Skip the eco-friendly beach toys — use what you have.

Probably none. The most eco-friendly option is to bring what you already own and avoid buying anything new.

Most “eco” beach toys are still plastic — just recycled or bamboo-labeled. They still ship around the world in boxes. The real win is not buying at all. Grab a few silicone muffin cups (great sand molds), a metal measuring cup (scoop), and maybe an old serving spoon. Sticks and driftwood work fine for digging.

If you absolutely need something branded, look for second-hand buckets and shovels on Facebook Marketplace or Buy Nothing groups. They’re already produced — use them instead of new ones.

Your beach trip doesn’t need a whole new gear bag.