The Ultimate Packing List for a Family Beach Vacation

Is your family looking to escape the cold by traveling to a tropical climate for your winter vacation? If so, I’m sure you’re already daydreaming about the fresh breeze, your bare feet and the sand between your toes, and the warm sunshine on your skin. My family is headed down to Mexico for a vaycay soon, and I absolutely cannot wait to get there. The part I’m NOT looking forward to? The packing. How to pack for a family beach vacation is a challenge for all of us.

Because we live in North Carolina (technically “The South,” but still a place with four seasons and a cold winter), our summer clothes are packed away in the attic at the moment, so getting ready for our trip is going to require a little effort. Plus, since we’re flying to Mexico, there are limitations (such as how much luggage we can bring) to consider with that as well.

Here are a few tips for how to pack must-haves for your family beach vacation and make it as painless as possible – and a packing list to print and check off – so you can minimize the stress and get back to dreaming about how amazing the trip itself is going to be.

1. WRITE OUT A PACKING LIST IN ADVANCE

Just the act of making a list makes us feel calmer and more in control of a situation, so that’s a huge plus right there. We’ve started a basic one below, but you’ll want to personalize it for your needs.

Also, making a list at least a couple weeks before the trip will help you identify items you don’t have. Did you run out of sunscreen over the summer? You’ve got lots of time to stock up on it for your trip.

Make the list–writing process a gradual one. Write some items (it helps me to section out the list by family member), then leave the list alone for a day or two. Come back to it and see if you can identify any holes. You can also assign timeframes for action on some items. For example, travel snacks can be something on the list that you write yourself a note to buy a week before your trip.

2. Determine What You can Borrow for Free at Your Destination

My nine-month-old will need to sleep in a pack ‘n play, but that item will be available at our resort, so we don’t need to pack our own. There will likely also be things like towels and maybe even floaties and pool toys for the kids (especially if you are going to a resort, not just a hotel) that you’ll be able to use there. You’ll be able to avoid packing them, saving you both space and sanity, and you should also note those things on your list.

3. CONSIDER BUYING CERTAIN ITEMS WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Depending on what destination you’re headed to, you might be able to buy items there (in the hotel or resort, or neighboring town) so you don’t have to pack them. Things like:

Diapers
Food
Batteries
Insect repellent
Sunscreen (especially if you’re carrying on and need the family size that won’t pass TSA’s carry-on rules).

4. don’t forget these helpful extras

To make your trip a little easier, it can be helpful to bring along a few things in your purse or carry on:

Baby wipes, for your baby (if you have one) or really for anyone for wiping hands, cleaning up small spills, etc. Make sure to have the wipes readily accessible in an easy to reach pocket of your bag.
Ziploc/waterproof bags can also really come in handy for beach trips
Larger plastic bag for dirty clothes: our family always makes sure to have this along as well – especially helpful when you leave in afternoon with wet swimsuits still in tow.
Sweatshirt or packable jacket: Whatever the weather might be where you’re headed, you should prepare for a sudden cold spell and bring a comfy sweatshirt or jacket for everyone as well.
Snacks! Of course, when traveling with children, you really can never have too many things to nibble on.

How to Keep Sand from coming home in your suitcase

One souvenir you don’t want to bring back from your beach vacation is sand, all over your clothes and personal items. Here are a few tips for leaving that sticky, grainy stuff at the beach where it belongs, and not in your suitcase.

Nip it in the bud right at the beach: The best place to get rid of the sand is right when you get off the beach. Shake shoes, clothing, towels and blankets vigorously, and thoroughly wipe skin, toys and sports gear. Use showers and foot faucets if provided by the hotel or public beach.

Baby powder and baby wipes: Baby powder is very effective at removing sand. First brush the sand off, dry the skin, and then apply the baby powder and any remaining sand will fall off. Baby wipes are excellent at getting sand off suntan lotion bottles, toys and sports gear.

Mesh expandable laundry bag: These bags are a great place to stash your kids’ toys at the beach, and they are easy to shake out and clean.

One last check in hotel room: Before packing up, do last one “sand check” of your skin and hair, and all your clothing and personal articles.

The Ultimate Family Beach Vacation Packing List

Every family has different needs, but you can use this list as a starting point to build your own. Don’t forget the suitcases!

What To Pack In Your Carry-On BAG:

Baby wipes
Ziploc bags
Large plastic bag for any wet or soiled clothes (trash bags can work well!)
Sweater/light jacket
Healthy snacks
Headphones for everyone
Earplugs
Neck pillows
Family members’ medicines (in pill case in carry-on bag)
Books and magazines
Tickets
Cash
Passport and driver’s license/IDs
Journal
Cameras and video camera (or your smartphone can serve this purpose)
Charging cords and adapters

What To Pack For Your Beach Baby:
Sleepwear
Diapers and swim diapers
Wipes
Pacifiers
Diaper Bag/changing pad
Formula/some food/pumping equipment
Blankets, including one for floor time
Clothes
Shoes, including water shoes
Sunhat
Swimsuit
Baby sunscreen
Baby powder (also effective at removing sand from skin)
Spray bottle (also effective at getting sand off)
Travel stroller
Portable fan
Carseat (and a bag to put it in on the plane if you’re flying and plan on checking it)
Favorite packable toys (nothing noisy for the plane)