A Beach Bum Vacation: Toddler Beach Tips

There is nothing better than beach bumming. Sandy bums are pretty fun! Although our trip to visit Newport, California was mostly to celebrate Grandpa Bobby's birthday, we managed to sneak in a little  sand time. Because heading to the sand can be a little daunting with a toddler, here are some quick suggestions to make your trip just beachy.

Shade from the sun

Little baby skin needs protecting. I couldn't bear to see little rolls turn pink and red! A tent or some sort of umbrella can really save the day. We love this Adidas umbrella that is dual purpose because you can stake the sides in to the ground. My parents found them at Costco and keep two of them on hand for large groups of kiddies. They aren't in stores right now, but you can also find something similar at Walmart. I can't vouch for the quality, but it looks just the same. Here is another option from Amazon. You can find so many different types of tents out there, but the nice thing about this type is that it allows air to flow freely and it has vented windows. Some tents become extremely warm on a sunny day because they are so enclosed.

One drawback of this umbrella is that there isn't a sheet or any padding to lay your child on. We either use towels or blankets underneath, which does the trick, but you may find something like the Shade Shack tent ideal for your needs.

Bags packed

Less is always more. Bags don't need to have much. Here is our list of essentials:

• Sunscreen: We love Neutrogena Baby Sunscreen. Pure, free of fragrance, natural ingredients. I have been using it on Audette since she was 5 months old. I know that is earlier than the recommended 6 months, but after a little research I felt very comfortable putting this on my little one. We have used it since and love the results.
• Baby Wipes: I love the small baby wipe cases that you can refill and keep in any bag. They don't take up much space and you can find them in at any store that carries wipes.
• Snacks: We cut up some fruit and veggies to put in ziplock bags and packed some Animal Crackers and Pirate's Booty. We buy the cheap animal crackers because they tend to make less of a mess and don't fall apart so easily. Pirate's Booty isn't the healthiest snack, but it is puffed rice and corn, similar to the puffed baby food you can buy and Audette loves it!
• Water: These sweat proof water bottles are the greatest. You can put ice or any type of drink in them because the entire top comes off. The double wall keeps the condensation from building, so you can keep them in the sand without making a mess.
• Sand toys: You don't need much, a shovel and a bucket go a long way with the miles of sand.
• Essentials for Mom: Magazines, phone, camera, sunglasses. These Ray Ban sunglasses are the best for moms who are already carrying plenty in the bag. They may seem goofy because they fold up, but they are a huge space saver. Check out the 360 degree view so you can see how little they fold up!

Don't be afraid to get sandy!

With water just off in the distance for cleaning, don't keep your child from the sand, let them play in it, eat it, love it! Ok, eating isn't that great of an idea, but it is pretty inevitable. Audette became very comfortable with the sand and fell in it several times. I think she will become one of those kids who like to bury their body in the sand. A quick dip in the water never hurt any baby and a towel dry allows them to get right back in the sand and fun.

Bring a friend

I find that beach time is an excellent time for exploring. Because the landscape is flat it is easy to keep an eye on them no matter where they are. That also means it is a great time for Mom to chat with friends. We loved having Grandma Nattie with us to enjoy the sun and the fun. And although beach time is a great time to read and chat while your little one digs in the sand, take time to get messy too. The time you spend playing with your little one is so valuable. Just a couple minutes a day makes a big difference in their little lives. I didn't get any photos of us playing down by the water, but it was the best part of our day. We got sandy and wet, built castles and ran in the water. The perfect day.