3 tips to enjoy the beach with littles

We've been in Florida for almost three months. In those three months, we've been to the beach WAY more than I figured we would've. We aren't huuuuge beach people (we burn way too easily), but I feel like we're finally getting the hang of it. I'm definitely no professional, but I'm learning more each time, so I figured I'd share some tips here!



1. Don't go in the middle of the day.

That may sound like a "duh" kind of thing, but it seriously makes the biggest difference in heat, crowds, and overall moods for everyone involved. I made the mistake of taking the kids right before nap time (like 11ish) and it was awful. People everywhere, crazy hot, and everyone was hungry and tired. Since then, we only go in the morning or around dinner time. If we plan on going in the morning, we're out of the house by 8:00 and normally back in the car no later than 10:30. It's cooler with way fewer people. We've discovered lately that our favorite thing to do is to take dinner and eat on the beach and then play in the ocean for a little while afterwards. It's even less crowded and cooler than the morning and who doesn't like picnicking on the beach?

If you don't live at the beach and are just visiting, I'd recommend going back to the rental house/hotel for lunch/nap and then doing something indoors or the pool during the middle of the day heat. Basically something that's way less work intensive ;-)

2. Only take the necessities. 

I MAJORLY overpacked the first couple of times we went to the beach. Now, I take a towel for each of us, a bluetooth speaker to play music, a sippy cup of ice water, a tent for Ellie to hang out in, and Reuben's floaties. Changes of clothes, snacks, toys, sunscreen, etc all get left in the car and used before/after the trip. It makes it 100x easier to get there when you're carrying way less. I can fit everything (plus a huge king size blanket to sit on) in one Thirty-One Deluxe Utility Tote. If we're taking dinner, I make sure everything fits in a thermal tote. Clint carries that, I wear Ellie, and hold Reuben's hand on the walk. Piece of cake.

3. BABY. POWDER.

We hate sand. Like, hate it. All the rinsing in the world doesn't seem to rid us of it, and with a toddler who just wallows in it, there are parts you can't rinse off in public if you know what I mean. I can't remember where I heard it first, but someone told me that baby powder helps get sand off of you. Guys, it's life changing. A generous sprinkle of it on anything sandy and the sand just falls off. It's magical. We never go to the beach without it!

What's your best tip for making the beach with littles easier?

Playmobil Funpark

In case you guys didn't know, Florida is HOT. Like, crazy hot. Not only do we Lamberths burn after 10 minutes outside here, we have a very low tolerance for heat. We'll build it up eventually, but it's going to take a while.

That being said, we are allllllll for inside play. The only problem with those jumpy parks is that I can't really play with/help Reuben with Ellie in the ergo or solly wrap so I don't want to spend the money to go there and it be a complete disaster and leave within a few minutes. I heard there was a place that was only ONE DOLLAR to go in to and they had a ton of toys for kids to play with. It sounded too good to be true, but we decided to try it out.

Y'all. Playmobil Funpark is where it's AT!

We were pleasantly surprised that it was indeed only $1 per person to go in and play for as long as you'd like. You can come and go as you please all day long with your receipt from that morning.

Once you get inside, it's like a toddler's dream!

They have tables and tables and tables of playmobil sets up and ready to be played with. There's a whole girl section full of princesses and houses (we didn't really go over there since Ellie would be more into eating the pieces than playing with them), farms and zoos, police and firemen, pirates, and an entire castle full of dragons and knights and all of that goodness.

Who said a bright yellow rescue helicopter couldn't play with pirates?

After running around the whole building a few times, Reuben spent the most time in the castle room playing with a dragon. I think he would've stayed all day if we let him.

When you walk out, you walk out through a gift shop full of everything you just played with. Genius. We almost got Reuben the dragon but then realized it would turn our $3 day of fun into a $23 day of fun and passed.

Reuben and I (and of course Ellie. She tags along for now.) will most definitely be going back there. We live less than 5 minutes from it, so I plan on taking advantage of their come and go policy. Definitely a south Florida WIN!