Visiting the beach is a ton of fun for the entire family. As with every adventure you take with your family, going to the beach requires some planning. Gathering these beach essentials for families will help make your trip to the beach an enjoyable one. From oversized beach towels, sand toys, and boogie boards, you will find everything you need.

little kids going to beach in summer vacation day via ShutterStock

Beach Essentials for Families

BEACH TENT

Bring your own shade with you to the beach. Finding a shady spot at the beach can be next to impossible sometimes, especially when it gets busy. Use this tent to create shade and give your family a place where they can escape the heat for a few. This especially comes in handy when you have a baby.

BEACH BLANKET

Use this big blanket is a great way to give your family a soft place to lay and sit in the sand. It is large, but folds up nice and neat. It even has a handle that makes it super simple to carry, the kids could even carry it for you.

BEACH TOYS

Keep those kiddos busy in the sand with this beach toy set. It comes with a bag to store all of the shovels and molds which really helps cut down on the mess.

SCOUT DEANO BAG

This bag is not only useful to stuff all of your belongings in for a trip to the beach, it is also adorable. There are several different patterns to choose from. You can also use this bag.

BEACH TOWEL

Don’t forget the towels! These are oversized and super soft. Perfect to snuggle up in after swimming in the salty sea. Make sure everyone has their very own towel.

BEACH CHAIR

Give yourself a comfy place to sit with this beach chair. There is storage on the side, and you can even adjust this chair to lay down. Perfect way to soak up the rays.

WATER BOTTLES

Keep your family hydrated by packing your water in insulated water bottles. I like this selection of water bottles because you can get a smaller size for the kids as well as different colors for each person in the family.

CELL PHONE DRY BAG

We all know that cell phones and water don’t mix. Keep your cell phones safe with this cell phone dry bag.

SUNSCREEN

Protect yourself and your family from the sun by applying sunscreen regularly. This option is great for everyone in the family. I also keep a stick style of sunscreen handy to make it easy to apply to smaller places on my kids such as their face.

BEACH BALLS AND MORE

You must take an over sized beach ball to bounce around on the sand. You might also want to grab a football and a frisbee while you’re at it. Great way to keep your family busy on the beach.

KITE

I love flying kites at the beach. The kids get a big kick out of it. Although there are a ton of different kites out there, this one is great for both kids and parents to master.

COOLER

Pack this cooler with snacks and drinks to keep everyone hydrated and nourished. It will keep your food fresh and free from sand. I like this one because it also has speakers so you can enjoy some tunes while you play in the sand.

FIRST AID KIT

If you do not have a first aid kit yet, now is a great time to get one. You never know what type of sting, scratch, or bump your family might encounter at the beach. It is better to be prepared before hand then to cut your visit to the beach short due to lack of band aids.

KIDS SUNGLASSES

It is a good idea to keep your kiddos eyes protected from the sun. I like these sunglasses because they are polarized. There are a few different color options to pick from as well.

BINOCULARS

Spotting surfers and boats in the ocean can be a lot of fun when you have a pair of binoculars to peer through.

BOOGIE BOARDS

These boogie boards are so much fun. You can gently surf the waves without having to master standing and balancing as you do on surfboards. You can also bring a skim board to ride the wet sand along the shore.

AFTER SUN SOOTHER LOTION

A day at the beach can be rough on your skin. Rejuvenate your skin with this after sun soother lotion. The aloe and linden flower help repair skin damage caused by sun and sand. Great for everyone in the family.

What beach essentials do you take with you to the beach? Let me know in the comments.

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