to round off this summer essentials series, here's a look at what's in my beach bag. i make it a mission to travel as light as possible since i'm usually the one carrying the bag. when it's hot (and the kids are cranky), the last thing i need is a heavy bag. so these are my stripped down essentials for a normal trip to the beach.
uv blocker compact umbrella, UPF 55+
i bought this UV umbrella years ago after mini-he was born as an added "layer" of protection. i kept it in the car, and it gave me confidence knowing that we'd be protected wherever we went...in case we forgot sunscreen or stayed out longer than expected. there was a special at the time, so i bought one for my mom and sisters; we all love it. this UV umbrella always makes it in the beach bag.
helen kaminski raffia fedora, UPF 50+
a casual fedora or baseball cap is always in the bag. at the very least, it's great for taming salty post-beach tresses, but it's also great protection for your face, hair, and scalp. can't tell you how many times i've come home after a day at the beach with a sunburned scalp.
i never leave the house without my ice-water-filled bottle. it's important to stay hydrated, and this bottle keeps drinks cold even under the blazing sun.
snacks are not a high priority because "getting a snack" is sometimes the only way to get the minis to leave the beach! but most times i end up packing them anyway. easy to eat nuts & trail mixes and pretzels survive the heat, and fruits are refreshing. cuties are perfect because they require no cutting and are 'individually' wrapped.
forget the thick, fancy, designer towels! while i do have them, they almost never make it in the bag. do you know how heavy three wet beach towels are?! i always grab a stack of our inexpensive towels which usually are smaller and thinner. they dry easily between swims and are more practical (size-wise) for kids.
i know plastic bags aren't good for the environment, but we all have them, and they are useful. i always throw one in the bag for the wet stuff...towels, rash guards, etc.
sunscreen is a given. i always have at least two
bottles in the bag.
i always throw in a book to read just in case.
sunglasses are a given. i always throw in a few pairs, including cheap ones that i don't mind getting wet or lost.
in case you missed it:
a week of summer essentials . hydration
