What To Pack For A Family Beach Vacation
It’s time to pack up your family and head to the beach! Yes, if you’re like most families it’s time for your annual family beach vacation. But this year could be a bit different for you as you can use these tips to plan ahead and make your packing list more organized than a professional packing service would.
We just returned from a family beach vacation taking a trip for 9 days. It was the first time my wife and 3 children have travelled together without either my wife or I. Since this was also the first time any of them have been to the beach they had a lot of fun and really enjoyed themselves.
If you are anything like me you may be a tad neurotic, a little OCD and very detail oriented. All of which would lead to some not-so-fun moments if I were ever in charge of packing for a family vacation.
Since packing can be a challenge at the best of times, I’ve decided to write this guide to help you out. I want you to enjoy your vacation and not worry about a thing. I know how stressful it can be trying to get everything ready in time before vacation.
It’s hard to believe that this is our second year of summer here at Wine & Dine on the beach. With success comes new challenges and this year, we’ve got plenty. For starters, our family has grown a bit since last year. The husband and I brought out boys along with their friends (how could you say no to that face). And, we’re headed back to Sunset Beach resorts in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (it truly is the best beachfront resort).
Everything You Need: Packing List for a 7-Day Beach Vacation
The lure of the wide open spaces, endless sunshine and lapping waves calls to us every year. But packing for a week at the beach with a family? It makes us miss the good old days when all we did was throw a bikini in a backpack.
What To Pack For A Family Beach Vacation
Alas, we need more stuff now — so much stuff that it’s hard to remember it all. This beach vacation packing list makes it easy. From tank tops and rash guards to electronics and disinfectants, this list is designed to ensure you never again get to the beach only to discover you forgot something you really need.
DOWNLOAD THE PACKING LIST HERE
Personal Items to Pack for the Beach
These personal items may seem like a no-brainer, but are often some of the most forgotten items:
- Drivers Licenses
- Credit Cards or Debit Cards
- Cash
- Health Insurance cards
- Auto insurance cards
- Rental/Hotel Confirmation Information
Pack all of those things in your carryon and keep them close by on the beach with a cell phone case that holds cards. TravelingMom Nasreen Stump says with four kids she hates juggling a purse. She swears by Smartish card holder phone cases. They comfortably hold 3 cards and are made by an Austin, Texas company. With price tags on most under $16 it’s a worthwhile buy for beach or every day.
What Clothes to Pack for a Beach Vacation
A trip to the beach requires much more than just swimsuits and flip-flops. Make sure you’re prepared for the activities after you dry the water and shake the sand off with the following items:
- 2 bathing suits each (If swimsuit shopping makes you shudder we’d like to mention Miraclesuit swimsuits. The tummy control on them will have you saying “What is this sorcery!” And here is our favorite collection of kids swimsuits.)
- Swim cover ups or sarong
- Rashguard with SPF sun protection
- Underwear & bras
- Socks
- Belts
- T-Shirts
- Shorts
- Sundresses/skirts
- Jeans/capris
- Dinner outfits
- Light jackets/wrap
- Running/Tennis/Workout Clothes/Workout Bras (Try these yoga pants with a pocket for your phone!)
- Running GPS
- Pajamas
- Robe
- Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops
- Water shoes (We like these from Aleader.)
- Sandals (investing in a good pair of sandals that can be used for a variety of activities is a good idea, we love this pair!)
- Sneakers – Tennis & Running
- Good sun hat (Try this sun hat. It’s simple and super cute!)
And bring along some dryer sheets — they are great for brushing off the sand when you leave the beach. It’s just one of the ingenious uses for dryer sheets on vacation!
Toiletries for Everyone
Save the trip to the local convenience store or hotel concierge by packing your own must-have bathroom essentials:
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Toothbrush (these are our favorite travel toothbrushes that we keep on hand for packing)
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Lotion
- Aloe
- Deodorant
- Razors
- Flat iron
- Hairdryer
- Brushes/Combs
- Hair elastics and clips
- Hair cream
- Gel
- Scarf
- Shower Cap
- Safety Pins
- Contacts & case
- Contact solution
- Glasses
- Makeup bag (Our TravelingMoms rave about this Lay-n-Go makeup bag. It makes it easy to see all your stuff.)
- Feminine products
- Jewelry/watches
- Perfume/cologne
- Cotton swabs/cotton balls
- Nail polish & remover
- Nail clipper and file
- Vaseline
- Air freshener
DOWNLOAD THE PACKING LIST HERE
This packing list for the beach will ensure that you don’t forget anything for the perfect beach vacation.
Don’t Forget the Medicine
The last thing anyone wants on a vacation is to fall ill or get injured. However, it is always best to be prepared for emergencies by having medication handy:
- Mine
- Husband’s
- The Kids’
- First-Aid Kit – w/Band-Aids, ointment, after-sun burn treatments like aloe vera, etc. (Check out our DIY beach first aid kit.)
- Vitamins
- Motrin
- Benadryl
Anti-Covid-19 Hygiene Items to Pack
Travel has drastically changed since COVID-19 rocked our world. Now more than ever, keeping safe and sanitary is an absolute must, no matter where we go or how we get there. Make sure to have the following items at the top of your luggage:
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- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Face masks
- CDC approved cleaning supplies (Use these to clean the high-touch areas of beach house such as hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets and sinks when you arrive. Bring these from home — you can’t be sure they’ll be in stores at your destination — make your own bleach solution by mixing 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of room temperature water.)
- Disposable plastic gloves (to wear for cleaning, then discard)
- Large Ziploc bags (Put one TV remote inside each bag. The remote still works and no one is touching the germy, hard-to-clean remotes.)
Beach Essentials for that Perfect Beach Day
Now that you’ve packed your suitcase with before- and after-beach clothing, it’s time to prepare for the trip to the beach itself. Don’t forget these essential items:
- Sunscreen (These are our favorite sunscreens for kids and babies.)
- Canopy/tent (If you’re going to the beach with babies and toddlers, you’re going to want one of these.)
- Beach tote
- Beach umbrella
- Cooler with wheels
- Beach blanket (Beach blankets are super handy to have. We use our for far more than just beach vacations.)
- Beach towels
- Smaller portable cooler (We like this collapsible cooler.)
- Beach chairs
- Reusable water bottles for everyone (We love our Simple Modern Water bottle)
- Beach Cart/portable wheels (we NEVER leave behind our beach cart on a beach vacation)
- Beach toys (or buy cheap ones there)