My family has been to the beach every year for as long as I can remember. We always had a good time and all the essentials were there when my brother and I needed them but when I became a mom I thought to myself, OMG what do I need for this beach trip? Have a baby now!
So, my first trip to the beach with my toddler I , uh…kind of overpacked LOL! In this post I’m going to provide to you what worked for our family so when it comes time for you to pack up to head to the beach, you don’t have to lag a bunch of unnecessary items and break your back trying to carry everything and your toddler. Trust me, been there, done that!
Blow-Up Pool. I purchased a small blow-up pool from amazon and my son LOVED it. We took an empty plastic gallon jug with us (like a milk jug or water jug) and once the pool was blown up and ready, we made 2-3 trips to the spot where you wash off the sand before getting in the resort pool. We thought fresh water would be better instead of salt water in case he splashed and got it in his eyes. In the end, it was a hit with my little guy. He was so content and at one point even napped in the pool!
USB chargeable fan. Another amazon purchase for the win! This fan is a tripod but the stand is also flexible so it can be wrapped around just about anything. With it being rechargeable and its long battery life this is now a staple in our pool/beach bag.
Portable highchair. This portable highchair was a life saver and something I never knew I needed. It’s collapsible like the folding camping chairs so it’s compact and it’s light to carry. Little man had his breakfast, lunch, and dinner in this chair. This purchase for us was so justifiable because we are always on the go so the highchair stayed in our car constantly and didn’t take up much space.
Tent. You need some type of sun shade for your little one. Currently, we have a very heavy and very awkward tent so, we are currently on the search for something more lightweight and compact if there is such a thing HAHA! BUT if you’re not looking for sunshade for the whole fam and just your little, the toddler tent on amazon is awesome! You can slide the blow up pool and your toddler will be covered on 3 sides from the sun’s rays!
Swim diapers. I know this is a given BUT this is your reminder to pack swim diapers! Every beach I’ve been to, I can never find them on the shelf Or if I do find them they are price gouged to an outrageous amount. PACK THE SWIM DIAPERS!
Baby float. If the ocean is calm we take little man out to ride the waves. If the waves are a little wild, we utilize the pool and he just loves to float. Our favorite float is the blow up mesh with the sun shade.
Water shoes. I wish I thought of water shoes as a child. For one that beach sand is HOT and two, I always had a fear I would step on something in the ocean. Now I always buy water shoes for my little.
Sunscreen. Now I know this is a given too, however I need to put you on some great sunscreen! Our family absolutely loves Blue Lizard – it’s pediatrician recommended, mineral based sunscreen that’s not only safe for the babies but also safe for the environment. It comes in lotion, stick, and spray, and in SPF 30 and 50. I love it because it rubs on white so I make sure I am covering everywhere.
Planning a Disney Cruise Vacay? Check out my blog post about Disney Cruise Line Tips here!
As a family tradition, beach trips were always a blast, but the dynamics changed when I became a mom and faced the challenge of figuring out what my little one needed for a day in the sun and sand. I hope this list will alleviate that stress for you and you are able to have a stress free and fun time with your little family.
I’d love to hear about your family traditions! Where did your family vacation regularly when you were a child?
Leave it in the comments below!
