Today, I’m sharing tips for a great family beach day. My youngest son just graduated high school. We’ve had a fun and crazy few weeks with my kids, grandkids and parents visiting for the celebration. Living a few blocks from the beach makes it easy for everyone to spend plenty of time by the water, which is great because we love it too.
A little organization and planning go a long way to ensure a fun time for all. Planning a beach vacation or a family day of fun in the sun at the shore can quickly get overwhelming if your packing for a big group or don’t do it often. It’s no fun to find yourself overpaying last minute for an item at a beach tourist shop or realizing you’ve forgotten something important. I have a routine I follow for beach day packing that helps keep me organized so nothing is left behind and we can focus on having a great day at the beach and our company. I’ve become pretty good at packing beach bags since moving to the coast.
Without further ado….here’s my packing list and tips for a great family beach day that I’ve found useful.
- Bring a huge, lightweight mesh or similar type bag. Sometimes I bring two. Because there’s always more to carry to the beach than you think you have.
- Wear flip flops or water shoes. Hot sand can burn, especially for tender little feet.
- Pack lots of sun protection. broad spectrum sunscreen that is water-resistant and remember to reapply often especially after being in the water. We also use UV protection umbrellas, hats and a light cover up. UV protection swimsuits are great for the little ones too.
- Have hand sanitizer in case public restrooms don’t have soap.
- Disconnect from the electronics and enjoy the day, your surroundings and most importantly special family time.
- Activities like, cards, dice, flying a kite, beanbag toss, bubbles, making sand castles and digging for sandcrabs are fun activities that the family can enjoy together.
- A little conditioner mixed with water in a spray bottle helps keep hair in place for ponytails and hats. It’s also a terrific detangler to help brush hair after swimming in salt water.
- Wrap sandwiches individually in a paper towel or napkin and place them in a larger plastic bag. Everyone gets a napkin with their sandwich.
- Don’t feed the birds. Seagulls get aggressive and they call all of their friends over to eat. Besides..they poop every 15 minutes. Do you really want a gaggle above your head and towel?
- Pack a trash bag and a few extra ziplock bags for cell phones, wet bathing suits, etc. Be sure to take all of your trash with you when you leave.
- Baby powder is great for getting sand off of skin. Sprinkle onto sandy hands and feet, it should brush off easily. This is a must if there aren’t showers to wash feet and hands off.
There’s something about the smell of fresh air and sound of waves that instantly relaxes the soul. A day at the beach with friends or family can be loads of fun. I cherish the family time and love playing with my grandkids. I miss them already just writing this post 🙂 I hope that sharing my tips for a great family beach day helps you to organize in advance and prepare for your family beach day. It’s so much easier to relax when everyone is having a good time and that’s what family beach days are for!
I love learning new things from my readers and friends. Do you have a favorite beach tip you’d like to share? Share it in the comment section below!
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Debby says
Love the tip about the seagulls! All snow birds feed the seagulls!
Wendi says
Hi Debby, Oh my gosh, you are so right! We watch it all the time! They get agressive too, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen them take food out of an unsuspecting persons hand. We’ve even watched one get a whole hamburger once. Glad you enjoyed the tips:) Thank you so much for your visit and taking the time to leave a comment:)
caroljane says
I love the smell of ocean and the sand between my toes. So relaxing. Just watch out for sharks!
Wendi says
I know what you mean! As soon as my feet touch the sand I start to relax and breathe in the wonderful salt air. There’s nothing else like that feeling. Thanks for your visit!
Natasha@ Anxious Toddlers says
Great advice. Not living by the beach, I didn’t know the baby powder trick. Good to know!
Wendi says
You will LOVE using the baby powder trick. Especially for sensitive little kids skin. I used it for years with my little ones:) Thanks for stopping by & your sweet comment:)
Keri says
What great tips! We live near the beach and I’m constantly looking for ways to make things easier! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Talk!
Wendi says
Thank you! The baby powder works wonder and a day at the beach is so much more fun if everyone, including Mom, is having fun!
Ruthie Gray says
Great post! We have a little place in the Florida gulf, and most of these tips I can attest to – but the conditioner and the baby powder I will be implementing ASAP! Your blog is just lovely and oh, I so love the beach. Following now! Saw your post on Tuesday Talk. 🙂
Wendi says
Ruthie… you will LOVE them both! …and thank you so very much for your sweet words and the follow:) We love the beach and the beach life as well, I’ll never be able to live anywhere else again..and be happy:)
Lisa says
Great tips! We’re in Illinois and are heading to Florida this summer with our 2 kids. It’s been a few years since we’ve been and I always forget the little things!
{Visiting for A Bowl Full of Lemons :)}
Wendi says
Welcome in adavance to Fl! I’ve used my own tips for years and now they are all part of our beach routine pack list. Thanks for your visit and sweet words..enjoy your vacation!
Ambassador Painting Denver says
Good information. Lucky me I ran across your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
I have saved it for later!
Wendi says
I’m so glad you found my post helpful. It can be a challenge packing for a family outing much less for an all day in the sun outing. Thanks for your visit today too:)
Vanessa says
Wendi,
You are a woman after my own heart. I love these ideas and I am always packing for my little one just because I know she would get bored quick. LOL, Thanks for sharing.
Vanessa
Wendi says
Aaawwwwll, that’s so sweet! You probably have a few great ideas yourself too! We’ve learned over time to pack for everyone…if the little ones aren’t happy…no one else will be either! Besides, it’s so much fun to play with them:) Hope your summer is starting off well!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Great tips Wendi! I especially like the one about wrapping sandwiches in napkins first. Much better than carrying around a bulky package of napkins and having them blow away in the wind. As for tips…wish I had some but being in landlocked Alberta, Canada going to the beach is reserved for our trips to the Okanagan once a year.
Wendi says
HaaHaa Marie..you’d have to build your own beach..maybe a new DIY summer Canada project for your back yard? *silly smile* We use the sandwich trick for all of our outings. That way everyone has one and things stay neater. It’s also good to keep the sandwiches from getting soggy. You might not have a beach nearby but I bet you have wonderful summer evenings and can keep your windows open for fresh air!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
A heated pool would be awesome and I can pretend it’s the ocean. Yes, I definitely have the windows open any chance I can but would you believe we had to turn our furnace back on because it was so cold in here 🙁 Oh summer how I long for thee!
Wendi says
WoW! We are melting in the summer heat here. Our windows are open all winter.. no kidding and I think I turned my heat on twice this year! Yes, you should definately build a pool! I can’t wait to see your design my friend 🙂