3 Smart Strategies for Packing for a Family Beach Vacation

Everything your family needs for fun in the sun!

Family beach trips are one of the best ways to celebrate summer and make wonderful memories. But let’s be honest: packing for a family beach vacation? Not exactly fun. Between toys, snacks, outfit changes, and someone’s must-have teddy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the trip even begins. Don’t worry; we’ve got you! These smart strategies will turn packing from stress to success.

Ready to pack like a pro? Here’s everything you need for a beachy good time!

• Make the journey smooth and stress-free

  You guys probably already know this: your trip begins way before your destination.

  From your front door to finally reaching your hotel or Airbnb is an incredibly long day for anyone—especially kids.

  Keep kids happy, and occupied, during travel days by packing these essentials in your carry-on.

  – Snacks! Even without flight delays, traveling requires waiting. Lots and lots of waiting! And boredom = hunger, so be sure you pack extra snacks for the kiddos (and yourself!).
  – Toys: Pack their favorites or pick up a few new toys at the dollar store for variety. For older kids, travel-size board games or card games are surefire boredom-busters.
  – Coloring books: It’s tempting to hand over phones or tablets during long waits. Break up the screen time with coloring books, word searches, and crossword puzzles.
  – Charging cords: Flight delays are always a possibility. Make sure electronics are fully charged before you leave the house, but bring along chargers along just in case.

  Pro Tip: Keep in mind that TSA’s guidelines are constantly changing. Check their website before you start packing for a family beach vacation, especially snacks. Some forbidden items may surprise you, like peanut butter and honey (both considered liquids).

• Pack the perfect beach bag

  Yay, you made it! It’s time to enjoy the beach, pool, and your sunny destination.

  To make sure you have everything your family needs for a successful beach vacay, stash these items in your beach bag.

  – Multiple swimsuits: Nap breaks, lunch, and sightseeing trips are a great way to break up the day and get everyone out of the midday sun. Pack multiple swimsuits, so kids don’t have to struggle with pulling on a cold, damp swimsuit when they’re ready to get back in the water.
  – Comfortable shoes: Yes, tiny flip-flops are adorable. But they’re also a tripping hazard, especially for toddlers. Bring comfy shoes from home, and save the flip-flops for photo ops on the sand.
  – Sun protection: Beach shops are great for souvenirs. But for everyday items? They usually have fewer choices and higher prices. Definitely buy your sunscreen, SPF chapstick, and after-sun products from home. UV-rated hats, sunglasses, and shirts also keep kids protected while they’re building sand castles and splashing in tidal pools.
  – Beach gear: Bring sand toys, balls, mesh bags for shelling, floats, and anything else your kid loves to play with at the beach. Pack beach gear in a bucket so it all takes up less room in your luggage.

• Don’t forget the downtime

  You’ve got the trip and the beach covered, but you’re not quite done packing for a family beach vacation yet!

  Here are a few other things to remember.

  – Favorites: Anything that your child absolutely “needs.” Think favorite blanket, a beloved stuffie, and other comfort items.
  – Capsule clothing: Let your child pick a favorite color or two, then save luggage space with mix-and-match outfits.
  – Laundry sheets: Kids are messy. Laundry sheets are a non-liquid (so no suitcase spills) solution for making sure you have clean clothes at the end of your trip, too.
  – Toiletries: As with sunscreen, you can save money and stress by bringing whatever you need from home.
  – For yourself: If your kids have an early bedtime, bring stuff to do in the evenings. Whether it’s an engrossing mystery novel, a puzzle, or your favorite craft, it’ll keep you entertained while they snooze. Because hey, it’s your vacation, too!

Packing for a family beach vacation can be complicated. But with the right items, you can keep kids happy and make traveling a breeze for everyone.

And if you really want to keep traveling with kids stress-free and simple, ship your bags to your final destination with LugLess. No juggling kids and bags at the airport, and no worries about all that kids’ gear pushing your suitcase over the weight limit. So you can start that relaxed vacation vibe even before your toes hit the sand!