Beach Packing List: Never Forget Your Essential Items Again

Are you heading to the beach this summer? Nobody wants to forget the items you need for the week and then pay double the price at the beach. My ultimate beach packing list will help you remember the essential vacation items. Follow this easy checklist and enjoy a low-key and relaxing vacation without unexpected trips to the store.

My family loves the beach. Without fail, every single trip we have forgotten to pack something. One year I forgot to pack underwear! Fortunately, we passed the local outlet stores on the way to the beach. When my youngest was a baby, we forgot not only the swim diapers but ALL of her diapers. It is easy in the madness of packing for a family to forget something. Sure we all have a “list” but it never has everything on there to make sure we absolutely don’t miss anything.

This beach packing list comes from much trial and error when it comes to vacations at the beach. I am the “CVO” or Chief Vacation Officer in my home. That means most of the packing falls on my shoulders. When it comes to my teen packing, all she cares about is enough chargers and shoes. Miss M only cares about bathing suits. These kids would look pretty strange walking around the beach if I let them pack without double checking behind them.

As far as clothes go, I don’t want to spell that one out. Just be sure to pack appropriately for wherever you’ll be visiting. If you happen to have a washer and dryer, you can save yourself from over-packing and just mix and match outfits. Double check for underwear. That one is easy to forget (I speak from experience, remember?). I actually lay out my clothes on the bed before they go into the suitcases and make outfits before I even leave. I do this for the kids as well to ensure I am not forgetting anything.

If you are renting a beach house, be sure to find out what you will need to supply. Many times you may need to bring towels and linens for your family. We have also taken extra items such as pillows, a portable hamper and sheets for sofa bed. Your rental company should give you an extensive list of what you need to bring. That is also very helpful when packing. When at a rental house, you will also need items such as laundry detergent, soap, toilet paper, dish soap and, of course, food. Depending on where you will be traveling, it may cost less to make a grocery run once you arrive instead of filling the car to the gills.

Beach Packing List

My first essential item to have packed is a day bag. This is different from your purse. It is everything the family may need in one place and you really don’t need to unpack it unless you need items from it during your trip.

Day Bag Essentials

Back up credit or debit cards (banks can be funny, especially if you travel abroad)
Cash (only for emergency)
Health insurance cards for all family members
Auto insurance card
Rental/hotel confirmation information
Passports
House keys
Small sewing kit

Next up is toiletries. Have you ever noticed just how much your family uses to get ready each day? I could probably fill an entire bag just with these items alone for my family. If you are sharing one bathroom during your trip, there is no need to buy a million tiny shampoos and such. Purchase the regular size items; this will save you money.

Toiletry Essentials

Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Floss
Lotion
Aloe (this is a big one)
Deodorant
Razors
Flat iron
Hair dryer
Brushes/combs
Hair elastics and clips
Hair cream
Hair gel
Contacts & case
Contact solution
Glasses
Make up bag
Feminine products
Jewelry/watches
Perfume/cologne
Cotton swabs/cotton balls
Tweezers
Nail clipper
Vaseline
Air freshener

Aside from your toiletry bag, pack a medicine kit. You may not need anything from it, or you may just need your daily prescriptions if you take them. We have learned the hard way that a $3.00 bottle of children’s Tylenol at home can cost as much as $10.00 on beach vacations.

Medicine Bag

Prescription medicines
Allergy medicine
First-Aid kit
Benadryl
Anti itch cream

Don’t forget your technology items. If we didn’t have wi-fi or chargers for devices, my teen would honestly die – I am sure of this. In today’s world, it’s hard to unplug and let go on vacation. I make my kids shut down and play games or color. Anything to get them away from screen time.

Technology/Entertainment Kit

Waterproof Camera
Digital Camera
iPad
Portable speakers
DVDs
Cords & chargers
Books
Frisbee
Nerf Football
Corn Hole set
Batteries
Card games
Coloring Books, colored pencils/crayons
Volleyball

And last but not least your beach essentials. These are the items that will get you through on the beach until sunset if you so choose. This list is meant for families with kids of every age; so you may not need all of these items.

Beach Essentials

Sunscreen/sun protection
Chapstick
Hats
Sunglasses
Swimsuits and swimsuit cover ups
Wipes (even if your kids are out of diapers, it’s nice to have wipes for older kids and adults to use to clean their hands)
Bug spray–sand flies are the worst.
Waterproof (and sandproof) cases for phones and e-readers
Sippy cups and/or refillable water bottles
Snacks
Cooler and ice packs
Aloe
Sandals/water shoes
Beach towels
Beach chairs–if you’re not going to a resort where chairs are provided, you may want to bring your own.
Umbrella or Canopy
Hair ties
Reading material
Swim diapers
Diaper cream
Battery-operated fan
Goggles
Floats
Boogie boards
Football
Sand toys

Oh my goodness, this is quite the list! I am now completely exhausted thinking about our summer trips to Ocean City.

Is there anything that you must have on a beach vacation? Let me know in the comments if I forgot anything