One of the best things about living at the beach…is well, the Beach! Shocker! But what people often ask, is how do I survive a beach trip with 3, 3 and under?
So here are my tips and tricks for a smooth beach or pool trip with the littles!
1. Sun Protection!
This looks different for the boys and Evelyn. Being a self-proclaimed chewy mama – Crunchy is just too hard for me..(see what I did there?!) I try to get products that aren’t filled with loads of chemicals but that work! Having tried a few, we are loving Bare Republic‘s Mineral line!
Bar the fact that it smells amazing, it works! I will say the mineral spray is a bit greasier than some and I do end up rubbing it in, but it kept my little milk-white babies sunburn free after hours of pool and beach time! So that’s a win in my book!
The face cream is one I keep in my purse everywhere we go. We never know when we are going to make a quick stop at a park and will want to protect their sweet faces! I personally hate the feeling of sunblock on my face, and this is lightweight so it’s been my favorite!
The sunblock stick is Bastian’s go-to. I don’t know about your kids, but mine like doing things for themselves. This allows him to apply it without squeezing out an entire tube! Very much mom approved!
Evelyn however is still too little to wear sunblock, so I make sure she’s covered and protected. First, we always go earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the UV Rays aren’t as strong. Super important. It’s also less hot which is a bonus. Second, I make sure she’s in the shade and protected.
We love using her Uppababy bassinet with the sunshade for this. You can unzip the back so you can get a nice breeze going while staying protected. She then plays or naps and is happy as a clam.
You can remove and wash the covers to the bassinet, so if you get a little sand on it, it ain’t no thang!
2. Pool and beach appropriate gear
Going to the pool and beach can be lots of fun, but it can also be super stressful if not planned properly. When your littles don’t know how to swim, you see drowning hazards EVERYWHERE!
So to avoid this, we make sure our boys are properly equipped with some Puddle Jumpers!
Now we don’t worry about these at the beach since we sit far enough away from the water when we do go, and our boys know not to go to the water without us. But the pool is fun! The pool is a place where you can jump in, over and over and over. So floaties are a must! It does take a little bit for a kid to get used to them, so don’t leave them unattended, but once they figure it out they’ll be zipping all over the pool.
A good water shoe is a must! We got these great ones by Speedo! We love them because the deck gets HOT and their little feet will burn. Second, if your kids are like mine, they will run, no matter how many times you tell them to walk. A skinned toe from a pool deck is NO FUN! So protect those feeties!
However our favorite must have accessory has to be the Poncho + Parker poncho towel! They’re made of a Turkish towel material which allows for a quick dry! The boys feel like superheroes in them and love wearing them. Towels always unravel and kids want to keep playing or start eating after swimming – the poncho allows them to dry off, stay warm, and use those precious little hands!
This past Sunday we decided to have a beach picnic for dinner. They not only dried the boys off at the pool, but they were the perfect coverup once it got a little bit breezier at the beach. Poncho + Parker is currently having their Summer Sale! Everything is 40% OFF with code SUMMER40 until August 15th!!! So make sure you snag a few!!
3. Hydration and Sustenance
Anytime you go to the beach or pool, or out in the sun for that matter, you need to hydrate!
We love using the RePlay Recycle no-spill sippy cups and snack containers! Made of recycled plastic they’re sturdy and don’t leak! They also come in super fun colors that the boys love! We don’t go anywhere without them!
We always pack a cooler/insulated picnic basket with things the boys can pick at while we are there. Fresh fruit and sandwiches is always a fan favorite!
Going to the pool and beach with littles can be a whole lot of fun, but it can also be a whole lot of stress, if not planned in advance! So take a minute, get a game plan, grab your beach chair, and enjoy the fun in the sun!
Our Go to Goods
Bare Republic Mineral Spray SPF 40
Bare Republic Face Sunscreen SPF 30
Bare Republic Mineral Stick SPF 50
Puddle Jumper
Speedo Jelly Swim Shoes
Poncho + Parker Poncho Towel – 40% OFF Site Wide
with code SUMMER40 until August 15th
RePlay Recycle
No-Spill Sippy Cups
Stackable Snack Container
Gap
Americana Colorblock Swim Trunk (on sale!!)
Striped Tank Shorty Purple Lotus (currently 25% off)
(Disclaimer: Parts of this post are sponsored. All images are my own or that of the company in which I’m representing. All thoughts are my own and my honest review of the products. Thank you to Poncho + Parker, Bare Republic, and RePlay Recycle for sponsoring this post!)
So many great tips!! And just in time for our week at the beach!!
How providential!