by Bianca B.
When I received the save the date card for a wedding in Hawaii, my initial reaction was “Yay! Beach vacation!” This was quickly followed by “Oh no…how are we going to enjoy a beach vacation with a toddler?” I knew that the only way this trip would work without me or my husband breaking down in tears, laughter, or a combination of both, was to research, research, research. While it was challenging to get our 14 month old daughter Isla to sit still and remain mostly quiet during the 5 hour plane ride (perhaps a story for a future newsletter!) I’m happy to report that a beach vacation is not only feasible with a young toddler, but extremely fun. Here are a few tips for any beach trip near or far:
1. Invest in a Beach Tent: Our biggest concern was making sure that Isla didn’t burn. In addition to sunscreen and floppy hats, we knew we needed guaranteed shade from the sun. Initially I was worried that any beach tent would require checking in extra luggage but I was thrilled to find one that folded flat and easily fit in our suitcase. While setting it up took only a few seconds, folding it was much more of a challenge but this was nothing that a YouTube video and some practice at home couldn’t fix! Like some beach umbrellas and tents, when the wind was really strong the tent did move as the material is somewhat thin. We weighed it down with our bags and rocks we found on the beach and had few problems. While I would have purchased a more structural tent if it was just for local beach use, for travel this one was great.
2. Buy Beach Toys When You Arrive: When playing in the sand, there is nothing better than a bucket, shovel, and other tools to make sandcastles. As someone who packs much more than is necessary when on vacation, I decided to buy beach toys once we arrived in Hawaii. When visiting a beach town or island, I can almost guarantee that you’ll be able to find a beach toy set at the local grocery or drug store. You may pay a few dollars more than you would at home, but it’s worth it to save the extra space. At the end of your trip, if you don’t have room to bring the toys home, pay it forward by giving the them to another family at the beach!
3. Pack Smart: Where there’s a beach, there is water and sand. Both ingredients can make a mess, especially when they’re combined. It’s easy to toss all of the clothes, sunscreen, and snacks in a bag on your way out the door but it’s not fun searching for your items at the end of the day when your toddler is tired, everyone is wet, and sand is everywhere. Consider packing items into Ziploc or smaller reusable bags before placing them in your beach bags. Not only was it easy to find our items throughout the day (and made gathering items for diaper changes a breeze!), our clothes stayed clean and dry. Bonus: the bags serve double duty at the end of the day as a way to keep wet bathing suits separate from anything else you bring back from the beach.
4. Stay Hydrated: Along with various snacks, you’re likely going to bring water to drink. I don’t know about you, but I really dislike drinking water that’s been sitting in the heat all day. If you don’t have access to a cooler, consider placing a few bottles of water in the freezer the night before (if it’s an extra full water bottle, you might want to take sip or two from the bottle before freezing it). While the water will be a block of ice when you leave, at the end of the day it will be a cold and refreshing drink.
5. Pool Float: If your vacation also gives you the opportunity to enjoy some wave-free time in a pool, I highly recommend getting a comfortable pool float for your little one. Initially Isla was confused by how she was moving in the water without our arms holding on to her but soon she was kicking her legs and splashing about. Of course, this is not a substitute for staying next to your little one, but it was nice to give our arms a little break. We really liked this one that had a detachable shade making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor swimming.
After all of your planning, sit back, relax, and have fun. When I finally took a deep breath after arriving to Hawaii, I took every mental and digital picture I could. I will never forget the look on Isla’s face when she took her first steps in the sand, her initial fear and then delight as she watched the waves get close to us, and our failed, but hilarious, attempts at building sand castles. While the beach trips full of sleep in the sun now consist of chasing after a very mobile toddler and the fruity umbrella drink in my hand has been replaced with a pink sippy cup, I wouldn’t have it any other way.