If you’re planning a beach vacation, before you make your packing list (we all do that, right? A month in advance??) you need to read this list of things EVERYONE ALWAYS FORGETS.
And yes, I’m making this list AFTER we have visited the beach. Sigh. But I won’t forget next year!! If there’s anything else unusual you always bring, please share it with us in the comments!
- Scissors – I was shocked how many times I needed scissors on this vacation. While I was cooking, for clothes, for random tags of things…Just bring the scissors.
- All sizes of Ziplock baggies. I get them at Aldi. Between snacks and meal leftovers and little mementos from the beach…we find hundreds of uses.
- Summer medical kit. Be sure to include stuff for cuts (we had three on this vacation!), splinters (all the boardwalks!), sunburns and bites!
- Baby powder. I NEVER use baby powder on my babies…until the beach! We all use it to dry away the sand. I like having two cases, one in my beach bag and one in the bathroom.
- Desitin. It’s not just for diaper rash! If you have kids who boogie board, play in the sand etc, they will probably get body rashes. Desitin is the perfect ointment for all-over rashes.
- Salt and pepper – we are a big salt and pepper family and they never have it anywhere!
- Drying rack – I just purchased this one
and it was so nice to have.
- Lots of hand soap, lots of hand towels or paper towels for all the bathrooms. Obviously you’ll need this in a beach house type-scenario and not so much in a hotel.
- Indoor activities for kids – The kids played Board Games at night, and it was so helpful to have some coloring books and markers on hand. Whenever they started getting crazy, we sat them all down and made them color. Magic! Play dough is another good option.
- Long-sleeve clothes. It was 85 degrees during the day for our trip, but at night it was VERY breezy and the kids were freezing by the time they got out of the water and showered! Every night they wore warm clothes, and honestly I should have packed more! Don’t forget socks, yoga pants (for mama), sweatshirts, long pants and a long sleeve t or two. (And warm pajamas for baby if the AC gets too cold in the house!)
- Disposable dish-washing cloths – I don’t typically buy these, but they never have enough linens in rental homes, and inevitably you’ll need to wash something (or lots of somethings, if you cook all your meals). These little things are so handy to have and then just throw out, and you may not be able to find them in a local store.
Did I leave off your “essential” for a beach vacation? Share below!
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ps. If you haven’t read my parenting books, check them out. I think they’re funny and great but don’t take my word for it; read the reviews. Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home and Let Them Be Kids: Adventure, Innocence, Boredom, and Other Gifts Kids Need.
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Baby powder is the best at the beach! Great list! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this! I bookmarked it and just came back to it right before our beach trip and added several things to our list.
White vinegar and extra wash cloths….
White vinegar in ice cold water applied with wash cloths helps to take the stinging out of sun burns. Works everytime!
I always bring a book or 2 my favorite is forever by Judy bloom
My wife and I are getting ready to go on a beach vacation, and she is always stressed we will forget something. Something I always forget about is bringing warm clothes for the evenings. You are right, it can often get very cold once the sun goes down. I’ll have to show my wife this list as she packs for our vacation.
Nothing related to the article, just noticed that your last name is the same as a lot of my families. Smart with two T’s. Thought it was neat!
Wow! Interesting 🙂
Yup
Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely be looking back at this when I start packing!
Heading to the beach in less than a week and am so glad I stumbled upon this on Pinterest!! I will be adding all of these items to my list. Smartt for sure.
Add meat tenderizer to take to the beach. The papain enzyme helps neutralize jellyfish stings.
sunscreen is an essential and aloe vera
Ziplock bags are an absolute godsend not just on beach trips but on all vacations. With kids, they just come in so handy and I always make sure that I pack some in my bag.
Though the biggest essential for me is a high SPF sunscreen. With fair skin, a fun beach day can quickly turn into a painful tomorrow without it!
Great list! Maybe it’s just where we go, but a lot of beach rentals have a sparse selection of flatware. I add a box of plastic cutlery just in case. Also, a couple of bottles of liquid hand soap. The tiny bars provided just don’t do the job.
Clothes pins. I use them to close up large chip bags after they have been opened.
I also pack frozen wash cloths in plastic baggies in the cooler for our beach trips. Over heated ? Pull one out. Sand in your eyes? Pull one out. Possibilities are endless!
Peroxide. Hat with floppy brim. Tennis shoes. Bikes if possible-rentals are expensive. Don’t forget the bike helmets. I like the spray on sun screen especially for large areas. And SPF shirts when in the water so I’m not hot. Rash guards are a plus too if body surfing. I like to bring at least two suits each so we don’t have to put back on wet. And a couple cover ups. One simple & packable dress goes to church & JTs for dinner. Sandal, gym shoes, water shoes for each person covers everything. And don’t forget extra tp! Lol
So true i. Normally people tend to anticipate what they would need at the beach. Thanks for sharing this x