What to Pack for the Beach 7 Easy Items to Keep Handy

So there I was, standing in my garage at 5:30 in the morning, staring at what looked like I was packing for a month-long expedition. My wife poked her head out and goes, “We’re going to the beach for one day, not moving to Florida.”

She had a point. But see, I’d been scarred by the Great Beach Disaster of 2018.

Picture this: Fourth of July weekend, Ocean City. Me, my wife, our two kids, and my brother’s family. Eight people, one day at the beach. Should’ve been perfect, right? Wrong. So wrong.

I grabbed some random towels, threw together some sandwiches the night before (big mistake), and figured we’d buy whatever else we needed there. How hard could it be?

By 10 AM, my 8-year-old was crying because his shoulders were already turning red. You know that look my wife was giving me.The sandwiches had turned into some kind of warm, soggy mess that nobody wanted to eat. And don’t even get me started on the sunscreen situation.It seems that eight individuals wouldn’t be satisfied with that half-empty bottle from last summer.

We ended up spending sixty bucks at one of those boardwalk stores, and even then, it was just damage control. The kids were miserable, my sister-in-law was making passive-aggressive comments about my planning skills, and by 2 PM we were all sitting in traffic, sunburned and grumpy.

But you know what? That disaster taught me something. Beach days don’t have to be disasters. You just gotta think a little bit ahead. Not like, spreadsheet-level planning, but just… not being completely clueless like I was.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of trial and error – and yeah, mostly error.

Sun Protection (Because Looking Like a Tomato Isn’t a Good Look)

Let me just get this out of the way first – sunscreen is not optional. I don’t care if you “never burn” or if it’s cloudy. The sun at the beach is different. It bounces off the water, off the sand, and it’ll get you when you’re not paying attention.

Sunscreen reality check Most people suck at sunscreen. They put on this tiny amount and think they’re protected. You need to slather it on like you’re buttering toast. I’m serious – use way more than feels normal.

Get the big bottle. Not those tiny travel ones that cost five bucks and last about twenty minutes. Buy the family size at the grocery store and use it generously. SPF 30 is fine, just make sure it says “broad spectrum.”

Here’s something nobody tells you: put it on before you even leave the house. Don’t wait until you’re standing on the beach. It needs time to soak in, and trying to apply sunscreen when you’re already hot and sandy is a nightmare.

Set a timer on your phone for every two hours. I know it sounds nerdy, but trust me on this. When you’re having fun, time flies, and next thing you know it’s been four hours and you’re crispy.

Get a real hat I used to think my baseball cap was enough. It’s not. You need something with a wide brim that actually covers your face and neck. Yeah, you might look like you’re going to a garden party, but who cares? You’ll be the one not peeling skin off your nose later.

My brother made fun of my sun hat until he forgot his one day and spent the evening with ice packs on his forehead. Now he’s got one too.

Sunglasses that actually do something Stop buying sunglasses at gas stations. Just stop. They’re basically colored plastic that make you think you’re protected while doing absolutely nothing for your eyes.

Get real ones that block UV rays. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but don’t go cheap either. Your eyes and your head will thank you.

Water and Staying Hydrated (The Beach Thirst is Real)

The beach sucks the water right out of you. Sun, salt air, maybe some drinks, walking around on hot sand – it all adds up fast. And being thirsty at the beach is miserable.

Water, lots of it I used to bring maybe two bottles for our whole family. What was I thinking? Now I pack at least one large bottle per person, sometimes more if it’s gonna be really hot.

Here’s a game changer my neighbor taught me: freeze half your water bottles the night before. Stick them in your cooler and they’ll keep everything else cold while slowly turning into ice-cold water throughout the day. Genius, right?

Replace what you’re losing Water’s great, but when you’re sweating all day, you need to replace the salt and other stuff you’re losing too. Pack some sports drinks, coconut water, or those little electrolyte packets you can add to water.

Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink something. By then you’re already behind. Just sip something every fifteen minutes or so.

Setting Up Your Spot Right

This is where you can really make your day better without hauling a bunch of extra stuff around.

A towel that doesn’t turn into a sand collector Regular towels at the beach are awful. They grab every grain of sand and hold onto it like they’re collecting specimens. Get one of those microfiber beach towels – sand just brushes right off them, and they dry fast too.

They cost more than regular towels, but they’re worth every penny. I’ve had mine for four years and they still work great.

Something to actually sit on Sand is fine for a while, but after a few hours, your back’s gonna hate you. A lightweight beach chair is one of the best investments you can make for beach comfort. If you don’t want to lug a chair around, at least get one of those cushions with back support.

My wife always says she doesn’t need a chair, then spends half the day stealing mine.

Protect your phone Get a waterproof case. Not the kind of waterproof where you hope it works – the kind where you actually trust it. Sand gets into everything, and one splash of salt water will kill your phone dead.

Make sure you can still use the touchscreen through the case. Those cheap plastic bag things are better than nothing, but they’re frustrating as hell to actually use.

Food That Won’t Make You Miserable

Beach food is tricky. You want stuff that tastes good, won’t spoil in the heat, and doesn’t turn into a sandy disaster the moment you try to eat it.

Stuff that actually works Grapes are perfect. They’re refreshing, you don’t need utensils, and they don’t go bad quickly. Any pre-cut fruit in sealed containers works well too.

Trail mix, nuts, and granola bars are great for when you need actual food. They give you energy without the sugar crash later.

For real meals, keep it simple. Peanut butter and jelly might be boring, but it’s reliable. No mayo, no deli meat, nothing that’ll make you sick if it gets warm.

Keep cold stuff cold A decent cooler with plenty of ice is worth the investment if you’re bringing anything that needs to stay cold. Those cheap styrofoam ones are useless – they fall apart and don’t keep anything cold.

If something’s been sitting in warm temperatures for more than two hours, just throw it out. Food poisoning on a beach day is nobody’s idea of fun.

Entertainment That Doesn’t Suck

Beach entertainment is usually best when it’s simple. Some of my favorite beach memories are just playing catch or reading a book in the shade.

Keep it simple A frisbee or beach ball will keep you busy for hours. A deck of cards in a waterproof bag is great for when you need a break from the sun. If you bring a speaker, keep the volume reasonable – nobody else wants to hear your music.

Books are perfect for beach time, but keep them in waterproof bags. I learned this the hard way when a wave came up higher than I expected and turned my paperback into mush.

The secret weapon for kids (and adults) Bring a mesh bag for collecting shells and cool rocks. Kids will spend hours looking for treasures, and honestly, adults get into it too. It’s surprisingly relaxing.

First Aid Basics

A basic first aid kit seems like overkill until someone gets hurt. Then it becomes the most important thing you brought.

The stuff you’ll actually need Band-aids are the MVP. Pack way more than you think you need – they get used for everything. Aloe vera for sunburn treatment, tweezers for splinters, and antiseptic wipes.

Keep some basic pain reliever too. Headaches happen, especially if someone gets dehydrated or spends too much time in the sun.

Two summers ago, my nephew stepped on a piece of shell and cut his foot pretty good. Having that little first aid kit meant we could clean it up and bandage it right there instead of packing up and finding urgent care.

The Little Things That Make a Difference

These aren’t absolutely necessary, but they solve annoying problems that come up all the time.

Stuff that solves problems A portable phone charger – your battery dies fast when you’re taking pictures all day. Wet wipes for sticky hands and sandy faces. Some cash for parking and snacks.

I have no idea why, but if you sprinkle some on sandy feet and brush it off, the sand comes right with it.

Plastic bags for wet swimsuits and sandy toys. Nothing’s worse than having to put wet, sandy stuff in with your clean clothes for the drive home.

What to Leave at Home

Save yourself some heartache and don’t bring this stuff.

Things that don’t belong Expensive jewelry – salt water ruins everything metal. Important stuff you’d panic about losing. Electronics without waterproof protection. Glass anything (most beaches don’t allow it anyway).

Don’t bring stuff you’d be really upset about losing or damaging. The beach is awesome, but it’s also sand, salt, and water everywhere. Things get lost, things get wet, things get ruined. Just plan for it.

Putting It All Together

You don’t need every single thing I mentioned for every beach trip. A quick morning visit needs different prep than spending the whole day there. But these categories cover the stuff that usually goes wrong.

Your basic checklist:

• Actual sun protection (not just going through the motions)
• More water than seems reasonable
• Something comfortable to sit on
• Food that won’t spoil or get sandy
• Simple stuff to do when you’re not in the water
• Basic first aid for minor problems
• Little extras that solve annoying issues

The goal isn’t to be prepared for every possible scenario – it’s to handle the common stuff that can ruin an otherwise great day.

Time to Actually Enjoy the Beach

Last month, we went back to Ocean City – same beach where everything went wrong five years ago. This time was completely different. Nobody got sunburned, we had plenty to eat and drink, and the kids actually had fun instead of complaining.

My brother even admitted I’d figured out this beach thing. Coming from him, that’s high praise.

Look, your perfect beach day isn’t about having the most expensive gear or the fanciest setup. It’s about being prepared enough that you can relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around putting out fires all day.

What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you at the beach? Or what’s the best tip you’ve learned that I missed? Drop a comment – we’ve all got those stories, and sharing them helps everyone have better beach days.