Once Mr. Jimmy Buffett said, “If there is heaven made for me, I’m sure it will have a beach attached to it.”
Do you also think that beaches are not less than heaven on earth? Sun is shining bright, the sea reaches out to you every now and then, and you are surrounded by the pure bliss of nature. Moreover, this time spent around the beach becomes even more remarkable when you have your family by your side to enjoy. In fact, nearly 31% of the american prefer beaches for family trips.
Nonetheless, trips require minimal packing. But, something gets out of control. So, let’s learn what you should and should not pack for a beach trip.
Things you need
You might wish to add everything into a bag so that every family member stays comfortable during the vacation. However, it is not practically possible. You might be going for a day or a few. So, you need to pack the essentials accordingly.
- Sunscreen
Spending some time under the sun is healthy. It increases Vitamin D, uplifts the mood, helps seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and also helps in removing bilirubin. But, it can also cause sunburns and tanning. So, to protect your skin, sunscreen is a must. Make sure that it is high in SPF for the utmost safety. Furthermore, tell your family member to apply sunscreen on the body before enjoying the breezy weather and cooling water.
- Waterproof phone cover
Going anywhere without your phone is a big NO. After all, you need to capture every moment, listen to music and stay in contact with other people. However, phones and water are a dangerous combination. There is a possibility that you and your family are playing with the water and your phone gets damaged. Therefore, you need to ensure that it stays protected. You can do this by using waterproof phone covers and keeping the phone away from water. Also, you can get some zip lock bags and put your phone in them for extra protection.
- Towels
After enjoying an excellent time by the water and getting soaked, you need something to dry out. So, add quick-absorbing, and fast-drying luxurious beach towels to your bag. You can use them to dry your clothes or for sitting as well. Nevertheless, you should always carry extra towels (preferably lightweight ones) with you, because there is nothing like fewer towels on the beach.
- Hat
To protect yourself from the harsh UV rays, you need to carry hats. It will ensure that you could enjoy all the games and activities you planned for the trip without worrying about the sun. Moreover, it will also protect your scalp from getting burned. Furthermore, there are different styles of hats that you can choose from to elevate your beach look.
- Bug spray
As the beach is an open and warm place, it is inviting for various bugs and insects. Obviously, you don’t want any of the family members to get bitten by bugs. It can lead to infection and will also spoil the whole fun and excitement. So, you need to add bug spray. If you plan to stay overnight, also carry mosquito repellent with you.
- First aid kit
The last thing on the list is a first aid kit. The health and safety of your family are your top priority. Do not leave the house without the kit. Also, make sure that it has all the necessary things like a bandage, antiseptic cream, safety pin, and plaster. If you feel like you need to add something more for the utmost safety, don’t hesitate to add it to the list.
Things you don’t need
Beach has water, sand, and warmth. However, not every equipment, accessory, or food item is good for this environment. For this reason, there are a few things that you should not include while packing.
- Electronics
Carry as few electronic gadgets with you as possible. Water and sand can damage them. If you have waterproof devices with you, then you can pack them. But still make sure to keep them at a safe place, preferably at a high level and away from water. Also, carry dry bags along with the gadgets.
Note: If you have any valuable electronics that you don’t need on the beach, you can lock them in the car. It will ensure their safety from theft.
- Shoes and socks
Shoes are not exactly appropriate for the beach. The sand can enter them, making it uncomfortable for you to walk or run. Similarly, socks can quickly get wet, and sand can get stuck in them. It will create an irritating feeling on your feet, and you won’t be able to enjoy the time. You can enjoy the sand barefoot, or you can opt for flip-flops.
- Unsealed food
Food is essential for the body and will also help in satisfying hunger. However, unsealed snacks and food items can also invite bugs, insects, and flies, especially the sweet and sugary stuff. So, you have two options here; either don’t bring too many snacks, prefer eating outside, or use airtight containers to seal the food properly.
- Expensive sunglasses
Sunglasses are essential for protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. However, rather than bringing your brand new and expensive sunglasses, use the old ones. Why? It is because sand particles can scratch the shade/lenses and damage them.
- Products containing beeswax
Protecting your skin from the sun and warm weather is essential. However, avoid using or bringing any product that contains beeswax, such as glossy lip balm, hand cream, body lotion, or sunscreen. Beeswax can attract insects and bees towards you, which might get dangerous. As you know, “Protection is better than cure,” so make sure to read the product description before carrying any product.
To sum it all up!
Family trips are a great way to connect and bond with each other. You can play several games, relax in the cool breeze and enjoy delicious food. But, to do all this, you need to pack wisely. Hopefully, the list mentioned above can help you.
