How to Prepare for a Day at the Beach with a Toddler

Thank God it's Summer time! And what better way to experience this season than to take a trip to the beach? The beach can be a fun experience for the entire family. Having the right items and familiarizing yourself with the beach you will be visiting can really make the time spent there joyful and less stressful. I will list here some information you may want to acquire before the trip and some items you will need to think about bringing to make your day at the beach fun and successful!

Familiarize Yourself With The Beach You Will Be Visiting

It's important to know the area you will be visiting well before heading out. Search Google or Yahoo for information you will need to know before leaving. Some information you may want to gather is:

How much are tolls to get to the beach if any

I live near a beach called Sanibel, not too long ago the toll to get to Sanibel was $6 one way and $6 back. That's a bit outrageous! You may be able to find a beach not to far from the one you want to visit with no toll at all!

Where is parking available and how close is it to the beach? How much does parking cost?

Many public beaches have pubic parking however the availability of these spaces may be minimal. Since you are bringing your small child(ren) you won't want to park miles away from the beach. It's too much for even two parents to handle. If you can't make it to the beach early enough to find a public parking spot, at least know where the closest parking garage or lot is and the price of parking.

Where public bathrooms and showers are?

Although you can probably get away with quickly changing your toddler on the beach, you and whomever else tags along will need to use the potty. Many restaurants require you to make a purchase in the restaurant to use their rest room. Searching this information early can save you from doing the dreaded "I've gotta' pee" walk.

Is there a playground near by? Are there other attractions for my little one to explore?

Let's face it, some toddlers have short attention spans and will get bored easy. Keeping your little one entertained and offering them something new to do every now and then will make the day much easier.

Are there any restaurants within walking distance?

If you're not planning on packing a lunch be sure to have a restaurant in mind that you will want to eat at. Make sure that it is within walking distance from the beach. You don't want to loose your parking spot by leaving to go eat lunch. If there's not any around near by I would strongly consider packing a lunch or bringing food to cook. Some beaches offer outdoor grills.

You may also want to go to your local news station's website and watch the weather for the week to see what day if any would be best for visiting the beach.

Packing For the Sun Filled Day

Having everything ready the night before you plan on going to the beach is best. Make your lunches the night before and stick them in the fridge. Have everything bought and purchased the night before as well. You won't want to stop by a store to grab a last minute item. Most stores around the beach are pricier than a typical grocery store. Here are some things you may want to consider bringing with you.

Towels, 1 or 2 per person.

Sunglasses for everyone.

Hats for everyone

Sun screen is a MUST!

Lip balm containing sun screen

Tylenol or Aspirin for headaches

Lunches and drinks for the day

Cash and Change for parking meters

Sand Toys, Inflatable and other fun beach material

Swimming diapers

Dry, clean clothes for changing into

A plastic bag for everyone's wet clothes

A digital camera or camcorder for capturing the day.

Small ziplock baggie for keeping sand, shells and other things for scarp booking.

Your child's diaper bag with all the typical things you pack inside.

A full size stroller

Beach Chairs

Your Ipod or Radio

These are just some of the things that I learned while going to the beach with my family. Being prepared and planning the day ahead can make things so much easier and more fun for everyone. Have fun and don't forget the sun block!