Beach trip with a toddler - help me prep

[thedash]

We're heading to the Outer Banks in June for DS's first beach trip. I haven't done beach trips with little kids before, so I'm wondering if there's anything I'm forgetting that would be helpful for a toddler. Here are a few things I've prepared so far-

swim diapers
several swim trunks and rash guards
sun block
water shoes
shovels and buckets
beach tent/canopy thing (the one Costco had last year for about $30)
tiny inflatable pool

Any other ideas? We like to travel light and the house we're renting is ocean front so we won't have a long walk to the beach. Thanks!

[mishap]

Why are you bringing a pool? I would bring a soft, portable cooler.

[ECB]

My biggest advice- don't expect to be on the beach for long periods of time. At least the first few days. DS loves the water, loves the beach, but every trip we've taken him on, he doesn't like to be onthe beach for very long. By the end of the week, he's usually out there longer. But the first few days, sometimes I felt like we were out there 10 mins before we were heading back in!

For your list - a blanket.

[blue1980]

My DD is very fair so she always wears a hat at the beach. When DD was smaller she did love the baby pool. Also, we take a kid sized beach chair for DD when we go to the beach. She gets upset when she is the only one without a chair. May not be an issue with your LO but thought I would mention it.

[thedash]

May 22, 2012 12:53:34 GMT -5 mishap said:

Why are you bringing a pool? I would bring a soft, portable cooler.

DS loves water and a friend suggested we do this and fill it with a few buckets of water for him to play in and cool off. That way we don't have to be at the water's edge on high alert with him the whole time.

We'll have all our regular beach stuff for the two of us too (umbrellas, coolers, towels, blankets, etc). We're just wondering how much extra stuff a toddler adds!

[omalley]

My parents live at the beach and we have been taking my boys since they were a few months old. Do you have a jogger stroller or something that you can push in the hard sand? We would take long walks and my boys would fall asleep in the stroller and then we would position them under the umbrella. I would bring dry cotton clothes too that way you can change him out of his wet swimsuit into breathable material.

Also you should invest in thick diaper cream b/c both of my boys had the worst diaper rashes even with us changing them often. We bought a tub of Triple Paste (it was $27 but worth every penny) We still are using the same tub b/c it lasts forever.

I would also bring a large shovel b/c then you can dig a hole next to you and he will want to climb in and out and you might actually be able to sit in your chair. ;-) Maybe throw some trucks in the beach bag too. Have fun!!

[Deleted]

hat, snacks, blanket.

[ECB]

May 22, 2012 13:06:37 GMT -5 thedash said:

DS loves water and a friend suggested we do this and fill it with a few buckets of water for him to play in and cool off. That way we don't have to be at the water's edge on high alert with him the whole time.

We were given the same advice. Every kid is different, but we were truly never on the beach long enough to take advantage of a pool, and it was more effort to set up and fill up than anything!

[Redpoppy]

Cornstarch only baby powder. After you dry him off rub some on his legs to get the sand off. I was skeptical but it works.

[vegas]

May 22, 2012 16:10:15 GMT -5 @booby said:

a stroller that reclines. we had our 11month old on a 2 week beach vacation and the stroller was a life saver. once he was ready for a nap, we were able to give him a bottle and then snuggle him until he fell asleep. then, we;d put him in the reclined stroller under the canopy. that way, i didn't have to take him inside for a nap. (though, for nap #2, the one around 4pm, i would take him inside....but by then i was ready for a nap too).

We take LO to outerbanks every year. Our first trip was when he was 10 months old. We did something similar, but with our car seat. He would sleep in the car seat under the canopy and we would hang on the beach.

Also, if you are renting a house you need to make sure you have what you need there. We were able to find a company that rented baby supplies and we nabbed a high chair and a baby gate. Our cottage had stairs and DH was walking already, so the gate was definitely necessary.

We also brought a canopy and that turned out to be great. Also, just because your LO loves the water doesn't necessarily mean he'll love the beach. We have a pool and my son swims all the time, but he HATES sand so the beach isn't as enjoyable for him. Even if your LO loves the beach, I agree with a pp that you may not get to spend much time there. LO may have other plans for you.

[thedash]

These are some great ideas! (and warnings!) I was really debating whether to bring the Bob but it sounds like it will be worth it. Thanks!

[vegas]

Oh definitely bring the BOB, we brought ours and it was great.

[octwed07]

Yes on the BOB also! It maneuvers fantastic in the sand -- i think you have everything -- snacks, blankets, hats, sunblock, little cooler for drinks, towel. and i'll have to try the baby powder thing -- DD got sand all over and there was sand all over her snacks too since they were in her hands.

[statlerwaldorf]

If he is at least 30 lbs, I would buy a puddle jumper. It helped when taking DD in the water when we went to the beach last year. What about a cover up? DD wore hers a lot walking to and from the beach.

[chia]

A lifejacket.

Kiddie goggles (my DD goes nuts if water gets in her eyes - especially the salt water!)

A beach caddy/cart to carry all the crap down to the beach with.

Aqua shoes.

[Deleted]

Life jacket for the pool, water shoes for the ocean