Our Beach Blog
9 Best Tips For Your Family Beach Vacation!
Preparing for your next (or first!) family beach vacation does not have to be scary or stressful. A vacation with your family can be one of the best and most memorable experiences you can have. These 9 tips will help you have a great time, and create memories to enjoy for years to come.
The easiest way to avoid many problems during your vacation is to plan ahead. Start with a family meeting. Having the kids share their beach vacation "wish list" can help with choosing the perfect destination and activities. And, the more involved all family members are in the planning process, the more enjoyable the whole experience will be. After all, it is their vacation too!
Choosing the right location and accommodations depends on your family. A location known for its wild nightlife when you are vacationing with toddlers will not make them happy. And the alternative - selecting a destination that caters to very young children, when you have a family of teenagers, will cause a rebellion. Choose wisely!
When planning a vacation with kids always keep in mind the dining options. If you have picky eaters that can easily survive on nothing but chicken nuggets and mac 'n' cheese, than don't choose a beach vacation destination with mostly fine dining options. That can only lead to disaster.
If having access to snacks and familiar food choices is important to peace and harmony, then think about hotels with at least a mini fridge. Or consider a condo rental with a full kitchen. The ability to prepare at least some of your own meals may keep the kids happy and help your vacation budget.
Being prepared for minor mishaps or small emergencies can help to minimize their impact and prevent derailing your vacation. Include on your packing list a few essentials - sunburn treatment, ibuprofen, anti-itch bug bite relief, antibiotic cream, and a few Band-Aids.
Don't forget the sunscreen! Bring plenty, make sure you choose the right SPF, check the expiration date, and apply it generously and often!
When planning a beach vacation, the one thing you can never plan for is the weather. Chances are that not every day is going to be a beach day, so planning for this might help to avoid disappointment or frustration.
Bring along toys, games, or even an iPad or tablet to help distract the young ones. Or, this is where advance planning may help - find indoor activities in the area, such as museums, aquariums, shopping, etc.
So many people carry smartphones today, which means that you always have a camera with you. Be sure to use it to take plenty of photos of your family vacation. It's not just about Facebook and Instagram; you are creating wonderful family memories to look back on for years to come.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning their vacation with the kids is - Planning! A beach vacation should be relaxing, and slow paced, and stress-free. Allow time in your planning for snack breaks, bathroom breaks, and naptime for the littlest ones.
It is understandable that you don't want to 'miss anything' while in a new location, but the memories you're making together are much more important than any sightseeing opportunity.
Allow free time during your vacation to explore the area. Take a walking or biking tour – it gives you an up-close view of places that you would probably miss when just driving by. It also allows for some relaxing quiet time for the family to spend together at a much slower pace. And maybe you will find something new to do together that you might otherwise miss.
The entire family doesn't have to do every single thing together every minute. Some might want to go fishing or enjoy watersports, while others might want to go shell or sea glass hunting, or even check out the local shopping. It's a vacation!
Bottom Line? Things can go wrong. Plans can change. One of the kids can (or will) have a meltdown. Pack plenty of positive attitude, remember to relax, and keep your sense of humor. No matter what happens - you're on vacation at the beach!
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