Tips for bringing kids to the beach

By Krystle J. Bailey

As a Jersey girl born and raised, you will find me at the beach as soon as the warmth of the sun touches my skin and well beyond Labor Day. The beach is my favorite place to just “be.” As a mom, I’ve had to learn ways to enjoy my beach-induced peace while making sure my little ones are safe and have fun. As my oldest becomes a teenager this year, it goes without saying that we’ve gotten a little creative over the years.

Here are a few tips I picked up along the way that have made beach trips easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Create a sand-free space. Whether you have a baby who needs diaper changes, a child in need of a nap, or an overstimulated kid who needs a sand break, sand-free spaces are day savers. For a DIY solution, turn a fitted sheet upside down and place beach bags, chairs, or sandbags in each corner to keep sand out. Add a bucket of water to rinse your feet off before stepping into the sand-free space.
Always bring baby powder. Baby powder for the post-beach cleanup is an absolute must for everyone, from tough-guy dads to sensitive-skinned babies. It makes for a super simple way to remove sand from your skin. Either splash it on after you leave the beach and have kids rub themselves off, or put the baby powder in a sock and use it to gently brush sand off of the skin.
Don’t forget the diapers. Nobody is going to pick up a seemingly dirty diaper from the beach. That is a perfect, inconspicuous place to hide your car keys, money, and valuables. Wrap it all up into a (clean) diaper and throw it inside your beach bag. Nobody will ever know! Even if they assume, chances are they won’t risk finding out.
Beach rule #1: Don’t shake your towel. If you’re going to the local beach, you have to follow local beach rules. I’m not talking about beach tags or feeding the seagulls, though you shouldn’t do that either. The biggest beach rule that is guaranteed to keep your sand-loving neighbors at peace is: Don’t shake your towel! The sand has to come out somehow, though, so bring a mesh bag or porous laundry basket. Drop all your sandy goods into the basket and gently shake the sand out, keeping it low to the ground and out of the wind gusts.
Reuse bun bags. A hungry kid in the sun on the beach is a surefire recipe for a less-than-exciting family day. Food and snacks are a must! With so many things to pack and think about, we have to get a little creative as parents. Reusing hot dog bun or Hawaiian roll packages is a great way to pack a lot of food without taking up too much space. This could be done by cooking a pack of hot dogs, wrapping them in tin foil, and returning them to the bun package. It makes for easy packing in the snack bag. For a cold sandwich idea, slice a package of Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally while keeping each roll stuck together. Build a giant sandwich, replace the top half of the rolls, and return the entire sandwich to the original packaging. Now you have slider sandwiches for all the little sandy hands.
Pack a clean makeup brush. This one is perfect for babies and toddlers. Grab a clean makeup brush and some cool sunblock to apply SPF to a child’s face.
Create a baby pool. If you have a busy-bodied toddler, the beach can be a big place to think about keeping them safe. Grab a cheap tarp on your next trip to the store for the perfect DIY beach pool. When you get to the sand, dig a hole, then place the tarp inside. Cover the edges with sand and fill the hole with water. Bring toys and shovels for hours of safe fun for the newest beach babies. Another easy idea is to pick up a small blowup pool from the dollar store and blow it up when you get to the beach.