A trip to the beach can be as exciting to a parent as it can be to a child. Beautiful blue water, warm sand and bright sun can make anyone’s day. But when you are a parent and have children who demand your attention, things can go a little out of way if not handled properly.
Packing for your trip to the beach or anywhere with kids can sometimes get a little overwhelming. I have put together a handy list of things to take on your next trip to the beach. I hope you will find it as useful as I do. And don’t forget to download FREE Beach Checklist at the end of the post. 🙂
1. Sunscreen:
Sunscreen is an absolute essential to take along on your beach trip. A sunscreen that is especially formulated keeping in mind children and their delicate skin is what I would recommend. If you are in India I would suggest Baby Biotique Herbals sun block sunscreen. We have been using and totally loving it. {Leave a comment below if you want me to do a detailed review of it}
2. Shade:
Shade could mean anything from a simple beach hat to a beach tent, depending on which beach you are headed to. Some beaches have huts for people to sit down and unwind, otherwise carrying your own won’t cause any harm.
3. Water:
Carry plenty of it. For a thumb rule, the quantity of water you carry should be at least three times of your child’s usual in-take. I do it three times because spending lot of time under sun may cause dehydration.
4. Snacks:
Snacks are as important as water or any other item in the list. I say this because a lot of activity may leave your children feeling hungry and tired. And most of the beaches do not have stall nearby. So what better way than carrying your own fruits and juice?
5. Change of clothes:
Imagine three little semi-wet people hopping into your car after having some great time at the beach? A change of clothes is always a life-saver. Just throw in some extra shorts and t-shirts for a quick change, and you will thank yourself later on.
6. Baby powder:
Do you come back to your car with almost half the beach sand in it? Or your children screaming their heads off because the fine sand has started to irritate? Carry some baby powder with you. Just take some powder in your palm and rub it on your feet and watch the sand fall of magically.
7. Swim diapers:
No one wants to have bad ‘poopy’ beach day. Isn’t it? So think diapers. Think swim diapers. If you are cloth diapering you may use a pocket without any insert as a swim diaper or purchase swim diapers from any cloth diaper store. I got ours directly from the Alva Baby website. And if you are a disposable diaper user, then look for diapers meant for beaches and pools, because regular are made quite the opposite way, they would soak up all the water and leave your child feeling heavy and irritated.
8. Beach toys:
Who doesn’t love making castles in sand? I do. So do my children. Look for deal on websites or any local store and stock up on some good beach toys, while you can. They are a total investment. You will be surprised to find out about this hidden talent of your child.
9. Wet Bag:
Where will all the wet clothes, towels and diapers go after the whole beach drama? Ever thought? Don’t forget to carry a wet bag for clothes and a few extra disposables bags for diapers and beach toys. You don’t want to see your car in a huge sand-water mess. Do you? 🙂
10. Flip-Flops:
Sand and water are not the only things on the beach. Think of rocks, shells, trash, and things you may not see. Flip flops can be invaluable and can save your child from injury.
11. Camera:
No parent would ever want to regret not having captured some of the finest memories of their child’s growing years. So why not capture them while you can. Carry a camera and yeah don’t forget to charge it beforehand 🙂
12. Extra blanket:
Yes a blanket. For the evening that may get a little too ‘breezy’ or if you plan to stay overnight at the beach. Take along at least one blanket for each of your child, so they can keep themselves warm without ripping the blanket apart.
13. Towels:
This one is again an obvious. You may want to carry at least 2-3 light-weight towels so they take minimal space in your bag. Plus they will dry up quite quickly, just in case your children want to go back in to the water.
14. First Aid kid:
It’s always best to keep a little first aid kit either in your car or with you at the beach. You’ll be surprised at how handy that will be.
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