One of the questions we get asked the most this time of year is, “what do I need for a beach vacation with small children?”. Since responding with Xanax and wine aren’t really the answers they are looking for, I’ll share with you guys what items may make things a little less painful.
Alright, all jokes aside, I have been to the beach MANY times and with kids under the age of 1 and 3. So, my suggestions will be for the smaller age set.
1. A battery operated fan.
I just can’t stress this one enough guys. Babies are so susceptible to heat rash and they just don’t regulate their body temperature as well as we can yet. This guy below is my favorite, I even lay it in the bottom of the stroller basket pointing up in summer on walks to keep my kids cool. It couldn’t hurt to buy 2 and get some cross ventilation going on either.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ATSHMIQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
2. A tent for shade.
This is so important. I know many of you are traditionalists and you pack that dang giant umbrella that keeps falling over or blows off down the beach, but not this girl. Its so nice to have a space off the sand, with a nice cool breeze (thanks to you fans) for you and the baby to nurse or the toddler to have a snack and take a nap. Ok, I lied about the last part, if your toddler naps on the beach I’m gonna be checking your packing list for Benadryl. But for real, I bring a bouncy chair and stick it in the shade and life is grand…for a few minutes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0159JSKYE?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
3. A Frogg Togg Towel
Ladies, this thing is so great. You can rinse it in the sink, stuff it in its little container and shove it in your beach bag for a day of cool relief. You can wash it in the washing machine or run it under the faucet to rinse off sweat and lotion. I personally lay it in the baby bouncy seat to keep them cool intermittently. Its really great if your child will only sleep laying on you and its WAY to hot for a snuggle, just lay it between you or around your neck and chest.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YF7W22?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
4. Baby Powder
This one seems weird, but stay with me. You cover the kids feet or legs in the powder then rub it in and all the sand come off so you don’t have to hear them crying about sand between their toes all the way home and sand isn’t ALL OVER your car seats. It works in the hair too.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G4EPD12?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
5. A blow up baby pool
Bring a small blow up pool and blow it up once you get to your spot. You can fill it up with some buckets of beach water and you have yourself a safe, close by spot for baby and toddlers alike to splash and cool down. Bonus points here for being able to drag it into the shade once they have had enough sun for the day.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000U11LW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
6. Rash Guards
These things are just that extra layer of protection from the sun for our babes. My Kids both wear them when we go to the pool, lake or beach. Babies and small children have such pale skin that burns easily. Covering them up is one of the best ways to keep them from over exposure. i play makes tons of great hats and short sleeve guards too.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D402HRC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
7. Corkcicle Tumbler
I have the Yeti tumbler and this one, and this one is my favorite. It comes in many different colors like, coral, pink, orange, grey and aqua. It has a no slip bottom, It has an ergonomic hand grip. It has a slide close top on the shatter proof lid so your drink doesn’t spill out! SOLD! It keeps my drink just as cold for just as long, if not longer because i can fully close the drink, unlike the YETI. I filled it with ice water before bed and woke up with ice still in my drink. I also heard tale it was invented to hold a full bottle of wine and keep it chilled…i may or may not be testing this on my next beach trip.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015WGM9QO?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
8. A Wagon
Because nobody wants to help carry anything back to the car and you are all hot and tired and cranky and OVER IT. You need to just throw it all in a wagon and be on your way in one easy trip.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUUUIGK?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
9. Mom and Dad Chairs
These are just the bees knees. The shade moves anywhere you want it or don’t want it. The foot rest helps you tan more evenly while you relax and keeps your pedicure longer since you aren’t digging your toes in the sand all day.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXDSXE2?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeAS…
10. A Cooler
I prefer the soft sided shoulder carry kind because I sure as heck aint about to drag that heavy hard cooler across hot sand along with all my other gear and full hands. Throw it over your shoulder or stick it in your wagon and go.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-30-Can-Soft-Cooler-Liner/dp/B006HFBJMA/ref…
Now we’re all ready for the beach! Anything I forgot? Let me know in the comments below!
Caroline Hoffman, My Atlanta Moms Club
