There’s nothing better than taking the kids to the beach and staying there all day; forget your worries and relax, while the kids have the time of their lives! Of course, being able to relax with a couple of energetic youngsters demands a level of prep!
We put together a few tips to help make the day a special one for all the right reasons.
- Get there early – You probably know this, getting to the beach early gives you choices for a location; under a shady tree would be the first choice, close to running water is another big plus! Once all the gear is out of the car, you can make the area yours, at least for a day.
- Prevent overexposure to the Sun – Issue each child with a kids beach robe and make sure they wear it when not in the water. Use sunscreen liberally and make sure the kids step under the shower after every ocean excursion; salty skin burns and that is very painful. If there is a breeze, this can be deceptive, even though you can’t feel the heat on your skin, the damage is being done just the same.
- Flip flops – Starting around age 5, children can wear flip flops on the beach, don’t encourage running around barefoot; there could be shards of glass, often thanks to teenage night gatherings. The last thing you need is a serious cut on your son or daughter’s foot. Toddlers should wear rubber shoes with straps, also watch for walking on tarmac; parking areas can have scorching surfaces and getting out of a cooled car onto hot tarmac is going to result in a lot of pain and discomfort.
- Bring water and food – Unless you are surrounded by food vendors, take what you need in a big cooler; a big ice bucket is another must. The beers can sit in the ice and watch out when packing glass bottles. Disposable plates, spoons and forks are all you need; use a black bag for all your trash.
Sydney beaches are excellent, with many that have the facilities you need, those that are more remote require serious prep. Wipes are a must and keep your eye on the amount of time your kids are in the water, sunburn is a real risk.
