Here is a list of some of our favorite beach toys for kiddos. We gravitate to unique, high-quality toys that inspire creativity. Some of these toys are classics, and some add a twist.

We were not provided with free or discounted products to review. These recommendations were not influenced by manufacturers. We did, however, heavily consider customer reviews at retail websites when deciding which products to feature. We like these products, but we took care to make sure other vacationers agree. Some of the product links include affiliate codes. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices listed are updated regularly, but subject to change at any time.

Hape Beach Toy Hand Digger in Green

Hape Hand Digger

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

For those seeking to build a bigger sand castle, we present the Flexible Flyer Sand Mold. Measuring a giant 10" x 5" x 7", builders can stack large blocks of sand together to make a truly epic sand fort! This mold is heavy duty and kid safe. Flexible Flyer has been in the toy business for over 130 years and is known for making quality products. Remember to demolish any structures you make on the sand before leaving the beach! Holes and Castles must be flattened so they don't present an obstacle or hazard for other beachgoers.

QUUT Triplet (Mellow Yellow) - All in One Rake, Shovel and Sifter Beach Toy

Quut Triplet

$24.49

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

Another favorite from Quut is the Triplet beach toy. It’s a rake. It’s a scoop. It’s a siv. It’s a shovel. It’s a funnel. All in one simple, well-designed tool. Multiple Triplet tools will stack. This unique sand tool for kids is durably made and will last several seasons. Kids can use it to dig holes, build sand castle foundations, carve moats, hunt for sand crabs, remove shells and create designs in the sand. We love the Triplet for its quality and the creative ideas it sparks.

16

16" Kids Sand Shovel with Wood Handle

$12.98

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

There isn’t much that kids enjoy more than digging on the beach. Tiny, cheap plastic sand shovels just don’t get the job done sometimes. We like this highly-rated 16 inch sand shovel with wooden shaft. Available in bright colors, this king of kiddie sand shovels features a sturdy plastic spade/handle on a wooden shaft. It floats in the surf and it’s very affordable. We think this is a pretty good option for 6-12 year olds. Remember the rules of our local beaches – all holes must be filled in before you leave the beach!

Hape Beach and Sand Toys Rain Shovel Toys| Shovel Beach Long Handled Toy for Toddlers 18M+

Hape Beach Scoop Rain Shovel

$14.97

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The Hape Beach and Sand Toys Rain Shovel is a delightful addition to any child's collection of beach toys, bringing an extra touch of joy and creativity to sand play. This unique shovel not only allows kids to dig and move sand but also features a fun rain shower effect.

Crafted with high-quality, BPA abd PVC-free material and sesigned with soft, rounded edges, the Rain Shovel is both durable and safe for young beach explorers. Its ergonomic design is tailored to fit comfortably in small hands, encouraging children to develop their fine motor skills while they dig, pour, and play. And, it's a super value!

Silicone Beach Foldable Buckets Toys, 3L Jumbo Sand Pails Bucket Set with Mesh Bag, Swimming Pool Toys for Kids Adults, Gift Set for Gardening, Travel, Fishing, Cleaning, Camping Outdoor

Silicone Collapsible Sand Buckets

$15.18

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

These highly-rated, collapsible 7" high silicone buckets can be folded down to 2", making transport and packing a breeze. Silicone is more durable and flexible than standard plastic. The soft grip makes it easy for little ones to pour water. These little buckets are the perfect size for kiddos at 7 inches tall by 8 inches wide.

Back Bay Play Sand Castle Molds Sand Castle Building Kit - Beach Toys Kit - Snow & Sand Toys Sets for Kids Outdoor Sandbox Toys for Toddlers 1.5 Year and Up Made in USA (4 Piece)

Back Bay Play 4 Piece Sand Castle Molds

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

These highly-rated, durable sand castle molds by Back Bay Play are perfect for kids of all ages. Ranging 6" - 9" per side, they encourage kids to use their imagination. Combine wall sections with corner sections and keep growing your castle as big as you'd like! Customers love the sturdiness of these molds. Some comment that they're a bit on the small side, which brings us to our next favorite toy...

Flexible Flyer Snow Fort Building Block, Sand Castle Mold, Beach Toy Brick Form, 1 Mold (605)

Flexible Flyer Sand Castle Mold

$11.00

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

For those seeking to build a bigger sand castle, we present the Flexible Flyer Sand Mold. Measuring a giant 10" x 5" x 7", builders can stack large blocks of sand together to make a truly epic sand fort! This mold is heavy duty and kid safe. Flexible Flyer has been in the toy business for over 130 years and is known for making quality products. Remember to demolish any structures you make on the sand before leaving the beach! Holes and Castles must be flattened so they don't present an obstacle or hazard for other beachgoers.

Hape Master Bricklayer Beach and Sand Toy Set Toys, Multicolor, Bold

Hape Master Bricklayer Beach and Sand Toy Set

$20.03

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The Hape Master Bricklayer Beach and Sand Toy Set is an educational playset designed to enhance kids' beach experiences. This set includes a brick mold, a smoother tool, and a shaper tool that inspire kids to build and create any sand structure they can imagine. Crafted from high-quality, non-toxic materials and perfect for little architects and beach explorers, the Hape Master Bricklayer Set turns ordinary sand into a canvas for creativity. This set works great with the Flexible Flyer mold above!

hahaland Beach Toys for Toddlers 1-3 - Sand Toys for Toddlers 1-3, Baby Bucket Rake Shovel Set, Bath Water Outdoor Toys for Toddlers 1-3 Boys Girls, Travel Toys for 1 Year Old Toddler Toys Age 1-2

Beach Toy Set for Toddlers 1-3 Years Old

$12.34

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

This premium set of beach toys is specifically designed for the small hands of toddlers ages 1-3. All 7 pieces are made from durable, thick BPA-free plastic. The special matte surface makes them easier to grip. The combination of molds, shovel, rake, and bucket provides a full creative experience.

Beach Toy Scoop Sand Spade, Kids Small Garden Tool Set Toy, Rake, Spade, Hoe and Leaf Rake, Beach Shovels Spade Toy, Stainless Steel Sturdy Sandbox Kit Essential Beach Gear Accessories, 4 Pack

Stainless Steel Beach Tools for Kids

$9.98

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

This highly-rated set of stamped and painted stainless steel beach tools is designed to last. Handles are double riveted. The set includes all 4 pieces shown: rake, spade, hoe, and wide rake. These tools are 7-8" long and perfect for active kids. A net bag is included for easy transport to and from the beach.

QUUT | Alto 2-Piece Beach Set | Multi-Color | Award Winning Sand Fort Toy Alto, Raki, & Beach Bag

Quut Alto

$44.80

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

Quut makes high-quality, fun, educational toys. The Alto is a set of three stacking molds. Separate the molds and pack them with sand, then stack them on top of each other to make a three-tiered tower. This is the kind of durable, simple toy that kids love to experiment with. They will find several uses (we’ve seen them turn into hats!).

Sound Feet Shoes

Sound Feet Shoes

Sound Feet Shoes is family owned and operated. Sound Feet has been in the retail shoe business for over 70 years, opening their first store in 1953. They provide the best customer service and are the only Outer Banks’ area full service shoe store since 1987. Now, the family owned business boasts eight stores in the region, including two outlets. Their shoe specialists can help you find the right fit and comfort for your family’s needs.

(More Locations)
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education

Corolla, North Carolina is a must see nautical village scented with the spray of the salty sea. It's located on NC Highway 12 along a thin strip of land bordered on the east by the tempestuous Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by the inland waterway of Currituck Sound. Corolla is home to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, whose beacon first beckoned to sailors at sea in 1875, and to art noveau Whalehead in Historic Corolla, a turn of the century hunt club for sportsmen. The quaint village is also home to one of North Carolina's natural history gems called the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. The center, which opened in 2006, is an impressive and marvelous 22,000 square foot interpretive center for young and old alike to explore the history and vast diversity of North Carolina's wildlife.

Brew Thru

Brew Thru

No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without cruising through Brew Thru, the Outer Banks’ original drive thru convenience store. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing cold beverage of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks on the go, stocking up your cooler with refreshments to enjoy at the beach or piling up on beer and wine for a party, Brew Thru is a fun and unique experience all vacationers need to see for themselves.

Drive-Through Beer & Gear

Brew Thru is Your One-Stop Shop at the Beach

The year was 1977, and Dana and Becky Lawrentz were chatting with friends over brews in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. They got to talking about a gas station convenience store in the area that had built a makeshift drive-through. Everyone agreed it would be pretty great if you could actually drive through a convenience store and pick up everything you needed without getting out of the car. But what would you call a place like that?

Well, you’d call it a Brew Thru.

It was an idea they couldn’t shake, so the Lawrentzes moved to the Outer Banks and built the first Brew Thru with the help of a partner. The idea was that people could come buy everything they would need for their trip to the beach—beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks, ice—without getting out of the car. That same year, a t-shirt salesman visiting the store and talked them into adding t-shirts to their product line—and 44 years later there are now more than five million Brew Thru t-shirts out in the wild.

The Lawrentzes’ daughter Brandy and her husband Philip Foreman purchased the business from them in 2002, and they now operate five locations across the Outer Banks.“We love being the one-stop shop for folks on the way to their beach house,” Foreman says. “Our car tenders are the friendliest people at the beach. We’re here to greet you, get you everything you need for your trip, load it up in the trunk for you, and have you leaving with a smile on your face.”

The store is quite expansive, featuring more than 100 brands of beer, dozens of wines and even a vast selection of cigars—not to mention all the snacks, t-shirts and other gear. To make ordering a little easier, customers in line get a menu—fondly known as the Summer-y—that outlines everything available at the store. These Summer-ies are also available in many of the beach rentals, which allows vacationers to decide what they want before driving through.

For customers who would like to get out and stretch their legs, there’s the Brew Thru Shop in Kill Devil Hills, where you can find their world famous t-shirts and other gifts. New t-shirt designs are created each year, making a yearly Brew Thru t-shirt a favorite of locals and annual visitors to the Outer Banks.

The Foremans both grew up in the Outer Banks, and they love that Brandy’s parents’ vision for a friendly and convenient place for people to grab their brews and other beach stay essentials is continuing to flourish.

“Our family has been welcoming people to the Outer Banks since 1977,” Foreman says. “We love this beautiful place, and we want everybody to get to enjoy it.”

(More Locations)
Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

More than 2,000 shipwrecks sunk off the Coast of North Carolina in what’s called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. With all that history floating around, it was only natural to build a museum to honor and preserve the maritime culture of the Outer Banks. A state-of-the-art structure, the year round museum houses and displays artifacts, and presents a variety of exhibits and interprets the rich maritime culture that includes war, piracy, ghost ships and more. Artifacts include thoseex from the USS Monitor, which sank 16 miles off the Hatteras coast. The lobby features the stunning and original, 1854, First Order Lens from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Current hibits include those on piracy and the Civil War on Hatteras Island.

Jolly Roger

Jolly Roger

When you first catch sight of The Jolly Roger, you might be unsure exactly what to think of it. Since its conversion from a gas station/grocery store to a restaurant in 1972, The Jolly Roger has been anything but your ordinary Outer Banks restaurant. It’s been 37 years since Angelos took ownership of Jolly, and over the years she has experienced many changes, including three expansions and a renovation after Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Although the restaurant has gone through several changes over the years, Carol Ann’s style is unaltered. The restaurant decor is an eclectic blend of Christmas, pirate paraphernalia, aquatic murals, handmade boutique-style gifts and old-time movie posters.

 

Almost as diverse as the restaurant itself is the food selection, The Jolly Roger is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they offer something for everyone. Breakfast favorites include the Eggs Benedict, pancakes and home fries—all made in-house from fresh ingredients. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers a wide selection of options, from steaks and seafood to pastas and salads. All of the restaurant’s sauces are house-made from scratch, and everything is taste-tested to ensure the absolute best quality food is being served.

Outer Banks Milepost System

Outer Banks Milepost System

Many newcomers to the Outer Banks who are browsing the local restaurants, shops and area attractions online or in the local guide books notice an interesting addition to the standard address. Besides the typical business name, street name, street number and town, many local businesses also include a Milepost number. This may initially appear to be an odd notation to include, but on the Outer Banks, this is incredibly helpful to new visitors on the lookout for a specific restaurant or shop.