Originally posted here, on the Conde’ Nast Traveler’s website.
My first few visits to the beach with kids along were a sandy, wet mess. Since then, I’ve learned a trick or two and I thought I’d share them here.
- Rub on baby powder to remove sand from your body—don’t forget between the toes.
- Instead of buying new beach toys at your destination, ask poolside or at your hotel’s concierge desk. Even if the hotel doesn’t provide beach toys for guests, there’s almost always a leftover bucket and shovel in a closet somewhere. (Don’t forget to leave your toys back with the concierge when you check out— items left in the hotel room are more likely to end up in the trash).
- On a windy day, rain pants are the perfect way to keep out both sand and cold. Just slide them on over your child’s clothing and remove them before you get in the car.
- Possibly the worst part of putting sunscreen on a squirming child is smoothing that gloopy stuff all over their face and eyes. Instead, invest in a high-quality powdered sunscreen. It doesn’t drip into their eyes, it’s quicker to put on, and my five-year-old daughter thinks it’s the most glamorous stuff on earth.
- A toweling coverup is stretchy enough to allow your child to slip out of their swimsuit in privacy, and perfect for the car ride home.