20 beach essentials for a fun day in the sun

We found all the must-haves like sand-free blankets, towels, toys, and accessories, so all you have to do is sit back and soak up the sunshine!

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What’s the best day to go to the beach? SUN-DAY! With the summer forecast calling for heat and humidity, Shop the Weather already has you covered with important beach necessities like sunscreen, lipscreen, after-sun care, swimwear, and UV protective hats. This list is all about the essential items you need to take with you to have the perfect day in the sand. BYO flip flops!

Beach Mat

Amazon, beach mat, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Calling all lounge lizards! This beach mat by Coleman features a compact folding design that’s easy to carry. It will protect you from hot sand and provide you with optimal relaxation with its adjustable A-frame mesh backrest. This mat also has a built-in cooler that holds up to eight cans.

Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa

Amazon, inflatable lounger, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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There’s no air pump required for this outdoor bed that you can open up against the wind to inflate. Offered as a two-pack, its compact storage makes it ideal to keep in the trunk of your car for summer beach breaks during your lunch hour! Once inflated, there are three usable pockets for your phone, water bottle, and favourite magazine too.

Low Folding Beach Chair

Amazon, low chairs, CANVA, camping chairs

Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Take your relaxation to the next level by dipping your toes in the water’s edge with these low folding beach chairs. They’re ergonomically designed for comfort and feature a mesh back that allows for airflow to keep you cool. You get two plus a carrying bag with a shoulder strap for a reasonable price.

READ MORE: The best foldable chairs for outdoor activities


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Sand-Free Oversized Beach Blanket

Amazon, beach blanket, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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You’ll be the envy of the shoreline with this oversized yet compact beach blanket that folds into a portable pouch. There are many positives about this product - not only is it sand-proof and water-resistant due to its nylon material but it also has four sand anchored pockets to weigh the blanket down on windy days. Overall, it’s a 63-square-foot oasis.

Beach Umbrella

Amazon, beach umbrella, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Take advantage of a full day at the beach with this umbrella that will provide you with some protective coverage from the sun. The umbrella can be easily secured in the sand and boasts a high level of UV protection with UPF 50+. It’s also built to last with a fortified triple-layer supporting structure including eight fibreglass ribs and an added air vent to help better resist any wind that decides to breeze by your beach date!

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READ MORE: Everything you need for the perfect picnic

Pop Up Beach Tent

Amazon, beach tent, CANVA, sun protection

Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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If you need something more protective than an umbrella that’s also great for kids to seek some shade under, try this portable sun cabana. It provides spacious shelter for two or three people with a two-way entrance and two large windows that deliver 360-degree ventilation. It also provides UPF 50+ protection from the sun. The tent comes with four side sandbags, four wind ropes, and 10 stakes to ensure stability.

READ MORE: 5 simple solutions for sun protection

Quick Dry Beach Towel

Amazon, beach towel, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Towel off with this quick-dry option that comes in a full rainbow of colours. This sand-free towel is made of high-quality, 100 per cent recycled material that claims to be three times faster-drying than standard cotton towels. The striped styles have a familiar cabana feel making them a dream towel for super sunny days in the sand! There are two sizes available, each at an affordable price point.

Inflatable Shark Beach Ball

Amazon, beach ball, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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You could take a traditional beach ball with you, or you could take this jawsome one! This unique inflatable beach ball is 16 inches when fully blown up. It’s the perfect size for kids or even adults to play with. You can store it flat when deflated and simply blow it up by pump (not included) for summer use.


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Inflatable Sea Turtle Raft

Amazon, sea turtle float, CANVA, pool floats

Rated 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Look no further for an Instagram-worthy float. This oversized turtle float is constructed with two handles and is ideal for anyone over the age of three. Some customers commented that they received a plain shell design instead of the Hawaiian pattern pictured, which certainly doesn’t affect the performance of the product.

READ MORE: 12 of the most fun inflatable floats for summer

Foldable Sand Buckets

Amazon, beach buckets, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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These beach buckets can be used for a number of things other than the obvious building of sandcastles. You can repurpose them as a water bowl for your pet, an ice bucket for your drinks, or a fishing pail. They completely collapse flat and come with a loop that you can attach a carabiner onto from your backpack or belt for portability. This set comes with three buckets, two shovels, and a rake.

Beach Toys for Kids

Amazon, beach toys, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Your beach day won’t be complete without a fun set of sand toys. This set comes with seven pieces including an elephant sand bucket, shovel, rake, and four cute sea animals. There’s no need to pack these away for the season because they provide hours of entertainment in the snow as well. They’re recommended for children ages 18 months and up.

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Thermal Spring Water Misting Spray

Amazon, water misting spray, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Use this pure water misting spray to cool and hydrate your skin periodically at the beach. Avène Thermal Spring Water is bottled directly from the source and packaged in a sterile environment to guarantee purity and maximum skin benefits. It’s sensitive enough for all skin types including children and adults.

Insulated Tumbler

Amazon, YETI tumbler, CANVA, stargazing

Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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When heading to the beach for the day you’re going to need to stay hydrated, or you might want to bring some fun libations with you! This insulated tumbler by reputable brand YETI holds anything from hot beverages like coffee and tea to chilled drinks like water or wine. This travel cup is double-insulated and features a magnetic lid slider that keeps your drink on lock.

READ MORE: What you need for a night of stargazing

Insulated Cooler Backpack

Backpack cooler Amazon

Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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If you’re hitting the beach with a handful of friends, this mid-sized cooler backpack will do just fine. It’s by notable brand Igloo and features sturdy construction with powerful latches and a rubberized lid so the cold is sealed for longer within the cooler’s polypropylene confines. It’s available in 25-quart and 52-quart options so you can comfortably pack your snacks, pops, and additional beverage choices.

READ MORE: Top-ranked coolers for outdoor adventures this summer

Portable Beach Picnic Table

Amazon, cheese table, CANVA, summer picnics

Rated 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Elevate your beach snacks with this bamboo table that you can take anywhere. The innovative design allows you to secure the table into the sand and it holds six wine glasses plus your assortment of meats, cheeses, and fruits. It even comes complete with a cutlery set and wine opener, which are hidden on the underside of the table.

READ MORE: Everything you need for the perfect picnic

Thermal Phone Case

Amazon, thermal phone case, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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When you’re experiencing a hot day outside, chances are your phone is even hotter. This thermal phone case helps prevent overheating and works to maintain the safe operating temperature of your device for up to four times longer. You’ll want to pack this in your beach bag because the pouch is water-resistant, splash-proof, and floats if dropped into the water. The layers of NASA-inspired material provide insulation for both hot and cold conditions.

Rechargeable Handheld Fan

Handheld Fan Amazon 22-05-27

Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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At the beach on a day with no breeze? No problem! This personal fan will cool you off with the press of a button as there are four speeds to choose from. It folds easily to allow you to set it down and direct it when you want to be hands-free. The largest battery size provides up to 23 hours of summer wind, depending on the speed.

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READ MORE: The best fans to help you cope with extreme summer heat

Bluetooth Speaker

Amazon, waterproof speaker, CANVA, campfire essentials

Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Set your beach day vibe with some summer tunes using this highly-rated portable Bluetooth speaker from reputable brand Bose. Its waterproof design is meant for outdoor enjoyment and it comes with a convenient carrying strap. The rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of playtime with a wireless range of up to 30 feet.

READ MORE: A guide to everything you need for the best bonfire

Dog Life Jacket with Shark Fin

Amazon, shark fin life jacket for dogs, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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Go with the beach theme and get your dog a life jacket that everyone will de-FIN-itely love. This shark-style floatation device is available in several sizes and colours to suit your pup. It has an adjustable belt, quick-release buckles, and a handle on top for optimal safety when you’re in and out of the water. Exact measurements are posted on Amazon.ca to easily determine the best fit.

Mesh Beach Bag

Amazon, mesh beach bag, CANVA, beach days

Rated 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon.ca

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By now, you’re likely thinking, where am I going to put all this stuff? A nice, big beach bag will do the trick. This mesh tote can hold all of your towels, toys, and accessories for your day at the beach. It’s easy to rinse sand out of and hang to dry, and it comes with a small-sized pouch for storage when it’s not in use. Not only that, it’s super affordable at only $14.99.


Like what you see? Check out our Shop the Weather articles for more must-have product recommendations.


Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.

With files from Daniel Martins

Thumbnail image courtesy Snapwire/Pexels