LittleLife Family Beach Shelter review: we put this Mumsnet favourite to the test

Price on writing: £48 | Buy now from Amazon | Buy now from LittleLife

Our verdict

LittleLife, the brand responsible for some of the best toddler reins and best baby carriers on the market, also knows a thing or two about making a great beach tent.

Whether you need a shady spot for your toddler’s nap time or a place to get changed in private, this family shelter from LittleLife strikes a great balance between size and portability. With a UPF rating of 50+ and a zip-closed door, this tent offers 360-degree protection from the elements.

I found it a little bit tricky to assemble at first - there is a definite knack to this one - but once you’ve mastered it, it’s a breeze. That said, it may be a good idea to do a trial run at home before you head out to the beach. Once it’s up, the family shelter is surprisingly spacious and can easily accommodate a small buggy.

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How we tested

We tested the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter on the lawn in our back garden on a sunny, but moderately windy, afternoon. The shelter was scored on how easy it was to assemble, keep clean, transport, store and use. 

The beach tent is only suitable for use on grass and sand, and our local beaches are very stony,  we decided not to risk testing the shelter on rough terrain.

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What's included?

• One fabric shelter

• Three shock-corded silver poles

• Six pegs

• One storage bag

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How easy was the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter to assemble?

I found the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter a bit fiddly to put together at first.  Each pole arrives folded into sections and joined with an elastic cord. These sections must be aligned and pushed together to create a smooth joint before the pole is fed through the pole sleeve on the shelter. I made the mistake of pulling a couple of the poles through, rather than pushing them through gently, which ended up separating some of the sections, complicating the process. Once through the other side of the sleeve, the end of the poles carefully guided into the eyelets around the bottom. Once all the poles are where they should be, the 12-pole clips are used to hold them in the correct position.

If using the tent on grass, the metal pegs secure it to the ground through the webbing straps. If using the tent on sand, the handy fabric pockets on the outside of the shelter can be filled with sand to weigh it down, ensuring it stays put.

When it came to packing the shelter away, my husband did the honours and had the whole thing dismantled, folded up neatly and packed back in the carry bag in less than five minutes. 

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What’s the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter like in day-to-day use?

Once assembled, the beach shelter is surprisingly roomy and it can easily accommodate a small buggy or a bassinet, as well as various beach toys, changing bags and other baby and child paraphernalia. It also provides a handy space for changing into and out of swimwear. We found the shelter got very warm in the sunshine with the front flap zipped up, so keep an eye on the temperature if you are planning on putting a young child in there for a nap, and never leave them unattended in the shelter.

My five-year-old and six-year-old enjoyed playing in the tent, moving in various teddy bears and their best dolls to join the fun. There was plenty of space for the three of us, all the toys, and there was still room to spare.

I did notice that the floor of the shelter felt rather thin. Although this is fine for use on grass and sand, I would avoid stony beaches, rather than risk tearing the bottom of the tent. I liked the individual bags to store the poles and pegs and how everything fits comfortably into the compact carry bag. The bag is small and lightweight for easy carrying and can be stored without taking up to much space in the shed, cupboard or car boot.

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How do you clean the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter?

The care instructions state that the beach shelter should be handwashed if required and left to air dry.

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Is the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter good value for money?

Absolutely. I really liked the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter and for under £50 at the time of writing (June 25th, 2024), I feel like this is an excellent price for a quality product that will accompany us on many family holidays in the years to come. And if you like the sound of the LittleLife Family Beach Shelter but are in the market for something a bit smaller, I have good news - the shelter also comes in a compact size for just £39 on Amazon.

Looking for more outdoor family fun this summer? Check out Mumsnet’s guides to the best paddling pools, best outdoor toys and the best trampolines, as tried, tested and recommended by Mumsnet users.

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on child’s play, outdoor play and toddler play content.

Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021, writing buyers' guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.

Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.