Everything You Need To Take Your Baby To The Beach or Pool
Happy summer, everyone! I hope the warm weather is treating you well. For most people, the summer sunshine brings a lot of happiness, but if you’re a new mama trying to enjoy this new weather with your baby, I’m guessing it’s bringing a lot of stress as well… And with good reason! Keeping a baby safe in the sun requires some extra equipment, and if you throw in some sand or swimming, that list just keeps growing. So today I’m sharing my comprehensive checklist for taking a baby or toddler to the beach or pool!
The Basics
- Beach bag
- Diapers & wipes
- Feeding supplies or snacks
- Water
- Wagon or stroller
First things first, let’s talk about the carrying containers, such as a beach bag, wagon, and/or stroller. This decision depends a lot on your personal preference, the nature of your destination (how far you have to walk, if there are stairs or sand, etc.), and how many helping hands you’ll have.
For full days on the sand, I really like a wagon. We recently used this more affordable wagon for the beach, and it worked pretty well, but it was a little difficult to pull over sand. If you want the best of the best, I would get something more durable such as this one. A good jogging stroller can also work well on sand.
Then what to pack? Start with the typical diaper bag basics, such as diapers, wipes, feeding supplies, etc. For older babies and toddlers, I truly feel like there is no such thing as too many snacks or too much water. You’ve got to stay energized and hydrated!
MY BONUS TIP: Are there going to be trash cans at your destination? If not, I’d recommend bringing some sort of trash bag to collect any waste that you produce throughout the day. You don’t want to be packing a stray banana peel back into your beach bag… (or, even worse, a poopy diaper.)
For Sun Protection
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Portable fan
As redheads with sensitive skin, we are VERY accustomed to applying sunscreen. And let me assure you, it is NOT easy to put sunscreen on a baby or toddler. But I have discovered a few tricks:
- Use a sunscreen stick.
- If you’re using traditional lotion, try a large makeup brush to help rub it in. (I like to pretend it’s a “tickle” game, and I sometimes let Jackson do it himself so he doesn’t hate it so much!)
- If you’re using a very thick sunscreen, as most baby brands are, use a sunscreen applicator sponge like this one.
And then, if you want, remember to bring a hat and sunglasses to help shield baby’s eyes from the sun. We also love to bring this portable stroller fan with us on very hot days – it can easily attach to things or stand on its own.
For Swimming
- Swimsuits & shirts
- Swim diapers
- Floatie
- Towel
- Water toys
- Wet/dry bag
If you are going to be swimming with kids of any age, I must first say: please practice water safety. Keep small children and weak swimmers within an arm’s reach at all times, and keep an undistracted eye on children who can swim on their own. Be vigilant at all times – no exceptions! Even if you are just around water and not in it.
That being said, swimming with little ones can be SO. MUCH. FUN. Most babies are a little uncertain in the water but will learn to like it with time!
For swimsuits, I prefer swim shirts or rash guards like this one to minimize the amount of surface area that needs sunscreen.
For swim diapers, I like to invest in the best diaper brands, like Pampers, because you just really don’t want any accidents in the water. I have also heard many great things about these reusable swim diapers.
We’ve discovered that our favorite brand of swim floatie for babies is the SwimWays Mesh Baby Float, because it sinks to *just* the right level – not too deep but not too shallow. I also love that it has a shade for extra sun protection!
Lastly, I really like to have a few wet/dry bags with me… sometimes I use them for used swim toys, sometimes for shedding wet layers, and sometimes even just as an extra bag to organize all of our stuff.
For Sand
- Sand-resistant towel or blanket
- Sand toys and bag
- Umbrella or tent
Most of my beach strategy revolves around avoiding sand as much as possible. But unfortunately babies seems to have the opposite goal. That’s why I think the best basic item when taking a baby to the beach is a large, sand-resistant blanket or towel. (Of course, once your child is mobile, things are bound to get a little bit messier. It is what it is.)
Depending on your baby’s age and nap schedule, you may want to consider options for having your baby nap at the beach. There are a lot of great tent options for this, like this one and this one, but you may also be fine if you just want to watch them or hold them in a shady spot with a towel.
Lastly, it isn’t necessary, but it is adorable as a beach chair… We really love this baby/toddler folding chair that doubles as a travel booster seat. It’s lightweight, it folds up easily, and it has a removable tray for snacks and easy clean-up. I keep it in the trunk of my car, and I’ve been bringing it with us on all of our trips!
Do you have any tips for bringing a baby or toddler to the beach or pool? Please share in the comments below!
