Sun, Fun, with More than One: A Family Beach Vacation

My fondest memory as a child was our family beach vacation trips. My mom, dad twin brother, and I would pack the car to the brim with sunscreen lotion, floating devices, goggles, and heaps and heaps of towels. The excitement my family felt while driving the three hours to Myrtle Beach was awesome. We didn’t fight or yell. We just sang songs all the way to the beach. Now, returning home, well, that was different story.

What to Bring on Your Family Beach Vacation?

Sounds like an easy enough question, but honestly it is not. There are many important things you could forget while packing your children’s suitcases for their family beach vacation. Here is a list that may help you.

• Bring suntan lotion! This is the number-one item that is a necessity on the beach. You should not use any lotion for your children (or yourself!) with less than 30 SPF. Start the practice of healthy skin care early.

• Pack extra pairs of sunglass. If you are anything like me, you loose your sunglasses a lot! Pack extra pairs just in case someone in your family leaves their shades behind in one of the many restaurants you will be visiting.

• Take some beach toys along. Kids love toys. It is a fact. Keep your children occupied on the beach with sandcastle toys. If they are older, bring along some boogie boards for the adventurous ones, so they can have a blast in the ocean.

• Bug-repellant is a must-have. During certain seasons, many beaches, such as the Outer Banks, have sand flies that bite! Bring bug-repellant just in case.

Is This Beach Kid-Friendly?

Let’s be honest. Some beaches simply are not for the kiddies. When you are planning a family beach vacation, there are certain things you should consider.

• Does this beach have a boardwalk? Kids get bored very easily. Anyone who has a child knows this. So to keep the children from whining those two fateful words, “I’m bored,” and make sure that the family beach you visit has a boardwalk. That way, you can take breaks form relaxing in the sun, and go for walks on the boardwalk. Plus, many beach boardwalks have arcades. Provided that your children are old enough, you have the opportunity to let them enjoy themselves in the arcade while you relax on the beach. In addition, boardwalks have all of the foods that kids love: French fries, pizza, Italian ice, and frozen custard. Oh, who am we kidding? Boardwalks have all of the food that we love, as well!

• Keep in mind that some beaches may be nude! Take for instance Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Martha’s Vineyard is a wonderful place for a family beach vacation. It is a relatively small town, it has upscale shopping, many areas are alcohol-free, and it is a very safe island. However, the one thing to consider is this: some beaches have nude beach areas where many locals take full advantage of these privileges. I do not think I need to explain the awkwardness and embracement of your child witnessing nudies on the beach.

• Some beach resorts do not allow children. Such resorts as Couples Swept Away and Sandals, are adult-only resorts. So, if you want to book a family beach vacation on a resort, make sure that resort welcomes children.

So take a week and bond with your family at one of the great beaches in our country. Just make sure that the kids will be kept busy, otherwise you may have some bored children on your hands, and nobody wants that!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2006