Tripp and I take the kids to the beach several times every year between April and September. We've managed to hammer the process down to a science over the past few years. I'm sharing this list with you because these tips are not the ones I came across when I was searching for ways to make our beach trip more enjoyable and less work.
The first one will probably make you roll your eyes at me, but hear me out: a four-wheel-drive vehicle. It is a total game-changer to be able to drive out on the beach and unload all your gear as you need it, instead of lugging it all by hand. Trust me on this. My husband had never driven out onto the beach before he met me--it may actually be the reason he popped the question! He’s never going back. 4WD is always at the top of our list when shopping for vehicles now. It makes that much of a difference.
The second thing we always do is an extension of the first. We go to a more secluded beach. For us, this usually means a state park with an entrance fee. There are some cons to consider. These include having no lifeguard on duty (so swim at your own risk), the cost (usually a buck or two per person or sometimes a flat fee per vehicle) depending on where you go. The pros outweigh the cons for me by a mile: no crowded beaches, unrestricted views in every direction, and yes—the option to drive out onto the beach.
Third, a beach umbrella or tent. We have and use both depending on how long we're planning to stay at the beach and if anyone else is joining us. The umbrella is perfect for half-days at the beach when it's just us. The tent is for all-day stays or to share with other guests that aren't bringing their own shade.
Four: a chair for every bottom. Trust me on this. If you only bring enough chairs for the adults, a kid will occupy them every single time you stand up. It’s science.
While we're talking beach chair science, let me introduce you to beach towel math, which states that you need to pack more beach towels than you think your family should be able to use in a single day. I promise you, one kid will wipe his face on a towel once and then drop it in the sand and step on it. Another kid will drag his too close to the water to sit on, and the next wave will soak it. Repeat with as many scenarios as you like. I usually multiply the number of people in my family by 2.5, round up to the nearest whole number if necessary, and just accept the fact that I still probably won't get one.
Number six is an outdoor blanket. I lay this out in the shade and yell "Don't step on the blanket!” no less than 80 times over the course of the day, but it's worth it. When the blanket is respected, it is the perfect sand-free zone for laying down the baby, stretching out for a beach nap (mom doesn't get a towel, remember?), or the perfect shaded picnic.
Which brings me to number seven: a stocked cooler. We keep bottled waters, some juice boxes for the kids, and maybe some sodas iced down in the cooler, but the real tip here is what we keep on top of the ice: sub sandwiches. Every single time we go to the beach, even if it's multiple days in a row, we always stop and pick up footlong sub sandwiches from the deli in the grocery store. Made fresh, and piled high with meat and veggies, I always ask the deli worker to cut these sandwiches into fourths. This works out to a fourth of a sandwich for each of the boys, half for me, and a whole sandwich for Tripp. Just leave them in the plastic grocery bag on top of the ice and they stay perfectly cool and dry. There is nothing more delicious than a sub at the beach. Nothing.
Number eight is often overlooked but is so, so important: a designated trash bag. Empty juice boxes, food wrappers, the plastic off the sunscreen bottle, the tags from the beach toys--the trash just adds up. Never, ever leave your trash on the beach. Come on, be a good human. Keep a plastic grocery bag handy for trash. The ice bag works really well, too, once you empty the ice into the cooler.
Sunscreen and a lot of it. We like the spray kind. i just spray it onto my fingertips to rub onto the kids faces. Remember to reapply throughout the day.
Beach toys from the dollar tree. While you‘re there go ahead and get a laundry basket to put it all in. Ten bucks goes a long way on dollar store beach toys.
Now this one I did learn from Pinterest, but it's a good one: baby powder. Just sprinkle it on and the sand wipes right off with it. It's magic. And while you're packing the baby powder, go ahead and pack the kids a dry change of clothes to wear while leaving the beach. Wet car seats stink after sitting in the heat, y'all.
Preserve the memory as soon as it happens. There is no leave your phone in the car and live in the moment when you're dealing with kids and their precious childhood memories. See this sand dollar? Stepped on about two minutes after this picture was taken. Same with the castle. Save your sanity. Snap the pictures now and unplug later.
Number thirteen: a cordless radio. Learn the classic rock station for your beach area and you're all set! Tripp has DeWalt tools, so the batteries are compatible with the DeWalt radio. Look for a radio that's compatible with the rechargeable batteries you already have.
Number nine may be the most important thing on this whole list. Be sure to pack your sense of humor and a go-with-the-flow attitude. The beach towels will get stepped on. That dollar store beach shovel will go missing and cause the mother of all meltdowns. Someone will definitely have to poop as soon as you get everything set up. Just remember, you're on vacation and these are your favorite people in the entire world. Read that again if you need to. Maybe write it on the back of your hand.
And to finish of the list strong: PAY SOMEONE ELSE TO PROFESSIONALLY CLEAN YOUR CAR WHEN YOU GET HOME. Seriously, pay the money and relax. Let someone else get that wet mildewy smell, the trash, crumbs, and ALL. THAT. SAND. out of your car. Worth a million bucks, I tell ya.
That's it! All that's left to do is wait for the vacation amnesia to set in so you can do it all again next time! Happy vacationing!
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