Beach Tips

Beach Tips

  It may not feel like it now (at least not in VA) but the hot summer days will soon be here, and if you are like me you will be spending as many days as possible at the beach and/or the pool.  In lieu of the upcoming beach trips and pool visits I have put together a list of very helpful tips to ensure your day at the pool or beach is as awesome as possible!  These beach tips are also easy on the wallet!   

“I can just taste that salty air and feel those rays shining down on me now.”

 

• Shower Curtain/Kindergarten mat- It may sound a little crazy, but I love using a shower curtain to sit on when I go to the beach.  (Mine doesn’t really look like a shower curtain.)  The great part about using a shower curtain is it is big enough for a family of four to sit on, the sand shakes right off of it; it is pretty much water proof, and a shower curtain costs less than a beach mat.  Also, the kindergarten mat is great to take for the kiddos to lie on (or mom) if they get tired, and it too is waterproof and sand proof.
• Tent- We like to take our small two person tent to the beach with us; it comes in handy if we want to get out of the sun for a bit or if it’s lunch time you can eat in the tent and you won’t have to worry about the wind blowing sand onto your food.
• Beach Tote with Holes-  A beach tote with holes is great, because you don’t have to worry about taking home a bag full of sand and getting it all over your car and your house; if you notice you have water or sand in your bag, just simply turn the bag to the side, shake, and your good to go!  
• Baby Powder-  Baby powder is great for getting dry sand off of your body ; baby powder will not help to remove damp sand , it will just stick and make matters worse.  Baby powder also makes your skin feel soft, and it smells good!
• Sandals/Shoes Face Down- Always remember whether you are at the pool or the beach to keep your shoes right side down, this way when you need to put your shoes on your feet won’t get burned.
• Trash Bag- We usually stop by the store for lunch items on the way to the beach, if you do the same try to remember to keep the store bag, so you can use it to put all of your trash in.
• Put Money in a Container- My kids love Pringles!  So, I usually have at least one empty Pringles can lying around the house;  I like to use the can to put all of or our valuables in when we go to the beach, by doing this it tricks others into thinking that it’s just a can of chips.  (Don’t forget to keep the can with the rest of the food!)
• Sun Tattoo- Sun tattoos are fun to do!  Just draw out the design you want on your skin with a bottle of glue (I prefer Elmer’s), let the glue dry, have some fun in the sun for a few hours, peel the glue off, and voila!  A pretty sun tattoo!
• Sunblock, Beach Hat, & Sunglasses- These three items are a must!  Whether you are spending a day at the beach or at the pool!  Sunblock should always be SPF 30 or higher as well as able to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.  Wearing a hat is a great idea for extra sun protection, especially on the face and head, and wearing sunglasses will help protect your eyes from getting damaged by the sun’s rays.
• Aloe Vera Ice Cubes- This is a great tip I learned a few years ago!  Fill an ice cube tray with some liquid Aloe Vera and put the tray into the freezer; do this either the night before or the morning of.  If you come home sun burnt, or just feeling hot from spending a day in the sun, then grab an aloe Vera ice cube and I guarantee you will almost instantly cool off!
• Stay Hydrated- Make sure you keep hydrated while being out in the heat all day; a great way to do this is by putting your drinks, like water or juice (especially water!) into your freezer the night before (I do this with fruit too!), this way your drinks will stay cold all day, the rest of your food will keep cold as well. 

 

  Are these beach tips helpful?  Let me know in the comments section, and if you have a tip that isn’t listed, then tell me; I love getting helpful advice!  Don’t forget to subscribe!

 

As always, “Make today awesome!”