You go on a beach vacation to relax – not to stress out about the things that you left at home! When planning your next beach getaway, refer to this family beach vacation packing list, and avoid getting annoyed when you should be relaxing.
There’s nothing worse than sitting back, drink in hand, looking out onto the idyllic beach, when suddenly, the thought of that one forgotten item arrests you; or you see a neighboring family making use of that one item you forgot to pack.
You could always buy the item you left behind at a nearby shop, but the fact that you must spend money on something you already own is going to annoy you even more!
Check out our ultimate family beach vacation packing list and don’t forget a thing!
Beach Tent, Umbrella or Shelter
This is a must-have if you have younger kids, especially toddlers, as sometimes the heat is just too much for them, and for you to be able to provide instant shade is an absolute plus-point when it comes to beach vacations.
Although the main focus of owning a beach shelter is to provide somewhere for your young children to catch some shade and to nap, it would also be a good idea to look for a tent that is big enough to fit the whole family in.
You never know when the heat is going to get to you, and you may also experience some bouts of bad weather, from which the tent will prove to be an excellent shelter!
It’s also a good idea to have a tent as a ‘sand-free zone’, as a place to eat and go when the sand gets too much.
Sunscreen – a must for every family beach vacation packing list
This should really be number one on everyone’s family beach vacation packing list, as no member of your family is safe from the UV radiation of the sun.
Even if you apply some before hitting the beach, no sunscreen is totally water-resistant, so you’ll have to apply more as your day goes on.
You’re likely to go through a few bottles of sunscreen, so it would be good to pack a few backup bottles of 50+ SPF.
Aloe Vera Cream
No matter how much sunscreen you apply throughout the day, it’s likely your skin will react negatively in some way to the amount of sun you’re exposed to and the amount of saltwater that dries into your skin.
You’ll most likely notice patches of dry skin over your body after spending a day at the beach.
Aloe vera cream should be on everyone’s family beach vacation packing list, especially if you’re planning on spending a week or more beachside, as it’ll help repair your skin daily by moisturizing it back to a healthy level, so you can go right back out to the beach the next day with replenished skin.
Waterproof Camera or Case for your Phone
Throughout the holiday, you’ll definitely be taking photos on your phone. But what about capturing the kids in the water? Get a waterproof phone case and you can take your phone swimming with you!
If you’re worried about losing your phone in the water (a valid concern) why not add a waterproof camera to your packing list to capture the true essence of your beach vacation.
Get unbeatable shots of your kids on the beach, or some action shots of your kids’ first time in the water – with plenty of waterproof cameras available at an affordable price today, now is a great time to add a waterproof camera to your standard beach accessories.
Kindle/Tablet
As fun and exciting as the beach is, at least one of your kids will likely succumb to boredom, so it’s safe to carry with you a few forms of electronic entertainment so as not to ruin the rest of your family’s fun.
Plus, if you want to top up your tan but don’t like the idea of staying still for hours doing nothing, a kindle is a nice, light means of passing the time – plus, with loads of library apps available today, you’re unlikely to ever run out of reading material.
Portable Charger
With all the electronics that you’ll likely be taking to the beach, and due to that that you’re probably going to spend most of the day at the beach, it’s a good idea to include a small, portable charger on your family beach vacation packing list.
Dry Bag
If you’re planning on taking the electronic items that we’ve mentioned, such as your camera or your Kindle, it is essential to have a dry bag with you to store them in.
Not only will you encounter lots of sand on the beach, but your belongings may also get unexpectedly damp throughout the day, either from the tide coming in or from kids drying themselves, and wet towels being discarded recklessly.
So, it would be good to have a dry bag always on hand as a precaution – you don’t want any of your valuables being damaged when they could easily be protected from the water!
Plus, your kids will no doubt want to take their smartphones and tablets with them, so it would be good to have an extra big dry bag, or additional waterproof smartphone pouches so that they can fit their belongings in too.
Cooler Bag
Skip the overpriced beach food and drink, by packing your own cooler bag.
These don’t have to be bulky, as there are many collapsible cooler bags available on the market today, that you can be easily folded away into your luggage.
Plus, you’re probably going to need to keep yourself hydrated while on the beach, so on top of packing away a few cold meals, why not fill your cooler bag up with plenty of water bottles, and keep your whole family’s hydration levels up with cool bottles of water throughout the day.
Water Shoes and Snorkeling Gear
This is a must for the whole family for beach holidays, with the amount you and your kids will be going in and out of the water.
They stop your kids from slipping and protect them from unexpected jaggy rocks that might line the beach. Plus, most water shoes are suitable to wear out of the water too, so will be ideal footwear for other holiday activities too.
If your kids like investigating the ocean floor, bring along the snorkeling gear and goggles too.
So when you’re next writing your family’s beach vacation packing list, check back in here to make sure you haven’t missed some of the most important items for your holiday.