"Must Have" - part I

Summer is winding down, but there’s still time for a fun family trip or two! We’ve spent plenty of time waterside this summer, so we’re passing along our favorite “must haves” for the beach, pool, or lake. We asked our friends what their “must haves” are and came up with our first “Must Have” list. This list is focused on must haves for infants, young toddlers and preschoolers, but stay tuned for our next “Must Have” list for school aged kids and teens.

For infants/babies:

The key to having fun at the beach with infants is keeping them cool and out of the sun, so a Umbrella or Beach Tent is a must have. This tent is easy to carry and set up.
A sun hat is a must to help with protecting babies head, face and neck. Seasoned mom tip: these ones actually stay on!
These swaddles are an all around multipurpose workhorse; use them for a burp cloth, light blanket, beach blanket, towel, sun cover, nursing cover and even a quick sarong for mom!…the list goes on and on…muslin is the best for summer as it stays cool. {They can also be bought locally at Clementine (in store or online)!}
If you had to plan your trip around all your kiddos nap times you wouldn’t be able to stay for more than an hour at a time. Instead, try putting your baby in a carrier, like the Baby Bjorn or Ergo, and treat them (and yourself) to a nice stroll along the water. Once the baby is asleep have them nap on a blanket in the shade while the rest of the family enjoys the sand and surf.

For toddlers/preschoolers:

First on our packing list…Snacks, snacks and more snacks! What is it about being outside that makes kids ravenous? Although everyone always loves those little orange fish crackers, our favorite {healthier} snack is yogurt sticks. Throw them in the freezer the night before and they’ll cool down the kiddos on a hot day, plus you don’t have to worry about them spoiling in the heat.
Ditch the disposable swim diapers and try out these; they do their job without bulk and look adorable!
This toy makes digging a breeze!
For new swimmers, try the puddle jumper; it gives kids confidence to float and puts them in the proper swim position. Bonus: it’s also coast guard certified as a life jacket, a bonus for boat trips.
Applying sunscreen is our least favorite part of summer, so our kids wear a rash guard shirt with UV protection to cut down on the application area.
Here’s a neat trick for getting damp sand off little fingers and toes when it’s time to head home. Who knew baby powder was such a useful tool?