Beach Accessories- 5 Things you forget to bring to the beach

The right beach accessories can make or break your day at the beach…or even your whole vacation! 

When you are running through your “beach checklist” of what you need to bring to the beach, I bet you forget these five things! These are the most needed beach accessories for adults, beach accessories for kids, and even the best beach accessory gifts for 2022. Use these ideas for how to be prepared when taking your family to the beach!

 

 

On my last trip to Florida with a family of 5, I realized I was NOT prepared for the beach– at all. Even though I brought swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen, I was SO unprepared for what I really needed once we got down to the actual sand/water situation.

So I wanted to share with you the 5 things I wish I had while we were at the beach- things I could not have thought of but we really needed!

 

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. 

 

(1)Polarized sunglasses

 Not just any sunglasses- Polarized sunglasses. Here’s why:

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, polarized sunglasses improve vision and safety in the sun by reducing glare. They have a really interesting article about polarized lenses, and recommend them, especially for fishing, boating. golfing, and when in the snow. (There are a few instances when you should not use polarized lenses such as viewing LCD screens or when you need the glare for better vision. More info can be found on the AAO website. 

From a layman’s perspective, I like that I can see into the water much more clearly through polarized lenses. When my kids are in the ocean, I want the BEST possible view of what’s in the water and wearing polarised lenses instead of my regular sunglasses made a HUGE difference. 

UV blocking and polarized are NOT the same so be sure your sunglasses are labeled as polarized or buy some here.

DON’T FORGET THE KIDS’ SUNGLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 At my last eye exam, my doctor told me that most of the damage that is done to our eyes is done during childhood. Scary! 

Grab a sunglass lanyard (these ones even float!) so they don’t lose them in the ocean, but it’s so important that their little eyes are protected!

 

 

(2) Binoculars

 From dolphin watching to sea shell searching or looking for a missing item, binoculars can enhance your beach experience! Being able to see far-off landscapes, ships, and even sea life is an amazing experience that you will miss without the power of binoculars. 

Grab a compact, portable pair to throw in your beach bag!… also consider making sure they are waterproof 😉

 

 

(3) Shoulder cover

 If you don’t know why you would need shoulder cover, consider yourself lucky. 

The sun beating down on your shoulders and chest can cause sunburn-or worse- before you even realize it.

According to dermatologist Orit Markowitz at Mount Siani, the shoulders and chest are the areas you under-apply sunscreen (along with the hairline, lips, and ears). The head and neck are the areas where the majority of all skin cancers occur (source) so covering those up is not just going to save you from the pain of sunburn, it can also be a health risk to leave them exposed to the sun. 

We learned this the hard way after a beautiful trip to Clearwater, Florida where my kids claimed to have reapplied sunscreen while I was grabbing lunch- and apparently, they did not do a good job and ended up with some mean sunburn. Luckily, we treated and healed it quickly but there is no better way to ruin a vacation than cranky kids who are in pain with sunburn. 

We went to the store and bought all of the kids LONG SLEEVE SWIMSUITS to keep as much skin area covered as possible! This was the BEST decision we made and now they only wear swimsuits that cover their shoulders!

Try these options (and always speak with your medical professional if you have concerns!)

Shoulder covers:

 

Sun Hats that cover shoulders:

   

*Try tying a large scarf around your sun hat for a little extra shoulder protection! 

 

(4) Escape from the sun 

The sun’s rays are brightest from 10am-3pm. And isn’t that inconvenient considering those are the hours you are most likely to find yourself sitting on the beach! 

Sometimes a shoulder cover or big sun hat isn’t enough to protect you from the sun. Having a place to create shade is vital for a great-and safe- beach day.

And forget about putting up an entire tent set-up! Some people are dragging those heavy things down to the beach at 7am and spending an hour setting up.

No thank you.

 I prefer something easy and quick- and preferably weighing less than a toddler, since we’ll probably be carrying one of those too. 

Lifewit sent me this Wolfwise pop-up tent that is super portable and lightweight. It’s a great place to give kids a break from the beating sunlight and grab some water to rehydrate. 

…And don’t let the shade allow you to forget the importance of reapplying your sunscreen!

**Sunscreen reminders to reapply- These easy, waterproof, kid-friendly stickers are a visual reminder to reapply. You can also set a timer on your phone to remind you!

 

(5) Seashell basket/bag

 The kids get all excited looking for seashells and start a collection to awe over. Before you know it, you are trying to juggle a pound of seashells on top of everything else you have to carry. Shells are falling out of buckets, sand is EVERYWHERE, and the tears are flying. Fun day at the beach?! 

These mesh seashell bags are lightweight, mesh, and super affordable. You can shake out the sand without unzipping (and having everything fall out) and even rinse everything off through the mesh. They are perfect for using with Beach Scavenger Hunt too!

No more getting sand all over the car just to keep a beach memory!