We just got back from our annual beach vacation. And as much as I love this annual trip, this year I was a little weary about Annie. She is 10 months old and not a great age for the beach. I remember three years ago at the beach when her sister was 10 months as well. It took us fifteen minutes to get sunscreen on and then I didn’t want to put her swimmy diaper on until we got to the beach so that she wouldn’t pee all over me. We would drag the picnic blanket, towels and toys and get set up on the beach. I would change her into her swimmy and the minute that I set her down on the blanket, she would crawl onto the sand, rub her face with her hands, get sand in her mouth and eyes and be done with the beach.
I mentioned this story to one of my friends and she offered up a great solution for non-walking toddlers at the beach. I took her advice and purchased a blow-up baby pool and SPF umbrella. We blew up the pool when we got down to the beach, set up the umbrella so that it covered the pool and had my three year old and her cousin fill up buckets of water for the pool. We placed Annie in the pool, out of the sun with a bunch of toys. It was like being in a bathtub and she just loved it. She sat in it for two hours and I got to relax in chair right next to her reading my book and watching Zoe play in the sand. It was the most relaxing beach trip yet. So relaxing that I forgot to take a picture of Annie in her pool (unfortunately, no fun picture for this post). I can’t tell you how many people walked by and admired her little set up. What a life!
Please tell us your tips for a safe and relaxing beach vacation with kids.
10 comments
Where did you get an umbrella for the sand?
We just got back from the beach with 11 month old twins. We took the Pack ‘n Play and set it up on the beach under a tent. It was a great “play pen” to keep them contained with toys out of the sand AND they could nap in it. What a life with a nap on the beach! After the beach we just banged the sand off the legs, quick rinse with the hose and we were back in business for bedtime.
I got my umbrella at Target. It comes with a handle that you can carry over your shoulder and was very easy to use. It was in their seasonal section. It was the last one at Wilmington Target. I didn’t check to see if they have it in Charlotte.
Read this article just in time! Going to the beach with my 10 month old tomorrow for the week, and excited to hear such a great idea!
Hi – we did the same for our 8 month old when we went to the beach and it worked great. We also sometimes left the pool empty and put toys in it. She could play in the empty pool and not get sand all over her!
To easily remove sand from the skin, diaper area and even face, apply baby powder. It absorbs the moisture from the sand and it just falls off.
Last year with our friends at the beach we dug a big hole in the sand about the size of a small baby pool. We placed our umbrella on the edge so that it shaded the hole. Then we put towels on the sides for adult seating. Presto! A baby corral in the sand! We talked about the “Hole” all week with the kids (age 10 and 16 months)!
BRILLIANT! one quick question…where did you find the blow up pool? i’ve checked several places and i can’t find a little one.thanks!!
Sorry I am just getting back to you. I bought my pool at Target, of course. I was just in there today and they had several different kinds, from plain to frog-shpaed ones. Hope you find one.
We live at the beach in Cherry Grove(originally from Charlotte, was told about your blog and LOVE IT)and have a 9 month old who goes with us to the beach every weekend. We always dig a hole, add in a few toys, fill it with some water, add an umbrella, and watch him play. The BEST beach umbrellas in the world are from Lack’s (lacksoutdoorfurniture.com)here in Myrtle Beach. In fact, we were in Hawaii a few years ago and realized we were sitting under a “World Famous” Lack’s umbrella. They are quite pricey ($280) but last forever. We’ve had ours for 10 years, have used it every weekend, and it’s still as good as new. They can also be used for your patio at home and serve double duty! Another great idea is to rent a golf cart when you’re here. If you come to NMB check out aaagolfcart.com- they have the newest carts and are installing seat belts for the litte ones!