Everything You Need for Family Fun in the Sun

Ahh the smell of the ocean. Your water baby happy as a clam. The kids burying themselves in the sand. Until you get back to the hotel room with sun burns for all and, well let’s just say there’s no need to go to the beach again because you took the beach home with you. The saying “a day at the beach” takes on a whole new meaning once you have little ones. If you want your next summer vacay with the family to be easy breezy, here is everything you need for family fun in the sun.

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Table of Contents

• Baby Powder
• Packable Toys and Games
• Underwater Kids Camera
• Phone Protectors
• Goggles and Masks
• Safe Sunscreen
• Safeguard with a Rashguard
• Water Sandals and Shoes
• Tablet Time
• Beach Tent
• Shaded Seat
• So Shady
• Whatever Floats Your Boat
• Swim Diaper Expert Tip
• How Will You Carry Everything You Need for Family Fun in the Sun?
• Now You’re Ready for Summer Vacation!

Baby Powder

After you’ve left the beach, the only thing worse than having sand in every nook and cranny is having a baby with sand in every nook and cranny.

Use safe, organic baby powder to brush all that sticky sand off. The magic is in the corn starch.

The best way to remove sand:

• Air dry first – obviously, unless a pasty exfoliant is what you’re after.
• Sprinkle the baby powder on your child’s skin or hair.
• Gently rub back and forth with your hands or a soft makeup brush to brush away the sand.
• You can also fill a sock with the powder and use that to brush it off.

These are two of the top-rated powders based on safety and efficiency: ERA Organics and Burt’s Bees.

Looking for more baby items? Scroll down towards the bottom of the page.

Packable Toys and Games

Yea sure, a few big red cups will probably do the trick, especially if you can’t pack one more thing in your suitcase before it bursts.

But if you’re in the mood to spoil your little one with a plethora of sand toys, then have at these.

Start with water-resistant UNO or other fun outdoor summer games.

If your kids are like ours and in that total baking stage (or what kid doesn’t love ice cream?) which is what, at least 2-5 years old (and I hope longer!), then they’ll love this one from Melissa and Doug (their products are great!):

If you’re traveling, collapsible ones make for easy packing. This one is a great price and includes a collapsible bucket and an ice cream set – sure to be a hit with the little ones.

When it comes to toys for everything you need for family fun in the sun, read my blog post on more popular summer toys for kids.

No trip to the beach is complete without a seashell hunt and collection to show for it! Grab this set of bags to hold them – too cute!

Underwater Kids Camera

Capture that silly moment under water with a cheap kids’ camera.

Phone Protectors

Imagine this –

You’re a carefree, “live in the moment” kind of mama, you run out into the ocean to jump waves with your little one, and you realize (far too late) that your iPhone is still in your pocket (because you can’t miss a good shot) and the waves are stronger than you think (because it’s Cabo).

Ugh. Now you know why we have only a handful of pictures from our Cabo trip.

We needed these protectors on our recent trip to Atlantis in Dubai. Imagine the waterslide selfies we could have gotten.

Goggles and Masks

Nothing says “dive right in” better than a cool pair of goggles.

Make that anti-fog, pain-free, tangle-free goggles, at least according to these on Amazon:

We also like these with the double strap, so they stay in place.

Safe Sunscreen

I found these to be some of the top-rated brands based on safety, effectiveness, and texture/application.

In a recent article in Forbes, this mineral sunscreen from Blue Lizard was named one of the top sunscreens for babies and kids. If anyone’s gonna make a good sunscreen, it’s gonna be the Australians, right?

ThinkBaby is another highly rated one for babies.

I love the Sun Bum products too though. If only the price tag was as sweet as the lotion smells. At least they are vegan and Hawaii reef act compliant.

If your fingers are as chunky and uncoordinated as mine, and your face application always ends up in tears (theirs or yours), try a suncreen stick for an easier application.

Safeguard with a Rashguard

To really protect your little ones, dress them in a sleeved rashguard like this one on our last trip to the Bahamas (another one coming up soon! Follow for more details!).

They have all kinds of cute sets on Amazon, some with matching adorable hats!

They also have plenty in kids sizes. This Hurley one looks cool, is UPF 50+, and comes in sizes 2T to 8:

Water Sandals and Shoes

Protect those cute little feet from hot sand and slippery concrete or rocks.

Our kids love their cheap Walmart clogs. And I mean love. They have toddler and kids sizes.

Or pay more for the “real” Crocs.

If you need some with more foot protection, grips, or beach, get some that are quick drying but also keep the sand out, like these water shoes.

Tablet Time

I know, tablet is probably the last word that comes to mind when you think beach vacay. But if you want to finish your margarita – ahem, I mean book, and your little guy is ready for some down time, then maybe a tablet isn’t so bad?

Beach Tent

If you really want baby out of the sun, then bring a baby tent. This one allows you to make a mini baby pool for your little one. But some reviewers complain that it’s a challenge to fold.

Shaded Seat

If your toddler is too mobile to just chill inside the beach tent (yea that phase doesn’t last long!), then opt for one of these baby thrones.

The shade is a nice touch, but the best part is you’ll be able to use it for years as it allows both a seated and standing position. It’s available in so many colors by the way. They claim it can be used ages from a baby to 8 years old!

So Shady

If you need more shade for the whole crew, then this shade assembles in under 3 minutes, and is super lightweight/packable:

Or opt for this pop up one that looks sturdy and big.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

I think more pool time for one of these shaded baby floaties, but if you’re spending a lot of time in some calm ocean waters, then it might be worth it?

As with most of the products I list, this is one of the most highly rated (and I don’t just mean on Amazon), especially for traveling:

Swim Diaper Expert Tip

Put the swim diaper on at the very last minute. They don’t absorb much, so you’re bound for a wet accident if you have a long trek or drive to the beach.

Or I guess you could put a regular diaper underneath the swim diaper and then just pull the diaper off when you get there? You know, the old tablecloth trick.

How Will You Carry Everything You Need for Family Fun in the Sun?

This mesh bag on Amazon is such a steal under $8 and will hold all kinds of toys and towels.

Or a wagon is a great way to get all of your family gear from point A to point B, no problem. Good luck keeping the kids out of it. Maybe order two? Haha. You can’t beat this price:

Now You’re Ready for Summer Vacation!

Looking for the perfect summer vacation? Contact me to help you plan it (no fee for my travel advising services). I can score you discounts, perks and upgrades!

Now that you have everything you need for family fun in the sun, read more about our trip to Dubai. The waters are calm for little ones and the water slides are a blast! And stay tuned for my Bahamas and Hawaii posts if you want the full breakdown on each island, what to do, and where to stay with little ones.