Beach Bumming with Kids - The Essentials You’ll Need This Summer
We survived our first beach trip of the year! We went to visit my family in Naples, FL last week and had the most beautiful weather! It truly was paradise, and we created so many family memories that I’ll forever cherish, meltdowns and all. Like every mom leaving for the beach, it can be overwhelming and a bit intimidating of what to bring when you have kids. I used to spend hours Google searching and Amazon perusing before a trip to make sure I had everything we could possibly need. Now that I’ve been a couple times when both my kids were babies and now toddlers, I finally feel like I have a few years of practice under my belt and know what’s worth lugging down to the beach. Going to the beach with kids can be fun (yes, I said it) if you’re properly prepared. Preparation is truly key to a successful beach day. Here is my beach day essentials guide with all of my favorite items for a perfect beach day. I hope this guide will allow you to have a good time at the beach whether you are going by yourself, with kids, or even in a group setting!
Must Have Gear
When going to the beach, you want to make sure you have all the proper gear. Trust me, I’ve tried to “go with the flow” without certain gear at the beach and let me tell you it doesn’t work out well with kids …. (come prepared is my best advice!) Also, keep in mind you want to make your gear should is good quality! You want it to be able to withstand the sun and sand and some unexpected winds.
Here is a list of my favorite beach gear items:
Wagon - My ride or die when going to the beach with kids! We used the Macs Sports All-Terrian Heavy Duty Collapsable Wagon for the first time, and I was so impressed! It’s advertised as a storage wagon, but I felt that my kids were safe and happy in it at all times! It was great in the thick sand and not only did it hold two toddlers but all their beach toys as well! It was easy to fold and didn’t take up a ton of trunk space which was another win in my book. Recently, a friend of mine let me try out her Veer Wagon before buying my own and I absolutely love it! It’s a little pricey so I wanted to make sure I loved it, and I absolutely can’t recommend it enough! It was easy to fold, can hold up to 300 lbs., and was so easy to maneuver. Convenience is everything to me after having kids:)
Beach Umbrella and Chairs - A backpack beach chair and umbrella are truly the way to go! The umbrella I love is sturdy and simple to set up alone which is key. It’s worth every penny in my opinion.
Portable Fan - My saving grace, especially during nap time! I usually pack two, one for me/the hubby and the kids.
Beach Blanket - I love using a big blanket for when the kids want to eat or lay down. I’ll even ditch my beach chair and bring this extra-large beach blanket half the time. The best part is that it’s waterproof, sand proof, and has stakes with corner pockets so it doesn’t blow all over the place with any unexpected winds.
Backpack Cooler - I love our Yeti backpack! We’ve had it for years and it’s held up so well. It can hold several drinks (and bottles) and is leak resistant. It comes in so many colors as well! This has been a lifesaver when I was formula feeding because I would put the kid’s formula and bottles in it and they would stay cold for hours.
Beach Bag - I can’t say enough good things about the Bogg bag! It’s super lightweight, washable and easily accessible as it stays open. It comes in several colors, and you can accessorize the bag as well which is always fun!
Baby Beach Tent- I’ve been using this baby beach tent ever since both kids were born. You can take it anywhere and it’s truly been a must-have for all our outdoor adventures, not just the beach! The pop-up design makes for an easy setup and the sand pockets keep it perfectly stable even on windy days. The best part is that it really does stay cooler inside, even on very hot days.
Beach Essentials for Kids
Family beach trips are always a success when toys and snacks are involved. I make sure to bring these items.
Sand Toys (of course!) - I love these sand toys because they are soft and flexible. The toys also come with a beach bag, so you won’t lose them. I used to throw a ton of toys in my beach bag and then could never find them when I needed them. These toys avoid me from having to buy a ton of toys over and over.
Individually Packaged Snacks - I learned this the hard way. I would bring an entire bag of chips, pretzels, you name it to the beach, and they would always get ruined by sandy hands. Now, I bring two of everything and individually packaged because I’ve learned whatever Blake wants, Blaire wants and vice versa.
Mineral Sunscreen - I’ve been using the Blue Lizard baby sunscreen on my kids for the last two years and to say I’m impressed is an understatement. I feel like I’ve tried every sunscreen and have never been overly impressed. Both my kids get little to no sunburn when wearing it and it doesn’t irritate their skin. Both of them have very sensitive skin, but this sunscreen does the trick and isn’t sticky! Pro Tip - when applying sunscreen to your kids’ face use a beauty blender!
KidCo Go Pod for Baby - I’ve used the Go Pod with both kids, and it’s been a lifesaver! It’s an activity seat for babies. The best part is that it’s super lightweight, folds easily, has drink holders and loops to attach toys.
Water Shoes - Both my kids have been wearing non-slip water shoes since our first beach trip and let me tell you it makes walking and playing more enjoyable (especially beaches with a ton of shells!) My kids also wore Crocs this time on the beach which worked out well!
Wide Brim Hats - Hats with neck coverage make all the difference!
Shell Collecting Bag - Definitely not an essential but Blake has taken an interest in collecting shells and this mesh bag makes it super convenient!
Last but not least, reusable swim diapers with snaps! The best protection and minimal mess. A win-win! I will also say if your child is still in diapers, I would buy swimsuits with snaps and long sleeves (just trust me!)
Beach days shouldn’t be stressful, but a time to enjoy being with family and somewhat relaxing, keyword somewhat:) I hope that my beach day essentials guide will help eliminate any stress and make that family trip more enjoyable! Let me know below some of your favorite beaches you’ve loved visiting with your family!
