Guest Blog from Sally – Harrogate Mumbler
A trip to the beach takes on a whole new meaning with kids, doesn’t it?
There’s much less sun bathing and relaxing and much more sun cream slathering while fishing sand out of the baby’s mouth. Don’t get me started on trying to get the sand off of everyone at the end!
These days we make a few, short trips to the beach and call it a day, but we have learned a thing or two about beaching with babies over the years. So, to help you keep your cool on the sand over the summer, here are Mumbler’s best tips for surviving – and enjoying – the beach with kids!
- Arrive after breakfast, and leave by noon!
Beat the crowds and rock up as early as you can. By lunch time you – and the kids – will have had enough, and can come away before the strongest heat of the day.
- Shade, shade, shade
However you want to do it, shade is your most valuable tool on the beach. Take beach umbrellas, or rent a parasol. You could take a pop-up tent, but check they’re well ventilated and not getting too hot and stuffy inside.
- Pack a baby paddling pool
They’re small and lightweight so easy to carry, but are a great tool for the beach. Kids can sit in them if they don’t like the sea, or use them to wash their hands if they get too sandy. It also means you don’t have to sit near the sea for them to quickly cool off.
- Fitted sheet
Weigh down each corner with something heavy (beach bag, bottle of water, etc) and you have a safe space for a baby to play in. Or somewhere to keep your belongings out of the sand!
- Baby Powder
Fab for removing sand! Apply it onto dry, sandy skin and brush it off with your hands.
- Mesh laundry bag
Pack beach toys into a mesh laundry bag then you can simply shake out the sand when it’s time to go.
- Makeup sponges
Avoid getting your hands greasy from sun cream by using makeup sponges to apply.
- Mini fan
Easy to fit in your bag and can cool you down in a pinch. Especially useful if you’re sat nursing or rocking a baby and there’s no breeze.
- Drinks coolers
Worth their weight in gold when everyone is tired and thirsty. Freeze bottles of water and they will stay cool all day. You can also pack frozen fruit in individual bags or frozen yoghurt tubes. They will melt as they day goes on and become refreshing snacks for the kids.
- Decoy Nappy
Roll up your valuables into a nappy, then wrap it up like it’s used – no one’s going to want to go rummaging around in there!
Did you know…
🏖️ Roker Beach, Sunderland was ranked in the Top 6 Child-Friendly Beaches in Britain in a recent study by Twinkl?
👉 Find out why here – along with other top beaches to visit!
Thanks so much to guest blogger Sally. If you have family or friends in Harrogate then be sure to let them know about the Harrogate Mumbler website.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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