Aibu to not know how to go to the beach?!

[Heartofstrings]

And to ask for help!

I live in north Hampshire and am desperate to take my kids to the beach tomorrow. We've hardly been anywhere for 12 months so I just don't know procedures. I guess I can go almost anywhere as most places will be a drive of at least an hour.

Do I have to book anything? Like parking? Am I allowed to go?

One boy is also coeliac which doesn't help. If I can get fish and chips on the beach that would be awesome but not essential.

I just don't know how to go about all this anymore.

Pp have offered great advice. - lots of snacks, lots to drink, warm layers as it’s actually not that warm yet and the wind can be chilly.
Buckets, spades, also toy cars or trucks were a huge hit when mine were that age, they’d make tracks in the sand etc - hours of fun!!
Good if dh is going too as that gives you an extra pair of hands and another set of eyes!!
I’m sure you’ll have a great time

Head to Avon beach or Branksome chine.

We have a beach bag in the car most of the time. Take lots of towels (useful for drying but also sitting on, blankets, protecting modesty!!), buckets and spades for the children, a ball or two, small vehicles etc, plenty of layers of clothes and lots of snacks and water.

I also leave a bag of clean clothes and a plastic bag in the car. Sometimes getting changed on the beach is so cold, and nothing beats putting all the wet things in a bag and popping in clean, dry socks and a fleece when you get back to the car.

Have a wonderful time!

I had some issues posting yesterday but the car is packed. I've got everything sorted.

@Nonmaquillee thankyou for the advice but some things aren't so simple with an SEN child. For my son it's a long distance trip to an unfamiliar place.

Mostly I was concerned about crowds and social distancing and having facilities like toilets available for the children

@Heartofstrings

I had some issues posting yesterday but the car is packed. I've got everything sorted.

@Nonmaquillee thankyou for the advice but some things aren't so simple with an SEN child. For my son it's a long distance trip to an unfamiliar place.

Mostly I was concerned about crowds and social distancing and having facilities like toilets available for the children

Oh Heart I hope you all have a lovely day ☺️

I'm dying to get my 18 month old water baby to the beach!
Have you decided on Bournemouth of West whittering?
Please let me know how busy is was x

We're heading Christchurch direction - likely avon. So unsure what to do about the bacon and sausages I bought!

Ah I'm so glad to see you are going. Have a lovely day!

Not sure about beaches near you but there is one near us that has lots of crabs hiding under rocks which is the best part with our girls. We give out points for each crab and the one with the most points is the crab queen

Keep the bacon and sausages for dinner? It's unlikely toilets will be closed I live 5 mins from the beach and toilets and takeaway cafes have been open the whole time except the initial lockdown. If toilets aren't open there might be a supermarket nearby. Your DC are still Small enough to go on a potty behind the car, just line it with a carrier bag. It's a bit grim but no different from dog walkers bining dog poo if you are really stuck.

Loos at Avon are open. Have a wonderful time!

If you don’t want a sandy beach, Calshot is very easy. Park next to the shingle, crabs to find, stones to throw in the sea, toilets open (a bit of a hike), and never very crowded. but I hope you have fun at Avon area. Last year we went down to Hengistbury head and Southbourne and as long as we left early there was never any problems on social distancing/crowds.

Prepare for it to be busy this weekend! Go early? Take loads of spare clothes - kids will want to go in and out despite it being quite cold still. Take packed food for your son and change for parking. I’d go West a bit to avoid the big crowds. Enjoy!

Hill Head and Lee-On-Solent are stony beaches but great fun. Don't use the shack but walk to Leon's as the food is much nicer. Even when busy, you can normally find an area just for you.

Good planning makes for a good day. I hope you have a lovely time. My sister will trust gluten free fish and chips at certain places, but will want to ask about the batter and seperate dedicated fryer first. Maybe just get lollies this time.

We are pretty much ready to go. Do you think I'll be OK to buy a little disposable bbq for the beach?

Genuine question- if all travel is now ok why do the motorway signs say Minimise Travel? So confused!

If u haven't set off yet I recommend taking a fitted sheet to put on the sand. Put your bags in each corner so it stretches out and can give the kids a play area not directly on the sand if they are SEN and have sensory issues. Also a laundry/underwear bag is handy. The ones with holes like a net. U put all buckets and toys in when leaving and most sand will drop through before u get to the car. I also second using talc. Have a lovely day

Bbq will depend on beach - many ban them as dangerous for others as they obv stay hot for a long time. Check signs when you get there!

Like these

Most beaches don’t allow bbq’s. Tbh, you’ve stressed so much about this, do you really think throwing a bbq into the mix, keeping the kids away (and other peoples) from the hot coals is going to be calm and stress free? Pre prepare your food and just take it with you.

No. Take sandwiches instead of a BBQ. The BBQ might not be allowed on the beach, and how are you going to supervise your dc while it's on? Then keep them away from the hot coals while they cool down? Don't complicate things.

Please DON’T take a disposable BBQ. They are antisocial when in use and dangerous until completely cool. I’m sure you would clear up after yourself, but the amount of debris left after a ‘quick’ BBQ many beach goers leave is heartbreaking.

We didn't have the bbq but have ended up in the inlaws garden where we will cook it.

Ds1 lasted an hour before he started getting overwhelmed. Both boys enjoyed it but it was a faff for an hour

I have two quick coeliac suggestions for future trips having traveled widely with 2 kids and 1 adult who are coeliac (and autistic)

McDonald’s are everywhere, the fries are approved gluten free and in all my years and travels they’ve never glutened us

For trips out when you want something warm will your ds eat hotdogs? I boil a flask up put the dogs in, pre slice rolls (Tesco) and just drain at meal time and serve

If like us you’re veggie then quorn frankfurters are gf

We’ve traveled the country and these two staples have made our life easier when in unfamiliar places