Hi! My name is Nicole and I am a guest on the blog today! I have a family of 5 with kids ages 7, 5 and 2! We have a tribe of 40 with a culmination of over 14 kids between us. Going to the beach can be a daunting task, especially with babies and wee ones. It can feel stressful and overwhelming, but with the right tools and tricks in hand, we promise everyone will be able to have a good time, including the parents! For this blog post, we also listened to a number of comments on a number of Facebook Groups from other families with their suggestions! These are tried and true, and this is a list you’ll want to use over and over again!
Sunscreen and A Sunscreen STICK – at least SPF 50. No matter your age, sunscreen is a must! We love the ever-popular babies sunscreen! For those little wigglers, we also love a fast-drying spray, and now it comes in a breathable formula so you can avoid the whole “hold your breath while I spray” moment. Make sure to put on the sunscreen while still in your vacation rental so the skin has time to absorb the protection properly, around 15 minutes. A good sunscreen stick is great for the face, ears and scalp! Yes, the scalp will burn, so if you don’t have a hat for baby, please use sunscreen in their heads. Reapply every two hours, at least, especially if they are swimming and sweating a lot.
Blow Up Pool – Many parents on Facebook groups mentioned a blow-up pool as a must for small children at the beach! Simply dig a small hole and fill it with the inflatable pool and a little bit of water for your kids to splash around in. It goes without saying, but never leave your baby unattended! Also, please make sure to fill in your holes after you leave the beach to keep our sea turtle friends alive and well!
Umbrella or a Tent – if you are not renting an umbrella and chairs, make sure to bring a collapsible one with you to the beach. Grab one wth a built-in post hole digger so you don’t have to worry about buying a separate one. Place this over the inflatable pool as shade for your child while they play! If you’re travelling with a larger family or friends, hello post Covid days, you can always pop up a tent for elbow room for everyone!
Beach Wagon – Beach wagons are fantastic to take to the beach! Not only do they carry loads of heavy items, you can also place baby in there, under shade of course, as a place to stretch out and nap! When shopping around, grab an all-terrain beach wagon with fat tires to make the walk in the sand a breeze! They also have wagons with shades, pop up food trays and many other options!
Portable Fan – These are a must, even if you are not at the beach. Portable fans have clips or moldable bases that attach to almost anything, and they have a rotating arm so you can position it how you need it to keep babies and children cool! Make sure to either charge it the night before or bring extra batteries in case it gets used a lot!
BONUS TIP – Enjoy the beach and each other! Whether at the beach or at your vacation rental, enjoy spending time together! Resort Rentals offer spacious accommodations for everyone to rest and relax for the ultimate R & R you and your loved ones deserve!
