Personal Perspective

Love the convenience and functionality of this product! The tent is spacious enough for beach chairs, a small cooler, and provides privacy for nursing mothers. It pops up effortlessly, and with a bit of practice, folding it back up is manageable. The waterproof material and built-in windows make it perfect for a breezy, shaded beach experience.

Pop-up 4 Person Beach Tent

Best Beach Tent for Twins

Spacious and open, this roomy beach tent can easily fit you and your twins. You can sit with your babies, change them, or let them wiggle around without any discomfort or worry.

The tent size is 95 x 71 x 39 inches. When expanded, the center height of the tent is 40 inches, which is just under 3 and a half feet. You may not be able to stand all the way up, but you will definitely be able to move around more comfortably than in most baby beach tents.

The carrying weight is five pounds, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go.

If you are a mom with twins, you have to think about getting two of everything. That isn’t always easy if you are on a budget. We like this tent because it has plenty of room for your twins now, but can be used well into the future as they grow.

Along with your tent, you get ground stakes and a carrying bag. The materials are waterproof and UPF 50+. The tent has multiple window and door openings, which are all lined with mesh.

Pros

  • Plenty of room for you and your twins.
  • Collapses into a small carrying bag for easier travel.
  • Made of high-quality UV protection materials.

Cons

  • The large size means you have to keep a closer eye on your twins while in the tent.
  • Even though the tent pops up, it may be harder to collapse at the end of the day due to the large frame.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 95 inches by 71 inches by 31 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation Yes
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4 / 5
Stability
3.5 / 5
Ease of Setup
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Community Feedback

I recently purchased this pop-up tent for a camping trip and was amazed by its ease of use and convenience. As someone who has always struggled with setting up tents, I found this product to be a game-changer. It took me only 10 minutes to set up and take down during a trial run in my backyard. This tent provided excellent protection from bugs, light rain, and wind during our camping trip at 8000ft. It comfortably fits two people and has convenient features such as mesh windows for ventilation and internal stow pockets. While learning how to pack it back up took some practice, it eventually became an enjoyable task. The tent is lightweight and easily fits in the back of a sedan, making it perfect for camping adventures or even a day at the beach.

Monobeach Pool Baby Tent

Best Beach Tent with a Pool

How do pools in a beach tent work?

In general, the tent comes in two pieces — the shade and the pool. The shade blocks the sun, while the center pool has a pocket of sorts. Dig it down into the sand and fill with water.

The Monobeach Pool Baby Tent is a great example of how awesome these types of tents can be. The shade tent is made of UPF50+ fabric and automatically pops up. The tent also pops open and can be filled with up to approximately one and a half gallons of water.

Included is a carrying bag and four pegs to anchor the shade and pool. This baby beach tent is recommended for children at least 7 months old but no older than 3 years.

We think moms should have a little extra help at the beach, and this pool will keep your little one entertained. Giving your baby a chance to splash around can help keep them happy and give you a little extra time to enjoy the sun.

Safety First

Babies can drown in just two inches of water. Never leave your baby alone in a baby beach tent with a pool.

Pros

  • The easy-to-fill pool allows for a lot of fun in the sun.
  • UV protection materials keep your baby safe.
  • Collapses into a carrying bag that weighs under 2 pounds.

Cons

  • Cleaning the tent may take time, especially if a lot of sand gets into the pool area.
  • Even the shallowest water can be dangerous for babies left unsupervised.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 47.5 inches by 31.5 inches by 27.5 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation No
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
3 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

First-Hand Impression

Love this product for its versatility and protection during our family beach vacation! It provided a cozy and shaded space for my infant, and even my toddler and her friend used it for shade as well. The tent's size is perfect, though I wish the assembly and disassembly process was a bit easier. We found that filling the sand pockets was more effective than using stakes for securing the tent in windy conditions.

Pop-up Sun Shelter

Best Budget Baby Beach Tent

With this Pop-up Sun Shelter from Wilwolfer, you can enjoy a decent-sized baby beach tent with the highest levels of protection. The tent can fit a child and an adult or two children. It’s made of 190T silver-coated polyester Oxford fabric with a UV rating of 50+.

A mesh panel in the back allows for ventilation, and a storage bag on the side helps you keep all of your beach toys and essentials tucked away. The front door extends so an adult can stay close without dealing with a lot of sand.

We believe all of these features are a must-have for baby beach tents, and you get them all in this tent for a good price.

Pros

  • Great sun protection for an affordable price.
  • Lightweight materials allow for easy carrying.
  • The size allows a single baby to grow into it for years to come.

Cons

  • Lightweight material may not be suitable for rugged weather conditions.
  • It is a little small for adults to move around comfortably.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 65 inches by 59 inches by 43.5 inches
UV Protection Yes
Ventilation No
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
3 / 5
Stability
3 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

User Experience

Love how this product instantly pops up and saves time during assembly! I recently took it on a family vacation to Hawaii and it fit perfectly in our check-in luggage. Despite its lightweight design, it held up against the windy beach conditions, providing enough shade for my family of four. It took a few tries to figure out the folding process, but once I got the hang of it, it became much easier. Just keep in mind that while it does offer some shade, it's still important to wear sunscreen as it doesn't completely block the sun.

Schylling UV Play Shade

Best No-Fuss Baby Tent

For a day at the beach or an impromptu picnic in your backyard or park, this play shade tent is a cinch to take along with you. If you’ve ever scratched your head and hoped for the best while setting up a tent, you can breathe a sigh of relief with this one. It only takes a couple of seconds to pop up with little help from you.

Once it’s up, it’s roomy enough for more than one kid. You can fit in there with your child, too, although you’ll have to stoop to make it happen since it’s only 31 inches tall. The include tie-down pegs and sand pockets help keep this lightweight tent from flying away with any high winds.

And when you’re done with your outing, you can fold this tent up rather easily and put it in the travel bag for simple carrying. If you’ve ever unsuccessfully tried to put a tent back into a carry bag, you might wonder how well this one goes back into the bag. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a magician to make it happen — it fits fine back into the bag.

This tent does more than give you some shade to sit under. It protects your baby’s skin by using SPF 50+ fabric. You’ll reduce your child’s risk of getting sunburned while on a fun day out.

Pros

  • Great sun protection.
  • Simple to set up and take down.
  • Comes with a carrying bag that makes it easier to pack up.
  • It has a mesh screen that allows airflow.

Cons

  • A parent will fit, but they will have to sit — if they’re tall, their head might still hit the top.

Product Specs

Size After Setup 31 inches by 51 inches by 39 inches
UV Protection SPF 50+
Ventilation Mesh window
Easy Setup Yes

Our Ratings

Uv Protection
5 / 5
Ventilation
4 / 5
Stability
4 / 5
Ease of Setup
5 / 5
Total Rating
4.5 / 5

Personal Perspective

If you're looking for a convenient and efficient way to provide shade and privacy for your little ones during outdoor activities, this product is worth considering. I found it to be very compact and easy to set up with just one hand, which was a major plus when juggling a newborn. The mesh window offers excellent privacy, and the tent is spacious enough for an adult to sit or toddlers to stand up inside. However, the airflow could be improved, as it can get quite warm inside the tent even with the front and back flaps open.

How to Choose a Baby Beach Tent

If you are on the hunt for a beach tent to bring with you on your summer adventures, you have a lot of options.

We suggest you keep these five features in mind to make sure the beach tent you purchase is of the highest quality:

Ultraviolet Protection

Some baby tents only provide shade because they are made of cheaper materials. To stop harmful radiation from reaching your baby, make sure to look for beach tents that say “ultraviolet protection” (UPF) on the label. UPF 50+ is the highest standard and what we recommend (1).

Pop-up Design

Trying to set up a complicated tent is the last thing you want to be doing at the beach. Look for a beach tent with a pop-up design that will allow you to set up and disassemble your tent easily. These will save you time and energy better spent on your toddlers.

Pop-up tents are also safer than tents with poles, which can easily snap and injure you or your kids. Keep in mind, though, that pop-up tents tend to be on the flimsier side and may not be as weatherproof or sturdy.

Ventilation

It isn’t a good idea to place your little one in a closed-off space that is heated. Even with special UVP materials, beach tents can get hot and stuffy quickly. The beach tent you choose should be ventilated, with mesh panels for airflow.

Choosing a breathable fabric will also go a long way in improving ventilation. We recommend polyester. Want even more air? Try a tent with a screen door. You can pop it open for more ventilation and close it to keep out the creepy crawlies.

Anchor Points

A good ocean breeze can knock a lot of things over. Avoid your beach tent collapsing while your baby is inside by getting a beach tent with anchor points. Generally, this means the tent comes with pegs you can stick deep in the sand to anchor it down.

Instead of pegs, some tents come with refillable sandbags as anchors. These might be a better alternative if you want to travel lighter. Just make sure you’re setting up camp somewhere with access to the sand.

Size

The size of the tent you choose should be based on your specific needs. However, we suggest looking for a tent that can fit at least one adult and one child. This will allow you to breastfeed in privacy or tend to your child with ease.

We recommend choosing a tent at least 50 inches high and 80 inches wide for a family of four. If you have a taller partner, be sure to pay more attention to dimensions. If your tent only needs to fit a newborn or twins, you can choose a smaller option.

A little bit of research can go a long way. Before purchasing a baby beach tent, make sure to read the reviews from other moms and go through all of the product specifications about how the tent is made and how it works.


Baby Beach Tents vs. Umbrellas

Umbrellas are a popular option for sun protection at the beach. While they can be a great option for adults, there are a few reasons they are not the best choice for protecting your baby.

Here are a few to consider:

  • Babies need to be completely out of the sun. The coverage you get with an umbrella is too inconsistent when compared to a tent.
  • Umbrellas may not hold up to adverse weather conditions. A strong wind or rain can blow them right over. Baby tents are designed to be anchored down, no matter the weather.
  • Baby beach tents are generally made with ultraviolet protection materials to reduce the radiation that reaches your baby’s skin dramatically. It is harder to find umbrellas with the same level of protection.

We think the best baby products are those made specifically with babies in mind. Baby beach tents meet that requirement.

The Dangers of Sunshine

Your baby may be a ball of sunshine, but their skin isn’t ready to be exposed to the sun.

It all comes down to melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for coloring skin, hair, and eyes. Natural melanin levels in teens and adults can also provide some sun protection, absorbing harmful UV rays (2).

Caution

Children under six months have extremely low levels of melanin. Their skin is also still too sensitive for sunscreen.

Combined, these factors mean a baby getting too much sun has a high risk of:

  • Painful sunburns.
  • Dangerous skin damage.
  • Lasting eye damage.
  • Overheating.

Some studies even show that UV exposure in childhood is a major factor in determining the risk level of future skin cancer (3).

Sun Protection for Babies

How can you get out of the house without exposing your baby to harmful sun side effects?

The Skin Cancer Foundation provides some useful tips depending on your baby’s age:

  • 0-6 months: Never have your baby in direct sunlight. Use lightweight clothing to cover their entire body and wide-brimmed sun hats to cover their faces. Make sure your vehicles and strollers have sun-protectant screens. Do not apply sunscreen.
  • 6-12 months: Continue to use all of the suggestions for younger babies, but you may now start applying baby-safe sunscreen with SPF 15. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors and every two hours after that.
  • 1 year and older: Introduce Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) when you go outside. UPF clothing helps by preventing radiation from passing through the fabric. The higher the UPF level, the less radiation that will reach the skin. This is especially helpful as children get older and are harder to keep still. Make sure you keep reapplying sunblock every two hours!

There is never a time when the suggestions on this list will not apply to your child, no matter their age.

Remember

Always use sunscreen, protective clothing, and diligence when going out into the sun for any period of time.
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Baby Beach Tent Safety Tips

We know safety will always be your priority when it comes to your baby. As with any other product you use, you must understand how to use your baby beach tent correctly.

Here are four safety tips you should consider:

1. Always Anchor It

A large plastic tent with a metal frame collapsing on your child is a sure way to cause some chaos. Always anchor your beach tent down. Use the included stakes and sandbags if provided.

If those items are not included, place heavy, baby-safe items in the corners of the tent to weigh it down. Make sure you monitor how the tent is holding up if the weather gets rainy or windy.

2. Always Practice

Most baby beach tents feature easy-to-open pop-up designs. However, it can take some time to get right. This is especially true of collapsing and cleaning the tent when your day at the beach is done.

When you first get your beach tent, try setting it up at home to see how it works. Ensure all of the parts work correctly, and there are no dangerous attachments that could be a hazard for your baby.

You may also want to wipe down the tent before your first use.

3. Always Ventilate

No matter how cool it may seem outside, you always want to ventilate your tent. Without it, the tent can become very hot, and your baby may overheat if you are not careful.

Keep the mesh panels open unless they allow direct sunlight to reach your baby. If you will be in the sun for a long time, monitor where you place the tent in relation to the sun as its position will change over time.

4. Always Supervise

Nothing can replace your supervision when it comes to your child’s safety. Even if your baby seems secure in the tent, do not leave them unattended.

This is especially true when you are near water sources which can be dangerous for babies and young children.

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Baby Beach Tent FAQs

Are Baby Beach Tents Worth It?

Absolutely! Baby beach tents are a great investment for outdoorsy families with little kids. They provide a shady spot for your baby to rest, play, and even nap while protecting them from the harmful rays of the sun.

Plus, they’re super lightweight, easy to set up, and come with handy features like mesh windows for ventilation and sand pockets to keep the tent from blowing around the beach.

What is the Best Beach Tent for Babies?

When you’re choosing a beach tent for your baby, look for one that’s relatively easy to set up, lightweight, and provides ample shade. That’s the trifecta you should be shopping for.

Some of the best options include the Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent or the Sunba Pop Up Beach Tent. But always make sure to read reviews and do some research before purchasing to find the perfect one for your family because each tent and brand has different features to offer.

How Old Should a Baby Be to Go to the Beach?

Babies even as young as just a few weeks old can go to the beach, at the parents’ discretion, but it’s always important to take some precautions to keep them safe.

Make sure your baby and kiddos are protected from the sun with a hat, sunscreen, and a beach tent. Plus, keep them hydrated and in the shade as much as possible to prevent overheating or sunstroke. Always supervise your baby and never leave them unattended near the water.

What Color Tent is Best for the Beach?

When trying to decide on the color of your baby beach tent, go for a light color like white or light blue. Dark colors tend to absorb more heat from the sun, which can make the tent hotter and less comfortable for your baby.

Light colors will reflect the sun’s rays and keep the tent cooler and more comfortable throughout the day.

Do Baby Beach Tents Get Hot?

While baby beach tents can get warm inside, depending on how hot the sun’s rays are that day, they shouldn’t get too hot if you choose a light-colored tent and keep the ventilation windows open.

If you’re concerned about the temperature, you can use things like battery-operated fans inside the tent to keep the air circulating.

What Can a 3-Month-Old Do at the Beach?

Even though your 3-month-old baby can’t swim or build sandcastles on their own yet, there are still tons of fun things they can do at the beach to make the day memorable.

Toss some toys in a bag for them to play with, like soft balls, buckets and shovels, or teething toys. Take a walk along the shore with your baby in a carrier or stroller, or just relax in the shade of your beach tent and enjoy the sounds of the ocean together.


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Reviewed by

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN is an oncology nurse navigator and freelance medical writer. Mary has 4 years of experience as an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. including emergency/trauma, post-anesthesia, and deployment medicine.