What to Pack for Taking Baby to the Beach

Taking a baby to the beach is not a small feat. Especially if you have other small children along. With the Colorado River so close by, we love to take trips to the beach, so here’s my list of things that make the trip easier and more fun for everyone! These are even more necessary than a swimsuit, because no one cares if you hit the beach in your tank top and jeans (or onsie)!

Dry Clothes

Unless you like loading wet kids into the car, which I often do because the AZ dries everything before we even get home. If you have a post-play destination other than home, don’t forget the dry clothes!

Diapers

Because babies poop at the worst moments. Toddlers too. Swim diapers hold next to nothing and might not even survive the trip home. And regular diapers soak up so much water you’ll think you brought the whole ocean home. So tuck an extra diaper or two in the bag before you close the door. And don’t forget a few wipes! (if you do, just wash that little tush in the ocean water…. the fish poop there after all!)

Baby Powder

Baby powder is a miracle worker at getting sand off skin, pain-free. Just puff it on and rub it all off. Smooth as a baby’s bottom!

Baby Floaty

For a baby, particularly one like mine that likes to eat sand, a baby floaty can double as a restraint of sorts. Put baby in and beach her – legs under, body on top, little arms unable to reach around to the oh-so-yummy sand. Get one like this awesome one I just found, and you can set snacks and toys right there, safe from the waves and kept in reach by the floaties walls!

Life Jackets

This is for the older kids, because you’ll be busy watching baby, and drowning can happen silently and in seconds. so invest in a life jacket. And check out these awesome Coast Guard approved Puddle Jumpers! They offer a little more arm and shoulder freedom and a more learn-to-swim-friendly fit while still keeping my little man happily and safely afloat.

Beach Blanket

You can use towels or a blanket, but a beach/picnic blanket is water resistant and easier to clean. Plus a lot can fold up into a easy-to-carry package with a strap! I’ve reviewed an awesome one from JJ Cole, or you can get one slightly cheaper from other brands.

Drinks and Snacks

Even if your kiddos don’t typically snack often, being outside and in the water drains energy and makes everyone hungry faster than a day playing inside. My kiddos get crabby if they are hungry, so having snacks on hand is a life saver. And the sun will quickly dehydrate, plus the salty ocean water and the heat and activity, so have lots of water on hand.

TOYS!

Should be an obvious one, but I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten to throw in some sand-and-water-proof toys. Grab them from the bathtub or snag a bag of sand toys from the store. The water and sand will entertain for a while, but toys always make the fun last longer and add some variety. Balls are hit or miss depending on how windy it will be.

Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hats

Whatever your stance is on sunscreen safety as far as chemicals and skin cancer vs vitamin D, grab a sunscreen you are ok with and coat that baby soft skin. Then throw on a hat with those awesome velcro-ties. Because NO ONE likes a sunburnt baby. I’ve been known to make little Jedi-babies with towels when I forgot the hats at home, whatever works!

A Bag

Ok, really, how many times have I tried to juggle all this while holding a baby, chasing a toddler and not dropping my phone….more than I want to admit. Grab a bag, any bag, (but not a plastic bag because it will rip. it just will. really. it will.) and use it to carry all the above stuff. I use a fabric bag we got from the hospital full of baby ads and paraphernalia when baby E was born. It’s big, easy to carry, and basic. Plus it dries fast and I don’t care if it gets ruined.

What to Leave Behind?

Forget the stroller, it won’t roll on sand anyways. And ditch the nice watch and even the phone. Unless you are desperate for pictures, take this moment to go dark, spend time with the kids, and not risk ruining the phone. Leave behind the stuffed animals and books and anything else that could get damaged by water in general. Forget the beer, it’ll dehydrate you and make you do stupid things. And (please) forget that music you wanted to blast and take the time to enjoy the conversation and natural sounds. Your wallet, iPad, dress shoes and cello can stay home too.

Enjoy the beach with baby!

Moms and Dads: any other suggestions?