Whether you're lucky enough to live close to the shore or you need to hit the road or board a plane to get there, summertime is all about making memories at the beach for lots of families. Of course, sometimes the reality of spending a day playing in the sand and surf doesn't quite live up to the fantasy, especially if you have a temperamental toddler in tow.
In a video posted on June 25, one mom shares a super helpful hack for keeping little kids happy and safe at the beach, and you're definitely going to want to try it out for yourself!
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"Bring a collapsible dog pool and fill it up with ocean water! It's easy to release the water, clean it out, and just fold it up. This has kept Adalyn entertained majority of the day," wrote @kelseyabruce . So smart! Kids get bored easily, and they can only jump the waves and build sandcastles for so long. This little girl was literally made in the shade, and mom got to just chill out while she played. Commenters were totally on board.
"Smart idea keeps them cool and safe," wrote Amanda.
"We always did this when the girls were smaller! The ocean wore them out so once they were done they would just sit and play with buckets for the rest of the day! It was the best!!" wrote Abbey Haun.
Related: Baby Isn't a Huge Fan of the Beach
This video just proves that a successful day at the beach with toddlers is possible with a little preparation!
Tips for Taking Toddlers to the Beach
When you're planning a trip to the beach with your toddler, one of the first things to consider is the time of day , according to Parents.
"If you have young children, it's in your best interest to get up and at 'em early or head there postnap, for late-afternoon seaside bonding. This way you can avoid spending a huge chunk of time at the beach in the middle of the day, when UV rays are strongest. You can also work around your child's sleep schedule, which parents of young children know is clutch. It can make or break your beach day — or any day."
Even when the sun isn't at its most intense, you'll still want to provide plenty of shade (and of course, don't skimp on sunscreen). If your little one isn't walking yet, you might want to think about using a baby carrier instead of a stroller, as pushing a stroller over sand can be surprisingly difficult. Speaking of sand, make sure to do whatever you can to keep it out of the snacks you pack. To that end, "squeeze pouches of applesauce and yogurt are smart bets. Grapes and blueberries beat cut-up fruit because if they get sandy, you can still rinse them off. Cut sammies into small pieces so if one gets sandy, the whole sandwich isn't wrecked. Pre-portioned snack bags are also a great choice. Everything from chips and Goldfish to fruit snacks and granola come packaged in this manner."
As for getting sand off of everybody's feet and hands at the end of the day, a sprinkle of baby powder can do wonders...but you'll probably just have to accept the fact that a little bit of sand is going home with you. It's a small price to pay for hours of fun in the sun (or shade!).
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