As everyone knows, Moms are the “carriers of all the things”, but the best beach bags for kids and families need to have great storage capacity, resist water and sand and come with an easy-to-carry handle.
Check out this great roundup of the best beach bags for moms and kids to make your life a beach this summer.
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The Best Beach Bag for Kids and Families – Backpacks
This backpack-style beach bag is a great choice for parents looking for a bag specifically for 1-2 children.
Mesh venting allows quicker drying time for wet clothes and towels. It comes with enough space to fit a wet bathing suit, spare change of clothes, small lunch, and snorkel and goggles. It has a separate front compartment for valuables and a water bottle holder.
Manufacturer Specs
Weight: 9 ounces
Style: Backpack
Colors: Comes in a variety of color combinations
What We Like
- The mesh helps wet clothes dry more quickly
- It’s small and lightweight enough for most older kids to carry independently
- Backpack style makes for easy carrying
What We Don’t Like
- Not large enough to store gear for more than 1-2 kids
- The delicate fabric can snag easily
This well-made bag is large enough to accommodate all your gear – kickboard, towels, fins, goggles, extra clothes, shoes. It also comes with an elevated and padded laptop sleeve which is great for those who need to work from the beach.
The waterproof bottom keeps items dry and mesh material on the upper half helps clothes dry quickly.
Manufacturer Specs
Size: 22 x 15 x 9.5 inches
Style: Backpack
Colors: Three color options to choose from
What We Like
- Laptop holder
- Waterproof bottom
- Dual bottle holders to accommodate more than one child
What We Don’t Like
- Can be difficult to close as zippers open past bungy
- Does not lay flat on your back/less comfortable than a traditional backpack
The Best Beach Bag for Kids and Families – Traditional Totes
Bogg Bag X Large Waterproof Washable Tip Proof Durable Open Tote Bag
Bogg bags have recently gained a lot of attention and popularity with Moms and families for their ease of use and ultra-waterproof design. Invented by a mom, the Extra Large size Bogg Bag can hold up to six large towels with room for snacks, suntan lotion, and more.
It also comes with two clear accessory bags that pop into anywhere to keep smaller items within reach. The bag is tip-proof and 100% waterproof so you can hose it off at the end of the day. While the price is a bit higher than competitors, this bag is well worth the cost if you visit the beach regularly. The materials are high-quality, and this bag will last and last.
Manufacturer Specs
Size: 19x15x9.5 (large size)
Style: Waterproof tote bag
Colors: Various colors and designs to choose from
What We Like
- High-quality and well-made
- Completely waterproof and washable
- Stands upright and does not topple over
What We Don’t Like
- Price point is higher than competitors
This bag has enough space for all your gear plus the kitchen sink! It comes with lots of exterior pockets to allow easy access to water bottles, sunblock, phone, keys, etc.
QOGiR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag Tote
This beach tote is on the list for its sleek and cool design. It comes with a range of color combinations and high-quality neoprene and polyester material. It also comes with a removable base which allows it to pack well into a suitcase, but also holds lots of gear when you arrive at your destination.
YETI Camino Carryall 35, All-Purpose Utility Tote
It wouldn’t be a best beach bag list without the YETI. YETI is famous for using technology to create some of the best coolers and camping gear on the market.
The tote is waterproof and can also double as a cooler, but be mindful that it does not come with a zipper top, so best to use icepacks v. ice. It’s a bit smaller but great for a small family looking to pack a lunch and towels for the beach.
The Best Beach Bag for Kids and Families – Bags for Kids
The Wanbulo kids beach bag can’t be beat for its price point just around $10 at time of publishing. It’s made of drawstring and mesh so perfect for storing beach toys, goggles and wet towels. It comes with adjustable straps so kids can carry independently.
These swim/beach bags are super cute for kids. They are a bit smaller, so typically need one for each kid. Each bag can fit a beach towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and pool toys. You can fit Goggles and a snack in the front pocket and a water bottle in the side pocket.
Disney Kids Mickey Mouse Swim Bag
Another version of the bag above. The Disney swim bags come in a variety of characters, so you can usually find your child’s favorite character. Check out all the Disney Swim Bag’s here.
The Best Beach Bag for Kids and Families – Extra Large Bags
This is an extra-large mesh bag with lots of outside storage pockets. Coming in under $20 at the time of publishing, it’s a great value buy in a pinch, though some reviewers warn that it’s not as durable and may only last for one season.
Design Den Down Under XXL Women’s Beach Tote Bag
This stylish canvas bag is a good option if you are flying to your beach destination because it can work as an airline carry-on bag and then double as a beach bag when you reach your destination. The waterproof resistant interior includes pockets for all the essentials (sunblock, keys, wallet)
Lucazzi Extra Large Utility Tote Bag – Oversized Collapsible Pool Beach Canvas Basket
This is the most tremendous beach bag on our list. Clocking in at 22.75″ L x 10.25″ W x 11.7, this large tote bag also folds completely flat for easy storage (or when packing into a suitcase). It’s sadly not waterproof or water-resistant, but can hold up to 4 beach towels, sunscreen, a beach blanket, a life vest, a small ball, sand toys, and more!
The Best Beach Bags for Kids and Families – Insulated Bags
Savvy Outdoors Beach Bag Tote Set – Insulated Cooler Bag
Similar to the Lucazzi Extra Large Utility Tote Bag, this tote is very large. It is insulated and also comes with a matching cooler bag that can be removed. When using the cooler, the space inside the bag is somewhat limited, but the straps on the outside can be used to carry towels saving space on the inside. The one downside is that the top of the bag does not zip, but it includes a zippable pocket to keep valuables safe.
BLUBOON Mesh Beach Tote Bag with Cooler
This super cute tote bag has a cooler built into the base of the bag. While the bag itself is not super large, it’s ideal for a parent with 1-2 kids. The cooler can store up to 10 cans and the upper mesh portion is good for towels and extra clothes. It also comes with pockets for sunglasses, sunblock, etc.
YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler
Not as much a beach bag as it is a cooler, the Yeti Hopper is soft-bodied so could work well to store both food and drinks as well as a few beach towels, pair of goggles, sunblock, etc. This beach bag cooler is awesome for a quick lunch or sunset drink at the beach. It keeps the wine cold for Mom while also being large enough to hold snacks and a blanket for the kids.
What to Look for In the Perfect Beach Bag For Kids?
This really depends on what you are planning to use the beach bag for. How many kids do you need to pack for? Do need something large or small? Does it need to be waterproof? Do you need it to keep food and beverages cold? Do you need easy access to sunblock, sunglasses, keys, etc. Can older kids carry their own bags?
Some families prefer to buy older kids their own swim bags and only haul stuff for the smaller kids. Most kids over the age of 5 do well with a small beach bag and beach chair that they can carry to and from the beach.
Can I use my Kid’s Beach Bag as a Regular Diaper Bag?
Except in a pinch, we don’t recommend using your usual diaper bag as a kid’s beach bag.
Not only are most diaper bags not waterproof, but beach bags tend to get sandy, and having sandy diapers and wipes can be irritating for little ones and their skin.
When using a beach bag, we recommend bringing a separate enclosed pouch to store diapers and extra clothes. Something like this wet bag works well and can also double to hold wet bathing suits.
How Much do Kids Beach Bags Cost?
This completely depends on what you need! You can buy a kid’s beach bag for around $10, but higher quality materials, sizes, and features will have an impact on price.
Something like the Bogg Bag is going to be a bigger investment, but its durability means that it could last for years without needing to be replaced.
Can Beach Bags Keep Kids Snacks and Drinks Cold?
Some of the options include coolers. You can definitely find a beach bag that also doubles as (or includes) a cooler to keep snacks in drinks cold.
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