14-month old at the seaside

[cornflakes5]

We're going to the British seaside next month with a 14-month old. She's not crawling or walking yet. It's a sandy beach.

What should we bring or buy to help her enjoy the seaside even though she can't move by herself? Is it worth getting her a swimming cossie or jelly shoes? We have a lilo donut for children, but not sure we can do much with it!

Thank you 🏖

I would get her a cossie and jellies, even though she's not mobile yet. It doesn't mean that she can't have those things.
Bucket and spade so you can do sandcastles with her, get the one's with the sand toys so that she can 'dig about' herself.
Build a castle and let her bash it with the spade.
Windmills are always good.
You can pop her on the lilo in the shallows while you hold onto her, make a game of it. Its a boat, a spaceship etc.
You can even pop her on it on the sands and build a 'wall' type of thing, complete with windmills. Pick up some shells and bits of seaweed and make a head with the bucket out of sand.
I hope the weather is good for you. Enjoy.

The only thing I'd suggest is one of those all in one long sleeved/legged swim suits as it helps to prevent sand going everywhere into their nappies.

Other than that just let her enjoy it, bucket and spade. DS thinks sandcastles are hilarious.

My ds hated the sand until he was 3!! Saw a life hack where you take a bed sheet and place a bag in the elasticated corners to make a play mat with sides! Agree your baby's feet needs a dunk in the sea though!!

Toddler aqua shoes to protect her feet and toes

This kind of thing
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/childrens-swimming-shoes-b6993.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_r3nBRDxARIsAJljleEdRiFb5uWgXa8V16nZKExVYYZe7EjWkJqLmgrUGRO2t4UUb_p796UaApvXEALw_wcB

Make sure you bring along some baby powder. It takes the sand right off your skin.

These are good www.johnlewis.com/babybundle-swim-floatseat-yellow/p240185?sku=231191616&s_kwcid=2dx92700042946509354&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7teNlMDD4gIVz7_tCh3zNwykEAQYASABEgLfjfD_BwE

DS loved the beach at this age, he didn't need anything apart from sand and water to entertain him. One thing to watch out for is eating sand - when they poo it out afterwards it can be very painful!!

My DD hated the beach at that age. I finally realised she got quite chilly. So waterproof picnic blanket for sitting in (sand is usually damp). Proper mini-wetsuit (cheap in Tesco's). Old fleecy top over that. She was as much happier then. I think not being mobile wasn't helping.

I wouldn’t bother with any particular shoes if she’s not walking. The all in one uv wetsuits are great as it cuts down on suncream application.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kids-Toddler-Baby-Swim-Water-Shoe-Beach-Aqua-Socks-Skinny-Wading-Dive-Shoes-Slip/113707924069?var=&hash=item1a79853a65

Loads to choose from

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=toddler+aqua+shoes&LH_PrefLoc=1

Honestly? Unless it's something you really want to do I think going on a beach with an immobile toddler is madness. You will literally have to sit there and try to amuse them whilst getting yourself; your child and your belongings covered in sand.

Swimming cossie yes. Any kind of footwear is pointless if she's not walking. A bucket and spade set with a mini watering can might be a hit but the adults will end up doing most of the work. Tbh at that point a swimming pool was a much better idea than a sandy beach.

Reusable swim nappies and long sleeved swimming costume. Several sun hats (my dc always chucked their hats off the side of the buggy - and dh never noticed). Big towels. Spray on sun cream. A cheapo wetsuit if you’re planning to go in the sea - it makes a massive difference to how long they can stay in the water.

My dc loved the beach - which was just as well as we live 5 minutes from it. Dd1 had a particular fondness for eating sand - which ensured sandpaper style nappies the next day - so plenty of sudocreme.

My DD learnt to walk on the beach. There is a possibility she will be mobile by then. They loved the beach as toddlers, esp eating it. Bucket and spade, dig a hole and fill with water to paddle in, look for shells, build a castle. Swim nappy if going in the sea.

We also had one of those pop-up sun tents. DD could sit in it if it got very hot, or windy. Also useful for naps.

When mine were little my mother got us to dig them little cars in the sand to sit in, great fun. She'd remembered doing it for her much younger brother. Hope you have a great holiday.

Aw, I have lovely memories of DC2 at that age sitting in a rock pool eating winkles!

Sorry forgot the advice - we had them in a swimming all in one, with swim nappy underneath. Several other changes if clothes.
A baby backpack is really useful for getting down to the beach too.

Thanks, everyone! A beach tent is a great idea, I'll definitely be getting one.

I'm a bit unsure about the cossie. DD is temperamental and is currently a bit weird about getting dressed and also getting into the bath (water). I don't want to get it only for it to be a waste. Are they particularly cheap anywhere?

@Aquamarine1029 stupid question I'm sure, but how do I use baby powder to de-sand?

Just rub some over her skin and then brush off. The powder acts like a kind of lubricant to lift the sand away.

I took our 9 month old and took a tiny little blow up paddling pool for her to sit in and put her toys in there with her, she loved it and kept her and toys sand free x

If you’re not sure about a cossie just don’t bother. When we did our first beach trip at 18 months DS was happy in his normal clothes and actually from a nappy changing point of view it was much easier.

Most of the supermarkets do them pretty cheaply. But I agree with it not being completely necessary in this country. It's usually pretty chilly, and if a little one gats wet, will need changing straight away to stop them getting really cold.