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10 Best Baby Beach Tents to Block the Summer Sun

Keep your little one cool this summer with a baby beach tent.
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profile picture of Christin Perry
Updated May 14, 2023
best baby beach tents HERO
Image: Target
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Now that summer is here, we’re betting you and your family can’t wait to head out for a fun day in the sun. If you’re hitting the beach, sunscreen, hats and towels are likely on your packing list—but don’t forget a baby beach tent. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants under 6 months old should avoid sun exposure. So when it comes to summer sun safety, a baby tent that provides ample shade can be just as essential as sunscreen. Plus, the best baby beach tents not only offer a cool spot away from the sun, but also a (relatively) sand-free place to put baby down for a nap, change a diaper or enjoy a snack.

Not sure where to begin your search? Read on to discover our helpful tips on what to look for and where to buy the best beach tent for baby. Plus, we’ve selected our picks for the best beach sunshades on the market right now.

What to Look for in a Baby Beach Tent

You don’t want to run out to the store and just pick up any old baby beach tent. As with all the other baby gear you have in your house, you’ll want to be thoughtful about what you buy, considering safety and quality above all. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you shop for a tent or sun shade:

  • Is it easy to assemble? Sure, it looks nice on the box, but is baby going to be a teenager by the time you manage to get it up? You may want to consider a pop-up tent to minimize assembly time. Otherwise, look for a baby beach tent that’s easy to set up and can be packed away quickly when it’s time to head home.
  • What sun protection does it provide? Sun protection is the most important factor to consider when buying the best beach tent. Look into what type of UV protection the tent offers and, if possible, opt for one made from UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) material, which is designed to block the sun’s rays. Check whether it has enclosure options on all sides, but also ventilation—a baby beach tent can heat up pretty quickly!
  • How durable is it? An ocean breeze can be quite brisk. Consider the materials the sun tent is made of and whether it will be able to withstand windy weather and general wear and tear. You’ll want to choose a high-quality, durable product to avoid having to buy a new baby beach tent each year.

Where to Buy a Baby Beach Tent

So you’ve brushed up on what to consider when selecting a baby beach tent—now, where to shop? These online stores offer some of the best beach tents for infants and toddlers, with plenty of options to suit every lifestyle and budget.

  • Walmart: This online store has a wide selection of protective baby beach tents and sun shades big enough for the whole family, including tons of affordable options too.
  • Target: While this large retailer doesn’t carry much in the way of beach tents on their shore shelves, you can find quite a few options if you’re willing to have it shipped to you (including many of our top picks!).
  • Amazon: If you’re looking for top-rated beach tents (with plenty of five-star reviews to back them up!), head straight to Amazon. This online retailer has countless tents on offer, meaning you’re sure to find the perfect option for your family.

The Best Baby Beach Tents

Having trouble choosing? Take a look at our list of awesome baby sun tents to help narrow your choices. From pop-up baby beach tents to sun shades big enough for the whole brood, we’ve got options to suit every type of lifestyle.

Overall best baby beach tent

Overall best baby beach tent
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Roomy interior
  • Insect-repellent fabric
  • Carrying case included
Things To Consider
  • Lots of strength needed to fold it away
  • Heavier option
  • Padded floor mat sold separately

Families that love the great outdoors may need something a little more robust than your average sun shade. Enter the Veer Basecamp Sundome. Designed with premium fiberglass tent poles, this sturdy option is ASTM-compliant and JPMA-certified, meaning it meets the highest standards for quality, safety, performance and functionality. It opens in one fluid motion and folds away into a handy travel case. Plus, the removable UPF 50 sun cover acts as a protective barrier against insects and the elements. Bonus features include a water-resistant bottom and mesh sides to keep your little one cool and comfortable.

Dimensions (unfolded): 56” (L) x 43” (W) x 35” (H) | Dimensions (folded): 36” (H) x 6” diameter | Weight: 7 lbs. | UPF rating: 50

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Best pop-up beach tent

Best pop-up beach tent
Image: Maisonette
What We Love
  • Ventilation net allows for air to come through while protecting against bugs
  • Made of durable and easy-to-clean water-resistant material
  • Carrying case included
Things To Consider
  • Tent instructions aren’t very helpful, according to some users
  • Can be tricky to fold away
  • Ventilation net allows sand to enter on a windy beach day

This easy set-up beach tent from Babymoov is a family favorite because it’s hassle-free. It pops open in about three seconds to provide a cozy hideaway and UV protection for newborns all the way up to age 5. Plus, it has enough head room to allow toddlers to stand up inside. The brand even has a handy video tutorial that explains how to close the tent and store it in the compact carry bag.

Dimensions (unfolded): 39" (L) x 39" (W) x 31.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 23.6” diameter | Weight: 2 lbs. | UPF rating: 50+

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Best beach canopy

Best beach canopy
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$69.99
What We Love
  • Easy to set up
  • Comfortably fits two adults and two kids
  • Water-repellent fabric
Things To Consider
  • Can be difficult to fold away
  • Incorrect storage can damage the poles

Beat the heat with this genius pop-up beach tent by WolfWise. This tent offers 360-degree ventilation, thanks to the large entrance and full-size rear door. It also features a silver-coated tent surface that absorbs and reflects sunlight, making it our top pick for the best beach canopy. And if your little one doesn’t feel like having guests in their pad, they can close the doors for a little privacy while still seeing all the other beach babies through the mesh windows that let in the sea breeze. Bonus: This style can be assembled in seconds and packed away into the included carry case in a matter of minutes. We’re sold!

Dimensions (unfolded): 57" (L) x 86” (W) x 47" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 32” diameter | Weight: 5.51 lbs. | UPF rating: 50+

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Best beach tent for wind

Best beach tent for wind
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Easy to set up
  • Ground stakes ensure the sun tent stays in place
  • Comes in a variety of color choices
Things To Consider
  • Heavier than others
  • Floor mat sold separately

This baby beach tent is a bestseller on Amazon, with over a thousand five-star reviews—and we can see why. It’s roomy enough for baby to roam but still leaves enough space for a parent to squeeze into. More importantly, it’s made from UPF 50+ material to protect baby from the sun’s harmful rays, and has mesh side panels for ventilation. It sets up in three simple steps and can be secured with ground stakes on gusty days. When you’re ready to head home, the special design makes packing up easy as can be.

Dimensions (unfolded): 59” (L) x 51” (W) x 48" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 36” (L) x 8” (W) x 8” (H) | Weight: 7.2 lbs. | UPF rating: 50+

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Best beach playpen

Best beach playpen
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Can be used indoors or outdoors
  • Carrying case included
Things To Consider
  • Not suitable for toddlers
  • Padded base is very thin

Looking for a baby sun tent you can bring from the beach to the park and home again? Check out this beach playpen by Regalo. Designed for newborns and infants up to 15 pounds, it can be used as a bassinet at home or as a sun shade while out and about, thanks to the detachable UPF 50+ canopy. It has a padded bottom and comes with toys to stimulate baby’s senses. The best part? It’s easy to set up, folds away in seconds and is machine-washable to boot.

Dimensions (unfolded): 29’’ (L) x 29’’ (W) x 14’’ (H) | Dimensions (folded): Not listed | Weight: 5 lbs. | UPF rating: 50+

Buy Now

Best portable beach tent

Best portable beach tent
Image: L.L. Bean
Buying Options
L.L Bean|$139.00
What We Love
  • Interior gear pockets
  • Mesh windows for ventilation
Things To Consider
  • Lack of ventilation when the floor cover is clipped up

Fashion meets function with this trendy striped baby half-tent for the beach Not only is it super cute, but it easily pops up into place, and the extended floor cover provides additional coverage on hot sand. If you’d like a little privacy to nurse or change baby, the floor extension can be clipped up to form a door. The UPF 50+ tent provides a safe haven from the sun and comes with eight heavy-duty stakes, plus pockets that can be filled with sand for added security. Best of all, that extended design folds up into a slim cylinder for transport, easily tucked away in its own carrying case.

Dimensions (unfolded): 59” (L) x 95" (W) x 54” (H) | Dimensions (folded): 43” (L) | Weight: 7.6 pounds | UPF rating: 50+

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Best large beach tent

Best large beach tent
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$104.99
What We Love
  • Made from water-resistant material
  • Open sides aid ventilation
Things To Consider
  • Assembly required
  • If the poles are placed in the wrong wind direction, the tent may buckle
  • Tent doesn’t have a base

Did somebody say beach party? This large beach tent has enough space for an infant, toddler, parents and more. Made from a quality nylon-Lycra blend, it’s anchored with sandbags, meaning you don’t have to spend time securing pegs. The roomy tent is perfect for days at the beach, and the open sides will keep your little one cool.

Dimensions (unfolded): 81.89’’ (L) x 79.92’’ (W) x 66.14’’ (H) | Dimensions (folded): Not listed | Weight: 4 pounds | UPF rating: 50+

Buy Now

Best baby beach tent with play pool

Best baby beach tent with play pool
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon|$32.95
What We Love
  • Lightweight
  • Carrying case included
Things To Consider
  • Very small size
  • Suitable for children up to 3 years
  • Difficult to fold away, according to some customers

This baby beach tent is super easy to assemble: just pop it up and fold it down. The best part? It doubles as a mini pool! Simply add a little water inside the circular baby pool and they can splash away to their heart’s content; alternatively, empty it out and use it as a safe place for naps and diaper changes. Better yet, the ventilation net at the back allows a cool ocean breeze to circulate. (Note that its cozy size makes it ideal for just one child at a time.)

Dimensions (unfolded): 30.3" (L) x 23.6" (W) x 47.2" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 21” diameter | Weight: 1.15 lbs | UPF rating: 50+

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Best budget-friendly beach tent

Best budget-friendly beach tent
Image: Walmart
What We Love
  • Mesh windows for ventilation
  • Flame-resistant nylon fabric
  • Weighs less than 3 lbs.
Things To Consider
  • May become more difficult to close after frequent use

If you’re looking for an easy-to-assemble option at a price that won’t break the bank, look no further than the pop-up baby beach tent from iCorer. This cabana will automatically open and self-expand in the blink of an eye, and folds back flat in mere seconds. It comes with six stakes to hold it in place and can easily fit two people inside. And at under $35, it’s an absolute bargain!

Dimensions (unfolded): 65’’ (L) x 59’’ (W) x 43.5’’ (H) | Dimensions (folded): 19” (L) x 19” (W) x 1” (H) | Weight: 2.2 pounds | UPF rating:50+

Buy Now

Best premium beach tent

Best premium beach tent
Image: Maisonette
What We Love
  • Mold- and water-resistant material
  • Marine-grade aluminum fittings
  • Carrying case included
Things To Consider
  • On the heavier side
  • Assembly required
  • Spot clean only with mild soap and water

There’s plenty of room for picnics underneath this Insta-worthy tent for shade. Made from premium, eco-friendly wood and mold-resistant UV canvas, this stylish canopy is on the pricier side, but the quality construction means it’ll last a lifetime. It takes three minutes to set up and is open on all sides for breezy ventilation, while still providing plenty of shade from the sun.

Dimensions (unfolded): 72” (L) x 72’’ (H) x 72’’ (W) | Dimensions (folded): 36” (L) x 6” (W) x 3” (H)| Weight: 9 lbs. | UPF rating: 50+

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How We Chose the Best Baby Beach Tents

No trip to the beach with a little one is complete without a beach tent or canopy. To help you find the best one for your next stay at the shore, we browsed a variety of different options from some of our most trusted retailers. We considered features like material, size, UPF factor and functionality when choosing our picks for the best baby beach tents. Ventilation is key, as is durable, water-resistant material that blocks the sun’s harmful rays, allowing the beach tent to serve as a place of safety and peace for baby while playing, napping or feeding. We also read user reviews for each baby beach tent we considered, and we didn’t consider any baby beach tents with less than an average four-star rating.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

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