FUN AT THE BEACH SURVIVAL KIT

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FUN AT THE BEACH SURVIVAL KIT
by Amanda Formaro

If you live near a beach, whether it be the ocean or a lake, it's
a great way to enjoy time with your kids and keep away the
boredom bug. If you don't live near the water, but are planning
a vacation to the beach, here's a list of items that are a must
have!

Sunscreen
This is probably the most important item in your beach bag.
Make sure that you have sufficient sunscreen protection for
yourself and your children. The sun's ultraviolet rays are at
their strongest during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
so limit your time in the sun during those hours. Choose a
sunscreen lotion that is at the very least 15 SPF, more
appropriate for children is an SPF of 30 or more. Be sure to
adequately apply the sunscreen to all exposed skin, including
ears, nose, and neck. Speak to your doctor about sunscreen
and babies under 6 months of age. Don't forget your lips!
Bring along sun protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or
more. An Aloe based after sun lotion is a great way to soothe
your skin after a day in the sun, apply after your day at the
beach.

Protective Barriers
Sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays, sun hats with brims,
and beach umbrellas are all wonderful items to have along
for added protection. Babies under 6 months old should wear
protective clothing, a brimmed sun hat, and if possible, baby
sunglasses that protect from harmful UV rays. Babies should
not spend a lot of time in the sun, but when they are, keep
them protected! A frist aid kit with band aids, an antibiotic
cream, and other essentials is an excellent idea as well.

Chairs & Blanket
There are chairs made specifically for the beach, they sit low
to the ground and fold up neatly, often they include a handy
shoulder strap. Don't count on the beach having chairs for its
guests! A blanket is another nice thing to bring along. Not
only is it comfortable to sit on, but it's a welcome comfort
from the hot sand on bare feet.

Sand & Water Toys
Kids love digging and building in the sand, it's a must for a
beach visit. There is a huge variety of toys on the market
made specifically for water play. Nerf balls and lightweight
canvas Frisbee discs are great because they float and often
come in neon colors so they can be seen easily. Don't forget
the standard shovels and pails, sand diggers, and sand sifters.
Great for building sand castles, sifting for shells and rocks,
and pouring water into makeshift motes. Bring along a plastic
jar to collect shells. A butterfly or small fishing net can be
loads of fun for catching small minnows near lake shorelines!
Let's not forget the old beach standby, the beach ball. Squirting
water toys are also a blast and can keep the kids busy for hours.
Goggles and water masks are great, but can be easily lost in the
water. Be sure to bring along extras! There are hundreds of
different kinds of beach and water toys, bring along what your
family will enjoy.

Floatation Devices
Most public beaches do not allow items such as floating rafts,
noodles, or "arm floaties" as they are not Coast Guard approved
swim or safety wear. Check with your beach lifeguards or town
officials to see what they will or will not allow. Coast Guard
approved life jackets are welcome and recommended for young
swimmers, even those who have recently learned to swim, for
safety purposes. Many beaches offer free loaner lifejackets, or
they offer them for a nominal fee.

Extra Towels
Bringing towels along for each member of your family, this goes
without saying. Bringing along an extra or two cannot hurt,
especially of little Timmy decides to take his into the water
with him!

Water & Snacks
Being in the sun can quickly dehydrate you. Bring along bottled
water, enough for everyone in your family. Check with your beach
and see if coolers are allowed so that you can keep it nice and
cold. If your beach does allow coolers, this is a great way to
save money on snacks. Instead of buying from the beach concession
stand, bring along fresh fruit, pretzels, cold sandwiches and
carrot sticks.

Extra Clothing
Bringing along an extra T-shirt or pair of shorts is not a bad
idea. If your beach trip will continue on into the evening,
bring a windbreaker or sweat jacket for everyone, just in
case the temperature dips down. Be sure that everyone has
adequate footwear, swim shoes are a great idea as well,
especially for rocky beaches.

Preserving Memories
Don't forget your camera! You can purchase waterproof disposable
cameras to capture all of those sunny moments. Inexpensive
disposable cameras are also available for underwater use!

Your Beach Survival Kit
Now that you are ready to head off to the beach, here's a
summarization of everything we have suggested. Check each
item off to see if you are ready to roll!

___ Sunscreen (at least 15 SPF)
___ Lip balm
___ Aloe after sun lotion
___ First aid kit
___ sun hat
___ sunglasses
___ beach umbrella
___ chairs blanket
___ pail & shovel
___ Nerf type ball and/or lightweight nylon Frisbee disc
___ sand digger and sifter
___ goggles or masks
___ plastic jar for collecting shells
___ life jackets
___ towels (and extras)
___ bottled water
___ snacks (if allowable)
___ extra clothing and footwear
___ water/swim shoes
___ waterproof disposable camera

Preserving Nature
A special note: remember, if you find live snails, crabs, fish,
starfish, or other underwater life forms, observe them, then put
them back. Only take home empty shells, fossilized starfish,
and rocks.

Enjoy your trip to the beach. Be sure to discuss water safety
with your kids before going. Check out our safety article entitled
Keeping Afloat Around the Pool http://www.thefamilycorner.com/parenting/safety/3.shtml
for some important information.

About the Author:
Amanda Formaro is the entreprenuerial mother of 4 children and
the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine http://familycorner.com