35 Tips for a Family Beach Vacation

A few weeks ago our family of seven took a family beach vacation. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken as a family and our first after welcoming our fifth baby. Our kids are all fairly young, ranging from 7 years down to 7 months, and my husband and I were the only two adults. I planned strategically (as is my way) in hopes of setting us up for the most success. And since I am spending my 35th year of life highlighting groups of 35, I want to share my 35 best tips for a family beach vacation.

1. Decide the time of day your kids are the best travelers and begin your drive before that. Our kids have much better attitudes before lunchtime (basically before they get really tired), so we have everything packed in the car and then wake our kids a little early, give them a breakfast bar, and load them into the car. Getting started earlier in the day makes for an easier start to our trip and sets the foundation for the rest of these tips for a family beach vacation.
2. Know your limits — you don’t actually have to make the MOST out of every day. This is especially true for little kids. Spread out the fun and allow time for rest.
3. Rent the chairs/umbrella. It will ABSOLUTELY be worth it. Lugging chairs to and from the beach each day (and making room in your car for them) has to be one of the most frustrating parts of beach life when you have little ones. This one simple decision will make a huge difference.
4. Buy the beach wagon — easily transport children and beach supplies, while also having a make-shift bassinet for the baby on the beach. This even more so applies when your adult-to-children ratio is off balance but is helpful in any scenario. Park the wagon under the rented umbrella for easy shade, give baby extra seated assistance in the wagon with a Bumbo, or throw all your gear for walking to the beach with ease.
5. Let (make) your little kids nap. Everyone will be happier. A little bit of rest goes a long way.
6. Decide how many nights you’ll eat in, and buy groceries for one less. You’ll appreciate the flexibility if plans change and you can easily run back to the grocery store as needed.
7. Don’t plan meals for your last day. Chances are you’ll have too many groceries and need to eat up what’s left.
8. Buy the better sand toys. No one wants a broken bucket on the second day, and the good ones will last well past the beach week. We love the durability of Green Toys bucket and Matty’s Toy Stop shovels.
9. If you think you’re packing too much, you probably are. Keep a packing list on your phone for every trip and update as needed. This will help ensure you don’t overpack and keep you on task for departure.
10. Pack laundry detergent tablets and plan to use the machines (if available). It will pair down your packing significantly.
11. Oceanfront is always worth it. Even a 10-minute walk from the beach with little ones can be an all-day affair.
12. Toss a stack of unused zip lock bags in your suitcase. They’ll come in handy for leftovers, seashells, and packing for your trip home.
13. Packable microfiber towels will change your life. They pack easily, dry easily, and just make your life easy.
14. Have some rainy day activities in your back pocket — indoor play place, bounce house, museum, skating, bowling, etc.
15. Pack some simple activities for your kids for downtime. Some ideas include coloring books, Plus Plus blocks, silly putty, read-aloud books, Color Wonder.
16. Pack a small jar of cornstarch to help remove stuck-on sand.
17. Instead of a standard beach bag, consider taking a backpack (one with multiple pockets comes in extra handy). You can easily organize towels, sunblock, swim diapers, and water cups, while having a safer, sand-free space for phones and keys.
18. Pack all beach toys and floats in an 18-gallon-style tote box. You can keep the tote in your car and easily grab it when going to and from the beach to keep all sand toys from infiltrating the no-sand zone.
19. That inflatable duck baby bathtub is perfect for your sitter/crawler.
20. iPlay makes the best baby sun hats with a drawstring around the head and a tie under the chin.
21. Get the full rash-guard-style swimsuit. The less sunblock you have to apply, the better.
22. A wet/dry bag will give your valuables an extra layer of protection or hold that soiled diaper until you can get to a trashcan.
23. Go ahead and get the $2 Old Navy flip-flops for every family member. You won’t have to worry about losing a shoe to the sand, and you’ll keep your sanity knowing everyone has something to slip on for the walk to the pool or beach.
24. Take that group picture the first day. If you get another later, GREAT. But if things get hectic or the weather turns bad, you’ll have one to fall back on.
25. Pack a ring sling for the baby. It’s thin and easy to wash so you won’t have to worry about getting it sandy or wet.
26. Bubble wands add an extra level of magic on the beach.
27. Glow sticks make evening beach walks even more fun.
28. Don’t forget that flashlight.
29. While you’re at it, go ahead and pack a rash guard for EVERYONE just in case. No one wants a sunburn to ruin the whole week.
30. Come with 2-3 salad/dip-style recipes on hand and prep them the first night. It’s so convenient to come in from the beach and be able to pull a quick, delicious lunch out of the fridge with no prep. Check out some of our favorites.
31. If you have a crawler who won’t stop eating the sand but you can’t always hold, check out the Summer Pop ‘n Jump Activity Center.
32. Choose a new book for a special family read-aloud in the evenings.
33. Beach games like Velcro Toss-and-Catch, Ladder-ball, and Bocce add diversity for water-logged kids.
34. Take reusable, insulated water bottles like Hydroflask, down on the beach. It will keep everyone’s cups/bottles organized and reduce waste.
35. Overall life tip: Your kids will have as much fun as you. Live it up!

What are your best tips for a family beach vacation? Share in the comments.