There are so many reasons the beach is a great destination for your family. No matter how old or young your children are, get your beach day on and enjoy the sand, sun, surf and awesome summer activities!
Of course, there are some precautions to take, but most importantly, the beach is a beautiful getaway where you can explore, learn, relax and benefit from all the many wonders of the ocean.
So if you are looking for a ideas for a great day at the beach, try these kids activities and enjoy a fun day in the sun!
Beach Day Must-Haves and Kids Activities:
1. Sun Protection - A must for children and adults alike, choose a sunscreen that is safe and gentle for your skin type, offers an amount of SPF of at least 30 and is labeled as a Broad-spectrum formula that covers both UVA and UVB rays. Studies show that children need some direct sunlight, 10-15 minutes a day depending on skin tone, for Vitamin D absorption. So while you're at the beach, kids can benefit from the safe time in the sunlight they get right before you apply your sunscreen and hit the water!
Our top pick is Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+. The debate is still out for babies under 6 months and the use of sunscreen. One Part Sunshine has some great info and tips for Babies and Sunscreen. Regardless of your child's age, always provide some type of shade and protective clothing too.
Wearing protective clothing like hats, long sleeves and sunglasses are also an option for beach days. There are definitely some cute surf shirts and swimsuits available that you and the kids will love. Check out these adorable items from Hurley Kids!
3. Beach Rules - Safety is always first! Talk to the kids and other adults who will be joining you at the beach about your family's safety rules and things to watch out for (like jellyfish)! Here are some suggestions adapted from the National Water Safety Council.
Wearing protective clothing like hats, long sleeves and sunglasses are also an option for beach days. There are definitely some cute surf shirts and swimsuits available that you and the kids will love. Check out these adorable items from Hurley Kids!
Any day at the beach will have sun, even on the cloudiest days. Provide shade and shelter for lunch time, relax time and for when the kids get too tired to play! We love this Shade Shack Portable Beach Tent, roomy enough for two adults and a child with an open floor, your little one can play in the sand while being protected from the wind and sun. For an individual sized tent with built in SPF 30, we love this Seaside Beach Cabana Tent.
Check out Huffington Post's 8 Reasons to Take Babies to the Beach!
2. Beach Essentials - No beach day is complete without building a sandcastle! While you may dread carrying a ton of stuff down to the water's edge, be sure to bring some of these items with you to ensure an amazing time is had for all!
First of all, you will need a wagon or a cooler with wheels! Even if you plan to pack light, most beaches require you to walk a short distance from parking to sand. Why struggle to carry everything you need? If your stroller can roll through sand easily, pack that up too, it doubles as a cart and a nap time vehicle when the day is over! This Little Tikes Stroller Fan is awesome on hot days too!
Pack up your Beach Bag and bring snacks, toys, water bottles, a beach ball or two and your beach towels. And don't forget the Baby Powder! A little travel size bottle will take off all the sand from your feet, and keep the car as sand free as possible! Make sure you also bring a wet bag. You don't need anything fancy, a grocery bag will do, but you will want to put wet towels and clothes somewhere!
Let the kids pick a few beach worthy toys they want to bring along, or buy some at the store. We suggest getting them BEFORE you hit the beach. Shops along the boardwalk will most likely up-charge for simple items like a shovel and why waste your money for something that might get lost! We also love this idea for storing and carrying those toys to and from the sand.
For playtime toys we love Packable Pails! These collapsable buckets are great for building a sandcastle, toting your other toys and items and once you're done with them they stow away easily.
There are literally thousands of swim suits and beach wear for the kiddos. Make sure you choose items that fit well and will hold up for many beach trips. For the babies, we suggest a reusable swim diaper, for the big kids, choose a bright fun rash guard!
3. Beach Rules - Safety is always first! Talk to the kids and other adults who will be joining you at the beach about your family's safety rules and things to watch out for (like jellyfish)! Here are some suggestions adapted from the National Water Safety Council.
- Wear a life vest (or floaties) in the water and always check the lifeguard stand for wave alerts!
- Water Shoes protect from sharp rocks, glass and sea urchins!
- Never Swim Alone!
- Stay hydrated and drink water and sport drinks.
4. Make Memories - The beach offers so many opportunities for photos, silly moments, beautiful scenes and discoveries. Capture those memories and take home some souvenirs from your beach trip.
The kids will love collecting items they find on the beach like shells, sea glass and smooth rocks. Create a scavenger hunt or play i-Spy games for a fun day of discovery and learning. When you get home, you can do more kids activities with your beach booty you gathered. We love this list from Craftionary - 22 Beach Activities for Kids.
Take as many photos as you can! If you have a water proof phone case, a Go-Pro camera or a disposable underwater camera, take lots of pictures in the ocean! Try these 27 Fun & Creative Ideas for Beach Pictures and display them in your kid's bedroom for long lasting memories.
Take the time to exercise or play sports on the beach too. Beach yoga, volleyball, swim races, jogging and long walks are all fun choices. Not only will it be great to throw in some physical activity, it will also TIRE THE KIDS OUT!
No matter the weather or season, the beach is the best place to be! Enjoy your time at one of the world's greatest wonders and create wonderful memories with your family!
Need more beach inspiration? Check out these Tips for an Awesome Beach Day and try this How to Dye Seashells Science Experiment afterwards! And be sure to check out these other Vacation Destinations.