I have had two very close friends text me with equally panicked messages. They are headed to the beach for the first time with toddlers and wanted to know my “must-haves” for making a beach trip amazing with tiny kids. I have had my share of “we are never doing this again!” moments, but through the years, you kind of learn what you REALLY need. So, leave that weird-umbrella-tent thing at home and check out my survival list.
SURVIVING THE BEACH WITH A TODDLER (OR TWO OR THREE OF THEM)
- A roll of paper towels. It’s random, I know, but I promise it will come in handy.
- Snacks, juice, and water. Lots of them in a cooler. You won’t want to haul all the stuff back to the car/hotel/house just to go eat lunch…so just bring a ton of snacks for the day.
- A spray bottle full of fresh water. The second your kid comes walking up with sand-encrusted fingers and wants to have those strawberries you packed in the cooler, you will be able to spray his hands clean with water. (And silently thank me for this idea.) It also comes in handy for the inevitable shriek-fest that ensues when little fella get the first punch of salt water in his eyes/mouth. A spray bottle, paper towel, and words of comfort do the trick.
- A huge quilt or blanket. Everything will happen here. This is your kids’ “safe spot” from the sand.
- Sand pails and beach toys. (But you already knew that one.)
- Spray-on sunblock. Even if you are using normal lotion sunblock, pack yourself the spray kind as well. Why? You will find yourself chasing the kids and just happy to get the spray on them for some sort of protection when they are in the middle of building a huge sand castle. (I am also a big fan of rash-guards.)
- Baby powder. Guess what happens when you sprinkle baby powder on sandy skin? The sand easily falls off when you gently dust it off.
- The world’s best beach cart. We love this thing. Here is the link: Beach Cart David found it years ago, and it makes life easier. We can fill the middle with beach bags, toys, and towels. The handle is perfect for holding beach chairs. On the handle is a cooler, perfectly placed for the adult beverages.
- If you have one tiny enough, a good jogging stroller. The Bob Revolution is my favorite and worth every penny. We have yet to meet a rough beach terrain we can’t handle in this thing.
- At least one cute formal beach outfit for the kids. Go out at sunset and snap away with your camera. The beach + white fabrics + sunset= photo magic.
- A book FOR YOURSELF. Because you never know when the day might come that you can read again. And, magical things always happen when we are at the beach with our feet in the water. So…aim high. 😉
