A beach day with kids can be the best kind of summer memory — warm sun, sandcastles, waves, snacks, and that blissful moment when everyone is finally rinsed off and tired in the good way.
But it also comes with its own chaos: sunscreen battles, soggy towels, someone’s missing sandal, someone else’s meltdown.
A simple packing plan makes the whole day easier.
Here’s a streamlined, parent-tested beach checklist to help you get out the door without forgetting the essentials.
Looking for a tropical vacation? make sure to check out our guide to the Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos With Family and the best things to do with kids in Kauai for some exciting family-friendly adventures you won’t want to miss!
Quick Beach Day Checklist for Families (Print or Screenshot!)
The Basics
- Sunscreen
- Bathing suits
- Towels (one per person)
- Beach bag or tote
- Water bottles
- Snacks / lunch
- Sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Beach blanket
- Swimsuits + change of clothes
- Sand toys (if you’re bringing them)
- Beach shoes / sandals / water shoes
- Wet bag or dry bag for damp clothes
This is the whole day, simplified.
Everything else is optional.
Family Beach Day Packing Checklist
Sunscreen & Sun Safety Essentials
A beach day runs smoother when everyone is protected from the sun (and nobody ends the day looking like a lobster).
Pack:
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- A sunscreen stick for faces (great for squirmy kids)
- SPF lip balm
- Sun hats for everyone
- A small bottle of aloe vera — just in case
Tip: Apply sunscreen before you leave the house so you’re not chasing sandy toddlers with a squirt bottle later.
☀️ A sunscreen stick is a great choice for young children because it goes on smoothly and doesn’t get into their eyes like sun lotion. This option is oil-free and hypoallergenic.
Swimwear & Clothing
Keep it simple:
- Bathing suits that everyone actually likes wearing
- Rash guards for kids who burn easily
- A light cover-up or T-shirt for breaks in the shade
- Quick-dry shorts for adults
- A comfy outfit for the ride home (sweats, leggings, or pajamas for little ones)
For men and boys, we recommend checking out the swim trunks by Maamgic on Amazon. They are durable, affordable, and come in many different patterns:
Beach Bags, Towels & the Things That Keep You Organized
You don’t need a perfect bag — you just need one that fits your stuff.
Pack:
- A beach tote or day bag
- A large beach blanket
- Towels (bright colors help everyone remember which one is theirs)
- A small pouch for keys, money, and phones
- A dry bag for wet suits
- A small trash bag or reusable bag for snack wrappers
Families with toddlers often love having a mesh bag so sand can shake out easily.
For families with multiple children, it’s helpful to have a different color beach towel for each person to help keep track of whose is whose.
Hydration & Snacks
Beach hunger hits hard — and early.
Bring:
- Water bottles filled to the top
- Fruit, pretzels, granola bars, or anything easy and sand-friendly
- Electrolyte packets if it’s very hot
- A small cooler if you’re staying a while
- Frozen grapes (great for cooling down!)
Tip: Avoid chocolate. It becomes… soup.
Shade & Comfort
If you’re planning to stay more than an hour, shade helps everyone last longer.
Options:
- Beach umbrella
- Pop-up beach tent
- Lightweight beach chairs
- A small portable fan for babies or toddlers
This giant blanket doubles as a picnic and beach blanket, and it rolls up with a handle to be easily carried.
Fun Stuff (Optional but Helpful)
Totally optional — bring only what works for your family.
- Sand toys (simple molds, a bucket, shovels)
- Beach ball or frisbee
- Goggles
- Floaties / puddle jumpers
- Snorkel gear if you’re somewhere with clear water
- A book or magazine for parents
- A small speaker (keep the volume neighbor-friendly)
This complete sandcastle making set has 7 different molds, and two different sized shovels
Safety Items That Are Easy to Forget
- Bug spray (depends on location)
- First aid basics (bandages, wipes, ibuprofen)
- Ice pack
- Hand sanitizer
- Waterproof phone case
- ID or wallet
Tip: Keep a mini first aid kit permanently in your beach bag so you don’t have to re-pack it every time.
At the End of the Day
You’ll want:
- A change of dry clothes
- A bag for wet or sandy items
- Baby powder (magically removes sand from skin)
Everyone feels happier going home clean and dry — trust me.
Free Printable Beach Packing List
Download your easy, family-friendly beach checklist here:
There you have it! Your ultimate beach vacation packing list for your next family vacation. And, as promised, we’ve got a free printable beach packing list for you. Download it here:
More Family Travel Tips
Related Posts
- Best Lake Michigan Beaches
- Best Pool Games and Activities
- 5 Family Trips With Direct Flights from Milwaukee
- 5 Ways Milwaukee Airport Makes Traveling With Kids a Breeze
Packing for the shore? These essential travel tips for families with kids will help you avoid any last-minute hiccups.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
