With summer officially here, my thoughts have turned to days spent by the sea. We love beach days. They are the perfect way to get outdoors together, catch up, and have some fun. I like to get beach ready and get our beach gear sorted out in advance. That way, the first day we wake up and think wow the weather is perfect for the beach, we can quickly grab what we need and head straight off.
Check everyone’s swimwear
The first step is to dig out everyone’s swimming costumes and get them to try them on. If something does not fit or looks too dated, you can simply go somewhere like jdwiliams.co.uk and buy what you need. Nobody wants to sit in a hot car outside a store waiting for one of you to buy a new bikini before you can get going. It is a surefire way to put everyone in a bad mood. Worse, it also means you will arrive at the beach late. By which point, all the best spots are likely to be gone.
Update your sun protection
It is also wise to check the expiration date of your sun lotion. As well as make sure that everyone knows where their sunglasses and hats are. If you have a beach umbrella, make sure it is in working order.
Towels and something to lie on
Remember to pack towels for everyone. Potentially, these can double up as something to lie on.
A way of staying entertained
Packing a ball and maybe a pack of cards will help you to while away the time while you enjoy the sun. Phones and tablets are other items you may wish to take, but make sure you protect them. If you do want to use them on the beach, consider slipping a power bank into your bag, as well. Doing this can save a lot of arguments.
Be ready for emergencies
A simple first aid kit is also worth packing. Being able to disinfect and put a plaster on a cut means you can potentially stay on the beach and continue to enjoy your day out.
A good beach bag
Once you have gathered everything together you can put most of it into your beach bag. That way, when you are ready to go, you just have to grab that bag and a few extra bits and pieces to be ready to go. Items like beach mats, toys, and umbrellas can all be stowed in the same place. So, you can just grab it all and go.
A last-minute checklist
If you want to be doubly sure that you have everything, consider creating a checklist. You can find one here that you can copy, paste, edit and print out. Laminating it, and putting it on a clipboard with a pen gives you the option to use it again and again. Your beach bag is the perfect place to keep it.
A few suggestions of where to go
If you live in, or near, Florida, as we do, I suggest that you head for Indian Rocks Beach, near Tampa. We really enjoyed the weekend break we had there, late last year. If you would like to read about our experience of the area, you can do so by clicking here.
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