*Collaborative Post

Planning your first family beach holiday is a fantastic thing – it’s so exciting to head off to the beach, and there are actually all kinds of excellent reasons why you might want to. For one things, there are many things you can do there, from lazing on the sand to swimming to water sports, and so on – there will probably be activities for all ages as well (assuming you pick the right destination), so no one’s going to get bored. Plus, being out in the fresh air is good for your mental and physical health (as long as you’re careful), and beaches are perfect places for making memories and bonding with your family. 

If you’re heading to the beach, whether it’s for a long weekend, a couple of weeks, or some other timeframe, it’s crucial to make sure you’re ready so you can really make the most of it. With that in mind, here are some useful tips. 

Pack The Essentials

It’s easy to overpack when you’re going to the beach because you don’t need as many changes of outfit as you might think, especially if you’re spending most of your days actually on the beach itself. However, it’s just as easy to underpack because there are some important things you’ll definitely want to take with you that you might leave out by mistake. The best thing to do is to plan in advance and make a checklist so you know exactly what you do and don’t have to take with you. 

Some of the things you’ll definitely need fall into the essentials category, and one of the most important of all has to be sun cream. You’ll need to pack a high SPF sun cream to protect your family’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays and to make sure everyone’s comfortable during the holiday. You’ll also need to pack swimwear, including kids swimwear, so you might want to go shopping if you don’t have those things already. Other things to consider are beach towels, an umbrella or beach tent, and things to keep everyone entertained, like books, tablets, and games. 

Family-Friendly Location

Something else that’s hugely important is that you’ll need to find a beach destination that family-friendly – if you don’t specify this in your search, you might end up being disappointed and having bored kids with nothing to do, which is never ideal (and it’s certainly not going to help make your family holiday a fun and positive one to remember). 

You should look for kid-friendly resorts with plenty of family-friendly amenities and activities, such as a kids’ club, supervised childcare programmes, shallow swimming areas for children, and nearby fun attractions like water parks and so on. Plus, what facilities are on the beach? You’ll probably want cafes, showers, picnic areas, and toilets to ensure you all have a good time. 

Climate And Weather

You’ll also need to take a good look at the climate and weather of your chosen destination. Yes, it might have all the great amenities you could ask for and be as family-friendly as possible, but if it’s going to be cold and rainy all the time you’re there, maybe there’s a better, warmer, option to choose instead. 

You’ll also want to consider any weather like monsoons or hurricanes that might be in the area, and make sure your itinerary is adjustable just in case the weather turns bad (which it can even if you’ve chosen a hot country to travel to)!