Best Kids Beach Chairs for (almost!) Sand-free Days at the Beach • Our Globetrotters

Keeping your kids off the sand and sitting comfortably when you visit the beach

Sick of scooping the specks of sand out of your kid’s snacks at the beach? Whilst the whole point of being at the beach is to enjoy the sand and the waves, there comes a time when even the most ardent of beach-goers needs a rest in the shade, a snack or somewhere to quietly retreat.

Whilst older kids and adults may have mastered the art of sitting on a beach blanket without getting sand into absolutely everything – I think it’s fair to say most little kids find this skill particularly challenging! Cue bringing along your own lightweight and portable kids beach chairs.

Here’s exactly what we look for when picking out the best type of beach chair from toddlers to grade school kids; comfort, portability, sun protection and price all summed up from our years of research and taking our 3 kids to countless beaches around the world!

This post is part of our best outdoor travel products series – you can also learn more about our favourite outdoor adventures and camping advice over here

What to look for in a great kids beach chair

There’s a huge variety of designs when it comes to picking the best kids beach chairs. You can go with a traditional fold-out deck chair with an umbrella, or something more akin to camping chairs for your older kids.

On the other hand, your infants will benefit from something more like a portable high chair with a sand-free snacking and play area.

When buying a kids beach chair we look for:

• Material: A sturdy metal frame with a comfortable yet heavy-duty seating material is a must for your child’s safety; look for anti-rust metal if possible, especially if you’ll be storing these items at a beach house.

• Design: There are several different beach chair designs. Most sit low off the ground and easily fold. This can be 4 inward folding legs and is carried in a roll, or a chair that folds in two halves and is carried flat.

• Portability: Pick beach chairs that are lightweight, foldable, and come with a bag or over the shoulder carry handle so that it is easy for you or your child to carry the chair.

• Size: A child’s beach chair, by its nature, is much smaller than an adult chair – in height, width and seat depth. Many beach chairs are quite low to the ground by design, so most kids have no problem getting and out of them, though they may feel snugger in a chair purposefully built for kids little bottoms! Beware, though, they can outgrow them quickly. Think sensible how many seasons you will get out of them before buying something too small.

• Sun canopy: Not an essentials, but if you will be out in the midday sun with little ones, it’s wise to have some shade to retreat to; if not a pop-up tent for the family, then an individual canopy or umbrella that attaches to the chair and can be angled towards the sun would be helpful.

• Added Features: Some kids beach chairs come with cup or bottle holders and storage pockets for your kid’s essential gear. Baby and toddler beach chairs may also come with detachable trays making it easier for feeding little kids, even harnesses to keep your baby secure in their seat.

• Color/Pattern: There’s not a huge range of colour choices and designs when it comes to kids beach chairs but remember you’re buying for a child – something bright, colourful and patterned to match their personalities will always be a winner over dull and boring.

Undoubtedly there is a great cross over between what can be used as a kids camping chair and what we recommend as a great kids beach chair. The main difference would be in the height of the chair. Chairs purposefully designed for the beach are for relaxing in, they generally sit quite low to the ground and don’t necessarily need extras like cup holders .

If you were only going to invest in one outdoor chair for your child then think about what would be the most practical solution MOST of the time. We’re still yet to find that dream chair for our older kids that ‘does it all” but for infants, do strongly consider investing early on in the Baby Delight Go With Me Chair that can grow with your child.

$ – Under $30USD: $$ – $30 – $60USD; $$$ – Over $60USD . Please note, we are Amazon Associates and earn a commission if a qualifying purchase is made

Best Baby Beach Chair: Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair

One of our favorite chairs for infants on the go, the Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit works great for picnics in the park through to keeping your little one sand free at the beach. It is slightly bulk to carry but the built-in tray gives your infant a great clean surface for eating on. It comes with a harness too.

What we love:

• Dishwasher-safe removeable tray for meal times or play times
• Lightweight at only 4.5lbs
• Folds neatly into its self for compact carrying and storage
• Suits from as soon as your child can independently sit from around 6 months old up to 37lbs

Also consider for tiny babies: Fisher-Price On-The-Go Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat

An innovative new design from Fisher-Price sees even your youngest of tots able to sit upright and enjoy the action at the beach, or anywhere away from home. The bouncer style seat still lets them sit upright from as soon as they can hold their own head and catch the ocean action with their face shaded under the generous shaded canopy.

The bouncer styles seat also helps when you’re trying to get baby to nod off for a little nap, or use the detachable tray table for snacks and toys during their active time at the beach.

Features we love:

• Repositionable canopy provides UPF20 protection against the suns rays
• Breathable mesh seat pad ideal for warm days
• The seat pad is removable and machine washable
• Elevated tray for sand-free snack and playtime
• Carry handle for easy transportation
• Holds up to 25 lbs/11.3kg

Cons: It’s undoubtedly a bulky object to carry than many others purposefully designed for the beach and comes with an initial bit of set-up work. For occasional trips where you do not have far to transport the item, it makes a great infant beach chair, but your baby will outgrow it quite quickly once they’re mobile.

Best toddler beach chair: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Flex Octopus Folding Beach Chair

Cute, playful and well-crafted like all Melissa & Doug products, their beach chairs come in several nautical designs from octopuses to crabs perfect for kids of around 3 years+. This foldable beach chair has a metal frame with durable fabric that can wipe clean and a built-in beverage holder.

Features we love:

• Comes with its own cute carry bag and matching accessories
• Light to carry, only 2.88 lbs so most kids can carry for themselves
• A range of fun and playful designs that kids will fall in love with
• Suitable from roughly 3 to 6 years of age

Best for Preschoolers: Rio Beach Kid’s 5-Position Lay Flat Backpack Folding Beach Chair

This classic beach chair is perfect for the younger members of your family – up to 100 lbs. Allowing 5 different recline positions including fully flat its the perfect relaxing treat on the beach. Folding flat the built-in carry handle makes it easy to get from car to beach, even storing your kiddy’s toys and sunscreen in the back storage pocket.

Features we love:

• Lightweight but sturdy rust-proof aluminium frame weighing 6.1 lbs
• Head pillow for comfortable neck support in a reclines position
• Made with high-quality 600 denier polyester fabric
• Large zipped storage pocket on the back
• Wide armrests and a cup holder

Also Consider: Kids Only Beach Baby Umbrella Chair

This basic but reliable kids beach chair comes with a detachable umbrella for added protection in the sun. Folding into a convenient carry bag, the metal frame and polyester seating material are weather-proof and durable. 

Features we love:

• Comes with an umbrella that can be slid into a tiny pocket of the chair
• Designed with a safety lock to prevent sudden closing or sliding
• Lightweight camping chair weighing only 1 lb
• Can support children between 2 and 5 years, weighing up to 50 lbs

Cons: Some buyers have complained about the quality of the umbrella, or found it completely missing in their package! Do order thsi one in plenty of time and check your items before hitting the beach.

Runner up best grade school kids beach shair: Coleman Kids Quad Chair

The Coleman Kids Quad Chair is an ideal cross over for use on both camping trips and days out at the beach. Available in two colourful patterns, it’s spacious and sturdy, suitable to around 10 years old and including a beverage cup, though lacking any sort of sunshade for the price.

Features we love:

• Steel frame that allows locking to add stability
• Can support up to 160 lbs
• Ideal for children aged 3-10 years

Best Beach Chair for Families: Coleman Quattro Lax Double Quad Chair

A fun approach for a family day at the beach, ideal for siblings to share or a child with a grown-up can snuggle together. Each side of the chair comes with its own beverage holder and seat back organiser.

Despite its larger capacity, it actually takes up less space folded than two separate beach chairs so a good one to pack when there’s limited space for bringing a chair each.

Features we love:

• Roomy 21.5-inch seat and 14.6-inch sitting height for each person
• Supports up to 225 lbs per seat (450 lbs total)
• Includes 2 mesh cup holders and seatback pockets for accessories
• Folds for compact storage and transport in an included carry bag

Best kids beach sunbed: Joovy Foocot Child Cot

Although it’s technically a toddler travel cot, these actually work wonderfully well at the beach too for keeping kids off the sand. You can easily fit two infants on one cot (up to 75lbs total) or use it as a day bed for tots who still like their little day time naps at the beach.

Features we love:

• A travel bag with a shoulder strap is included
• Side pocket perfect for bottles, toys or anything you need to keep sand-free
• Available in several fun and bright colours for kids to choose from
• Folds down to a fairly compact 25.5 x 8.5 x 6 inches and weighs only 6.5 lbs – not bad for a complete bed!

Found this beach gear guide helpful?

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