Sun Protection

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin, so it’s important to wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if you’re outdoors more than 10 minutes. For fairer skin, consider SPF 30 or higher. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which guards skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Also, look for a product that contains titanium dioxide, a chemical-free sunblock.

Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two to three hours, especially after coming out of the water (whether or not you use a waterproof product). Remind kids to slather their hands, feet, and ears.

Set a good example for children when it comes to sun safety: Wear sunscreen, a broad-brimmed hat, natural lip balm with SPF 15, and sunglasses with a label indicating that they absorb 90 percent of UV rays.

Good Food

Pack finger foods so you can skip the plates and utensils. Precut natural and organic fruits and veggies are easy for small hands to pick up. Be sure to wash and cut produce before packing it to make snack time simple. More fragile fruits like grapes and berries may travel best in a sturdy, airtight container.

A trail mix of popcorn, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit provides fiber and energy. All-natural pretzels or baked chips are filling and can be eaten straight from the bag.

Hummus and nut butters make nutrient-dense additions to whole-grain breads, crackers, and rice cakes. Natural energy bars offer a portable, balanced source of nutrients, but be sure to read labels for whole food ingredients.

Keep food that requires refrigeration in a cooler, preferably in a shady area. Pack the cooler with only the amount of food you plan to eat. To ensure food safety, throw away any food that has been unrefrigerated for two hours.

Moist Towelettes

Natural sanitary wipes with essential oils like tea tree, lemon grass, and orange help kill bacteria and clean the skin. Use wipes to cleanse hands and face before and after eating.

Bug Repellant

Research shows the harmful effects of ingredients commonly found in conventional repellants—especially for kids. Avoid DEET, permethrin, and malathion, and look for a repellant with natural alternatives. Lemon thyme, traditional thyme, and neem extracts repel pesky mosquitoes. Citronella essential oil has long been used in lotions to ward off insects. As with other essential oils, it’s best to add several drops to a vegetable oil base, which you can rub directly onto your skin. Other safe, natural repellents include essential oils of cedarwood, eucalyptus, geranium, and pine.

A First-Aid Kit

A recycled sandwich bag or small airtight container can keep a first-aid kit dry. Be sure to pack antiseptic wipes, bandages, and over-the-counter pain relievers (don’t give aspirin to children, however). Arnica cream relieves pain associated with bruises, sore muscles, and sprains. A lotion made with aloe vera gel or calendula soothes sunburned skin and helps promote rapid healing. Ointments from calendula, chamomile, arnica, tea tree oil, echinacea, rosemary, and nettle may relieve itchy insect bites.

Beach Toys

To ensure that your day isn’t ruined by stomach cramps or exhaustion, keep children out of the water until their food is digested, at least 30 minutes. Whether kids prefer shovels and buckets, a ball, or reading material, bring something to keep them occupied.

Plastic Grocery Bags

Leave the beach cleaner than it was when you came; reuse plastic grocery bags to store garbage if there’s no trash bin near your setup. Or use them to carry wet bathing suits home to keep the contents of your beach bag dry.

Beverages

Make sure kids drink often, even when they’re not thirsty. Avoid water bottles made with bisphenol A (BPA), an ingredient in some plastics that could leach into beverages and impact hormone levels. Instead, consider water and organic juice packaged in boxes made without BPA. If you prefer cold drinks, put them in a cooler filled with ice. Pack food and drinks in separate coolers so food that requires refrigeration doesn’t become warm when you reach for water or juice.

An Umbrella

It provides shade to keep your cooler cool, as well as a napping place for infants and tuckered-out kids.

A Ready Smile

A trip to the beach is supposed to be fun! Bring a positive attitude and enjoy the time spent outdoors.

DID YOU KNOW?

The darker a person’s natural skin color, the more pigment it has to absorb UV rays and to protect the skin from damage. However, people with both dark and light skin will benefit from sunscreen, as any tanning can damage the skin.