When classes end for the season and the days begin to get longer, even families that live quite far from the ocean’s edge begin to plan beach vacations. Fun in the sun and sand sounds like the perfect recipe for summer fun, but as with most other things in life, considerations change when you put kids into the mix. Before you pack up your brood for a few days at the shore, these are a few of the things you’ll want to consider.
Sunblock, Sunblock, Sunblock
The sun’s rays might be warm and inviting, but they’re also dangerous and damaging to human skin. This is especially true in the case of children, whose sensitive skin can be even more susceptible to burns. Make an investment in your child’s future by applying sunblock liberally and often. In addition to staving off painful burns that can put a real damper on your trip, you’ll also be instilling a good habit that will help to protect them from severe burns and even reduce their risk of skin cancer as they get older.
Water Cleanliness
Dashing out into the surf and experiencing the joy of a dip in the great, wide ocean is one of life’s greatest pleasures, even for the smaller set. What many parents don’t realize, however, is that the same water that looks so beautiful from the shore can actually be the thing that ruins their beach vacation. Recreational Water Illnesses are diseases that can be contracted through contact with contaminated beaches, rivers, lakes and even some maintained water sources like pools and spas. Before hitting the water with your little ones, make sure that you’re well informed regarding any hazards or warnings in the area. It’s also wise to skip water contact immediately after a heavy rain, which can leave bodies of water more contaminated as it carries pollutants from the surrounding area into the ocean via runoff. Make sure that everyone knows to keep ocean water out of their mouths, and that your entire group showers thoroughly after swimming.
Keeping Your Kids Entertained
For an adult, the wonder of the crashing waves and the beauty of the beach is usually enough to stay entertained throughout a day at the beach, but even then you’ll want to bring a book to pass the time while you soak up the sun and sea. Kids, who have significantly shorter attention spans, will definitely need a few diversions in order to enjoy their trip. Make sure that there are plenty of pails, shovels and other beach toys available to your little ones before you set up on the shore, otherwise you’ll be fielding complaints of boredom before you know it.
Food
Everyone needs to eat, but food on a boardwalk or in the area nearest the shore is typically much more expensive than it is further inland. Before you shell out an arm and a leg for less than spectacular fare, consider making room for a small cooler packed with healthy snacks when you pack for a day at the beach. Not only will you save a bundle of money, but you’ll also know exactly what your little ones are eating, which is generally not the case with processed foods from restaurants and snack bars.
Packing Plenty of Water
It seems strange to set aside a block of space on your beach packing list for water when you’ll be surrounded by a literal ocean of it, but since the salt and potential contaminants make that water impossible to drink, you’ll need to make sure that you pack plenty of potable water to prevent dehydration and overheating. Bottled sports drinks are an effective way to restore electrolytes lost through heavy sweating, but they’re also packed with artificial colors and flavorings, sweeteners and loads of sodium. Your best bet is clear, clean water for beachside refreshment.
Find the Restrooms
Before you pick a spot to settle in, make sure that you know exactly where the restrooms are to avoid accidents and emergencies later in the day. Keep in mind that many shoreside restaurants and businesses maintain restrooms only for customers, so you may need to make a small purchase before letting your brood answer the call of nature if you haven’t scouted out the public facilities in advance.
A day at the beach with a gaggle of children can seem like anything but a day at the beach on the surface, but preparing in advance and being ready to embrace the chaos will help you to survive and even enjoy your seasonal outings with the kids.
Article originally posted at http://www.hireananny.org