Looking for all of the best beach essentials for family? This is the ultimate beach packing list that will help you leave nothing behind.
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This post is all about the best beach essentials for family.
Going on a family beach trip is very exciting, but it can also be very overwhelming because you do not want to leave behind any beach essentials for family.
There are so many crucial beach essentials to pack from beach towels, beach toys, beach sunscreen, beach water bottles, beach speaker, and more.
This is the ultimate list of beach essentials for family that will cover everyone from mom, dad, and the kids.
Best Beach Essentials For Family
Beach Essentials For Kids
1. Kids Beach Toys
If you have smaller kids, then bringing a bag of sand molds is an absolute must. It is a great way to keep them occupied during a long beach day.
2. Seashell Collecting Bags
These seashell collecting bags for kids is by far one of our most popular recommended products that all kids LOVE. Kids love searching for seashells and now they can hold them all in their own little purse.
3. Kids Mineral Sunscreen
You CANNOT forget sunscreen for the kiddos. This thinkbaby mineral sunscreen is dermatologist recommended, vegan, and has no PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, or toxic chemicals.
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4. Kids Beach Water Bottles
Drinking plenty of water on a hot summer beach day is a must, so having a reusable water bottle for each kid is a great way to help them stay hydrated. Plus, if you get them each a design they love, then they will be more willing to drink out of it 😉
5. Kids Water Shoes
If the beach you are headed to is rocky, then I recommend getting some water shoes for the little ones. They are perfect for swimming in and protecting the bottoms of their feet from the hot sand.
6. Kids Beach Towel
If you don't already have beach towels designated for the kids, then I recommend doing so. There are so many adorable beach towel designs to choose from with these 100% cotton towels.
7. Swim Floaties
Keeping the kids safe in the water so important, so having them in floaties is a huge priority. Depending on the size of your children, you will need to choose the appropriate floaties.
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8. Small First Aid Kit
Trust me. . . having a small first aid kit on hand is always a good idea, especially with kids at the beach. It is always good to be prepared for any type of small injuries.
Plus, it will give you piece of mind to have this in your beach bag.
9. Kids Beach Chair
This is a small beach chair specifically designed for the size of a child. Such a great beach essential for the kids who want to have their own beach chair, but aren't quite big enough to sit in regular sized chair.
10. Kids Bucket Hat
How freaking cute is this little bucket hat?!
It is so important to make sure your kids aren't getting too much sun exposure, especially on their face. So, a great way to help minimize the amount of direct sunlight to their face is to have them where a hat.
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11. Waterproof Card Deck
This waterproof card deck is such a fun way for everyone in the family to hangout together. You don't have to worry about ruining the cards with your wet and sandy hands.
Beach Essentials For Dad
1. Cooler Bag
If you do not want to lug around a big cooler, then I recommend a cooler bag. It is 10x more convenient and will hold most of your cold items such as drinks, fruit, sandwiches, etc.
2. Crocs Mesh Sandals
My dad still raves about these crocs sandals every time we go to the beach. He is not a fan of flip flops, so when he found these mesh crocs that he could easily slip on and off he was hooked.
3. Beach Speaker
Dad is probably in charge of the music, unless you have teens around. But, it is no secret that everyone will be in vacation mood when you start playing everyone's favorite songs!
Related Post:Â The Ultimate Beach Songs Playlist 2023
4. Beach Blanket
Having a large beach blanket makes a huge difference in your beach day. It is where everyone loves to hangout and lounge on including mom, dad, and the kids.
This extra large blanket is super convenient to travel with and makes a great picnic blanket on those days when you're not at the beach.
5. S'well Water Bottle
A reliable water bottle is a complete game changer for your beach day. My entire family has been hooked on S'well water bottles for years and I will forever stand by the fact that they are the best water bottles for keeping your water cold all day during the hottest summer days.
6. Beach Shade
Of course you can't head to the beach without some sort of shade, especially on a hot summer day.
I have seen these pop up beach tents ALL over our local beach, so I did what I do best and researched why they are so popular. And, I have discovered that they are super easy to assemble, light weight, and come in a variety of sizes that can fit up to 8 people.
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7. Cooling Towels
This may not be the first beach essential you think of when packing for a beach day, but these cooling towels are perfect for a hot beach day.
Simply wet the towel, wring it out, shake it, and wear it on your neck. It will help keep you cool after spending time in the sun. P.S. they are great for everyone during the car ride home!
8. Inflatable Beach Pillow
Yes, a beach pillow. It may seem crazy, but once you try it you will never go to the beach without it.Â
It makes laying on your beach towel and blanket 10x more comfortable!
9. Inflatable Lounger
This is one of those beach essentials that the entire family will enjoy . . . even if it is technically for dad. It is a super fun and comfortable way to lounge on the beach and relax on a hot summer day.
10. Beach Hat
Packing a beach hat is SO IMPORTANT! Not only does it protect your face from the sun, but it helps keep you cool.
This men's quicksilver floppy bucket hat is simple and will go with most outfits, which is perfect for pairing with multiple bathing suits.


Beach Essentials For Mom
1. Beach Bag
The most obvious beach essential is a large beach bag that will hold all of your belongings from towels, wallet, sunscreen, water bottle, car keys, etc.
This large waterproof beach bag is by far one of our favorites because it has so many pockets and a zipper closure. Plus, it has a wet compartment!
2. Tinted Face Sunscreen
This is the holy grail of face sunscreens. I could seriously talk about it all day long. It goes on so smoothly and makes my skin have a bronze matte finish to it, which is a huge plus because I hate how normal sunscreens make my skin feel greasy.
3. Sun Bum Leave-In Conditioner
A trick that I always recommend to girls is to spray leave-in conditioner in your hair before swimming in the ocean in order to prevent your hair from absorbing the saltwater, which leads to dryness and damage.
Related Post: How To Protect Your Hair From Salt Water – 8 Tips & Tricks
4. Beach Towel
Packing beach towels for the whole family is a must, but that also means a lot of room in your beach bag will be taken.
However, you can save so much space with a thin beach towel, like this 100% Turkish towel which is quick drying, soft, and highly absorbent.
5. Beach Towel Clips
If you are the type of person who likes to lay your beach towel in your chair, then having clips to keep your towel secure is extremely helpful!
6. Snack Containers
Packing snacks in food containers is a great way to store and travel with your beach day snacks. These snack compartments are great for kids and even adults.
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7. Aloe Vera Gel
Whether you have a sunburn or simply want to replenish your skin with moisture after a long day of being in the sun, aloe vera is always a great way to soothe the skin.
8. Sun Bum Lip Balm
Protecting your lips from the sun is just as important as the rest of your skin, so I always recommend keeping an SPF 30 lip balm in your beach bag.
9. Beach Sun Hat
Limiting sun exposure on your face is so important, so having a cute sun hat to wear during your beach day is the way to go.
10. Flower Claw Clip
Keeping your hair out of your face on a windy beach day is key, so having a cute flower claw clip is a great way to do so.
It not only helps tame your hair, but it is a tropical beach hairstyle that looks so adorable when clipped back.
This post was all about the most important beach essentials for family.
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