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Fun At The Beach -- Beach Tips & Packing Lists
If you live near
a beach, whether it be the ocean or a lake, it's a great way to enjoy time with
your kids and keep away the boredom bug. If you don't live near the water, but
are planning a vacation to the beach, here's a list of items that are a must have!
Sunscreen
This is probably the most important item in your
beach bag. Make sure that you have sufficient sunscreen protection for yourself
and your children. The sun's ultraviolet rays are at their strongest during the
hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., so limit your time in the sun during those
hours. Choose a sunscreen lotion that is at the very least 15 SPF, more appropriate
for children is an SPF of 30 or more. Be sure to adequately apply the sunscreen
to all exposed skin, including ears, nose, and neck. Speak to your doctor about
sunscreen and babies under 6 months of age.
Don't forget your lips!
Bring along sun protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more. An Aloe based
after sun lotion is a great way to soothe your skin after a day in the sun, apply
after your day at the beach.
Protective Barriers
Sunglasses
that block ultraviolet rays, sun hats with brims, and beach umbrellas are all
wonderful items to have along for added protection.
Babies under 6 months
old should wear protective clothing, a brimmed sun hat, and if possible, baby
sunglasses that protect from harmful UV rays. Babies should not spend a lot of
time in the sun, but when they are, keep them protected!
A first aid
kit with band aids, an antibiotic cream, and other essentials is an excellent
idea as well.
Chairs & Blanket
There are chairs
made specifically for the beach, they sit low to the ground and fold up neatly,
often they include a handy shoulder strap. Don't count on the beach having chairs
for its guests.
A blanket is another nice thing to bring along. Not only
is it comfortable to sit on, but it's a welcome comfort from the hot sand on bare
feet.
Sand & Water Toys
Kids love digging and building
in the sand, it's a must for a beach visit. There is a huge variety of toys on
the market made specifically for water play. Nerf balls and lightweight canvas
Frisbee discs are great because they float and often come in neon colors so they
can be seen easily. Don't forget the standard shovels and pails, sand diggers,
and sand sifters -- great for building sand castles, sifting for shells and rocks,
and pouring water into makeshift motes.
Bring along a plastic jar to
collect shells. A butterfly or small fishing net can be loads of fun for catching
small minnows near lake shorelines. And let's not forget the old beach standby,
the beach ball. Squirting water toys are also a blast and can keep the kids busy
for hours. Goggles and water masks are great, but can be easily lost in the water.
Be sure to bring along extras. There are hundreds of different kinds of beach
and water toys, bring along what your family will enjoy.
Floatation
Devices
Most public beaches do not allow items such as floating rafts,
noodles, or "arm floaties" as they are not Coast Guard approved swim
or safety wear. Check with your beach lifeguards or town officials to see what
they will or will not allow.
Coast Guard approved life jackets are welcome
and recommended for young swimmers, even those who have recently learned to swim,
for safety purposes. Many beaches offer free loaner lifejackets, or they offer
them for a nominal fee.
Extra Towels
Bring towels along
for each member of your family, this goes without saying. Bringing along an extra
or two cannot hurt, especially if little Timmy decides to take his into the water
with him.
Water & Snacks
Being in the sun can quickly
dehydrate you. Bring along bottled water, enough for everyone in your family.
Check with your beach and see if coolers are allowed so that you can keep it nice
and cold.
If your beach does allow coolers, this is a great way to save
money on snacks. Instead of buying from the beach concession stand, bring along
fresh fruit, pretzels, cold sandwiches and carrot sticks.
Extra Clothing
Bringing along an extra T-shirt or pair of shorts is not a bad idea. If your
beach trip will continue on into the evening, bring a windbreaker or sweat jacket
for everyone, just in case the temperature dips down. Be sure that everyone has
adequate footwear, swim shoes are a great idea as well, especially for rocky beaches.
Preserving Memories
Don't forget your camera! You can purchase
waterproof disposable cameras to capture all of those sunny moments. Inexpensive
disposable cameras are even available for underwater use.
Your Beach
Survival Kit
Now that you are ready to head off to the beach, here's
a summarization of everything we have suggested. Check each item off to see if
you are ready to roll!
___ sunscreen (at least 15 SPF)
___ lip balm
___ aloe after sun lotion
___ first aid kit
___ sun hat
___
sunglasses
___ beach umbrella
___ chairs blanket
___ pail &
shovel
___ Nerf type ball and/or lightweight nylon Frisbee disc
___
sand digger and sifter
___ goggles or masks
___ plastic jar for collecting
shells
___ life jackets
___ towels (and extras)
___ bottled water
___ snacks (if allowable)
___ extra clothing and footwear
___ water/swim
shoes
___ waterproof disposable camera
Preserving Nature
A special note: remember, if you find live snails, crabs, fish, starfish,
or other underwater lifeforms, observe them, then put them back. Only take home
empty shells, fossilized starfish, and rocks. Enjoy your trip to the beach. Be
sure to discuss water safety with your kids before going.
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