A day at the beach, tips

[RedRobyn24]

How do you make a day at the beach easy?

This summer I’ll have an 18 month old and a 5 year old and I want to spend some days at the beach (we only live half an hour away)

We also have a dog who we could potentially bring with us, but only to the beaches with no toilets. How are other people managing this?

I wouldn’t bring a dog. Too much chaos. Also you’ll need a toilet.

Lots of toys, things to fill up and tip out, dig with, food and drinks, some sort of sun shade (not one of those hot little tents), towels and warm changing robes to bundle up in after. I carry everything in a rucksack so my hands are free. Carrier bags or dry bags for wet stuff. Crocs or water shoes for rocky or shingle beaches or where there may be weaver fish.

Think about your timing in terms of the tides. If you want the rock pools, plan to get there an hour or so before low tide, for example. Obviously be careful about being cut off, but this matters more on some beaches and less on others. Big bottle of water in the car to wash off sandy feet and shoes before you get back in.

Talcum powder for sand removal.

Bring a paddling pool which you can fill with water for the 18 month old.
agree, don’t bring the dog unless it’s very well trained and will stay with you.

What did shade stop you recommend if not the tents (agree they're rubbish but haven't found an alternative)?

We have a soft dustpan brush which is a permanent fixture in our beach bag.

A paddling pool is ideal for youngest. Make sure you have something for shade. Depending on type of beach the pull along trolleys are really good. In Portugal we saw loads of people using shopping trolley bags loaded with everything. Beach shoes, buckets, spades, decent fishing nets, water play toys etc. plenty of healthy snacks as children are always hungry when out for the day.