Are you eagerly anticipating the sun, sea, and sand of an upcoming family beach vacation? The excitement of a beach getaway is unparalleled, especially when you're heading there with your loved ones. However, the key to a successful and stress-free beach vacation lies in the art of packing. To ensure you have everything you need for a memorable trip, Corkcicle is here to guide you with a comprehensive beach packing list for your family.
Clothing Essentials
The right clothes allow for a comfortable trip at the beach, unrestricted enjoyment of the water, and complete protection from the sun.
- Swimwear: Pack swimsuits, swim trunks, and cover-ups for everyone, and a spare set for each person in case of accidents.
- Beach Apparel: Lightweight, breathable clothing like t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses, as well as a long-sleeve shirt or pants for cooler evenings.
- Hats and Sunglasses: Shield your family from the sun with wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking shades, and choose sunglasses that offer 99-100% UV protection.
- Footwear: Flip-flops, water shoes, and comfortable walking shoes are all essential for beach activities.
- Undergarments and Sleepwear: Don't forget essentials like underwear, bras, and pajamas, as well as a light robe or sweater for cooler nights.
- Swim Diaper: A swim diaper for the little one is essential as it will for complete enjoyment of the water without the risk of soiling it during nature’s call for the kid.
Beach Accessories
The sun, sand, and sea, are a great experience in themselves, but can be made even more exceptional with the right accessories.
- Beach Towels: Pack large, absorbent towels for drying off and lounging, as well as a quick-dry beach towel for each person to use after swimming.
- Beach Blanket or Mat: Choose a beach blanket or mat that is large enough to accommodate your entire family, and that is made from a durable, water-resistant material.
- Beach Chairs: Lightweight, a foldable beach chair is ideal for relaxing on the beach, and consider bringing a beach umbrella as well to provide shade.
- Beach Umbrella: A beach umbrella with a UPF rating of 50+ will provide your family with essential protection from the sun's harmful UV rays.
- Beach Bag: A spacious, sand-resistant beach bag is essential for carrying all of your beach essentials, such as towels, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks. Opt for a multifunctional bucket cooler bag to carry all your essential accessories and your cold food storage for consolidated organization to help save space. Plus, checkout these helpful tips for how to pack a cooler to make the most of your space.
- Beach Tent: If the beach you're going to lacks cottages, a beach tent is a good way to ensure you have a nice little shelter.
Beach Toys and Games
Kids will be kids, so even if they’re already at the beach, it’s best to have beach toys and games ready to ensure they don’t get bored.
- Sand Toys: Pack buckets, shovels, and molds for building sandcastles, as well as a water bucket or squirt guns for cooling off.
- Beach Balls and Frisbees: Beach balls and Frisbees are perfect for fun beach games, and choose ones that are made from durable materials that can withstand the sand and wind.
- Bodyboards: Bodyboards are a great way to enjoy the waves, and be sure to choose ones that are the appropriate size for your children.
- Snorkeling Gear: If you're planning on doing any snorkeling, be sure to pack snorkeling masks, fins, and snorkels for everyone.
Sun Protection
Sun can either be fun or be the worst enemy at the beach. Make sure it is the former rather than the form with as much sun protection as possible.
- Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is essential for protecting your family from the sun's harmful UV rays. Be sure to reapply sunscreen or sun lotion every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
- Lip Balm with SPF: Protect your lips from the sun with lip balm that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Hats and Sunglasses: Reiterate the importance of wearing hats and sunglasses to shield your family from harmful UV rays.
- Aloe Vera: Just in case the sun still gets the upper hand, aloe vera is an effective way to soothe sunburn.
Hydration and Snacks
A long day out in the heat means high hydration and energy demands, which can be met by having plenty of ready-to-consume food and drinks on hand and kept fresh in Corkcicle coolers.
- Water: Juices and sodas are fun and taste great and all, but water remains the essential drink to have at the beach or anywhere. It tastes great, chilled or otherwise, and can be consumed by everyone.
- Fruit juice: If you have to have flavor, opt for juice, particularly freshly squeezed from fruit. You and your kids will want to drink a lot in the heat, and it’ll be a good idea not to get trapped drinking unhealthy drinks outside of water.
- Snacks: Pack non-perishable snacks in a cooler backpack for easy travel and cleanup. Snacks like granola bars, nuts, and fruit are ideal as they are easy to keep and last long in storage.
Safety First
Safety is always sexy, be it at the beach or elsewhere. Make sure the trip goes well without a hitch with basic safety items.
- First Aid Kit: Include band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and any necessary medications.
- Insect Repellent: Protect against pesky bugs.
- Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency numbers handy.
Packing Considerations
There surely is a lot of beach gear that you’ll want to bring to ensure another unforgettable beach trip, and doing so with the right packing and storage solutions can help ensure that you’re able to do it all conveniently and effectively.
- Beach wagon: A beach wagon is a lifesaver for transporting all your gear to and from the beach. A list to go along with it will ensure you don’t forget anything beforehand or end up leaving anything behind once you’re done.
- Corkcicle Can Coolers: These ensure that your beverages are not only ice-cold but are stored in style with Corkcicle can coolers.
- Corkcicle Insulated Cooler Backpack: This is perfect for ensuring food and drinks remain fresh during your beach adventure.
With this comprehensive beach packing list of items complemented by Corkcicle’s storage solutions, you're all set for an unforgettable family beach vacation. So, start packing, soak up the sun, and make beautiful beach memories with your loved ones.
