Packing Essentials for a Seaside Summer Staycation with Kids

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More children than ever will be going on their first ever holiday this year. After the restrictions of the last two summers have been lifted, families are finally getting the chance to go away. Whether it’s a UK staycation or a trip abroad we’ll all be a bit rusty on what to pack for the little ones.

Having a toddler can leave you a bit stumped for what to back – it’s tempting to bring everything but the kitchen sink when you’ve got very young children. But in reality, packing for the tots should be quite similar to packing for the older ones. My toddler is 2 and her big brother is 7 and I’ve learned you need to pack in a very similar way. (Those who have been following for a while will know I have a teen too, but she takes care of her own packing these days).

Packing Essentials for a Seaside Summer Staycation with Kids

Not to brag, but I think I’ve cracked this packing lark. Nobody wants to overpack, so I’ve pinpointed the essentials to help you decide what to bring. Everything on this list is available from the Very child and baby section, making it easy for you to grab your essentials all in one place.

Below are my packing essentials for the kids (in no particular order):

Entertainment

There’s nothing worse than taking your kids on holiday, only for them to say they’re bored. Things like long journeys, or waiting for Mum and Dad to get showered and ready for the day can feel like an age for the little ones, so bringing your own entertainment is essential. Our toddler is easy to keep entertained on a kids tablet and her big brother loves to play on his Nintendo Switch Lite. Of course, they’re not bored when the holiday activities begin, but no one likes to wait without being entertained!

Transport

Little legs can tire easily – especially if there’s a lot of walking involved. When we spend time at the seaside, we tend to go everywhere on foot so we can get the most out of the lovely weather. Our little one can’t walk as far as us, but gets upset if we put her in a stroller. This push-along trike has been a life-saver for times when she’s not up to walking but won’t sit in her buggy!

This trike fits in the boot of our car with ease. We haven’t tried to fold it down because our boot is big. If you have a smaller space, the handle the adult pushes can be popped off to make it less of an awkward shape to pack.

Sandals

There’s nothing quite like going barefoot on the sand, but sometimes the shoreline can be harsh on little feet if there are a lot of crunchy shells about. Protect your children’s feet by packing some light sandals to make beach strolls more comfortable. They can even paddle in them, meaning they get all of the barefoot perks with none of the barefoot pain!

I love how cute and stylish modern jelly shoes are. Orlaith looks so cute in her light pink jellies. Greg also loves his Hush Puppy sandals. After spending a couple of summers at home and in trainers, he’s really enjoyed letting his toes see some light (and salt water).

Swimwear

Even if your only intention is to paddle in the sea, somehow the kids manage to get wet up to their waist. Rather than risking a day of damp clothes, pack some swimwear and make sure they wear it anywhere near water. The swimsuit Orlaith is wearing also offers factor 50 sun protection, so I don’t have to worry about sun cream washing off when she gets wet.

Something to Dry Off On

It’s a bad idea to go the beach without a towel to dry you off. The problem with the little ones is, if you wrap them up in a towel, they tend to shake it off and break free (still wet). I got savvy and invested in some hoody towels. That way, the kids can wear their towel as they dry off and they’re not as easy to ditch as a traditional towel.

Cool Clothes

 

The thing about holidays is, you can’t just live at the beach. You have to venture out to other areas, and that means you need to pack some real clothes that aren’t just swimwear and towels. These Mini V by Very value dresses are only £4.50 each and they’re absolutely perfect for a sunny staycation.

They’re suitable for a walk on the prom.

And they’re even posh enough to wear in a restaurant for lunch!

Something to Wrap Up In

The seaside air can turn cool quickly, so you don’t want to be caught out if you only pack for sunshine. It’s wise to take a couple of hoodies or cardigans for then the temperature drops. You’ll be glad of it if you want to experience a sunrise or sunset over the beach – that sea air can be really nippy! Greg chose this ultra cool Nike hoodie for himself, and there are some super cute tracksuits in the Nike baby section for the little ones.

Trainers

If you want to stray from the beach and explore the local area, you’ll need to pack some other shoes aside from beach sandals. Trainers are comfy for you kids to walk in so there won’t be any complaints of hurting feet when you go for a stroll. Greg wanted some cool Adidas trainers, and I chose a pretty little pair of Lelli Kellys for Orlaith to stomp around in.

Some Little Extras

It goes without saying that you’ll need to pack sunscreen, but I’d make sure you have a healthy supply. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every few hours when you’re in direct sunlight, so you and the kids are likely to get through a lot.

As an aside, anything you buy at the beach is usually triple the price you’d pay anywhere else, so I’d be tempted to pre-buy a bucket and spade to take with you. The same goes for snacks. A cool bag is definitely a seaside staycation essential if you don’t want to blow your life’s savings on food (although it’s probably illegal not to have fish and chips at least one day if you’re at the beach).

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