From a mom of 3 who has been traveling to the beach for as long as she can remember. Here's a top twelve list of tips for beach goers! These are tried and true options that have always worked for us!
1. Sunscreen
Lotion up BEFORE the beach. Wait til you get there and you'll regret it. The moment you come near the beach you are covered in sand and it physically hurts to rub lotion in. You have to get the lotion on first for beach stays-- so do it at home! Don't neglect yourself either!
During the beach visit use Sunscreen Spray that goes on clear to reapply. This will avoid a rub down with SAND. Ewww!
2. Zinc Oxide for faces. Faces are the first to burn! We preferred this blue version. We could tell when it was fading and it was heavier duty than the regular lotion for sure. During beach visits the sun is terribly hot and the burn factor is a big risk. We loved this one and our kids loved the smurf look.
3. Double protection? Use a rash guard. Many however are not SPF rated. There are some versions however that ARE. Check them out here. We've used them and they've worked. No chemical option for most of the baby body!
4. Baby Pool-- find a teeny tiny baby pool. Don't feel silly at all about busting it out, blowing it up and dumping some water from the ocean into it up near to where you camped out. It will save you from SANDY hands, SANDY FOOD, SANDY eyes many times. It's also great for wee little ones and keeps them from those dangerous waves for a portion of the time. You won't regret the little baby pool. In the least, designate a WATER BUCKET for such emergencies as sand hands.
5. Sun hats. A must. Little heads will scald even with sunscreen. Old Navy always has great ones with under the chin straps. Gymboree as well and especially at the end of the season! Load up! I'll fight you for them!
6. Bread basket. Taking sandwiches to you beach camp out for the day. Use a dollar store basket to keep them separate and on top within the cooler. No squished sammies!
7. Beach cart. Forgo the wagon or a stroller for carrying all the items you'll trek down there most of the week. Break down and purchase a beach cart/ stroller. They are awesome and can load up SO MUCH stuff you will be amazed. Here's what we are talking about.
8. Beach umbrella or tent. They work. They're awesome. They now sell umbrellas with corkscrew bottoms that grab the sand better. When purchasing, look for one of those. I saw many Coleman LIGHT weight tents down there as well. Staked properly they will provide the shade needed for your crew!
9. Sand shoes. The sand will be SO HOT on higher temp days. The trek down near the water can be killer on the feet EVEN IN FLIP FLOPS. Water shoes will help with this!
10. Not enough ice? Freeze your water bottles for the cooler.
11. Ziploc baggies are your friend. Keep them handy and use them for seashell collecting ( no glass bottles on the beach allowed), food, snacks, sunscreen and phones. Keep your phone and sunscreen cool as well in a protected cooler of some sort that keeps it just cool enough but not frozen.
12. Pedicures? Who needs them! By the time you are day 2 into the sand you'll have feet so gorgeous it'll be scary! Bring some polish! We did love these by Jamberry Nails though!
13. PFD's. Nothing says safety and peace of mind like a PFD. Find a coast guard approved PFD like a life vest or our favorite "puddle jumper" and keep it on your kiddo during wave time. (beach patrol might need to approve depending on your area) The waves change instantly and while it does NOT take the place of your vigilant eye and nearby body--- the PFD will help your kiddo when he or she gets accidentally knocked over. Even strong swimmers can get knocked under. Be safe and invest in this!
14. Bring more than one swimsuit. That suit will get so covered with sand and possibly won't even be DRY by the second day! Load up on swimsuits so that you have fresh ones every other day or so!
15. Locate and teach your children about the LIFEGUARD stand. This is where they are to go if for even an instant they are LOST. We watched a mother go through agony during this past beach trip only to find her son at another life guard station miles down. We also prefer that you mark your children in some way with at least a phone number. Hang it on their swim suit. Tattoo it on with these SAFETY TATS we have USED in the past. They work wonderfully!
