Summer vacation is always a ton of fun, but for moms, it can be a ton of stress. It seems like before we go anywhere– the museum, the beach, the park– we have to make sure we’ve got everything for all of the kids. I’ve been prone to forget things again and again, so I’ve now got a tried-and-true list for what must go in my beach bag every time!

The first thing that I consider to be an essential for the beach is beach toys. I know that my son is prone to forget his favorites, and with a slew of boogie boards and skim boards going down to the beach, it’s easiest just to pack those small toys myself. For us, essentials include a tractor or truck that can dig the sand, a net for catching small fish and crabs (for throwing back, of course!), and a treasure box for storing our favorite shells that we gather!

After taking care of your kids with the toys, it’s time to figure out what you need for the whole family, and for you. I always pack additional sunscreen. It’s good to re-apply this after being in the water or after every hour or so in the sun, so packing extra is important to me, since my son and I are both fairly fair-skinned. I also pack extra deodorant. It gets hot out there!

Sunglasses for me are usually a great idea, but I typically have my kids wear their own. And, if I have someone else down to help wrangle, I definitely make sure I pick a summery beach read to go with me.

As a blogger, and as a mom, I also love to capture memories of my son at the beach, which is why my beach bag usually contains a plastic zippered bag with a camcorder, as well as my cell phone and extra battery life. That way, I don’t miss a moment of those memories!

I don’t know if your kids are like my son at all, but when we’re out in the heat, we both tend to get a little hangry. You know… hunger that turns into anger. That’s why it’s not a trip to the beach without snacks. I always take a bottle of water or a water enhancer-flavored drink to make sure we stay hydrated. I also take a baggie of grapes or other fresh fruit because I know that sometimes eating some grapes can help with hydration between dips. Then, I take an OREO Multipack for each person heading down to the beach.

This May, OREO launched a brand new 2-pack, which is so convenient during a packed schedule, and because it’s perfectly portioned and grab-and-go, it’s great for those busy nights or days (like trips to the zoo, after baseball or soccer practice, or even in my purse for times when mommy just needs a moment). The pack contains 2 OREO cookies, which makes it a great serving size to satisfy a sweet tooth while we’re on the go. And, since they’re sold in a package of 18 multipacks, it will satisfy a lot of day trips (plus, it’s available in Nutter Butter, if that’s your style!)

For me, the major part of any beach bag essential is to make sure I have a great bag with comfortable shoulder strap, that’s big enough to hold everything I mentioned above, plus some towels, and my brother’s skim board wax, without being too big. Plus, I think it’s great to make sure I have a cute, kind of unique bag that won’t get mixed up with every other mom on the beach. The beach bag itself is as essential as what’s inside of that bag.

I also like to make sure whatever bag I take is a great bag for more than just the beach. I don’t see the point in investing in a great beach bag and only using it for one week a year. So, I make sure my bag is versatile enough to hold other things… like picnic lunches (which are another great time to enjoy an OREO multi-pack, as a treat after sandwiches and fresh fruit!) or soccer practice where towels, extra water, a snack or two, and a ball are a must.

Spending time together is such a great way to unwind, but making sure we’re prepared with everything we need means less stress when we get down to the beach (or to the soccer field or the picnic table). Having grab-and-go stuff I can put in is also a big help to making sure it doesn’t take forever to pack our bag, so we can get down to the beach and enjoy before the heat of the day.

If you want to learn more about the brand-new OREO multipacks, you can check out their website.

 

What is your beach bag essential? Let me know in the comments below!

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.