Everybody loves a family day at the beach! The fresh salt air, the sound of waves, the sun and sand and swimming- it all adds up to a wonderful time that is sure to make some great memories! Sandcastles are built, suntans are worked on, beach balls are played with, and pictures are taken, and at the end of the day when everyone is tired out, you can enjoy one last look at the sunset before heading home for a nice shower!
For a really great all-day beach excursion, it’s important to prepare the proper gear to make your day really special. Of course, you won’t forget your beach towel, but there are a lot more things you need to put on your list! We will share some of our favourite beach outing must-haves with you below, so you can gear up and go get your feet wet!
Shade – Beach umbrellas are a timeless classic, but they can prove difficult to keep secured in the sand on windy days, and once a stiff breeze gets hold of them they are flying off to Timbuktu! You may want to opt for a beach tent or shade to replace that old umbrella, they offer great protection from the sun’s rays and can be pegged down firmly so they never blow away, even in an unexpected summer squall! They come in a wide range of sizes, from solo or just-for-two, to the whole family and the dog, you can find something to suit any family’s needs!
Beach Towel – We recommend you bring two towels for each person, one for lounging on the sand with, and one just for drying off after taking a dip- if you have ever dried off with a sandy towel you will know what we are talking about! Beach towels are also a great way to show off your personal aesthetic, you can find them with funny slogans, floral and stripe patterns, popular cartoon characters, and even in plain old solid colours, whatever looks like fun to you!
Folding Beach Chair – It’s great to lay down on the sand, but after a while enough is enough, so make sure to bring along a folding chair you can sit in to view the waves and other beachgoers from. It’s important that it be lightweight but durable, and most of all comfy! There is plenty of variety available, from adjustable chairs that allow you to lay back if you like, to chairs that have convenient drink holders and storage pouches built into the arms.
Windbreaker – It’s easy to forget this essential piece of gear while we think about how little we can wear to maximise that suntan, but even the warmest days can see a pretty stiff breeze coming off the water that can give you a nasty chill if you aren’t protected! You never know when the weather may change, and you will be glad to have the extra warmth a windbreaker gives you when it does.
We hope these suggestions help you and your family enjoy the best day at the beach ever, and don’t forget to shake the sand off those towels before you leave!