7 must-have summer essentials for babies and toddlers
As the year races by at breakneck speed, it’s time to Kondo your child’s winter things away and begin to think about the fun that summer will bring.
Perhaps this is your child’s first summer … or maybe they’ve grown so much since the last?
We’ve come up with this handy-dandy cheat sheet that not only reminds us to update too-small things, but also highlights some brilliant new products. Let’s go!
Summer essentials for babies and toddlers
1. A high quality sunscreen, gentle enough for babies
A premium sunscreen is a non-negotiable summer essential and this one is dermatologically tested, paraben and fragrance-free … just perfect for precious littlies’ skin.
It’s made in Australia, offers SPF50+ broad spectrum protection and is water resistant for 4 hours.
It comes in an easy-to-use pump pack which will make your family’s sun safe prep a total breeze.
This excellent sunscreen from the Cancer Council is priced from $19 – for 250ml – to $29 – for the 500ml pack.
2. A cute beach poncho
This unicorn poncho is made from lovely, thick 100 percent cotton towelling.
It’s the perfect cosy cover-up for little ones on fun beachy days, bundling imaginative play and staying warm and dry together in one adorable garment.
The Unicorn poncho from Next is priced from $29 to $32 and comes in sizes to suit kids aged 9 months to 10 years. It also comes in other prints, in case your kiddo is not the unicorn kind.
3. A helpful and very portable beach tent
This practical tent from BabyMoov is easy to tote and pitch on the beach, and keeps harmful UV rays away from baby’s skin.
It’s perfect for staying out of the sand, sun and wind, and reviewers say it can be erected with just one hand – while you hold a baby – although folding it up is a tiny bit trickier!
It’s selling on Amazon for $65 – and Amazon has quite a few other similar options if you’re keen to keep your little one comfortable at the beach.
4. A pretty inflatable pool for your back yard
These ridiculously cute inflatable swimming pools are big enough to fit three or four adults – depending on which size you snap up – so clearly there is plenty of splashing room for kids!
While the Minnidip site only ships to the US, you can get around that by using Australia Post’s ShopMate service which assigns Australians a US shipping address and then sends it on to your home in AU.
They sell for between US$45 and $100 and there are a bunch of designs and options.
5. A pool float with inbuilt sun shade
These pool floats are so much fun for little ones to use with mum and dad as they familiarise themselves with the water and join the family fun. And how good to do it without being too exposed to the sun.
This adorable baby pool float is from Sunnylife and sells for $49.95 – and they have other similar designs too. How on earth will you choose which one?!
6. Adorable and practical sunglasses
Can you even believe how cute these sassy, stylish Babiators sunglasses are?
They offer protection from the sun but are also tough enough to keep up with little adventurers too.
Available in a bunch of colours and to fit a variety of ages they even come with an optional strap to keep them on the littlest heads. They cost $33.95 which seems super reasonable to us.
7. A beach towel for the whole family
Looking for a towel you can throw down on the grass or sand and have everyone plus their snacks sit happily side by side? Then you need a round towel!
Thick, heavy, super soft and top quality (with lovely tassels that make them even more special), we’re a little bit in love with these beauties from The Beach People.
Costing $99.00 from The Beach People, this is one summer purchase that’s going to last you years and years.
