If you plan on going to the beach this summer, you are going to need these top 7 baby essentials! Don’t worry; I am not a fan of taking a ton of stuff with me everywhere. I am that mom that doesn’t actually have a diaper bag, I just shove a couple of diapers in my purse and go out the door. Keep in mind; you are packing for a baby, not a small army. Check out these top 7 baby essentials for the beach!
Related: 9 Travel Hacks You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road with Kids
Top 7 Baby Essentials for the Beach
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Large bag
You will need a bag large enough to haul everything you need. I know I want to carry as little as possible when going to the beach for the day, so I try and pack a big enough bag that can carry the stuff I need from the diaper bag for the day, plus the extras I need (keep reading) for the beach. Trust me when I say you will only want one bag. If you are anything like me, you pack nicely when before you leave home, but by the end of the day everything just gets tossed in there!
Sun hat
You want to protect your little one’s precious head, so grab a sun hat. Sure sunscreen will do the job, but a hat will help to keep the sun out of her eyes as well. Not to mention the added protection from the rays.
SPF swim suit
Again, sunscreen is definitely a must, but you can’t go wrong with a swimsuit that has a little SPF built in. Read the tags before you purchase, it will tell you. Also, think about function over fun. There are tons of super cute bathing suits out there for kids, and some offer more skin protection than others. Think about a t-shirt style for your boy or girl. They offer great sun protection for their delicate skin.
Portable crib
Sure, you can carry the playpen, but they can be bulky and heavy. There are some portable cots on the market that are lightweight (under 10 pounds), and all four sides are mesh, so it is great for being at the beach!
Swimmies
There have been a few times that I have been to the beach and forgot the swim diapers (facepalm). Thankfully I had packed an abundance of diapers, but my child was the one walking around with a diaper full of ocean. Swimmies catch everything a diaper does, without blowing up.
Loose clothing
After a long day at the beach what feels good to you? Some loose clothing! Pack a set of pajamas, because sometimes a few hours at the beach turns into night and it can get a little chilly. Just be prepared so your little one can get out of a wet and sandy suit and into some dry and comfy clothing.
Light blanket
I know it’s the summer, and this might sound a bit crazy, a blanket at the beach, but I am telling you, pack one. The last time I had my son at the beach, I was very thankful to have it, I was able to over the stroller with it (because I was prepared with a portable crib). He slept for a while and was protected from the sun even more, yet it was still breathable. You must know by now that when you leave the house with the baby, sometimes it seems like you need an extra vehicle just for the stuff he needs. Hopefully, this will help you pack only the things you need for a day at the beach. Keep it simple and enjoy the beach!
Although it is important for kids to have fun at the beach, it is even more important that they are protected from head to toe!
I constantly cover my boys in sunscreen. I always make sure that I have one of those beach tents. Love those things. Lots of umbrellas too!
Great tips, especially for new parents! I’m saying that because these are the kinds of things that tend to be overlooked because these new parents are mostly thinking about priority and all major mom stuff. Loose clothing’s important!
I think these are all great ideas. I think the number one for my family would be sunscreen. That and water too. I wouldn’t want them getting dehydrated or sunburned on a hot summer day.
Don’t forget to make sure your baby stays hydrated while outside. I think you had covered everything that I would have taken to the beach. Also, babies under 6 months old can’t wear sunscreen so light clothing is a must.
My son loves the beach, he is quite afraid but love hanging out with the waves in the shore. I like your post and it is very informative, thanks!
Kids love to go to the beach, they should also be equipped with the things they need. Sunscreen is one of the most important things!
Beaches are necessarily to be seen by kids because these places show them different people, sea water, and a lot of different natural elements. However, baby care is also important, and you have mentioned a great list of useful essentials. Thank you.
I can’t wait to head to the beach this year. These are really good ideas! My kids loved the beach when they were little.
Baby essentials, I always over pack when it comes to that. Especially when we’re going on a long trip! I always pack an extra for everything, and I pack extras for those extras, lol. You just can’t be too sure with babies.
While I don’t have any kids I have several friends who do and I have no doubt they would love this list! Too bad we don’t live closer to the beach so we could implement this a lot better *winkwink*
Such a great list, I’m going to send this to my friend that just had a baby. Bookmarked too!
I don’t go to the beach often, but when i do I feel like I pack more for myself than I would a baby. I want to be prepared too. I think these are great tips. I would also suggest bringing some extra wipes to get rid of any sand.
When we went to the beach we would have the poor kid covered from head to toe! LOL! The only think I think we didn’t bring was the crib.