Hellobee

Living in Southern California, the beach is a favorite summer hangout, especially for those of us who live more inland where it gets really hot. We have already taken Liam to the beach several times, and I know we will go at least once a week this summer because he loves it so much. Here are the things we can’t live without for beach trips:

1) Sand toys: We have a set from Target that comes with a little wagon and Liam loves it (unfortunately I can’t find it on the website), but this set looks fun too. He first fell in love with it when a friend brought it to the park, so I knew I had to pick one up. I also learned (from this friend’s mommy) to write his name in sharpie on all the sand toys so we go home with the right ones. Lots of sand toy sharing happens at our local park.

2) Swimwear for the LO: I always put Liam in trunks, I like these neon ones from Gap, and a rash guard because sunscreen is difficult to apply and reapply, so the extra clothes give him more protection. I love the look of just swim briefs on little boys, but more coverage means less sunscreen, so that’s what I go with.

3) Hat: I always bring a hat for Liam and I try over and over to sneak it on his head, but he always rips it off. Maybe one day he’ll wear a hat…

4) Beach towel: Do I need to explain this one? I like big thick ones in a bold stripe.

5) Swimwear for mom: Right after I had Liam I got a one piece like this and it was great for sucking in my postpartum belly, but now that I’m more comfortable with my body (and very lucky that I have no stretch marks on my stomach), I have been wearing these black bottoms from Nordstrom with different inexpensive tops from Target (I have this striped one, this aqua one, and this herringbone one). I love that the bottoms don’t dig in and give me a muffin top and I can have fun with color and patterns with the tops.

6) Swim diapers: We have one Charlie Banana swim diaper that we use on occasion, but we also have some disposables which are much easier to take off – I just lay him down and rip the sides open so there is less mess than pulling them down and getting his feet out.

7) Superbrella: This big umbrella is designed to lay on its side and act as a half-tent to give a good amount of shade on the beach or at the park. It’s big, but we are a fair skinned family and need some shade when playing outside.

8) Sunscreen: We are using up the rest of our California Baby sunscreen, but will switch to Burn Out soon, as I hear it is easier to apply. I use an SPF 30 from Trader Joe’s on myself and love it.

9) Picnic blanket: A big blanket like this is nice to spread out on the sand for eating snacks. It has handles too, so it’s easy to carry.

I also always make sure to pack the usual items for when we leave the house like wipes, a water bottle, and snacks, as well as a change of clothes and light sweatshirt for each of us, just in case it is overcast along the coast. We’ve had lots of fun at the beach on cloudy days, so I never let that deter me from going, especially because it can be cool there even when it’s hot hot hot at our house, just 15 minutes away!

We went to the beach yesterday and he took several steps on his own while holding his shovel and pail! He also ate a lot of wet sand (he can resist the dry, but the wet stuff is just too tasty, I guess), but I know it won’t hurt him and he has so much fun, so I try not to freak out about it. I’m glad he loves the beach because I do too!

Do you like taking your LO to the beach? What are your must haves to bring along?