How to have fun at the beach with the whole family

Many vacation home amenities are perfect for a kid-friendly beach vacation. Think a kitchen, laundry machines, high chairs, and cribs. If you’re traveling with older kids, explore homes with built-in activities like beach cruisers, pools, or even kayaks and paddle boards. Wondering where to go? Add our favorite tropical family destinations to your list.

When you’re at the beach, try to find a shady spot for the family to spread out — consider packing a pop-up tent or umbrella so you can do diaper changes and naps with sun coverage. You’ll also want to bring a high SPF sunscreen, sun hats, and rash guards to protect against UV damage (and keep sand off sensitive skin). A spray bottle filled with cold water is a great portable way to help the kids (and you) cool off on a hot day. If you’re using a stroller, try clipping on a soft-bladed fan to add some extra breeze.

You don’t need to go overboard with toys at the beach. Bring a few simple things like a bucket and shovels for building sand castles, a ball to play catch, and maybe a book for yourself — and encourage the kids to engage with their surroundings. You’ll also want to have a cooler filled with easy snacks, drinks, and water — as well as a travel potty (if your child uses one), swim diapers, towels, SPF, and a first aid kit. If you’re planning to get out early, try packing your beach bag before you go to bed at night so you’re organized and ready to go first thing.

If you’re planning to spend a full day at the beach you will want to know ahead of time where you can go to use the potty and how you’ll manage a meal on the sand. If you’re staying in a vacation rental you could easily pack up a picnic lunch, but there might be some beach cafes nearby as well. Even the beach isn’t enough to make a “hangry” kid happy, so make sure to let everyone know that they will need to take a break from their fun to eat and rest.

Beach vacations are not always spent entirely at the beach. Inclement weather happens, even in paradise, and kids can get overwhelmed by too much sun. So even if your main goal is to lounge and relax, you’ll want to scope out some easy ways to cool off inside, such as a local mall, kid-friendly museum, cinema, or indoor playground.

Whether you’re going on a tropical family vacation overseas or staying closer to home, a beach vacation is the perfect way to unwind a little, loosen your routine for a few days, and help your kids develop a love of the ocean and the great outdoors.