Beaching with a Toddler

While on vacation in Myrtle Beach last week, we spent nearly every day on the beach several hours at a time.  I knew Adalyn would love the water but I hadn't thought about the sand.  When we first sat her down, she wasn't happy but she immediately warmed up to the sand and the water and the shells and the birds.  The list goes on and on, she really loved it.  Not every toddler will love it so plan for the worst!

For weeks gearing up to our vacation, I was busy making a list of things I thought she would need and here is that list for you in the event you have a beach vacation coming up.  Yesterday I told you all about traveling with a toddler.  Today, I'm telling you all about beaching with a toddler.

1.  Sunblock.  There really is nothing much more important than this as your child's skin is very sensitive to the sun and you really don't want a toddler with a sunburn.  I mean I've had them several times and they're painful.  Imagine a teething toddler with a sunburn, no bueno.  We prefer Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Sunblock

2.  Toys.  I bought a couple of cheap buckets at Michael's nearly a year ago.  I also found a couple of cheap beach shovels, rakes, etc.  Addie loved the shovels.  She carried one with her nearly the entire time on the beach.  I also found a plastic watering can in the shape of a hippo at Target for a dollar.  In her other hand she carried the hippo and would put little sea shells in the hippo.

Beach Toys

3.  Rash Guard.  See point #1.  Another way to combat the sunburn is a rash guard.  I originally thought it would be pretty hot and uncomfortable for her to be in a rash guard during the day but you forget about the wind on the beach.  We would start the day in her suit and by the afternoon she was usually in her rash guard.

Rash Guard

4.  Beach tent.  See points #1 and #3, if you need a break from the sun you need some shade.  We purchased this Coleman beach tent a couple weeks before vacation and it was the best thing we could have done.  It provided both toddler and adult with a bit of a shady break.  Plus, when it was time for Addie's nap we put her in the tent and could stay outside with her instead of walking all the way back to the condo.  It's a rather good sized tent, the only bad thing is if it's really windy on the beach and the wind is kicking up sand, your tent will be filled with it.  Otherwise, we loved this!

Coleman Beach Tent

5.  Snacks.  Bring plenty of water since you'll be out in the sun a while you need to keep yourself and your toddler hydrated.  We also brought the puffs as well as the fruit & veggie squeezes she loves so much.

Squeeze Pouches

6.  Sandals.  The sand is hot around 2pm so unless you want to carry a 24 lb toddler a quarter mile back to your hotel or condo, I suggest a pair of sandals.

Flip Flops

7.  Baby powder.  Strange thing to bring to the beach right?  Not when you find out that baby powder helps wipe off that sand you can't seem to get off of your toddler.  Sand is everywhere, we're still finding sand in places you wouldn't think it would make its way to.  Bring a small container of baby powder in your beach bag.

J&J Baby Powder

8.  Sun hat.  See points #1, #3, & #4 (notice a trend here).  You're going to need a hat for your toddler especially if they're fair haired like my little lady.

Reversible Hat with SPF Protection

9.  Night Toys.  Confused by this one?  While I was walking the Target dollar section I found a cheap package of glow stick bracelets that I thought would entertain Addie when on the beach at night.  They were a hit so I'd suggest those especially if you think you'll spend some time after dark walking the beach.

Glow Sticks

10.  Camera.  This one should be obvious.  You'll want to bring your camera to take hundreds of pictures of your little cutie enjoying their time on the beach.  We have a couple, my fancy Nikon as well as a point and shoot that is probably safer on the beach with all that sand.

Nikon Point & Shoot

You never know when you'll catch a great shot of your little one like this.

-stephanie