Babies and the Beach
I always imagined myself taking my brood of kiddies to the beach. In my daydream we'd all be sun-kissed and happy, just enjoying ourselves and the beautiful summer day. Well, as anyone who has small children knows, taking little ones to the beach can be a major undertaking, ripe with the possibility of meltdowns, malfunctions and mayhem. But since I love the beach--and you must too if you're vacationing here--then I have a few simple tips to make your day in the sun a fun and relaxing one.
1. Apply sunscreen to kids BEFORE you get to the beach. And I'm not just recommending this for sunburn purposes; trying to cover a sandy toddler in sunscreen while attempting to set up your towels and chairs is a real chore.
2. Go in the morning or in the late afternoon. For several reasons--the sun, the heat, the crowds, and NAP TIME--the beach can be a more pleasant experience when it's cooler and kids aren't overtired.
3. Pack lightly. With young kids, you probably won't stay for hours, so don't pack a bunch of unnecessary items only to lug them back to the beach cottage unused.
4. However, bring snacks, water and toys!
5. For babies, I recommend bringing a baby pool to the beach. Yes, you might feel like a redneck for having a baby pool on the beach, but if your child isn't old enough to walk and just wants to eat sand then a pool is a great way to keep them busy and cool at the same time.
6. Bring an umbrella or some sort of tented area so kids can get out of the sun and rest.
These are some of my tips as a mother of two wee ones. Please feel free to comment on what you do to make a day at the beach feel like "a day at the beach"!
1. Apply sunscreen to kids BEFORE you get to the beach. And I'm not just recommending this for sunburn purposes; trying to cover a sandy toddler in sunscreen while attempting to set up your towels and chairs is a real chore.
2. Go in the morning or in the late afternoon. For several reasons--the sun, the heat, the crowds, and NAP TIME--the beach can be a more pleasant experience when it's cooler and kids aren't overtired.
3. Pack lightly. With young kids, you probably won't stay for hours, so don't pack a bunch of unnecessary items only to lug them back to the beach cottage unused.
4. However, bring snacks, water and toys!
5. For babies, I recommend bringing a baby pool to the beach. Yes, you might feel like a redneck for having a baby pool on the beach, but if your child isn't old enough to walk and just wants to eat sand then a pool is a great way to keep them busy and cool at the same time.
6. Bring an umbrella or some sort of tented area so kids can get out of the sun and rest.
These are some of my tips as a mother of two wee ones. Please feel free to comment on what you do to make a day at the beach feel like "a day at the beach"!
Posted by Cathy at 7/28/2011 
Categories: Kid-Friendly, fun stuff, Things to do, FREE!, Beachcombing, Activities, Cooking Classes
Categories: Kid-Friendly, fun stuff, Things to do, FREE!, Beachcombing, Activities, Cooking Classes
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