Rockin' the Mommin'

Over the years we have found that the best time for us to go to the beach is once school is back in session.  We will do a couple small trips during summer break but our big trip is reserved for a time when everything is less crowded and the pace is a little slower.  As we prepare for our first long beach trip with my son who is now 15 months, I started thinking about everything we will need to bring!  Oh how times have changed from the days of taking towels, chairs and a cooler LOL.

My son absolutely loves the water so I know it will be a great time when he’s in the ocean but what do we do with the rest of the time.  My husband has always been worried about my son eating the sand or getting it in his eyes so we definitely need something to keep him clean if possible.  As I start my packing list I know this will be top of the list.  Here are the items we will be taking with us:

1. Summer Inflant Pop and Play

This has been a life saver for us!  It comes in a very nice bag which makes transport a breeze and set up is super easy.  It takes me about 5 minutes to set it all up and I can do it myself without a problem.  Love that is has a base which makes keeping sand out of baby’s mouth and eyes no problem.  We fill it full of toys and snacks so Wyatt is entertained while mom and dad steal a few minutes to relax.  Currently available on Amazon Prime! Click here to buy.

2. Snacks

A must have when traveling anywhere with children!  My son, Wyatt, absolutely loves HappyBaby Puffs! They are easy for him to eat and don’t fill him up so that he doesn’t eat his meals.  Really appreciate that they are organic and free from peticides, preservatives and chemicals that are found in many baby foods and snacks.  Wyatt isn’t a fan of vegetables so love that these also are a good source of vitamins B and D.  You can find them in your local grocery store or on Amazon via this link.

3. Toys

Right off the bat I knew that we were going to need toys to keep little man entertained on the trip.  I found these great Building Blocks by B. Toys on Amazon and they have quickly become our favorite toy!  The pack comes with 10, BPA free building blocks all different colors with numbers, shapes, and animals on them.  We keep a couple in the car, a couple in my purse, the diaper bag, and now in the beach bag.  These were great because they are super easy to clean, very light, and don’t take up a ton of space.  And they make great teethers as Wyatt loves to chew on everything right now! These have become one of my go to gifts for moms of little ones.

4. Diaper Caddy

This is one of those things that I never thought I would need until I went on a trip with a baby.  At home everything I need is kept with the changing table but when traveling that’s normally not something you find in a hotel room or rental.  Bringing a diaper caddy means you have all your essentials right where and when you need them.  I found this adorable organizer on Amazon by Little Peas in a Pod.  Unfortunately it’s no longer available but there are many other similar options available.

5. Beach cart

Another life saver!  The first time we went to the beach with my son we did not have this and boy was that fun.  If you were ever wondering, strollers do not work well on the sang so not the best alternative.  Not to mention you look a little weird sitting on the beach with a big stroller next to your stuff.  I did some research before buying a cart as I wanted one that would work for the beach but also for other things.  The Mac Sprints All-Terrain Beach Wagon had everything I needed along with great reviews so it became the winner.  While it does get heavy when you pile in all the baby stuff, I was still able to pull it across the beach by myself while holding my son.   I purchased it at Bed, Bath and Beyond but it is available a number of other places.  Click here to buy 

6. More toys

Even if you think you have enough toys to keep baby entertained, buy some more just in case LOL.  These stacking cups were about $7 on Amazon and provided hours of entertainment for Wyatt in the car, the condo, and on the beach.  For being relatively cheap, they are actually pretty good quality and have stood up to quite a bit.

7. Sunscreen

There are so many different sunscreens out today that it’s hard to choose which is best for your little one.  After doing a ton of research I personally decided to go with Think Baby Sunscreen.  It is free from those nasty chemicals that you find in a lot of other sunscreens which I am very happy about.  It also contains a good amount of zinc oxide and since I have had quite a few spots of skin cancer, I try to only use sunscreen with this as the main ingredient.  You can find it at places like Target or purchase online from Amazon here.

8. Sippy Cups

You can never have too many sippy cups in my opinion!  It never fails that my son will leave one somewhere when ever we go out so I always have a backup with me.  Currently our favorite are Munchkin 360 cups as they are easy for him to carry and drink from while also being easy for mom to wash.  My favorite for the beach is this stainless steel version as it keeps drinks cold almost all day long.  Not that a drink lasts that long but it’s still nice to know his water is still refreshingly cool after being at the beach for a couple hours.

9. Swim Shoes

In South Carolina our beaches are a lovely combination of super hot sand and broken sea shells so water shoes are a must.  I found this adorable pair on Amazon for under $12! Wyatt’s feet grow very fast so I bought them in a couple sizes to make sure we are always ready for the fun and sun of the beach!

10. Hat

And last but not least, a good hat to protect that sweet baby’s head!  I like this one a lot as covers his neck as well as head.  Click here to buy

So those are just a few of my favorite things to take for a beach vacation.  Of course the most important thing to do is remember to have fun!  Traveling with little ones can be stressful so being overly prepared always helps.  But remember, if you forget something, there’s most likely a store very close so you can always grab what you need with minimal effort.  And if gives you a reason to go shopping!  Though I never need an excuse for that LOL.