6 Family Beach Day Essentials

You probably work as hard as possible to provide for your family’s needs. But ask yourself, do you have enough time to spend with your loved ones? If your answer’s no, maybe you should take this as a sign to take your family out for a beach day you deserve.

Taking a beach trip is one of the great ways to spend time with loved ones. It’s relaxing and allows you and your kids to explore the wonders of the world together. But there’s one hurdle you’ll need to overcome before sticking your toes in the sand: preparing for the beach day.

Preparing for the beach trip is already daunting and overwhelming, and it’s even more challenging with the kids in the picture. There are so many things you must prepare, from travel bags to swimwear to beach essentials. 

Packing for the beach day can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. If you don’t know where to start, this simple checklist may help you. Below are the beach day essentials you and your family will surely need. Keep on reading to learn more. 

1. Beach-appropriate Clothes And Swimwear

A beach trip is all about being light, comfortable, cool, and casual. So, get all those summer clothes you’ve been hiding all this time out of your closet. These may include:

• Tops;
• Underwear and socks;
• Pants and pajamas;
• Slippers and shoes;
• Raincoats (if the weather forecast predicts high chances of rain showers);
• Accessories such as belts, handkerchiefs, and scarves;
• Water shoes; and the like.

And while you’re on it, make sure not to forget your kids’ swimwear. Also, you want to see to it that your child’s swimsuits are:

• Perfect fit;
• Made using chlorine-resistant fabric;
• Made with UPF 50 fabric to protect your kids from harmful UV rays;
• Light-colored (e.g., cool tones and neutrals); and others.

For boys, all you need is a pair of trunks made with spandex-nylon fabric. For girls, choosing a swimsuit can be complicated. So, go to the internet and browse for girls swimwear online to find the perfect swimwear for your daughter.

2. Toiletries

Toiletries offer additional protection from germs when going outdoors. So, make sure not to forget them before you embark on your journey. These include the following:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss;
• Deodorants;
• Shampoo, soap, and shower gel;
• Moisturizing creams;
• Shaving kit;
• Shower caps;
• Hair conditioner developed for beach use to protect your family’s crowning glory under the sun;
• Feminine products, such as napkins and pantyliners; and the like.

3. Sunscreen

Sunscreens help protect your skin from getting damaged and scorched under the sun, preventing sunburn. Yet keep in mind that not all sunscreens are made the same. That said, here are some things to consider when choosing one:

• Sun Protection Factor (SPF): The SPF number indicated in your sunscreen bottle will tell you how effective it is. Experts recommend choosing one with SPF 30 or more to get the protection you need.
• Broad-Spectrum Protection: Check your sunscreen’s labels and ensure it provides ‘broad-spectrum protection’ besides its SPF rating. This means your sunscreen can protect you from both UVA and UVB rays (two types of ultraviolet rays).
• Chemicals: Take a look at the ingredients section and make sure your sunscreen doesn’t contain harmful substances that can cause damage to the marine ecosystem. These include oxybenzone, octinoxate, ovobenzones, dioxybenzones, and others.
• Water-Resistant: Water-resistant sunscreens can stay underwater for 40-80 minutes. After that, make sure to reapply sunscreen, especially when drying off with a towel.

4. Bodyboards

Bodyboards help encourage your child to learn how to swim and ensure their safety while taking a dip in the sea. Of course, you always have to be at their side to keep them safe and prevent them from going to depths they can’t reach. 

5. Sand Toy Set

You can’t call it a family beach day without a complete set of sand toys for your little ones. Each set includes a rake, shovel, sand molds, collapsible bucket, and watering can. Your child can use these items to build their first-ever sand castle. If they have no idea how, don’t hesitate to teach them and use this opportunity to bond with your kids.

6. Beach Umbrella

Do you want to stay longer under the sun without getting sunburn? You might want to consider bringing a beach umbrella to provide shade while watching your kids play in the sand. Also, don’t forget to bring a sand anchor to keep your beach umbrella stable and prevent it from falling or getting blown away by strong sea winds.

Final Words

Taking a beach trip is a fun and relaxing way to spend time with your loved ones. Nonetheless, preparing for it can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Indicated above is a checklist of all the beach day essentials you and your family will surely need. Lastly, check your things a day prior to make sure that there’s nothing important missing.