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my kids are going to the beach, what should I pack?
  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    I'm not going :( boohoo but my parents are taking my kiddos with them to watch my niece play in the softball World Series and I need to know what to pack for them. It's a 10 hour drive and they will be at the ballpark a ton of the time plus at the beach the rest of the time.
    They are staying at a condo with a washer/dryer. My babies are going to get to see the ocean for the first time!
    I obviously have not taken them to the beach before and haven't been myself either. We are going in a few months but that won't help me now. Any tips on what to pack?

    Here's my list so far:
    Clothes
    t-shirts
    shorts
    socks
    underpants
    sandals/flip flops

    Electronics
    ipods
    Nook
    portable DVD player & 3 dvd's
    Earphones

    Other
    beach towel (condo does not provide)
    Frog Toggs chilly pad (awesome to keep cool at the softball tournament)

    That can't be it?

    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • AnonUser27
    Posts: 1,779Guest
    Sunscreen! Bathing suits, coverups, hats sunglasses. Sand toys, water wings and or floaties of some time if they are allowed at the particular beach.
  • toadintheholetoadinthehole
    Posts: 1,009Member
    Sun cream?

    How long are they going for?
  • katz_meowkatz_meow
    Posts: 4,243Member
    sunscreen and snacks. always at the top if my list
    Judgement comes in many forms but never scarce or shy
  • AnonUser35
    Posts: 543Guest
    Good sunscreen that is waterproof, hats, sun glasses, rash guards (if they have them), swimmers ear - these are musts for us. Snacks, books, sand toys or anything to keep them entertained. Does condo provide bath towels? If not, they need bath towels as well as a beach towel.
  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,887Member
    Water! We take a gallon for two tots and two adults. Also a way to make shade, like a pop up tent or umbrella. It is pure misery when you can't find shade after awhile in the sun.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • mamaofboysmamaofboys
    Posts: 387Member
    Sunscreen (lots of it), chargers or batteries for the electronics, beach toys, aloe in case they get too much sun. Also pack a bottle of baby powder. When you rub it on your skin it gets all of the sand from the beach off. I also use it if the boys get a rash on their legs from wearing their bathing suits.
    Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift; that's why they call it the present.
  • bluemom
    Posts: 154Member
    We always take a bottle of vinegar to the beach with us, we run into jellyfish every.single.time. Vinegar neutralizes the poison. If they're going without you, maybe a disposable camera, my kids love to show me what they did!
  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 2,751Member
    Have your parents buy the kids boogie boards when they get to the beach. That will keep them occupied all day long. Make sure the kids wear big t-shirts while booie boarding to a.) keep off the sun and b.) not get rub burns from the board.
    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • OpheliaOphelia
    Posts: 3,291Member
    Sunscreen. We always put each electronic into its own ziploc type bag to keep the sand out of it.
    Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.. -Grateful Dead<3
  • stinkersmommystinkersmommy
    Posts: 1,322Member
    Also don't for get fave lovey blanket pillow (strange place it will make sleeping a bit easier) and any meds (epi pen asthma etc)
    Glitter Words
    [Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,757Member
    OMG theyve never been to the ocean!? It will be amazing!! Dont forget the suncream, swimsuits and BE CAREFUL with the electronics. If it were me, i would pack a couple of bats and balls, a blow up beach ball, an inflatable thing to play in the water or some body boards, buckets and spades and a plastic cricket bat and a ball. And i would forget the electronics. You want the kids to take advantage of the beach instead of sitting looking at a screen. 
    The dvd player is a good idea for evening when they are exhausted. 
    A pop up tent is an excellent idea. Bring LOTS of towels, and suncream anyway!! 

    We went to the beach today btw, and once the kids get comfortable in the water they will have a total ball! Today Benji told me he was walking on the moon, the sand was really squishy! 

    The kids will do the lovely simple things, like digging holes (not too deep) and jumping over the waves! Im excited for them!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,757Member
    How long are they staying for??
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,887Member
    Have them take bags to keep their collected "treasure" (any shells or rocks) they find in.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • BeachyBeachy
    Posts: 3,887Member
    And, of you are crafty, have them collect some sand. You can glue it to frames for a special pic, or make candles, or put it in a vase or terrarium with shells to remind them of their vaca.make wind chimes with their shells, or lay them on their window sills,also make stepping stones with sand and shells.
    I know, off topic, but fun things to do after that you can share with them.
    Searching for my lost shaker of salt.
  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    @irishlass @toadinthehole
    They are staying for 6 days. They are going to be spending a lot of time at the ballpark so the electronics are for that and the 10 hour ride there. Although I did send ziplocs for their phones to keep the sand out so thank you @ophelia :)
     Thank you for your advice all. They left at 4am. 
    - beach towels (nope the condo does not provide them) @kim
    - rashguards @shate98
    - life jacket for DS - I wasn't sure about it and room was tight but he can't swim and usually is nervous about getting in any kind of water without it. I know he won't be swimming out but what if a wave caught him or something? IDK, i'm nervous
    - @stinkersmommy, I sent their pillow pets with a small blanket rolled up inside of them. Good for the car ride and the condo :)
    - dang it @bluemom I forgot the vinegar
    - @mamaofboys - I sent the baby powder! I actually sent it and some "anti-monkey butt" powder too lol
    - @justbeachy - i got water bottles for both of them that also have a mister thing on the top
    - @masshysteria - I forgot the hats :( dang it
    - @katz_meow - i sent a gallon of sunscreen and convinced my daughter that the sun is "different and burnier" at the beach so reapply every hour! LMBO

    @justbeachy, great ideas! I told them to bring back some sand and shells if they find any. My kids love to collect "treasure" which is usually things like a broken shell, a petrified looking bug, a random animal tooth or feather, etc. lol

    I hope they have fun and take lots of pictures and I hope that my niece's team does great in the tournament. 
    The kids' dad gave me a hard time about them going but I got the final say - that's why it says "primary parent" next to my name on the divorce decree!
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,726Member
    plain white vinegar in case of jellyfish stings. you just pour it on. otherwise, someone is going to have to pee on your kid, to make it better (if they get stung).     bullfrog bug and sun. it's sunscreen AND insect repellant. make sure their treasure bags are small, and none of their treasures are alive. dead starfish, hermit crabs, etc, stink to high hell.  extra flip flops from the dollar store. somebody is going to lose a flip-flop.  extra snacks, because they are going to work up an appetite.  eyedrops. someone will definately get sand or something else in their eye.   goo-gone (little bottle, available at hardware stores) because they will pick up tar, and track it everywhere.
    i'm nekkid.
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,757Member
    Ah of course, the car ride! Clever mama! 
    And you are actually right about the sun being 'burnier' at the beach!! it just seems hotter! And the water will reflect the rays, so yeah, good advice!! :)
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    @irishlass, the "burnier" sun is what I'm worried about when I go to the Bahamas in January. I'm white as a sheet, the wedding we are attending will be on the beach, where the water can reflect the rays and I'm assuming the sand can too. 
    I'm thinking of wearing a long sleeve dress and carrying a parasol! lol

    @undercoverbanana - i texted my mom to let her know to pick up some vinegar. and to make sure the treasures are not living creatures! 

    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • SammieSammie
    Posts: 7,357Administrator, Moderator
    Your kiddos are going to have so much fun!! Awesome memories for them :) Do you and the hubs have kid-free plans?

    community-manager


  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    @sammie - yes, they will! That's why I fought the battle with their dad to make sure they could go. I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about it. I got text updates from my DD all day yesterday during their drive, but after that she didn't send much. They went to a game and then to the beach and she facebook messaged me good night and that the ocean tasted bad. 

    as for being kid free, unfortunately, no. I am currently keeping my friend's DD2 every day from 5p-8a because she finally got a job but it's 3rd shift 11p-8a and she cannot afford daycare. So, I pick her daughter up every day on my way home from work so her mom can sleep until her ride picks her up at 10:15p and then I drop her off with her mom on my way to work every morning. She actually works Sun-Thurs so we do have Friday & Saturday nights kid free. I'm looking forward to this Friday and Saturday for sure!
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • CanadianMamaCanadianMama
    Posts: 9,775Administrator, Moderator
    @regp I don't usually advocate tanning booths, but if you're concerned I would try to get a pre-tan before you go. You can control it in the tanning booth, and that way you won't get a terrible burn in the Bahamas. 

    Sounds like you have everything else covered. I hope your kids have a great time and that you and your hubs get some much deserved alone time!

    community-manager


  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    @canadianmama Sadly, even in a bed I don't tan. I tried it years ago when I was wanting a tan for prom. I think in my two months of lying there baking, I got one shade darker if that. it sucks to be melanin-free lol

    The kids are having a GREAT time! and I didn't have to drive 10 hours to the beach! woohoo!
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,726Member
    nutragena makes a good self tanner that won't turn you orange. just stick with the one for fair skin. don't go medium.
    i'm nekkid.
  • regpregp
    Posts: 1,019Member
    @undercoverbanana, I'll try that :)
    I haven't tried self tanners in years because of the oompa loompa factor. 
    I'm on the Internet Explorer!
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,726Member
    LOL! i'm pretty fair, too, but i have noticed (when i do want a tan) that applying a good self tanner, letting it completely dry, and later spending a few minutes (10-15) in the sun actually gives you a really natural looking, safe tan. and for whatever reason, i'm not so sun sensitive....and i do make a little more melanin. i do the self tanner 3 or 4 times a week after i shower, and get a few minutes of sun 3 or 4 times a week--not even on the same day, neccesarily--will build up a nice looking tan. i use the gradual self-tanners, and hit all those brown spots (like the outside of my ankle.or under/around the knees..) gently with a pumice stone. get a different one (tanner) for your face, though. with your face, you can exfoliate gently, but anything with salicylic acid will dissolve the "tan". or, you can use a little of the gradual tanner, but mix it with a little of your regular moisturizer.
    i'm nekkid.
  • Not_hisAnymoreNot_hisAnymore
    Posts: 285Member
    Portable air conditioner
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