After much debate and soul-searching, you decided to leave your house and bring the entire gang (gasp!) of kids to the beach. You figure the change of scenery will give you a much needed fresh take on life. As a mom, the priority when it comes to packing is always the kids. If only there was a way to shrink your house into purse-size so that you have access to all of your stuff! Alas, we need to make do with the traditional way of selecting what needs to be packed and what can be left behind.
Don’t panic! Yes, there are some things you CAN leave behind. So before you start pulling your hair out, here is a list of the essentials to bring when going on a beach trip:
For the kids:
Some of you may plan to just go on a day trip, or if you’re brave enough, go on a trip for a few days to a week. When you pack clothes for the kids, keep in mind how often they need to change. For a day trip, it is probably fine to bring 2 sets of each, like 2 sets of shirts, 2 sets of pants, etc. But if you plan to be away for a few days, it is safe to pack 3 sets of each.
Another thing to keep in mind is the location of your trip. Are there shops near the beach? What are the shops there and what do they sell? Is there a mall on the way that you can drop by quickly? Is there a convenience store open 24 hours for emergencies?
Clothes
- Swimsuits
- Cover-ups
- Shorts
- Pants/Jeans
- Shirts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Sleepwear – pajama tops and bottoms
- Underwear
- Socks
- Jacket or sweater
- Bath towels
- Hat/cap
- Belts
- Flip flops
- Shoes
- Changing pads
Feeding
- Breast pump, chargers, and other accessories
- Baby bottles
- Milk storage bags
- Milk storage container
- Bottlebrush
- Baby food
- Baby bowl/plate
- Baby fork and spoon
- Sippy cups
- Pacifiers and hooks
- Teething rings
- Bibs
- Nursing cover
Toiletries and bath essentials
- Baby soap/body wash
- Baby shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Baby wipes
- Diapers
- Diaper cream
- Hand sanitizers
- Plastic bags for soiled diapers
Medicine and First Aid Kit
- Thermometer
- Fever medicine like paracetamol
- Tummy medicine for constipation and diarrhea
- Allergy medicine
- Cold medicine
- Motion sickness medicine
- Prescription medicine
- Nasal drops/spray
- Vitamins
- Band-aids
- Safety pins
Entertainment
- Favorite toys
- Books
- Floats
- Goggles
- Floating devices
- Shovels and buckets
For the parents:
- Important cards and documents: credit cards, health insurance, car insurance, driver’s license
- Sunglasses
- Blankets
- Cooler
- Food
- Drinks
- Umbrellas
- Cups, plates, and utensils
- Garbage bags
- Pillows
Technology & Entertainment
- Digital camera
- Mobile phones
- Chargers
- Batteries
- Tripod
- Books
- Magazines
- Puzzles
- Board games
Security
- Flashlight
- House keys
- Car keys
Once all of the items on the list have been checked (and probably re-checked several times) and all packed away in bags, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! Now, before you leave, make sure that your house is secure, all your pets are cared for, and lock up. Enjoy!
Hey there, Martha here, a full-time mom of two, currently trying to bring a small impact in everyone’s life whom I can reach through The Queen Momma. I usually write on topics related to parenting, pregnancy and motherhood. Having gone through a few rocky relationships myself, I consider myself somewhat of an “expert” on topics related to dating and relationships.
I formerly worked at Special Needs Network Inc and BrightStar Care of Beverly Hills as a head manager. I have a passion for assisting organizations and individuals in achieving their objectives and have had the opportunity to do so throughout my professional career. At present, writing for The Queen Momma is a great addition to my professional career.
Great tips for mommas!
Ah, yes ~ the days of traveling with littles! I remember them well. We have three and one of them had a medical condition, too, so that added to the packing. We still loved going on our adventures, though. Of course, they are older and now pack themselves up, but it’s still like packing up an entire house to even go a few hours away. LOL. Needless to say, this is a great list you put together. Thanks for putting the thought into it. It’s a great resource for those who are just starting out!
This is such a great list! I love that you’ve though of everything!!
Thank you for sharing, this will be so helpfull. I always struggle with the details and end up forgetting something.
Thank you for sharing, this will be so helpfull. I always struggle with the details and end up forgetting something.
Such a handy useful list! Most things are so obvious but we still forget them! This is really good stuff
Such a great list. I’m so nervous to forget something on any trip!
Very comprehensive list. Thank.
Great tips! I used to forget the half of stuffs, so I’ll print your article for not buying it later on holiday 😀 For infants I would like to recommend to buy the kind of baby float. My Daughter had so much fun in it! 😉
I love that big unicorn float! You gave a lot of great tips
Such a detailed and well thought out list. We always pack as minimal as possible but I love that you mention trash bags. I used to forget those and it is a hassle to deal with trash and no bags. I finally began keeping a box of them in my car. Lol.
thanks for the list and categorizing them. this is really helpful! I hate it when I forget important things.
I always let my husband pack for the beach and he brings the entire house lol.
I never realized how much stuff really needs to be taken with you for the kids. I have only one right now and I guess we do overpack a lot!