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Top 10 Essentials for the Beach
June 22, 2009 at 4:11 PM by Cafe Cynthia - Comments (14)
A simple trip to the beach can be hard work when you're not only lugging beach chairs but toddlers, as well. In fact, finding ways to lighten the load is one of the biggest challenges for a day at the beach with tots, according to CafeMoms who sounded off in a survey.
Moms tote about 20 pounds on average! It's such a pain (literally) that nearly 80 percent of beach-going mothers say they make everyone carry something. I've tried that -- it only takes an extra hour or so to actually get where you want to go. Sigh.
With this and other issues in mind, the Daily Buzz Bloggers searched, played with, and tested the best beach gear to make a mom's life easier within a budget she can afford.
Here, the Daily Buzz's Top 10 Beach Gear Picks for taking toddlers to the shore:
1. Disposable swim diapers The overwhelming choice for most moms -- preferred way more than cloth, regular, or reusable swim diapers. About $10 per dozen.
2. SPF clothing Slathering sunscreen was the other big beach complaint of CafeMoms -- they want stuff that's long lasting and easy to apply. To cut down on the chore, many are dressing their kids in sun-protected suits, hats and cover-ups, like those from Cabana Life ($20-$50), with a built-in SPF 50.
Or, for the pint-sized superheroes out there, there’s also the Superman-style one-piece suit for boys and girls made by SunSmart ($35)
3. Water shoes "Mom! The sand is too hot!" "Eww, Mom, the seaweed is touching me!" Mamas love lightweight, flexible, non-slip shoes by One Step Ahead ($13) and other makers for these among other reasons.
For a lighter alternative, try non-slip, SPF 50 surf socks, also available at One Step Ahead ($10)
4. Play tents Meltdowns during a day of fun and sun are common. Some toddlers need to nap, and they can snooze safely in a cabana like the SPF 30 Moon Beam Lil Nursery Tent ($40).
Max Liquidator; $13
5. Squirt toys Splashing in the waves, getting soaked, playing in the sand -- all toddlers' favorite things to do at the beach. Squirt toys are huge, but almost half of all moms prefer non-pistol shaped toys. My own tots love the Max Liquidator ($7-13 depending on size) -- a pool noodle fashioned as a suction device that shoots water.
6. Sand molds An old bucket and garden trowel is sufficient to spark the imagination for hours, but if you want to get a bit more educational try Alphabet and Number Sand Molds, $22 for three sets (upper and lower case letters and numbers).
7. Wagons These are on the pricier side, but if you usually walk to the beach or have room in the car and can afford one, moms swear by big-wheeled sand-gliders like the Radio Flyer All Terrain Wagon ($140-$160).
Another option -- a beach cart. This version by Wheeleez ($99) folds up to fit in your trunk when space is tight.
8. Chairs CafeMoms typically bring two adult chairs and one child chair, and they don't want anything fancy -- just something lightweight and easy to carry. Brookstone sells two lightweight, quick drying mesh chairs that each folds up into a shoulder carrying bag for $50.
Sand Away Beach Bag; $15
9. Sand-proof bag The Sand Away Beach Bag ($15) stashes all your towels and toys, including a security pocket for your wallet and keys. At the end of the day, effortlessly shake the sand out and fold into a pocket-size pouch.
10. Cooler/tote bag Toddlers expend a ton of energy beach-side, so mom needs triple the amount of juice boxes, goldfish, cheese sticks, and yogurts to keep that sugar on an even keel. The soft-sided River Cooler ($39) lets you hold all that and is easy to clean, waterproof, and well-insulated to make sure all those snacks stay nice and cool during your day in the sun.
Do you have older kids? In need of some fun beach entertainment? Check out the Daily Buzz's 8 Great Fun in the Sun ideas for taking older children to the beach.
What's your top essential for a day in the waves with your tot?
FILED UNDER: activities, gear, health, play
Comments:
When we lived in SC (oh I miss those days!) we went to the beach quite often. All we took was a blanket, umbrella, small cooler with water, and a few buckets and shovels. Obviously we had little swimmers and towels as well. My hubby had a boogey board or a skim board with him. It's only a few hours, I don't need a chair. I also put my daughter's sun screen on right before we left the car, that way I didn't have to deal with the sand. We went about every other weekend last summer, and my daughter never cut her feet and never wore swim shoes. Never got sunburned either. Wagons, play tents, just way too much to carry. The less stuff, the more often we're going to feel like going, because the less work it will be. Now we're in WA where it's too cold for the sprinkler half the time.
kids.
bag.
(blanket,sunscreen,towels,swim diapers,juice,goldfish in bag thats it.)
kids want buckets to play they carry them :)
if you bury cold stuff in the sand it stays cold :)
i live at the beach and laugh at the tourist familys bagged down with all the unnessasary stuff.
My TOP essential - sunscreen. Here in FL, the sun is STRONG and you'll burn quick. We can play in the water and sand without toys - although it's not at much fun, but we can't do anything without sunscreen!
Sunscreen is the absolute essential. I am fair skinned. My husband is half Japanese, so he has a nice tan skin and our son has some natural tan color, too (I'm jealous!) but we still put sunscreen on him to be safe! Also, sand toys and picnic items are essential for a fun day in the sun. We will be taking him to the beach for the first time this summer! (He's 2).
I would have to say my top essential for the Waves for my 3 year old would have to be the floaties..Thats a Must have when in the water,and sunscreen SPF45
We have our bag packed and ready at all times. in fact i stayed up late last night just to wash the towels.
a must have is the towels and sunscreen. we can make do without any thing as long as we have the sunscreen and towels.
My 2 boy's love their super hero's so one has The Hulk an the other Spiderman.
Buckets and towels. That's about it. lol
My daughter has to have her Dora floaties and sun screen and my son has his own little boat that he floats in. We love swimming :D
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Water shoes are actually insanely important. You can cut your feet on natural things, like sea shells. But with how trashy people are, you have the risk of broken glass, pieces of soda cans, etc. in the sand and the shallow water as well. You gotta have shoes on!
RanaAurora Jun. 22, 2009 at 7:15 PM