Summer At The Beach And Toddler Beach Essentials

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What does the perfect beach day look like to you? Mine starts like this. 

Beach Boardwalk
A picture perfect day with clear blue skies and my family. What more could one ask for?

We are beach people, and are lucky enough to go often. While my girls love everything about the beach — building sandcastles, swimming, flying a kite, feeding the birds, finding shells, fishing, walking, etc. — when asked what their favorite thing to do at the beach is they always say, “Playing in the water.”

The Suburban Mom Family Beach
We easily spend 75% of the day splashing in the water. Even when we are back on the sand taking a break, my little one loves to build sandcastles while sitting inside her “hot tub.”  My mom bought several of these plastic tubs with handles years ago, and when not in the ocean both of my girls have loved playing in their mini pools. Best. Idea. Ever. 

Toddler Beach Essentials
A trip to the beach always means a lot of gear – a lot of gear – and a lot of planning. Having spent a lot of time at the beach with toddlers (and babies and kids), I have learned the most important beach essentials to pack and what to leave at home. 

15 Toddler Beach Essentials

  1. Banana Boat® Sunscreen
  2. Mini Inner Tube or Puddle Jumper Floaties
  3. Beach Toys
  4. Plastic Bucket – Mini Pool
  5. Beach Umbrella or Tent
  6. Toddler Sunglasses
  7. Goggles
  8. Snacks / Mott’s Snack & Go
  9. Sun Hat
  10. Swim Diapers
  11. Baby Powder (to help take sand off skin!)
  12. Swimsuit and Coverup
  13. Ponytail Holders
  14. Water (be sure to stay hydrated!)
  15. Waterproof Camera (this is my water camera in case you are wondering)

Banana Boat® Sunscreen

When it comes to fun in the sun, the most important of the beach essentials to pack in your beach bag is sunscreen, and lots of it. Not only will it help prevent ouchy burns, but it protects your skin from unseen damage. As a mom, keeping my kids safe is my number one priority and that includes protecting their perfect, young skin. That’s why Banana Boat® Sunscreen is number one on my beach essentials list. 

Banana Boat Sunscreen
My daughters prefer lotion to spray, so to keep their skin protected we lather on Banana Boat® Kids Tear-Free Sting-Free Lotion Sunscreens SPF 50. My husband on the other hand is a spray guy, so I buy him Banana Boat® Sport Performance® Clear UltraMist® Sunscreens with PowerStay Technology™. Me? I grab whichever is handy, but I prefer lotion too.

When it comes to sun protection, it isn’t enough to just apply a layer of Banana Boat® sunscreen in the morning and forget about it. To be effective, sunscreen must be applied throughout the day. Specifically you should apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to you and your kids’ entire bodies 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. That means a day at the beach might include 2-3 reapplications.

Banana Boat® sun care products are tested in seven conditions – sun, pool water, ocean water, wind, sweat, sand and extreme heat – to provide safe and effective broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection for the entire family. There is a Banana Boat® sunscreen to fit all of your sun needs, and you can find them all at Walmart.

Remember, once your kids come out of the water (or every two hours, whichever comes first) reapply! 

Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Banana Boat® . The opinions and text are all mine.