Last week our family took a road trip to Huntington Beach, California for a few days over spring break. We enjoyed our time there and spent most of our days on the beach. We live in Arizona and do not have access to a beach unless we drive out of state. If you’re like me and don’t get to the beach often, you could probably use a couple of quick tips to help make your beach day enjoyable.
The most important part of packing for a beach day with children is food! You likely will not have the opportunity to purchase anything once you have settled on the beach so it is necessary to pack snacks. Last week we were walking to the beach from our hotel and did not want to bring along a cooler. If you plan to bring a cooler it might also be a good idea to bring a wagon to carry all your stuff to the beach. You might ditch bringing the stroller on vacation altogether and pack the wagon in its place.
We picked up a few snack items that did not need to be kept cool in an ice chest. We also added a few large bottles of water to our groceries.
Jif Peanut Butter To Go, Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, Bumble Bee Chicken Salad With Crackers, Bumble Bee Tuna Salad with Crackers, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Crackers
We had the perfect mix of snacks for my husband, our four year old daughter, and myself.
We vacationed in Hawaii when our daughter was just six months old and we had purchased an infant beach tent for the trip. Although our daughter is no longer using the tent for naps, we continue to bring it to the beach to have a safe place for all of the items we do not want covered in sand.
It also doubles as a great tent for lunch!
It’s always a good idea to bring your own beach toys. Plan ahead and buy toys out of season. If you aren’t able to find a good deal on sand toys, bring along some empty plastic containers and big plastic kitchen spoons. Sand castles can be made out of any kind of container! Being that my daughter is an only child she always brings along a stuffed toy that is her play partner for the day. My general rule is if it can go in the washing machine it can come to the beach.
Don’t forget your essentials – extra clothes if you’re driving and don’t want sand all over your car when you leave, sunscreen, and empty plastic bags for wet toys and sand covered clothes.
I hope these tips will help you plan a perfect beach day!