Top 10 Beach Tips – Going to the Beach with Kids
- If possible, try to include one adult per child under 5 in your group.
- Don’t do too much in one day. Build in time for your kids to nap and you to relax. Even if your children are too old to nap, build some down time into each day. Everyone will be happier as a result.
- Strive to stick to your family’s regular schedule as much as possible. Have fun, but try to eat at regular meal times, and wake up and go to sleep when you and your children normally would.
- Always have an emergency drink, snack and change of clothes per child “just in case”.
- A four-wheel wagon is a good alternative to a stroller. Unlike a stroller, a wagon will roll across sand. You can also fit multiple children and their beach toys into a wagon. I used a Step 2 wagon when my children were young and we all loved it.
- Have children carry their own stuff as soon as they are able.
- Allow each of your children to do at least one thing per day of his or her choice.
- Don’t neglect the things you love about the beach. If your children are old enough, introduce them to the beach activities you enjoy by doing them together. If that isn’t possible, try to find a babysitter or trade off childcare duties with the other adults in your group so everyone can do the things they love.
- Check local media for scheduled children’s activities in the area. These are a good way for your children to experience something unique and for you and your children to make new friends.
- Have fun. Travel can be stressful. Especially travel with children. Don’t sweat the small stuff and everyone will have a great time.
Keeping these suggestions in mind should result in a memorable (in a GOOD way) beach vacation for all the members of your family.
To many joyful beach experiences!
— Lisa Dworkin
Photo courtesy of http://tinyurl.com/4ex2wqa
