NBC Select’s kid beach test finds the gear that earns trunk space

One parent, three small kids and more than 50 beach products went into NBC Select’s summer gear test. After three beach outings, plus pool days, the shopping team said 25 items proved useful enough to keep in the bag.

The test was built around a familiar family scramble: a 4 1/2-year-old, a 21-month-old and a 9-month-old, each with different needs for snacks, sunscreen, naps, shade and hauling power. NBC Select said the first beach run involved too much gear, including two tents, a wagon packed with toys and a cooler large enough to feel like another child.

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Safety picks that kids may actually wear

For children who resist bulky flotation gear, NBC Select highlighted the Line and Cleat Life Jacket, priced at $88. The reviewer said her 4 1/2-year-old wore it while swimming, digging and running on the beach without asking to remove it, a win after repeated beach trips.

The upside, according to NBC Select: it is lightweight, comes in bright colors and looks less clunky than many traditional vests. The catch is the cost, since it was the most expensive life jacket the team tested.

For a lower-cost backup, NBC Select named the SwimWays SwimSteps Life Vest, listed at $29.92 at Amazon and Walmart. The review said it worked well for toddlers and last-minute water plans, with an adjustable design that can grow with a child. NBC Select noted it is bulkier and less structured than the Line and Cleat option.

The wagon wars: power assist versus sand wheels

For families hauling kids and gear from parking lot to shoreline, NBC Select tested two big-ticket wagons.

The Radio Flyer Voya 2.0 XT 4-Seater Stroller Wagon, listed at $589.99 at Target and $589 at Radio Flyer, got praise for its power assist. NBC Select said that feature made longer walks easier when the wagon was loaded with a baby, toddler, preschooler and beach supplies.

The wagon also includes a snack tray, UPF 50+ canopy and peekaboo window, according to the review. NBC Select said the price makes it a splurge, but more defensible for families who would use it beyond the beach, including walks, errands, parks, vacations and sports events.

The Veer All-Terrain Cruiser XL, listed at $799 at Amazon, Veer and REI, stood out for a different reason: packing efficiency. NBC Select said children, towels, snacks and toys could all ride together, cutting down on shoulder bags and extra car trips.

The review said its beach wheels handled soft sand better than a standard stroller or wagon, and that it folded flat enough to avoid taking over the trunk. NBC Select cautioned that accessories such as trays, baskets and sidewalls are sold separately, which can push the final price higher. The regular Cruiser seats two children, while the Cruiser XL seats four, according to the review.

Seats, snacks and less sand in the crackers

NBC Select also picked the Yeti Hondo Beach Chair, priced at $300 at YETI and Ace Hardware, for adults who want a sturdier seat. The review said it stayed stable on soft sand, reclined easily and included a cupholder and shoulder strap. NBC Select said it is expensive and not the most compact chair, but useful beyond beach days.

For kids’ snack breaks, the Izimini Portable Booster Chair V2, listed at $59 at Bloomingdale’s, Babylist and Izimini, earned a spot for its removable tray and built-in harness. NBC Select said the chairs gave toddlers and preschoolers a cleaner place to eat, wiped down quickly after spills and came with a shoulder strap and built-in storage.

The drawback, according to the review, is that the booster chairs take up room and can be awkward to pack away. For longer beach days, though, NBC Select said they made eating and resting easier for both kids and parents.

This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.