What all do you take to the beach (with/for your DC)

[asha]

So, We are heading to the beach at least once this weekend.
Wondering what we need to take with us.

I am thinking, sand toys, sun screen, water, hats, snacks, towels, spare clothes for DS. I have not really gone to the beach with DS yet. Last year he was not really playing much. So, looking for advice here.

What do you take with you, for yourself, for DC as well? What is DC's favourite activity? I come from a place where the closest beach was at least 6-8 hrs. My beach experience is very limited.

Thanks,

[mudder17]

Looks like you have a fairly complete list. I would also add a neat sheet for a nice comfortable surface to sit on. We've gone once and Kaya enjoyed playing on the edge of the water and letting the waves go past her. She also found the sand to be funny, but once she got used to it, she enjoyed playing in it. Oh, and you may want to bring something like a peri bottle with fresh water in it, so that afterwards, you can take off the swim diaper, spray off the sand from most of his body, dry him off and put a fresh diaper on him. We didn't do that last time and I wished we had had something to squirt off the sand from the crevices...




Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[redhookmom]

Baby powder works great for taking off sand. I keep some in my trunk and powder down the kids before getting in. I also keep a little cooler in the car. In the cooler are some nice drinks cool drinks to sip on the way home.
My experience is that kids like playing with whatever the other kids have. ;-)

[mudder17]

Baby powder? Does that mean I actually have a use for all the baby powder that I've never used? :)


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[squimp]

We just got back from several days on Cape Cod - hot sunny muggy! And really fun.

If you can swing it, I'd add an umbrella and chairs for the adults. I ended up sitting on the ground and watching DD from a distance i nthe blazing sun. All the local mamas had coolers, umbrellas and beach chairs. Not sure how old your DC is, but Sophia had a blast at 20 months, splashing and running and digging, looking for crabs.

Depending on the beach, the best time to go may be when the tide is out, so there's more beach exposed.

Take a bucket, shovel, and maybe a few other sand toys. A beach ball is nice, but be prepared to chase it everywhere.

Someone suggested a brush, like a big makeup brush, to brush off dry sandy toes. I thought that was brilliant, but never did it.

[mharling]

An umbrella!

I also like to freeze some bottles of water ahead of time to take. It's thawed enough to drink some pretty quickly, but will still stay cold a while.

As far as activity, for ds, it's pretty much about filling and emptying containers with sand and water!

Mary - Some days work. Some days don't.
Lane - April 2003
Faye - March 2005