Taking the Baby to the Beach? Not Without a Baby Beach Tent

Having a baby doesn’t negate soaking up the sun at the beach. That’s right; you can indeed have fun on the beach with your little ones, too. Definitely count on taking your little bundle (or bundles) of joy with you to the beach.

You may be thinking that most of your time will be spent looking after the baby rather than getting some much-needed relaxation. While that’s mostly true, a baby beach tent will be an incredible investment to ensure they’re comfortable and protected from overexposure to sunlight, which is one less concern for you while at the beach.

Baby Beach Tents – A Necessary Beach Item

Don’t get me wrong, you’ll definitely need to keep your eyes pinned on all of your little ones while at the beach, no doubt about it. Not only will you need to watch your children well, but you’ll also need to pack up things like diapers, wipes, breastmilk, bottles, and more. Those of you with babies will certainly need to pack more items in preparation for your family’s day at the beach.

One necessary item that you’ll find quintessential on all of your beach trips with little ones is a baby beach tent.

Going to the beach means exposure to the sun, and there is nothing as bad as having your baby’s skin sunburned after even a short amount of time on the beach.
Baby skin that is so delicate shouldn’t be exposed to excessive sunlight.
For a baby, sunscreen may not be enough to provide protection, and that is why a baby beach tent comes in handy.

The fewer chemicals (like those in sunscreen) you put on your baby, the better. There are always alternatives, including natural ones. But it doesn’t get much more effective than simply limiting your little one’s exposure to the sun. A baby who is less than six months old should be kept out of the sun for any extended period of time.

Older babies should not be kept in the sun during its peak times between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. In these cases, beach tents made for babies are perfect solutions for protecting your children from the sun’s harmful rays during your fun days at the beach.

Features of the Best Baby Tents

When choosing a baby tent for the beach, you should ensure it can serve the intended purpose properly, which is limiting sun exposure. Therefore, you should base your purchase on how well it does that primarily.

Additionally, there are other factors to consider. For instance, if your child is very young and can only sleep in an enclosed space, then you should get an enclosed tent. A tent with no bottom would be more appropriate for older children who may want to play with sand.

Some common features should be present on a quality baby beach tent. Some of the features to look out for include:

Ability to protect your baby from the sun.

The baby beach tent should protect your baby from the scorching sun by providing shade. If a baby is exposed to the sun for long periods, it can result in sunburn, which can be painful. Therefore, beach tents made for babies will prove useful for providing the required shade.

You should make sure that all sides of the tent are covered so that the baby can be protected no matter which side the sun is on.

Protection from harmful sun rays.

Other than providing shade, the baby beach tent should protect the baby from ultraviolet rays. These rays can penetrate fabrics, which means that the tent should be specially made in such a way that it can block them. This is done using a special coating or functional weaving patterns made to block UV rays.

The baby tent should have a floor.

Especially important for infants, the floor is important for ensuring that a young baby does not have access to ingest sand or any other potentially hazardous materials. This means you should choose a baby tent with a floor (although it may not be thick).

However, if you already have a baby tent without a floor, you can lay a blanket on the sand to prevent your baby from accessing the sand. But for infants, tents with floors are best.

Durable.

A baby beach tent should be made using durable materials so that it can withstand a lot of use. Basically, you want something rugged that can withstand rough use. The materials should be strong enough to hold it in place, provide protection from the sun’s UV rays, provide protection from moderately windy conditions, and should be waterproof.

Ventilation.

In as much as your tent should provide protection from the sun, it should also have enough ventilation so that the baby does not suffocate. It should have adequate openings that can allow fresh air in while also providing the desired protection.

Some tents use breathable mesh panels to keep the baby cool and can be opened opposite of direct sunlight. Enclosed spaces can heat up quickly in hot conditions, so this is extremely important. In any case, the tent isn’t your baby’s babysitter, and you should always know how they are.

Portable and lightweight.

The baby beach tent should be light so that carrying it does not prove to be burdensome, especially since you may also be carrying your baby. You don’t want something so cumbersome that you’re worn out before you even get to your beach spot unless you’re trying to get all that extra exercise.

Although most tents are lightweight, some are heavy. So, when shopping and comparing the multitude of baby tents available, keep this in mind.

Easy to set up and to take down.

The tent should be easy to assemble and take down. You do not want to spend your precious time at the beach going through the manual trying to figure out how to assemble the tent. Some tents can be set up and taken down in a matter of seconds. When choosing, you should opt for such tents. If you’re the type that gets nervous when instructions are involved, rest assured.

After you set up and take down your tent a few times, you’ll be an expert!

Stable.

The baby beach tent should easily withstand a breeze on the beach. It should also remain standing even if the baby tries to pull it down. This means that you should get a tent that can go deep into the sand to provide the required support.

Some of the options available include those that have pegs that can be pinned down or rods that can be thrust into the ground to provide stability.

Wrap-Up

Just because babies are small doesn’t mean that they don’t have to deal with the same environment you do when at the beach. They need protection from the heat and sunlight, too, even more so.

Therefore, when preparing for family fun at the beach, using a beach tent is one way to make their day enjoyable as well. While the option of applying sunscreen to your baby may be available, it may not be the best option for a long day at the beach when it’s possible to limit their exposure to the sun, especially when babies experience skin sensitivity to sunscreen, like ours do.

It’s good to expose your little ones to the sun periodically for vitamin D, but don’t resort to chemicals at other times when you can just remove them from the sunlight instead.

When buying a baby beach tent, there are some features you should be on the lookout for; let’s recap.

The tent’s ability to provide the desired protection from the sun and harmful UV rays.
Don’t purchase a heavy tent or one that’s difficult to store when not in use. All you need is a tent, not a bunker, so consider convenience, safety, and utility above other features.
As for ease of use, a good baby beach tent should be easy to assemble and take down too.
Sturdiness should be such that it’s stable and will not fall when in moderately windy conditions or when your baby tries to pull it down (you know they will).
Ventilation is also necessary. The best tents are the ones that are well-ventilated.

Quick Remembers:

If you have older children, you may want to consider purchasing a tent without a floor so they can still enjoy the sand without exposure to the sun for hours on end.
Go for a tent with a floor for infants so that they don’t put anything in their mouths you wouldn’t be comfortable with.

The next time you go to the beach, think of how you can make it fun and enjoyable for the little ones, too. They may not be able to express their thankfulness in words quite yet, but they’ll appreciate the extra shade during those hot beach days.

Baby Beach Tent FAQs

Why are baby beach tents useful?

They provide shade, shelter, and UV protection for babies’ delicate skin. The importance of keeping them from getting sunburned cannot be stressed enough, so a baby beach tent is an easy way to reduce their exposure to the sun.

What safety features should you look for?

UPF 50+ sun protection, anchored stakes, and UV protective fabric. Sturdiness, ventilation, and sun protection are top considerations.

How much space do they provide?

Most fit a single baby and a baby and caregiver for larger sizes. Sizes will vary, so consider your overall space needs before purchasing. For example, you may desire a larger size if you want the tent to accommodate multiple children.

Are they easy to set up?

Yes, they pop up instantly like regular tents and fold into a compact carrying case.

Where is the best placement on the beach?

Seek partial shade and avoid direct sunlight by placing under trees or near dunes when possible. Ventilation is key, too, to ensure they’re comfortable and out of the sunlight.

Can you breastfeed in a baby beach tent?

Yes, the privacy and shade make beach tents perfect for nursing.

What age is appropriate to use them?

They are suitable for babies from newborn up to toddler age. This is also a matter of preference. Whatever the age, your supervision and care are the most important factors while they’re at the beach. A tent isn’t a babysitter, so check on them regularly, play with them, and care for them on their big beach day.

Should you put sunscreen on your baby if using a tent?

Generally, it’s recommended to apply sunscreen whenever they’re in the sunlight. Some parents may forego that if they’re limiting exposure and are very careful in doing so. We think that if we don’t expose our children to sunlight or very little sunlight (no more than 10-15 minutes at a time), we’ll forego the sunscreen.

Whatever you decide, ensure their skin is protected either by limiting exposure or using sunscreen.

Are beach tents better than umbrellas?

Tents provide more enclosed, protective space with airflow. So yes, they’re preferable to umbrella alternatives.

What are baby beach tents made out of?

Breathable polyester or nylon with UV coatings, though this can vary depending on the brand and overall style.