Tips for the Perfect Beach Day with Kids

I can’t believe it is almost summer!  The days have been flying by, but at least they are getting longer and warmer.  Thanks to living in Florida, where at times it feels like living on the surface of the sun, we have already started having lots of fun beach and pool days with the kids.  When we first moved down here, I always felt like a disheveled mess when we would hit the sand for the day.  I would always forget something, the kids would be getting sand everywhere, and someone always ended up in tears from stepping on something or getting sand in their eyes.  Now that we’ve been here for a couple of years and been to the beach about a hundred times in that time span, I have come up with a routine.  So, I’m sharing my favorite tips for having the perfect beach day with kids.

Beach Tips and Tricks

First and foremost, keep your expectations in check.  It’s unlikely you will get a lot of time relaxing in your beach chair while reading a book.  However, beach trips with kids bring on a whole different level of fun in the sun.  Wave jumping, sand castle building, shell finding fun.

Pack lot’s of water and snacks, kids get tired and hungry from salty air and the water.  Plus, snack time is the perfect time for you to be able to actually enjoy some time in your beach chair.

Get a toy bag that has holes in it, the last thing you want to have to do is rinse out all the sand toys one at a time while the kids are running all over the place.  Or even worse have to rewash them again at home because you have a bag full of sand.  A cheap popup laundry basket is perfect, or if you can find the plastic tubs with large holes in it.  This was you just swish it in the water a few times and everything clean.

Bring a trash bag, you don’t want to have to run to the trash barrels all day, bring a plastic bag and throw everything away at once at the end of your day.

Take sun protection seriously!  Bring a lot of sunblock, a tent or umbrella, and try to get to the beach early or late in the day when the sun isn’t at it’s strongest.

Get the kids comfortable, stylish swimsuits that have UPF protection.  Garnet Hill sent Lilly this beautiful “Cabana Life” bathing suit and cover-up.  I love that it’s a tankini because they offer the coverage I want and the easy bathroom trips that two-piece swimsuits provide.  Plus the coordinating cover-up is soft and cozy, perfect to put on when she is sitting in the sun.

Don’t forget anything.  There’s nothing worse than driving all the way to the beach, finding a parking spot, carrying everything through the sand to find a perfect place to spend the day, only to realize you forgot your beach blanket or the sunscreen.  Use this free Beach and Pool Printable Checklist to help you remember everything.

Have fun, Lots of Fun!  The Beach is the perfect place to make magical summertime memories!