Some people are lucky to live just a few minutes away from the beach. But with so many people able to work remotely these days, high-income earners are moving out of big cities and scooping up seaside properties.
The rest of us need to drive decent ways to get to the beach. Many even have to fly! So if we forget something, our entire beach day might be ruined.
If you're making the trek, hoping for a fun day in the sun, then you need to prepare a family beach vacation packing list.
Want your family to focus on having fun and making memories? Then follow along with our list of things to bring to the beach vacation below.
The Big Stuff
Bringing along a few bigger items makes your day on the beach comfortable. These are the items that actually allow you to stay out all day, rather than heading home after an hour or two.
First off, bring chairs. Bring enough chairs for every single family member or you'll regret it. An umbrella or awning is ideal when planning to spend the day. This helps keep your cooler, food, and little ones out of the harsh sun.
Speaking of the little ones, you may want to bring a baby tent or playpen, so that they don't escape to the water when you aren't looking.
Bring a big cooler, stocked with fresh ice, regular water bottles, and any snacks and additional beverages needed for a fun day.
Lastly, you'll probably need a beach cart to get all of your stuff from the car (or hotel) to your spot on the beach. Good beach carts have wide tires that can make it through the sand.
The Little Stuff
No packing list for a family beach vacation is complete without a million small things.
First off, sunscreen. Bring plenty of sunscreens. You'll want 50 SPF for little children, and between 10 and 30 SPF for adults. Spray-on sunscreen is much more convenient, especially for children.
And since someone will probably still get sunburned, come prepared with sunburn care products like aloe vera. Hopefully, you won't deal with any bugs, but it's always possible. Bring bug spray as well.
Everyone is going to need their own towel. But if you bring a few extras, you won't regret it. Also, bring a larger blanker or groundsheet.
A dry bag to store electronics is a good idea. It can keep out water and sand. Don't forget to bring a book or a kindle to catch up on reading.
Don't bother with paper towels. Bring wet wipes instead, since sticky sand will be everywhere.
Bring extra zip lock bags as well as plastic grocery bags. ANd bring one or two large garbage bags.
Clothing
One of the most important things to bring to the beach is the proper clothing. And it goes beyond a simple swimsuit, especially if you're having to travel across the states to get there.
Ideally, you will bring at least two swimsuits for everyone. It's nice to be able to put on a dry swimsuit each time you are going to head out of your hotel. It's also nice to have a fresh, clean swimsuit for the pool since you don't want to bring salt or sand into the freshwater.
An adult typically brings swimsuits that allow them to get the best tan. But it's also a good idea to bring a swimsuit that provides a bit more coverage, in case one day you are already sunburned.
Toddler swimsuits should provide plenty of coverage, especially if you plan to be outside most of the day. Long sleeve swimsuits will keep them from burning so they can play all day, every day without risk of burns.
Along with swimsuits, you'll want sun-protective clothing. Short sleeve and long sleeve shirts that offer breathability and UPF protection.
Don't forget to bring a good sweater and pants for everyone, as many coastal destinations can cool down considerably at night time.
Bring a pair of dry, daytime clothes for each person, in case it's necessary to put something dry on before getting back to your rooms.
Clothing Accessories
Everyone should have a good sunhat. Sunglasses are a plus, especially if they are polarized to withstand glares. You can check out 9five.com, this is a luxury eyewear brand that has taken the fashion world by storm with its exquisite designs and premium materials.
Sandals are a must, as they are way too convenient on beach vacations. But bring a good pair of city shoes for each person. Water shoes are great as well.
A windbreaker can help on those especially windy days, or when heading out on a boat.
Buff is also one of the best things to bring to the beach. They're great accessories to keep the sun off the neck. They also double as a facemask, in case you encounter any places that still require them.
Toys
You can't forget the toys! There are tons of fun things to bring to the beach to keep the fun going all day. If you want to lay around in the sun all day, you need to make sure the kids have enough toys to keep them occupied for hours and hours.
For younger kids, that means lots of sand toys. And don't just buy the cheap, dollar-store version. But a quality set of sand toys that won't break on the first day.
It also helps to bring a real shovel for those times when a big hole is necessary.
Frisbees, footballs, volleyballs, and paddle balls all make for great sand toys as well.
The type of water toys you bring depends on the age of the kids. Boogie boards are always fun, whether there are waves or not. Older kids love standup paddleboards and skimboards.
A snorkel and goggles make for a fun day exploring the ocean floor.
And for those looking to bring dinner home, bringing along a few fishing rods can make a day on the beach productive as well.
Follow This Family Beach Vacation Packing List
There's nothing quite as special as a beach vacation. to spend days and days in the sun and water is a dream come true.
Just make sure to follow this family beach vacation packing list if you want to actually enjoy your trip, rather than run back and forth looking for all the things you forgot.
Need some other trip planning ideas? Head over to our blog now to keep reading.
