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The Best Sand Shovels to Make Your Next Beach Trip a Blast

The Camping List Review Team
Written By The Camping List Review Team
Last updated: Feb 14, 2025, 10:29 AM
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best sand shovel

Beach trips are a fun way to spend your summer vacations, and what better way can you think of to have fun with your family than building a sandcastle. Using a sand shovel can make the beach more fun since it can be used to dig up seashells and also make sculptures out of the sand. But that’s not the only use of a high-quality sand shovel since your kids can use it during snow days too. They can use this shovel to collect snow and make snowmen.

After your kids are done using the shovels for their playtime, you can use them for extra help during gardening. There are many different ways to use sand shovels, but that’s only possible if you purchase the right one. If you’re looking to buy one of the finest sand shovels of 2025, keep on reading!

View all Contents
  • Finding Your Next Sand Shovel: A Buying Guide
    • Uses of Sand Shovels:
    • Sensory Play Using Sand Shovels
    • Use This Hack to Clean Your Sand Shovel and Other Beach Toys
  • People Also Asked
  • Your Adventure, Our Experience
  • Contributors
  • Related Reads

Our Top Picks of Sand Shovels

  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Sand Shovel: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this sand shovels ↓
  • Matty's Toy Sand Shovel: Great Value (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this sand shovels ↓
  • O SPIELSTABIL Sand Shovel: Most Comfortable Grip (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this sand shovels ↓
  • Anzmtosn Sand Shovel: Most Durable (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this sand shovels ↓
  • Aokzon Sand Shovel: Best for Toddlers (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this sand shovels ↓

Top Sand Shovels Worth Considering in 2025

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Sand Shovel

Best Overall
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National Geographic is known for its interesting shows and magazines about nature and the earth. Their line of scientific toys makes playtime more fun for your child and allows them to learn and this sand shovel set is no exception. This sand scoop set will help your little adventure discover little treasures buried in the sand.

It comes with a trowel that you can use to scoop sand up and shake it out so that only solids like rocks are remaining. You can use the shovel to dig around in sand or dirt and scoop it into the trowel. Toys like these encourage your child to be curious and creative. This hands-on toy is also a great addition to metal detector kits which are fun to use at the beach. Both the tools are lightweight and are made of durable plastic that will last a long time, making it the best shovel set on the list.

Product Pros
  • Toys are easy to clean
  • Can be used for snow too
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Made of durable materials
Product Cons
  • The handle is on the shorter side

Matty’s Toy Sand Shovel

Great Value
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Taking a sand shovel to the beach can make the whole experience more exciting, especially if you’re going with your family. This sand scoop set is ideal for picnics because it comes with three pieces so that you can share them with your loved ones. Each sand shovel is 9-inches long and deep enough to scoop a good amount of sand.

These shovels also come in attractive and playful colors like blue and yellow to keep your kids hooked. The product is made of durable plastic and won’t break easily. Your kid can play in wet sand, exploring her creative side without the fear of breaking the shovel. These sand shovels also made great party favors.

Product Pros
  • Great item to give kids as a gift
  • Can be used to make sandcastles
  • Fun colors keep kids engaged for hours
  • A pack of three for everyone to play
Product Cons
  • The shovel handle is too short

O SPIELSTABIL Sand Shovel

Most Comfortable Grip
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Present them with this perfect toy for the beach day and let them have endless fun scooping and playing with sand. This sand shovel is made of durable plastic and won’t break easily. The best part is that you can find these scoops in various sizes and colors, so your kids get to pick a suitable size in their favorite color. The handle features ridges to ensure that it’s easy for the kids to grip and use. The ridges are not sharp and comfortable to hold. And not just the shovel, the handle is also sturdy enough to keep up with all the pressure the kids put during playtime.

The large size makes them suitable for different uses. It is also dishwasher safe and made of food-grade plastic that doesn’t have harmful chemicals. Your kids will have hours of fun at the beach with this sand shovel.

Product Pros
  • Colors don’t fade easily
  • The handle has a comfortable grip
  • Available in different sizes
  • Made of flexible and durable plastic
Product Cons
  • Only comes with one shovel 

Anzmtosn Sand Shovel

Most Durable
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If your child loves to play with sand, you can’t go wrong with this option. These shovels come in a pack of 2 and are available in fun colors like orange and pink. Your child will be delighted by the colors and will use this exciting toy to explore the sand at the beach or in your garden.

These shovels are 14-inches long and made of durable plastic that won’t bend or break easily. What’s great about these sand scoops is that the handles are sturdy and can even be used in wet sand. Your child can even use these shovels to play with snow. Also note that this sand shovel is made of ABS plastic which is sturdier than standard plastic. Your child will find it easy to grip the large handle. 

Product Pros
  • Can be used for sand and snow
  • Perfect size for kids
  • Available in vibrant colors
  • Made of sturdy plastic
Product Cons
  • Might be too big for toddlers

Aokzon Sand Shovel

Best for Toddlers
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Sand shovels are a great way to get your kids to explore nature, whether it be in your backyard or a sandbox. These shovels will become your kid’s favorite toy, and they can even share them with their friends since they come in a pack of 3. The best thing about these sand scoops is that they’re available in vibrant colors like blue and green.

These sand shovels are also lightweight, so you can easily carry them in your beach bag. You don’t have to worry about these shovels breaking easily since they are made of durable plastic. The plastic doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, making these sand shovels totally safe for kids. Another great thing about these sand shovels is that they can be used for party favor gifts. Every kid will enjoy using these cute sand scoops.

Product Pros
  • High-quality plastic construction for durability
  • Vibrant colors are perfect for younger kids
  • Can be used for sand or snow
  • Available in a pack of 3
Product Cons
  • The handle can be a bit larger

Finding Your Next Sand Shovel: A Buying Guide

Not only are sand shovels a great accessory for the beach, but they can be used to entertain your kids for hours. It’s always good to have a sand shovel handy for days when your children are bored. This guide contains more information about sand scoops.

Uses of Sand Shovels:

Gardening

Gardening can be a hard job, and no one likes to get their hands dirty with wet soil. It can be helpful to use gardening gloves, but they don’t allow you to dig deep enough. A plastic sand shovel can be a lifesaver when it comes to gardening.

You can use it to dig holes for seedlings or make space in the soil for new plants. They can also be used to move earthworms and other things that you wouldn’t want to touch.

Home improvement

While doing home improvement projects like building flower beds or glamming up your driveway, you can use a shovel. Not everyone likes to use their hands while handling materials like gravel or dirt. Not only because it can get your hands dirty, but it can also injure you.

Using a shovel for materials like that can save you from such injuries. Laying out gravel with a shovel can also make it look neater.

Treasure hunting

If you or your kids are into using things like metal detectors, a shovel can come in handy. This is because once your machine detects something; you can use the shovel to dig it out. Your child will have hours of fun with activities like this.

You can take metal detector machines to different places like the park or the beach. Maybe you’ll even find a piece of real treasure!

Plowing snow

During the winters, most places get a fresh coat of snow in their driveways, making daily life difficult. If you need to remove a small amount of snow, you can use sand shovels. You can also turn this into a fun activity with your kids.

Using sand shovels for snow is fun in general since it helps scoop snow for making things like snowmen.

Sensory Play Using Sand Shovels

Sensory play is important since it encourages the development of motor skills in your toddler. Using sensory play while your child is progressing from a baby to a toddler is very important. This can help them as they grow and also helps them explore new sensations.

A shovel is a great tool to use when experimenting with sensory play. Here are some great ways to engage your child in sensory play with a sand scoop.

Edible sand

Sand can be harmful to babies since they tend to put everything in their mouths. But sand can also be a fun way for them to use their hands and dig stuff out. An excellent way to give your baby the joy of playing with sand is by making an edible version of it.

Grind up some biscuits in a food processor and use that as sand. Your baby can now use a shovel to play around with the edible sand.

Colorful foam

This is another fun way to get your child to use their hands and also get a little messy. Use any foamy substance like whipped cream and dye it using baby-safe food colors. Fill a small tub with this foam and place it in front of your toddler.

Your baby can use a sand shovel to dig through this foam and find their favorite toys.

Snow play

This is a great hack if you want your baby to experience snow for the first time but don’t want to take them out in the cold weather. Fill a small bowl with snow, and you can also use food colors to make it more fun. Encourage your child to play with the snow using either a shovel or their hands.

This will help them experience snow, and their hands won’t get too cold if they use the shovel.

Use This Hack to Clean Your Sand Shovel and Other Beach Toys

Going to the beach is fun, but it can also be messy since sand tends to stick to everything. A great way to keep your beach toys and sand shovel clean is by using a mesh bag. After you’re done using the tools, place them in a mesh bag and shake the sand out.

This way, the tools will stay clean and won’t get your other belongings sandy.

People Also Asked

How much water should I use for the perfect sandcastle?

Beach sand tends to be dry, so adding water to it is necessary if you want a good sandcastle. However, if you add too much water, your sandcastle will collapse. It’s best to use only one percent of water per the amount of dry sand that you are using for the best results.

How can I clean my sand shovel after gardening?

Gardening can be quite a dirty task, so you want to ensure that your sand shovel is perfectly clean. A good way to clean it is by using a dishwashing liquid and warm water mixture. Soak your sand shovels in this mixture and use a cloth to scrub off any visible dirt. After you dry the shovels, you can also give them a rub down with some alcohol swabs for extra sanitation. 

What tools should my beach kit include?

Other than a few small sand shovels, you can also include molds in your beach kit. These can be used to pack in the sand and make fun shapes with it. You should also keep a small bucket or two for water when making sandcastles or cleaning off your body.

Your Adventure, Our Experience

At TheCampingList, our dedication to authenticity and reliability stems from our own adventures in the great outdoors. Our team, comprised of seasoned experts in hiking, camping, climbing, cycling, fishing, and hunting, rigorously tests every product and shares insights drawn from real experiences. This hands-on approach ensures our reviews and guides meet the highest standards of durability, functionality, and comfort. Moreover, our platform thrives on the rich contributions and feedback from our vibrant community of enthusiasts. We pride ourselves on delivering unbiased, educational content that empowers and informs your outdoor pursuits. Trust in TheCampingList for genuine advice and support, where we're all about enriching your journey, every step of the way.

Contributors

The Camping List Review Team
The Camping List Review Team
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