Must Haves for the Beach
Beach season is upon us. In this post I share my family beach vacation must haves as a wife and mom of 3.
First we will take a look at general must haves for the beach. Then we will look at family beach vacation must haves and then finally beach bag must haves.
I decided to break down this down into 3 sections because we all have different lifestyles and each family member does the beach differently.
Must Haves for the Beach
You can use this as your checklist. Often there are common sense things that we know we will need yet will tend to forget them. Rather than rush out the door without something super important, save this list! In no particular order:
- Sunscreen with proper spf
- Beach blanket
- Beach chair
- Cooler
- Sun hat
- Sun shade
- Waterproof phone case
- Water
I tend to really focus on sun protection. There are tons of reports coming out about lack of sun and how it affects health. Still, there is a huge risk with getting too much sun. Having a sun shade is not enough. Especially if the beach you are going to does not allow you to have a sun canopy. You must choose a sunscreen that has the proper level of spf for you.
When you walk the boardwalk or go to a concession stand you should always have on a sun hat. A sun hat provides protection no matter what you choose to do. I love the one on my list because it rolls up. Easy to pack away! Unless you are swimming you should always have your sun hat on.
Family Beach Vacation Must Haves
More than likely if you are going to the beach with your family you will be there for a while. Take time to plan out what will make you most comfortable while out there for 3 hours or more. This is also a great checklist or shopping list for someone just starting to take beach trips with the family. Please pair it with the other lists in this post
- Beach wagon with WIDE wheels
- Water
- Low salt snacks
- Lunch
- Cool gel packs
- Spray sunscreen
- Beach friendly game
- Beach toys
- USB friendly radio or speaker
- Safety vest for little ones
- First Aid Kit
- Trash bag, medium size
- Insect repellent device
- Jackets or Hoodies
- Paper Towel roll
If there were one thing that is non negotiable on this list it would be of course the safety vest for little ones. Even with dad being a strong swimmer anyone can lose their footing and get swept out into the currant. Taking the baby out to the water is fun but safety first.
My close second is the beach wagon. We have three children. I cannot imagine dragging all of our personal items for 5 people total out to the shore.
In terms of snacks always remember that you will be out in the hot sun. I do not bring any dairy! If you can get some individual packets of mayo, mustard and ketchup for anything that is ideal. Cold cuts are fine but my family beach vacation must haves always includes fresh fruits and veggies. I put them in containers and sit them in the cooler on top of the ice and drinks.
I am also mindful of the energy used to play at the beach and try to prepare for a dip in energy. Pack some protein and carbs for a long day. Grilled chicken bites, turkey cold cuts, onigiri (rice balls) and crackers provide a good source of fuel.
You should think about how much you want to deal with utensils. You will constantly be cleaning hands if you opt for no forks and spoons but at the same time you will generate more trash if you will need a fork or spoon for everything you bring. Regardless make sure you pack a medium trash bag to not leave a mess. I like the ones from the dollar store.
Dealing with unpleasant issues at the beach
Sometimes there is a random piece of glass or wood that you may cut your foot on. Have a little first aid kit and a cool gel pack to soothe any accidents. The last thing you want is to have a family member feel like they just wanna go home after dragging all of that stuff onto the sand so if you can make them comfortable until it is time to go for everyone that is ideal.
I usually do not have issues with bugs on the beach but it happens so I wanted to include a little about it. Try to bring a device of some kind that will keep most bugs away. Other than that there are sprays that work well on chairs and your sun shade or canopy.
It gets cold at night! A cozy hoodie allows you to cover your arms and your head. This is also a great way to allow flexibility to dine in an air conditioned restaurant should you decide to go out for dinner. Most family restaurants won’t mind the hoodies at all. You will be able to sit comfortably without shivering the entire dinner.
Check out Lyric and her family to see how they do their family beach trip!
Beach Bag Must Haves
These are my personal beach bag must haves, in other words, “mom’s beach bag”. My beach bag must haves are more about what I need as a mommy close by that will make me most comfortable. If I am uncomfortable and not having a good time I will not be a good host for my family. I think of our trips in that way. I facilitate the fun and with good planning we can all enjoy our family beach vacation. Because there is no ranking for my list, once again in no particular order:
- Change of undergarments
- Beach cover up
- Handkerchiefs or Bandanas
- Specific face sunscreen
- Zip lock bags -large
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby wipes
Let’s address the undergarments. Not the most fun to discuss but things happen when you sit in a wet swimsuit for too long. For optimal health it is best to try to keep your feminine needs in mind. A clean dry suit or a dry change of clothes if you are going to be sitting out for a while. Most places have an area where you can change. If not you can set up a discreet area to change under your sun shade.
Face sunscreen. The skin on your face requires special attention. To keep signs of aging at bay and to practice good health it is important to have a sunscreen for your face. Choose a brand you like or maybe a fortified face cream that you usually for your makeup in the hotter months. I always will spend a bit more knowing that my face is the first thing people see.
I am all about body positivity on the beach. Your beach cover up is more about if you decide to keep your suit on but may need to run in and out of establishments on the boardwalk. No shirt, no shoes, no service for some places and especially as the sun goes down and people move to dine in restaurants.
Baby wipes and Zip lock bags are things I keep in my car all year. You can always use a good chemical free baby wipe to refresh yourself or clean up messes. The zip lock bags can serve as mini trash bags, a place for wet clothes or even a cover for your phone if you don’t have a waterproof cover. Be advised that I DO NOT suggest that this is 100% water proof but it will keep the drips and sand out in a pinch.
Lyric Spencer says
The waterproof phone case is a HUGE tip! I mean HUGE! You’re protected against sand and water.