Planning a trip to the beach with your family is exciting. There’s so much to look forward to. But traveling with little ones is never easy—they require so much stuff!

Heading to the beach for the summer is no exception. However, you might find that you need to bring less stuff and plan less than you actually think. A beach getaway weekend—or week—can be a blast! The key is to be prepared.

Below, we’ve collected our essential tips and tricks for perfect days at the beach. We’ll help you turn your little one into a beach bum with adorable oversized floppy hats, sunglasses, and more.

Choose the Right Time 

Our first tip is probably the most important; choose the right time to go to the beach. During the hottest summer days, the beach can be a dangerous place for your little one. Remember, they can’t regulate their temperatures like we can, and they’re at risk of overheating. So, try to make sure it’s cooler when you head to the beach.

And if you do decide to enjoy your beach vacation in the middle of July, don’t worry. You can still have a great time; just keep your beach time to the first four hours after sunrise and the last three hours before sunset. That way your little one won’t be at risk of getting too hot or burning their precious skin. Also, by leaving the beach in the middle of the day, you can plan for a perfect routine nap in the afternoon.

Pick Your Beach Carefully 

Not all beaches are family-friendly. Some have rougher waves and very little sand while others are long stretches of smooth, crystal clear water. Naturally, you’ll want to choose a location that’s not too far away and offers warm weather, clean sand, calm waters, and great accommodations.

Ultimately, where you decide to vacation is up to you, but here are a few ideas.

• Best Beach for Animal Watching: Lime Kiln State Park, San Juan Island, Washington offers whale watching, a cute little lighthouse, and more.
• Best Beach for White Sand: Almost every beach on the Florida panhandle is perfect for white sand and calm, warm waters. Just take Highway 30-A down and stop where you want.
• Beat Beach for Shells: If your kids love to collect shells, they’ll love Silver Strand State Beach near San Diego.

Bring the Essentials ONLY 

It might be tempting to pack everything you could ever need for your trip to the beach, but that’s only going to make the entire trip more difficult. All you really need for an incredible day at the beach is sand, water, and a few beach toys to keep your little one entertained. Everything else should be focused on having a fabulous time. 

Our list of things to pack include:

• Floaties—Keep your little one protected in the water at all times.
• Tent or Umbrella—In case the sun moves or you need more shade, a tent or umbrella is essential to keep the heat and sun away from your baby.
• Cooler—A day at the beach isn’t complete without water bottles, snacks, and everything else you need to stay hydrated and well fed.
• Beach Towel—We love Turkish towels for repelling pesky sand.
• Sunscreen—Make sure it’s at least SPF 30 and protects from UVA and UVB rays.
• Water—You can never have too much water.
• Snacks—We love apples, oranges, bananas, and granola bars because they’re easy to grab and enjoy.
• Hats—We’ve got a full collection of hats that would be perfect for the beach. We particularly love our Garden Roses Ruffle Hat.
• Diapers—As needed, of course.
• Wipes—You’ll want wipes for everything at the beach.
• Trash Bags—Just make sure these don’t fly into the water or get left behind.
• Sand Toys—here are some must-have favorites for your day at the beach.
• Chair—You’ll want a place to sit that’s not on a towel or in the sand.

Beach Tips and Tricks 

There are hundreds of tips and tricks for making the most of your beach vacation, but there are a few must-dos if you want to have a great experience.

• Use Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen constantly. Don’t wait hours between applications either. With the water and sand, reapply at least once an hour.
• Encourage Play: Encourage your little one to get sandy, get wet, and play as much as they want. Put their feet in the water. Point out shells, birds, and clouds. The beach is an incredible sensory experience for kids of all ages.
• Stay Hydrated: Keep your little one and yourself hydrated with lots and lots of water.
• Kiddie Pool: If your little one is too young for the ocean, make sure to bring along a small inflatable pool you can set up near your umbrella or beach tent.
• Baby Powder: Dusting a little baby powder on your legs and feet at the end of the day makes it easy to remove sand! 

Relax and Have Fun 

Last, but certainly not least, make sure you relax and have fun. Even if your day at the beach doesn’t go as planned, that’s okay. You can still have a fantastic time and make many amazing memories. And, if nothing else, you can get some adorable pictures of your little one in their Kissy Basics Sun Hat!