7 Must Have Beach Items for Kids

Are you planning a trip to the beach soon? Bringing along the kids for a well deserved family vacation? You want to make sure you have the kids must have items covered to make the most of it whether its one day visit or a whole week of lounging in the sun and sand. These are the 7 items I think are a must for your next beach visit.

1. Sunscreen- I cannot stress this enough, sunscreen should be applied for any outdoor activity but especially at the beach where the reflection off the sand and water is even more merciless-at least an SPF 50. Be sure to reapply after getting in the water, sweating profusely, and randomly throughout the day.

2. Shade- In the form of a hat and a big umbrella where they can escape from the sun’s relentless rays to cool off and rest up. I recommend either bringing your own umbrella or rent a cabana/sun shade for the day.

3. Beach toys– A trip to the beach would not be the same without building a sandcastle. Be sure to pack a variety of bucket, shovels, and molds to keep your little one busy digging and building. Small nets for catching fish or observing crabs and other creatures in the tide pools are also great.

4. Shell Guide- You can pick one of these up at just about any surf/tourist shop on the beach and they are great fun! We have one that is laminated so it is water/sand proof and can be tossed right into our beach bag for shelling. The kids love to identify the shells they find.

5. Mesh bag– This is one of our favorite beach items. You can grab one online like THIS one here or stop by your local dollar store and pick up a lingerie laundry bag.  This is the perfect place to hold your shells since it keeps them securely but you can easily rinse off the sand without weighing down the bag. We use a large laundry one to hold our beach toys as well.

6. Water- I am not just talking about the salt water at the shore! Well before you are thirsty your child’s body is craving hydration. Sweat, sand, and salt take it all out of you and it needs to be replaced. Be sure to have plenty of water on hand and encourage your child to drink frequently.

7. Beach Towel- A good, thick beach towel is a must! It makes the perfect cover up for a nap in the shade or to warm up a chilly little one after a dip.