Day at the beach tips please!

[Chilver]

Hi, we have managed to get a coveted booked slot at a beach for tomorrow and plan to go early and spend the whole day there. We will be taking a (lot of) picnic food and beach games as don't want to go into any local cafe/restaurant/supermarket! There will 2 adults, 2 kids (8 and 10) and a dog.

What are your best tips for a long day at the beach? What is the one item we shouldn't forget???

I saw somewhere about taking a fitted sheet. Pop bags/something with weight in each corner. It actually works really well! Kids have to step over something so they stop and step over rather than just charging straight in covered in sand.

I also like a wind break.

It’s a bit strange that someone has no idea what to take to the beach. I’ve never taken talc

@Fairenuffbi agree. Bloody odd !

Not really sure why there's negative comments. Op asked for beach tips which makes me think it's not often she goes to the beach. If you go regularly (like me) there may be some tips op wasn't aware of, like talc for example

I’d skip the talcum powder. That stuff has arsenic in it.(naturally occurring) and there are massive court cases going on right now from people who have developed cancer due to using talcum powder.

Never ever taken talc to the beach and never will. Once sand is dry it just brushes off anyway.

Not good for asthma either.

@Fairenuffbi and @TomNook - talk about raining on my parade! We are excited for a day out given the current pandemic and don't regularly go to the beach, so sue me! And I didn't say that I had no idea what to take to the beach, I asked for YOUR best tips as more regular beach goers might have some simple advice on how to make our day even easier and better.

Thanks for all the tips and positivity from others!

Well have you been on a picnic OP? It's pretty much the same, food, drink, rug to sit on, shade, etc. Just with less towels and talc

The only advantage in going to the beach is that you can crap in the sea with everyone else which some would consider a bonus.

Are you having a shitty day @Fairenuff? I'm usually well up for sarcastic 'deserved' comment, but can't understand why you would go to the trouble to add negativity like that? 🤷🏼‍♀️

No, I'm having a great day thanks. I just thought that people supplying lists of things to take to the beach was a bit odd and was moved to comment accordingly. Each to their own.

Ah Sunday. The day where I like to find excited threads from MNers looking forward to something and suck all the fun out of it!

I thought West Wittering too! Beautiful beach if it is, enjoy your day.

Well to be fair, I am posting on some more serious threads too. And I'm sure one or two fairly ignorable comments are not going to suck the fun out of OP's trip to the beach

Although maybe less ignorable now people keep asking me about it.

Have a fab day OP .. I LOVE the beach 🏖

Toilets are all closed at our local beaches-reports of human faeces being left in the sand on local FB

The fun police have arrived 🙄

I really would be wary of going anywhere for an entire day (especially with 2 children) if I didn’t have access to a proper toilet Is there a way you can find out whether they’re open before you go?

I’d definitely bring some form of parasol for shade if it’s going to be hot tomorrow. Your dog will appreciate it! I have also gone for days out before and remembered water for my dog but forgotten to bring a bowl, so don’t forget that either!

Plastic bags and sanitary towels. You can pee in the bag and the towel will soak it up. The sea at our beach is often far away so not suitable for peeing in!

I thought West Wittering beach too x

Two words - beach trolley.

Like this - no more multiple trips to the car. And even better, if your car boot is big enough, pack it before you go and put it in the car packed then you just lift it out when you get there, mine has transformed our days at the beach!

At the beach yesterday with dc and dog. Talc was a godsend. Treats for dog to keep them quiet as beaches can be very busy and overwhelming. The toilets were open and I thought all public toilets opened last week.

Suncream for kids and shade for the dog. And please do not bury anything from toilet trips or someone elses child may get a nasty suprise!

Talc is a good one it really works!
Think of going to the beach myself tomorrow. It's not to be as hot as later in the week but would blow the cobwebs away. Ds has a new bike could ride on the prom.

Threads like this make so glad I don't live near a tourist beach

I'll be at ours at 7am tomorrow to walk the dog and I suspect I'll be on my own as usual! Even at 11am the other week there were maybe 10 families there.

Definitely wouldn't be burying toilet paper - eeeurgh!

Good point about dog treats, @megladon2020!

Beach chairs
Shade
Wind break
Loads of nice food
Thermos of tea and china cups
Sun cream
Book
Frozen Capri suns and decent soft drinks for adults
Water
SUP
Swim stuff
Towels
Beach shoes
Thin IKEA blanket

We go a lot and take a lot but have hacked packing it down small.