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A day at the beach is a great way to spend a hot summer day. The thought of how hectic it can get with a baby can be enough to make you want to abandon the sun and sand. It doesn’t need to be that way though – with a well-stocked beach bag, you can be ready for anything.
Sure, travelling with a baby is not always easy, but it’s easier to enjoy if you plan ahead and stay organized for a fun and safe day out.
How to Pack for the Beach with a Baby
Sunscreen
If your baby is older than 6 months, you will want to protect their skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are created equal, and our family favourite is AVEENO® Baby Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. It is a naturally-sourced sunscreen with ACTIVE NATURALS® colloidal oatmeal that helps to nourish and hydrate baby’s delicate, sensitive skin while providing broad-spectrum protection from the Sun.
AVEENO® Baby Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a trusted part of our sun-safe strategy to help keep baby’s skin healthy, nourished and protected from damage. It absorbs easily and provides great waterproof coverage for not only our littlest one, but for our preschooler as well.
Keep wet swimsuits, towels and other damp items separate from dry items with a wet bag. These are available where you find cloth diapers sold if you don’t already have one. You can also simply recycle an old grocery bag to help maintain separation.
Talc-Free Baby Powder
Nobody likes vacuum up a pile of sand at the end of a day at the beach or finding it days later in your stroller, your bag and hundreds of other places. Help get rid of unwanted sand by rubbing a little baby powder onto your baby’s skin. The powder absorbs moisture and the sand simply falls right off.
Protective swimming hats
You will want to protect little heads from the summer sun by packing a hat made with UPF material to provide another layer of sun protection for your baby.
Beach Toys
What kind of trip to the beach would it be without sand toys? Find a cheap set of beach toys to take along so if a piece gets lost it’s not a big loss. You can typically find fun sets including a bucket, sifting lid, cups, and a shovel from your local dollar store or drug store.
Insulated water bottles & Snacks
Dehydration can be a serious risk in the summer sun, especially for little ones. Be sure to throw some good BPA-free insulated water bottles (baby bottles or sippy cups) filled with cold water into your beach bag. Trust me, you’ll be happy to have them when your baby eats a mouthful of sand.
Don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks too – fresh cut veggies and fruit will help keep hunger at bay but also provide a welcome distraction from all that sand little ones love to stick in their mouths.
Hooded Towels
Keep your baby dry and warm with a hooded towel. They are ideal for quickly towelling off little ones and keeping them warm and comfortable.
Sun Glasses for Baby
The sun doesn’t just affect our skin, but also our eyes so be sure to pack baby a pair of sunglasses with UVA and UVB proection.
First aid kit
Your beach bag should include a first aid kit. Bites, scratches, cuts and stings are almost sure to happen at the beach so be ready for it to happen with an up-to-date first aid kit.
Regular & Swim Diapers
Swim diapers will hold in the solids but won’t help you with liquids so be sure to remember to bring along regular diapers for when you leave the beach.
Camera
You will want to capture memories from your beach day out with baby but leave your DSLR at home and pack a small point-and-shoot camera instead. You won’t have to worry as much about the water and sand and it will be easier to lug around in your beach bag.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by AVEENO® Baby . All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
I was so unprepared when I took my baby to the beach for the first time. Such great tips to get the whole family ready. Love the idea of bringing a wet bag – I’m totally going to do this!
The first time we took our son to the beach, he refused to touch the sand! He wouldn’t get off the blanket and if you tried to put his feet down, he’s just lift them as high as he could. Babies are so funny sometimes! I like all your suggestions and I still do many of them now that my kids are big.
But my kids were little we lived at the beach. Meaning, we went to the beach several times a week. The kids learn to swim in the ocean. We made the best memories and now that my kids are adults and parents, they’re making those memories with their own children.
I remember doing this for four babies at once! It can be a lot to keep track of, but it is super important to make sure you take care of your little one’s needs.
I was so unprepared when I took my baby to the beach for the first time. Such great tips to get the whole family ready. Love the idea of bringing a wet bag – I’m totally going to do this!
The first time we took our son to the beach, he refused to touch the sand! He wouldn’t get off the blanket and if you tried to put his feet down, he’s just lift them as high as he could. Babies are so funny sometimes! I like all your suggestions and I still do many of them now that my kids are big.
Dehydration is an important issue for the whole family- I cannot agree enough! That hooded towel looks comfy and practical too!
Wish I woulda ready this BEFORE I went to the beach with a baby lol Great ideas, thank you.
Going to the beach is my favorite thing to do! Love these tips, lots of sunscreen, swim diapers, and water bottles are a must have!
I love Aveeno products due to sensitive skin. This is a great list of things to pack for the beach. I wish I had it when my kids were babies.
We just got back from the beach last week. I forgot to get most of this! I think the wet bag is genius! I wish I thought of it last week!
But my kids were little we lived at the beach. Meaning, we went to the beach several times a week. The kids learn to swim in the ocean. We made the best memories and now that my kids are adults and parents, they’re making those memories with their own children.
I love little baby’s bathing suit, so adorable! I always forget swimming hats but know how important they are. Thanks for this list!
This is such a great list. I always make sure to have water and sunscreen while going to the beach. Those are my two must haves.
These are all great tips for packing for the beach with a baby, looks like you all had a wonderful time! Loving the photos!
Bringing a bag for wet things is a great idea. I like to bring a tent for some shade and a great place for naps.
These are great things to bring to the beach with a baby. Wet wipes are a great idem to have in your bag.
I love the beach. The last time I took my baby, he ate the sand. They are so cute on the beach.
I remember doing this for four babies at once! It can be a lot to keep track of, but it is super important to make sure you take care of your little one’s needs.
You never think that you need to prepare so hard for when you go to the beach. With a little one you definitely need to bring more. Great list!
Those are great tips! I always make sure to bring lots of towels and sun screen whenever my family goes swimming.