Summer has officially arrived and everyone is headed to the beach! The scorching sun is no doubt a huge help in packing the beach full of families looking for some fun and college students ready to work on their tans! No matter if you are taking a day trip or are on vacation, your beach bag needs to be stocked with the essentials. I have a beach bag checklist to ensure that you are going to have a fun and safe time!
1. Sunscreen and Chapstick- Keeping your skin protected should be number one priority when spending hours outside in the sun's rays. I personally use three different types of sunscreen throughout the day.
My favorites are... Coppertone Oil Free Faces SPF 30, Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 50, and Banana Boat Regular SPF 50. I also make sure to reapply chapstick with an SPF in it because sunburnt lips are awful! Remember they are part of your skin too!
2. Big Hat- Another great way to keep your face, neck, and sometimes shoulders out of the sun. Plus it looks super cute!
3. Sunglasses- All this talk of protecting our skin, what about your eyes? Don't forget to bring a lens cleaner because I can guarantee they will end up covered in sunblock and sand!
4. Hair ties/clips and a Brush- Now that my hair has gotten longer, I carry extra hair ties with me everywhere. If you are headed into the Ocean, tie up your hair. It will be much easier to brush out and wash later. I also carry a brush for those windy days on the beach. We have all been there where your hair looks like a birds nest due to the wind.
5. Water and Snacks- What good is a trip to the beach if you end up dehydrated? Bring a large water bottle that you semi-froze over night and it will stay cold for most of your time on the sand. Small snacks such as Goldfish, fruit snacks, and grapes are perfect beach food.
6. Magazine or Book- Being at the beach isn't always about building sandcastles and swimming, for the most part it's about relaxing. This is where a great book or magazine comes in handy.
7. Ear Buds and Phone- I always bring my phone and ear buds with me in a ziplock or water proof bag. This is for the occasions when you have very annoying beach neighbors or you want to tune your kids out and get a break!
8. Beach Bag and Towel- A huge bag is key to throw everything in and go but you can't forget a small wristlet or, like me, a travel makeup bag for the smaller items. I love picking out a bright colored towel to take with me every year. These are items that allow you to show your personality at the beach.
Safety Tips: In my family every year we try to use the same beach bags and similar color towels to help us locate where our "camp" is for the day. Another great tips is to make sure your children know what your umbrella and chairs look like so they can spot them from the ocean. Teach your children to look at lifeguard stand numbers next to where you have set up for the day in case they get lost or hurt.
Enjoy the summer down the shore!
Thank you,
Spencer
