The 7 best beach tents to protect your baby from the sun

best baby beach tents

by Lorna White |
Updated on

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 overall pop-up baby beach tent: Wolfwise 3-4 Person Pop Up Beach Tent, £47.99

Best baby beach tent for protection against insects: Babymoov Anti-UV Tent, £29.99

Best baby beach tent for UV protection: Pro Action Pop Up Shelter, £20

Best baby beach tent for easy assembly: Instant Camping Shelter, £29.99

Best baby beach tent for swimming: Homened Pop Up Baby Beach Tent with Pool, £22.99

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.

"According to the NHS, they say: "Take extra care to protect babies and children. Their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life. Children aged under 6 months should be kept out of direct strong sunlight."

"From March to October in the UK, children should:"

  • Cover up with suitable clothing

  • Spend time in the shade, particularly from 11am to 3pm

  • Wear at least SPF30 sunscreen

"Apply sunscreen to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands."

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.

So, 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 baby beach tents 2024

Best overall baby beach tent

Best pop up: 3-4 Person Pop Up Beach Tent

Rrp: £79.98

Price: £74.99

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. A 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". Also, the waterproof polyester with taped seams, helps keeps the inner shelter clean and dry, and the silver coated tent surface absorbs sunlight and shields your little one from ultraviolet light. 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).

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
Size:‎120 x 145 x 220cm
Folding size:29.5" L x 29.5"W x 1.6" H
Weight:2.5kg

Best baby beach tent for protection against insects

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, who was in awe with thr mosquito net, she said: "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."

And, if you want to keep the sand away, you'll be glad to know that, the Marinière anti-UV play area shields your baby not only from the sun’s rays, but also from wind and sand.

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • Features mesh mosquito net
  • Has ventilation windows

Cons

  • Some reviewers found it hard to put away
Size: 100 x 100 x 80 cm
Folding size:60 cm
Weight: 0.77 kg

Best baby beach tent for UV protection

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 mum who purchased this for her kids 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
Size:200 x 120cm
Folding size:62 x 62 x 2.2cm
Weight:0.8kgs

Best baby beach tent for easy assembly

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 who loved its quick assemble 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", with another parent saying: "an excellent product to always have at home for going to the seaside, camping or in the mountains, plus it opens and closes in 2 seconds... light enough to carry around even on holiday."

Pros

  • Provides shelter from sun and light wind
  • Insulates from the ground

Cons

  • Smaller size compared to other baby beach tents
Size:105 x 145cm x 110cm
Folding size:56 cm
Weight:1.1 kg

Best baby beach tent for swimming

Best with a pool: Baby beach tent with pool
Price: £23.99

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. Also, perfect for indoor playing time, as it can be transformed into a play tent as well. One reviewer who liked how portbale this baby beach tent is 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
Size:55 x 53 x 1 cm
Folding size:19 inches
Weight:500g

Best pop up baby beach tent

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 buyer said: "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
Size:‎150 x 165 x 100 cm
Folding size:18" x 1.6"
Weight:950g

Best budget baby beach tent

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 buyer 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", while another mum liked how strong it was: 'Bought for a day at the beach and does exactly what it says on the tin. Easy to put up and big enough to sit in with a child. Felt study but it wasn't windy so not sure how it would hold up in those conditions."

Pros

  • Compact and easy to travel with
  • UV SPF50 protection

Cons

  • Doesn't have a privacy door
Size:120 x 120cm
Weight:0.8kg

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.

FAQs

Should I get a beach umbrella or tent?

Although a beach tent makes changing into a swimsuits, having naps, having a peaceful lunch break, with door flaps that can be zipped up for some privacy, purchasing a beach umbrellas won’t offer you the same.

How we chose the best baby beach tents

Interested to know how we choose products to include in our round-ups, who tests for us, and whether we physically test every product we feature? Find out everything you need to know about how we test so that you can enjoy our suggestions and choose confidently.

Remember, 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.

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.