Traveling to the beach with toddlers can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Use these tips for your next beach trip to make the most out of your trip with your toddler.
Keep your schedule as normal as possible
If your toddler loves to have their schedule it can make traveling difficult, especially if you’re in a different time zone. Try to keep your toddler’s sleep and meal schedules as close to normal as possible. When I travel to Panama City Beach with my toddler it usually means we wake up and start our day around 6 am. We are usually on the beach by 8 am with our lunch packed so we can make the most out of our day before nap time.
Hydrate
The Florida heat can be brutal so it is important to stay hydrated. Before heading down to the pool or the beach make sure to pack the cooler with lots of water and ice to keep it cold. To make packing the cooler easier we always keep ziplock bags full of ice in the freezer so we can just throw them in the cooler and go. When we get back to the condo we put the bags back in the freezer so they have time to refreeze before we go out again.
Pack your beach bag with the sun and sand in mind
Before you head down to the beach, make sure your beach bag is fully stocked. Be sure to pack lots of sunscreen and a sunhat (or two) to protect your little one from the sun. It’s also a good idea to bring a toddler beach tent so they have a shaded place to relax. We always make sure to bring a couple of beach toys to keep the little ones occupied. It’s also nice to bring some baby powder to help get the sand off. Before you leave the condo, you might want to stick some after-sun care in the fridge in case anyone gets burned!
Be flexible
It’s always nice to have the day fully planned out, but when traveling with a toddler it’s important to be flexible and follow their lead. They will let you know when they’re tired and can’t do anymore. We always make sure to pack our toddler’s favorite books and games so that when they’ve had enough we can head back to the condo and relax. Nobody wants an overtired toddler on their vacation.
Snacks
We always make sure to pack twice as many snacks as we think we will need. Playing in the sun and the heat can work up quite an appetite and it’s better to have too many snacks than not enough.
Keep Safety In Mind
Having a little one on the beach means taking some extra safety measures. Toddlers tend to run off when they see something that may be interesting to them. Having your little one wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on the beach is a great way to ensure that your little one will stay safe. Know what the beach flag system and make sure you abide by the flags. These flags are put up for your safety. Always make sure to talk to your little ones about beach safety and set boundaries (even though they may not listen). It can also be helpful to take swim lessons before your beach trip so that your little one is better prepared for water safety.
Book a condo with a pack-n-play and high chair
Traveling with a toddler means bringing lots of stuff so booking a condo that has a pack-n-play and high chair makes it a bit easier on the parents. At Premium Beach Condos, most of our condos have a pack-n-play and high chair available for little ones to use. Be sure to let your host know ahead of time that you need to use these items so they can make sure they are in the condo for your stay.