Get Prepped for a Family Beach Trip

Going to the beach is always a great time, especially when the whole family can all go together. Although if you go underprepared or forget some important things you will not have as good of a time. So here are some helpful tips on how to plan a fun beach trip with the family.

1. Get the outfits right -
Make sure to bring all the right clothes. If you have a baby swim diapers are always a good idea to get for trips to the beach or pool. A great product is the iplay swim diaper. Make sure to bring your bathing suit, but make sure you are comfortable. There are now a great selection of plus size swim shorts that you can find that are very comfortable and stylish. Also don't forget to bring a light jacket or sweater, the beach can get pretty chilly as the day progresses.

2. Bring some food -
Unless there are restaurants nearby there probably is not going to be any food around, so bring some snacks. Remember you will be surrounded by sand so bring food that is easy to eat. Don't forget napkins and a small bag to throw your trash away in.

3. Get some beach toys -
Body boards, footballs, paddle tennis ect. Are all great beach toys, but shop around and see what you think will be fun for everyone to play with.

4. Don't Forget Sun Screen -
UV rays are very strong now, so make sure to protect yourself. Get something with a high SPF, at least 40. There are also UV protected rash guard shirts that really help. If you have a long drive ahead of you and like to stick your arm out the window like me, check out some arm sleeves, they protect your arm from getting burned but really breathable and light.

I grew up in a beach town. I spent almost every day at the beach during my summers. Those were the days. There was always something about the sand, sun and the surf that was just relaxing beyond measure. Its a place you can be with a bunch of your friends, having fun and talking, or a place you can be by yourself napping or meditating.

Beach sports were always my favorite. There was a program my friends and I would do almost every summer called Junior Lifeguards. It was a summer camp that took place on the beach. The typical morning would start at around 8 with a little jog in the sand for a warm up. Then we would swim way past the surf, hundreds of yards from the shore in large groups to little orange buoys that were just bobbing up and down in the tide.

When we would get there we would stop and just float for a couple minutes. At first being that far out in the ocean is really unnerving. You have no idea what could be beneath you, you are far away from land and already pretty tired. But we all eventually got used to that feeling. Our instructor would yell "Everyone just shut up for a minute and listen to nothing!" Then when everyone was quiet and just floating there, and all you could really here was the sound of the ocean, everyone almost fell into a kind of meditation.

Then our instructor would scream "SHARK!" and everyone would loose it. It was his way of snapping us back to reality and kick starting some adrenaline for the exhausting swim back to shore.

When we finally did make it back, the rest of the day was spent surfing and playing on the beach. It really was one of the best camps I have ever attended. I love the beach and if you ever get the chance to go, really enjoy it. Not everyone get to see it you know.,,,