The best baby swim and beach towels for holidaying and more

baby in towel

by Adejumoke Ilori |
Updated on

Babies love splashing around in water, and with almost nine months spent in a fluid-filled environment, we're hardly surprised by their fascination with swimming. Whether you're jetting off to a hot country over the summer hols, visiting your local swimming pool or taking a dip in the paddling pool, one thing's for sure - you'll need the right accessories. Once you've got the right swimsuit, baby swim shoes and swimming aids for your baby, the only thing that's missing is the perfect towel.

Best at a glance:

  • Best beach towel for design: Nuosen Hooded Baby Towels, Cotton Dinosaur, buy on Amazon

  • Best beach towel for its cotton material: Little Tinkers World Hooded Baby Towel - Elephant, buy on Amazon

  • Best beach towel or its apron-style: Cuddledry Hands Free Baby Bamboo Towel, buy on Amazon

  • Best Disney beach towel: Disney Mickey Mouse 3D ears towel, buy on Amazon

Baby swim and beach towels should be soft, quick-dry and machine-washable for your benefit. Colourful ones are also preferable, and towels that are animal-themed get bonus points from us.

We've listed our top favourite swim and beach towels for babies that are fluffy, cute and efficient.

When can babies go swimming?

The NHS website says that a baby can go swimming at any age, before or after their vaccinations. Of course, if your baby is feeling feverish or unwell after getting any of their vaccines, make sure to wait a few days before taking them swimming.

Having said that, while your newborn might be ready to start splashing around at any point, you should wait at least a few months until any post-birth vaginal bleeding has stopped before going for a swim.

What do I need to take my baby swimming?

While this is in no way an exhaustive list, here are a few essentials for going swimming with an infant.

Swim nappies

Swimsuit or wetsuit

Soft towel or poncho

A snack if your little one is weaning

A bottle of milk

A changing mat and changing bag

The best baby beach towels 2024

Best for design

Does your baby have a fascination with dinosaurs? If so, this dino-themed hooded poncho is precisely what you're looking for. Non-fading and quick-drying, you won't have to worry about the colour disappearing after a few washes, and you can be confident that your baby will be warm and cosy when relaxing on the beach. The soft cotton will feel gentle against your baby's skin and is super absorbent. One mum happy with her order said: "My grandson loved this, he wore it all day and didn’t want to take it off. Great material and was made well."

Pros

  • Made from the soft cotton,which very absorbent
  • Non-fading 

Cons

  • Thin material

Best for its cotton material

Hooded Baby Towel
Price: £18.99

Made of 100% premium cotton, this elephant-themed baby towel is thick but feels light on your baby's body and efficiently absorbs water. Your tot will love snuggling up in the soft cotton material, which remains fluffy even after multiple washes. One parent, who bought this for her child said: "My daughter absolutely loves bath time, and now she loves getting out the bath too with this product. It's hard-wearing and soft, and my daughter loves being wrapped up in it and smiling at herself in the mirror in it. Would recommend!"

Pros

  • Removes water from skin quickly 
  • Features a cute hooded Elephant design

Cons

  • Elephant top piece doesn’t dry completely. 

Best for its apron-style

Cuddledry Hands Free Baby Bamboo Towel
Price: £38.99

A multi-award-winning accessory, this baby towel is expertly designed for you to safely lift your baby from the water while also holding a towel - sounds pretty genius if you ask us. Celeb mums, including Mrs Hinch and Stacey Solomon, have raved about this towel, as have maternity nurses and midwives. The material is silky soft even after washes and can be used from newborn to 18 months.
One buyer who purchased this towel as gifys said: "Over the last few years, I have purchased 3 of these towels on separate occasions as gifts for expectant friends. Each friend has called after their baby was been born to say an appreciative thank you. All commented on how absorbent as well as lovely and soft it is and said that all who had used it while bathing the baby were impressed and pleased with how the towel doubles as an apron keeping them dry in the process. A very worthwhile product and a great gift if you are looking to buy for an expectant friend!"

Pros

  • Apron-style baby bath towel
  • Hood fastens around the adult's neck

Cons

  • One review said the button won't be able to hold the weight of a baby once they have passed two months old

Best baby towel

Perfect for your little one, this Treer baby towel is made The towel is made from materials like microfibre, which are incredibly soft and gentle on a baby’s delicate skin. The towel is large enough to wrap around the entire baby, which is great for providing warmth after a bath, with the hooded design particularly beneficial, as it helps to dry and keep the baby’s head warm, which is vital since babies lose heat more quickly than adults. An auntie, who bought this for as a gift said: "Ordered this for my niece, looks great."

Pros

  • Made of microfiber
  • Perfect to take on almost any adventure

Cons

  • One review said the towel is not absorbent

Best Disney towel

Mickey Mouse beach towel
Price: £23.95

Featuring the iconic Mickey Mouse character, this towel appeals to children and Disney fans of all ages. The bright, cheerful design makes it fun for kids to use at the beach or pool, adding an element of joy to their outdoor experiences. It is highly absorbent, allowing it to efficiently dry off water from the body after swimming, giving your little one comfort and warmth after spending time in the water. One parent said: "Such a nice poncho, my son loved it and wore it everyday after pool. It’s light, absorbs water nicely and keeps kid warm and dry."

Pros

  • Comes in one size that suits little toddlers, older children and teens
  • Keeps your little one’s warm & dry after swimming lessons, beach & pool days and bathtime

Cons

  • One review said the towel is slightly thin

Best Peppa Pig towel

Peppa pig towel
Price: £28.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$28.99View offer

Featuring the beloved Peppa Pig character, this towel is instantly attractive to children who enjoy the show. The bright colors and familiar imagery make bath time or beach outings more enjoyable and fun for kids. The fun design can encourage children to use the towel more eagerly, whether they are drying off after a bath or wrapping up after swimming. It turns a routine activity into something more engaging for kids. "I got this for my niece who is a huge Peppa Pig fan and this went down incredibly well! It comes well packaged and folded and would make a lovely gift.", kne happy buyer said.

Pros

  • Perfect for transforming pool time into Peppa Pig party time
  • A pink striped towel great for after splashing

Cons

  • One customer said the towel is a little pricey

Best hypoallergenic towel

Ducks are inherently cute and playful animals that children often find amusing. A towel featuring a duck design, especially with bright colors and a friendly face, instantly captures a child's imagination, making bath time or beach outings more enjoyable. Despite its antibacterial and hypoallergenic features, the towel is still soft and gentle on the skin. This makes it comfortable to use after a bath, shower, or swim, providing a pleasant and soothing experience.

Pros

  • The baby hooded towel is perfect for newborns, infants, toddlers 
  • Machine Washable

Cons

  • One review said it is more like a bath robe material than a towel

Remember, beach towels are an excellent choice due to their soft, absorbent materials that ensure comfort and dryness for a baby's sensitive skin.

Their appropriate size and often hooded designs provide full coverage and warmth, making them practical for use after swimming or playing at the beach.

Additionally, these towels are durable, easy to care for, and often feature fun designs that engage and delight both babies and parents, enhancing the overall beach or pool experience.

Adejumoke Ilori is a Commercial and Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mommy of one and enjoys writing about baby world, mothership, true life stories (especially single parenthood), and celebrity gossip. And, with a degree in Creative Writing, she has also worked with media platforms like, OK! Magazine, New, She Rose Revolution and Fab Magazine.

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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.