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Father’s day is almost here and for our family that means it is time for our annual family day at the beach and boardwalk. This is a tradition we started with our family very early on, and it almost makes me look forward to Father’s day more than Mother’s day (almost!). The beach and boardwalk that we go to every year hold so many amazing memories for us. It is where James and I spent the first summer we were dating, playing claw games and winning more stuffed animals than any 20-something should ever have. We were such pros. It is where we got married. And now it is where we have spend countless Father’s Days– even when it is overcast! 
My husband is the classic “impossible-to-shop-for-Dad“, so planning our beach day is what saves me every year. Experiential gifts are the best, aren’t they? Packing up a family with small children for a day at the beach can be a bit stressful. We don’t want to be without anything, so we try to pack everything and end up looking like a camel toting tons of baggage through the sand– right? Been there. And while, you will inevitably always be toting a lot when you’re traveling with small children, we have learned that it can absolutely be simplified. 
Here are some of our tips and tricks to save you from stress and your bag-toting arms from losing circulation– along with some great gift ideas for the beach-loving-Dad. Wardrobe Planning. I recommend dressing in layers- bathing suit, cover up and flip flops and then packing a separate bag with simple, no-fuss outfits to change into. We usually leave this bag in the car, and depending on how the day plays out we will either use it or not– but it’s always good to have with you. Get A Great Set Of Wheels – or two! Families are all different– and so are their beach essentials. What I need to bring to the beach for my family of 5 (including a baby), is going to be different than a family packing for just one child or older children. You may be able to get away with just a cooler on wheels and a great backpack– or a cooler on wheels and small compact wagon like the one below that you can pack up with your gear but either way– wheels, my friends. That is the key. 
|Cooler| Super-Brella Chair| Beach Shade Tent| Outdoor Folding Wagon| Shade & Comfort If you are a person who would rather sit in a chair than in the sand or if you need to pack some shade, you want to look for light weight, easy to fold items with an arm strap. Packing Your Beach Bag Repeat after me, I will not overpack my beach bag. Below are some essentials suggestions, but only pack what you absolutely need! Family beach bags are not one size fits all. 
Vaseline Spray & Go |Rangers Duffle Bag |Banana Boat SPF 110 Ultimate Defense|Beach Ball | Aviator Sunglasses |First Aid Kit | Beach Racketball Set| Sand Toys| Towels| Neutrogena Ultimate Sheer Sunscreen lotion | Lip balm|
– Sunscreen
– 1 Towel For each family member
– A large sheet (optional)
– Diapers/ Water diapers
– First Aid Kit
– Aloe – Lip balm
– Beach Toys
Beach Toys When packing toys, pack them in a mesh sports/toy bag so that excess sand can easily shake out.
The Food. Although we love the boardwalk ice-cream and lemonade as much as the next person, we usually spend a good 3-4 hours on the beach before the boardwalk festivities begin. To hold us over, we always pack a lunch, snacks and drinks. *Baby Tip! If you are bringing along a bottle-fed baby, prepare a jug of mixed formula or their favorite juice and keep it cold in the cooler so you can just refill the bottle as needed throughout the day. Disclosure: I am blogging on behalf of Walmart.com. The views expressed here are solely mine, not Walmart’s. Shop online and save money to live better at http://www.walmart.com.
