If you've ever been to a beach with your little ones, you'll know how handy it is to have a baby beach tent in tow while you're there.
A baby beach tent is specially designed with the smallest members of your family in mind. Unlike a children's play tent, they are designed to provide your little ones and the rest of the family with a sheltered spot on the beach. A beach tent will be perfect for giving anyone who needs it a break from the sand, the sea and the sun.
We all know that the sun can be really harmful, especially to little ones. That's why baby beach tents are great as along with smothering them in baby sunscreen, you can also protect your baby's sensitive skin from the harsh rays of the sun by giving them somewhere to stay safe and cool while the rest of the family enjoys the beach.
Editor's pick:
Best pop-up baby beach tent: Wolfwise 3-4 Person Pop Up Beach Tent
Best for UV protection: Pro Action Pop Up Shelter
Best baby beach tent for protection against insects: Babymoov Anti-UV Tent
That's not all a baby beach tent is handy for. A tent will also offer some privacy when changing your little one in and out of their baby swimwear. A beach tent will also provide you with an area where you can change your baby's nappy in peace, without having to leave the beach. Not to mention, they'll provide a shaded space for nap time and somewhere to retreat to if the weather takes a sudden turn.
You'll also have a dedicated space to keep all your beach essentials, such as bucket and spade sets and baby beach towels.
If you're in the market to buy a beach tent for your summer holidays this year, we've rounded up the best baby beach tents that protect from UV rays, are easy to pop up, have good ventilation and don't break the bank.
Best pop-up baby beach tent
Description
Offering UPF 50+ sun protection as well as being water repellent, this lightweight tent folds up and pops out in seconds and is easy to transport with the included carrying bag. The mesh windows and large entrance and full-size rear door mean this tent has 360-degree ventilation and it will comfortably fit three-four people (three adults, or two adults with two children).
One reviewer said: "Very roomy, my husband is quite tall and we always have the problem with everything too small for him but this tent is just perfect for the four of us plus the backpacks and food and toys and the pockets on the sides help a lot. Just not very easy to fold down but I guess we need more practice. Easy to carry."
Pros
- Very roomy - fits 3-4 people
- Can be closed as a privacy tent when needed
- UPF 50+ and water repellent
Cons
- Some customers have reported that it is flimsy
Best baby beach tent for protection against insects
www.kiddies-kingdom.com
Description
Easy to set up thanks to its pop-up system, this anti-UV tent from Babymoov tent has a large central zip opening, made from a fine mesh mosquito net for protection against insects. The two ventilation windows with flaps at the back will ensure increased airflow on a hot day while the water-repellent fabric and floor surface will keep everyone dry.
Reviewed by Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert: "I was so impressed by how compact this beach tent from Babymoov is! We're heading to Portugal this summer and are hoping to do a few beach days back in the UK too and it's ideal for our needs of not adding unnecessary bulk to our journey while being roomy enough space wise. It pops open in seconds and although it took a bit of practice to get it back in, once you know how you're sorted! The mosquito net is ideal for both keeping my little one protected against bugs as well as allowing us to keep a close eye on him."
Pros
- Easy to set up
- UPF 50+ protection
- Features mesh mosquito net
- Has ventilation windows
Cons
- Some reviewers found it hard to put away
Best for UV protection
www.argos.co.uk
Description
This shelter will protect your little ones from wind, sand and the harmful rays of the sun. It pops out easily and stores away to a flat disk, making it very easy to travel with if you’re heading to the beach or even camping.
One reviewer said: "Bought this tent to take to the beach and/or picnics in the summer, with my little ones. As soon as I opened it, I got very impressed with the (massive) size of the tent! There is plenty of room for me plus 2 little boys and their toys and all our picnic/beach stuff. Definitely recommended!! My eldest is above the moon with "his" tent, as he says and we also have been using it as a tent for indoor playing."
Pros
- Pops open and closed
- Folds into a flat disk for easy transporting
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the tent gets hot inside on a warm day
Best no-fuss baby beach tent
www.decathlon.co.uk
Description
Put up and take down this tent in just two seconds. It protects from light rain and withstands winds of around 30 km/hr while offering UPF 50+ and cross ventilation with its wide front opening and back ventilation.
One reviewer said: "Does the job. Easy to put up and down. Enough room for two people and beach bag, cool box etc. Kept us shaded and cooler. Worth every penny."
Pros
- Provides shelter from sun and light wind
- Insulates from the ground
Cons
- Smaller size compared to other baby beach tents
Best tent with built-in pool
Description
If your baby isn't quite old enough for a paddle in the sea but they still want a splash around, this tent is ideal as it features a fun little built-in paddling pool that is shaded from the sun. It pops up in just three seconds and features a breathable mesh window on the back side to allow fresh air in and out.
One reviewer said: "The best purchase ever. It has saved my day trips out everywhere. Beach, park, friends gardens, families. So good, lightweight, easy to pack and little one loves it. I was super impressed. Very good value for money too."
Pros
- Easy to pop up
- Breathable mesh window
- UV protection
Cons
- Some customers have reported difficulty getting the tent back in its bag
Best lightweight tent
Description
The automatic pop-up design of this beach tent allows you to set it up and fold it down in just seconds. Providing instant shade from the sun and a fun place for your baby to play or nap, the large door and mesh window (with roll-up shade) are designed to improve air circulation**.** It also comes with two big external sandbags and supplied metal stakes to help make the tent solid in windy weather.
One reviewer says: "A great little tent for indoors or out, Quite spacious and comes with pockets and stakes to anchor to the ground if needed. It served us well on the beach and was easily visible. It's as easy as opening the bag and it sets itself up, I did find it a little more difficult to pack away, but there are some handy picture guides to help with this attached to the bag. My wife however did not find this an issue and did it with ease."
Pros
- Pops up and folds down in seconds
- Lightweight design
- Can be closed as a privacy tent when needed
Cons
- Some customers have found it hard to fold back down
Best budget baby beach tent
www.argos.co.uk
Description
This tent is assembled using guy ropes and fibreglass poles and will give your family sun shelter with UV SPF50 protection. It comes with a carry bag so you can easily take it with you wherever you decide to adventure.
One reviewer said: 'I recently bought this and was very pleased with the quality and how easy it was to assemble. Perfect for keeping the little ones out of the sun and giving some shade.'
Pros
- Compact and easy to travel with
- UV SPF50 protection
Cons
- Doesn't have a privacy door
What to look for in a baby beach tent
Sun protection: The number one must-have for a baby beach tent, you'll need a tent that is made from sun protection material since you'll be using the ten in the sun most of the time. You ideally want a tent that has a UPF 50 to ensure your child is protected while they stay in the tent.
Size: How many children do you want to fit into your tent? Do you ideally need to be able to squeeze in too? The tents included in our round-up vary in size so be sure to check that it matches your requirements.
Portability: We're guessing you'll want to take your baby beach tent around with you on various family outings. That's why it's important to look into how easily it opens up and folds down and how compact it is to travel with.
Extra features: While you may just want a basic baby beach tent that protects your baby as they play, many offer additional features such as integrated pools or mosquito nets that may be of interest.
Baby sun safety
Guidelines recommend that babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight completely, however, you still need to apply suncream regularly even though they aren't sitting in the sun.
For babies older than six months, time in the sun should be kept to a minimum and you want to keep your child in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest.
Apply sunscreen to your baby at least 15 minutes before your tot’s due to go into the sunshine so it has a chance to soak in. Aim for two teaspoons of sunscreen on their head and neck and two tablespoons for the rest of their body.
The whole family should reapply sunscreen every two hours at a minimum. If your tot has been in the water or you’ve dried them with a towel, you’ll need to reapply then too.
Lorna White has been a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby since 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and maternity fashion.