The Essential Beach Trip Packing List

It’s winter. It’s cold. And, a lot of us dream of tropical beaches, sand, surf, and chilly drinks. If you’re lucky enough to turn that dream into a reality, good for you! We’ve put together a beach trip packing list that covers so much more than just a beach ball and tube of sunscreen.
Keep reading to get your:
- Beach Day Packing List
- The Essentials You’ll Need
- Clothing You’ll Want
- Meds and First Aid
- Traveling Abroad Must-Haves
No one likes the hassle of running to an overpriced boardwalk store for something you left on the kitchen counter. Check off all the things on our list as you pack so that you can enjoy your beach trip without the inconvenience.
The Basic Beach Day Packing List
While this blog post includes everything you’ll need for your family beach trip, it’s a good idea to have a list that’s specific for when you’re packing to spend an hour—or the whole day—soaking in the sun surfside.
Check out our other blog post about a beach packing list for some practical items like sunscreen, aloe vera, and games! Since the emergence of COVID-19, you may want to add these additional items to that list, too:
- Disposable face masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
Now without further ado, here’s our beach trip packing list for the family.
The Everyday Essentials
There are some daily must-haves that we all need, regardless of if we’re at home, on a work trip, or on vacation. Make sure these essentials are on your beach trip packing list.
Family Toiletries
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of everyone packing their own toiletries. But, rather than five tubes of toothpaste, just pack one for everyone to share. Here are the items that you should consider for your family toiletry bag:
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
- Dry Shampoo
- Hairbands
- Disposable swim diapers
Check and see if your lodging has things like hairdryers, irons, and other hair accessories that you may be able to leave home. If you don’t have much space to work with, consider a two in one bottle of shampoo and conditioner, as well as a single large can of unscented aerosol deodorant.
Tech & Accessories
It’s easy to forget the small things, particularly if we’re used to always having them at hand in our space. But, when it comes to packing for a family beach trip, you’ll want to make sure these things make it into the luggage:
- Sunglasses (one pair for each person)
- Jewelry that you can mix and match
- Cell phone chargers (and wall adapters, if applicable)
- Portable chargers
- Underwater camera
- Bluetooth speaker
- Hats (like ours!)
We wouldn’t strictly say that some of these are essential—you don’t need a monstrous Bluetooth speaker—but it’s such a nice addition to a day at the beach that we felt like it needed to be included.
Money
Whether it’s to eat out, replace a charging cord, or for entertainment, you’re going to spend money. Bring cash, debit cards, and credit cards with you so that you’re prepared in any situation. If theft is a concern, make sure your lodging has a personal safe in the room.
The Clothing
Clothes easily take up the most room in your luggage, so it’s important to pack only what you need—though most of us pack in excess and pack the wrong things. Here’s a list of the items you should consider packing for your family beach trip:
PJs
Undergarments
Cover-Ups
Neutral-Colored Bottoms
Stylin’ Tops
Footwear
The idea with coordinating your bottoms, tops, shoes, and even accessories is to reduce how much you’re bringing without having to browse a clothing store instead of the boardwalk. A beach trip with kids usually means a lot of luggage, so it’s good to save space!
Health Must-Haves
Neglecting your health is easy on vacation. But, it’s vital to take care of your body so that you can keep going and have a great time. Take a look at our tips for protecting your skin while at the beach, and keep reading for some general beach trip packing ideas that’ll keep you feeling great.
Bug Spray
First-Aid Kit
Medicines
Beach-Bumming Abroad?
If you’re exploring the world beyond borders, there may be some other things to consider when you’re preparing and packing for your trip.
Passport & Visa
Plane Trip Accessories
Converters and Adapters
Love our list? Keep reading for other related articles about where to go and how you can make travel a less stressful experience with a bit of planning!
Leave a comment