7 Tips to Enjoy the Beach with a Toddler

Summer is almost upon us, and if you’re like my family, day trips to the beach are one of the best ways to cool off and have a wonderful family day together!

While spending a day at the beach is a ton of fun, when you have toddlers, a lot of preparation goes into making sure everyone has a fun time and that nothing goes wrong.

7 Tips to Enjoy the Beach with a Toddler!

From what to pack, to keeping safe from the sun and what to wear in the water, I hope that my tips will make your days at the beach stress-free and fun for you and your children!

1. Be well packed ahead of time.

Packing properly and efficiently is the best way to be! You don’t want to scramble around at the last minute, and you want your packed things to be light and easy to carry. Pack light! All you really need is a few towels, a change of clothes for each of the kids, and maybe a few drinks and snacks.

I’d recommend using something light-colored for small items. It’s easier to keep track of!

2. Put clothes in huge ziploc bags.

If you’ve ever been to the beach, you know how sand and sometimes even water can magically find its way into everything. Putting the clothes in sealable ziploc bags will keep them both dry and clean.

3. Keep protected from the sun.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the sun gets harsher every year. And believe me, I’ve had my fair share of (regretful) sunburns as a child.

Protecting your kids from the sun is one of the most important things, because getting a sunburn is a sure-fire way to ruin a fun day.

First of all, get a good sunblock. The higher the SPF rating the better, but try to get something that is at least SPF 30. Also, make sure that it’s a physical sunblock as opposed to a chemical sunscreen. You’ll know that it’s a physical sunblock if the main ingredient is either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

A beach umbrella is also a necessity! Keeping out of direct sunlight is the best way to stay protected, so sticking a good, sturdy beach umbrella in the sand as your home base is something every family at the beach should do.

4. Go at the right time.

There’s definitely a right and a wrong time to try to take your kids to the beach.

First of all, the sun is harshest around noon, and if you can avoid that then you’re doing well already. Second of all, the beach is probably going to be less crowded in the earlier hours or later on in the day. If you can manage to, working around these hours is a huge benefit.

5. Bring baby powder.

Here’s a beach hack for you: baby powder works wonders for removing sand from skin! Just apply a little to the areas with sand, and watch in amazement as it comes right off. The last thing you want is to have to vacuum up a bunch of sand from the car, or deal with it all over clothes later.

6. If your kids aren’t potty trained, use reusable swim diapers.

Regular diapers in the water is a big no-no for two reasons: first of all, a regular diaper will absorb all of the beach water, causing it to comically balloon up and droop down. It just doesn’t work.

Second of all, poop in the water is something no one wants to have happen, so having them go diaper-free isn’t exactly an option either. Get a few good swim diapers and you won’t regret it!

7. Teach them some simple rules.

Instill in your kids what is dangerous early on. While the water and beach is fun, setting up some ground rules is definitely a good idea, and the sooner you do it, the better. Also, setting up a base camp further from the shoreline is probably the best idea if your kids aren’t used to being at the beach yet. It’s just safer.

Have fun!

I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach this summer! I know that your children will fondly remember your fun trips to the beach for the rest of their lives, and I know you’ll remember them fondly too.