Beach Day
My beach day essentials
We made it!!! After a long winter, it’s finally nice weather in New York! I don’t mind the winter because it gives me extra time indoors to do things I can’t do when we are running to the pool, park, etc. During the winter I don’t feel guilty making a cup of coffee and settling into the couch to read or scroll on Pinterest. This winter I picked up making sourdough and it was the perfect time in which to learn, being that it was so cold outside. Now that it’s nice out, I like taking my kids out all morning. We decided yesterday would be the perfect beach day. Getting ready for a beach day with kids is no easy feat, so after years of trial and error, learning what to pack and what not to pack, I have settled on some necessities.
My number one tip for the perfect beach day is bringing everything you need with you. Even if I feed my kids right before the beach, they are somehow starving every time we arrive. I like to pack sandwiches, drinks, and a bunch of different snacks so once we get on the beach we don’t have to leave, I made paninis for everyone. My kids had chicken and cheese paninis. I put them in a bento box because my kids think it’s so fun to eat out of them. I made my sister and I a veggie panini, consisting of grilled vegetables, pesto, mozzarella cheese, and fresh sourdough bread.
I wrapped them in bees wrap which is a reusable wrapping and so cute. I love to pack fruit because my kids are addicted and these wandp design & stasher bags make it so easy to transport the fruit and keep it good. I always bring my book bag yeti to keep everything fresh and cold. It makes transporting everything so seamless. Even my older kids don’t mind putting it on their back when we are walking to the beach.
Food essentials:
It may seem annoying to lug toys, chairs, and a baby pool down to the beach, but honestly it will make your day so much easier. My kids love playing with different sand toys, even if you only bring a few it will keep them entertained for hours. My son is 1 1/2 now and my husband bought a dog pool off Amazon last year and it was a lifesaver. We would fill it up with water when we got to the beach and he would play in it all day. Every time I bring this pool to the beach multiple people ask me where it’s from and every kid on the beach wants to play in it! My kids even spent an hour yesterday filling it up with water and thought it was so fun! Throwback picture!
After playing, my kids love feeling adult like in their Tommy Bahama chairs. They may seem silly but my toddlers even nap in them when we are all sitting around the beach. I also bring a beach mat I got from Costco a few years ago. I leave it in my car for last minute picnics and beach trips. It doesn’t get dirty and the sand comes right off. It also rolls up super small and fits right under my stroller.
Kid essentials links:
There are definitely challenges to taking young kids to the beach but I feel lucky because my kids have always been great beach nappers.
I love letting my kids run around and go swimming right when we get to the beach so they get tied out and everyone can sit down and chill. I always bring a book and a speaker to the beach and there is nothing better than doing some reading while the kids nap. Right now, I’m reading Emily Henry’s new book, her books are perfect beach reads. I also love to bring my JBL clip speaker because it is so small and affordable! I got my Tommy Bahama chairs when I first got married which was 13 years ago and we are still using them. They are a great investment! My mother in law gifted us a cool cabana two years ago and now I couldn’t go to the beach without it, it gives so much shade, even for our family of 9.
Mom essentials:
Before leaving for the beach I threw a pot roast in the crockpot for a new recipe. The recipe was Pot Roast Tacos!
I love a crockpot dinner on beach days because I’m usually exhausted by the time we get home. This dinner came together so quickly and my kids love tacos, so it was perfect!
Thanks for reading!
Talk soon,
Mary
Hi! Love all the meals you post! 😍 are you making your own taco shells or which brand do you prefer?
This is fabulous!