Travel

The Ultimate Family Beach Vacation Packing List

Family beach vacations are a great way to spend time together and have fun. This is the ultimate family beach vacation packing list, it lists everything you and your family will need on your trip.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Are you headed on a family beach vacation and wondering what essentials you need to pack for yourself, your kids, and everyone else? This is the best family beach vacation packing list you need.

This family vacation packing list will have you prepared with essential clothing you will need, essentials for kids and babies, toiletries, beach bag essentials, beach day essentials, electronics and entertainment, and much more.

This family beach vacation packing list will ensure you have everything you may need on your trip with the peace of mind that you have everything when there.

This post is all about the best family beach vacation packing list.

Ultimate Family Beach Vacation Packing List

Beach Packing Tips

Here are some key tips when planning a family beach vacation:

Ensure you have the best luggage that is durable and fits all the essentials. The Long Vacation Hard Luggage Set is the best one. This set comes with 4 pieces, a lock that is TSA-approved, 360-degree wheels, and very lightweight making this set a must-have for travel.
Bring a dry bag for all your travel documents, money, electronics, etc. You want to make sure all your important items are kept dry when at the beach.
To make packing easier always organize all your items in packing cubes. They are a total game changer.
Be sure to check the weather before leaving home so you know what you are in for and so you know how to pack accordingly.
If you staying in a cottage or rental be sure to see if your accommodation has sheets, towels, laundry machines, plates, utensils, etc. It is always helpful to know what you need before you arrive so you are not out trying to find essentials ON your vacation.

Family Vacation Packing List – Essential Clothing

When heading on vacation you want to make sure you pack everything you will need for yourself and your family to allow you to have a stress-free trip. These are some essential clothing items you need to bring when heading on a beach vacation:

shirts (tanks, short sleeve, long sleeve for sun protection)
Long Pants (nighttime)
Shorts/ Skirts
Dresses
Sweater (nighttime)
Swimwear
Swimwear Coverups
Underwear/ Bras
Pajamas
Socks
Sandals
Shoes
Workout Clothes (for working out or runs on the beach)
Purse/ Fanny Pack

Beach Essentials Items – Babies And Toddlers

When packing for babies and toddlers you need to ensure you have everything you may need in any situation. You need to make sure you have everything from drinking bottles to toys to play with in the sand and everything in between. These are the essentials you need to have for your babies when heading on a beach vacation:

Baby’s clothing including onesies, bottoms, tops, sweaters, etc.
Bottles
Pacifiers
Diapers (Regular and for swimming)
Swim Suits
Changing Mat (has a pocket for diapers and wipes and folds compact for travel)
Car Seat
Baby Carrier (great since strollers are hard to push on sand)
Stroller (very durable and can fold compact, perfect for traveling)
Umbrella (for sun protection) or
Beach Tent (lightweight, easy to set, great ventilation, waterproof)
Travel Crib (great for playing or sleeping, folds up compact, has a comfortable mattress, lightweight)
Baby Monitor
Swaddle Blanket (for warmth and for blocking the sun)

These are the essentials you need to have for toddlers when heading on a beach vacation:

Children’s clothing including socks, underwear, bottoms, tops, sweaters, shoes, etc.
Long sleeve shirt for the beach (great for sun protection and is waterproof)
Kids Yeti Water Bottle (keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours, keeps hot drinks hot for 12 hours)
Childrens Sunscreens (SPF 50)
Swim Suits
Swim Shoes (great for hot sand and rocky beaches) (non-slip for around the pool)
Hat
Floaties Vest
Arm Floaties
Toy Floaties
Sand Toys

Family Beach Packing Checklist – Toiletries

These are all the essential toiletry items you will need on your family beach vacation:

Toiletry Bag (hanging waterproof bag with multiple compartments)
Shampoo/ Conditioner (great moisturizing set with coconut oil after being in the sun)
Body Wash (moisturizing, great for sensitive skin)
Mini Travel Containers for easy transport
Loofah (great for dry peeling skin)
Face Essentials (Face wash, Face lotion, serums, sunscreen, toners, etc.)
Body Lotion (best body lotion for dry skin, contains aloe vera for sunburns)
Sunscreen (30 SPF)
Aloe Vera (great for soothing sunburns)
Toothbrush/ Toothpaste (great toothbrush cover)
Makeup Remover/ Face Wipes (best individual face wipes, great for using at the beach)
Wet Wipes (great to have on hand at the beach for kids and adults)
Razor(women)/ Shaving Cream/ Razor (men)
Makeup – Check out this Makeup Bag Essentials List
Hairbrush/ Hair Products/ Hair Accessories/ Hair Ties (won’t cause hair damage)
Deodorant (women)/ Deodorant (men)
Chapstick (with SPF)
Dryer Sheets (to keep your suitcase and clothes smelling fresh)
Laundry Pods (if your accommodation has laundry access)

Beach Must-Haves For Families – Electronics, And Entertainment

When traveling in general whether it’s by yourself or with families it is important to have all the necessary electronics you will need and entertainment as well. Especially for beach vacations, traveling with the family and kids can get exhausting so you need to make sure you have plenty of entertainment for everyone. These are the beach must-have electronics and entertainment items for traveling with the family:

Phone (always a must, great for travel documents, work, entertainment, and much more)
Portable Charger (great when you don’t have access to a power outlet) (includes all connectors)
GoPro (get for action shots/ videos or underwater pictures with proper housing)
Portable Speaker (good to have on the beach) (waterproof)
Extra Batteries (AA and AAA)
Headphones (wireless, long battery life, easy to carry, great sound quality)
Amazon Kindle (great for reading while traveling, before bed, or on the beach)
Tablet/ iPad (great for watching shows and movies, keeps kids entertained for hours)
All Chargers For All Devices
Waterproof Camera (the best most durable waterproof digital camera)
Waterproof Pouch For Phone
Nintendo Switch (great when not at the beach, can keep kids engaged for hours)

Family Beach Packing Checklist – Beach Bag Essentials / Beach Day Essentials

Heading to the beach is a great feeling because you know once you get there you will be able to relax and enjoy quality time with the family swimming in the water, lying by the sand, or doing fun beach activities. But before you’re at the beach you need to make sure you have all the essentials you and your family will need when there. Here are the best beach bag essentials:

Beach Bag (Super cute, large, durable, waterproof, sand-proof, wet pocket, lots of extra pockets)
Hydro Flask Water Bottles (keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours, keeps hot drinks hot for 12 hours)
Swimsuits
FlipFlops / Water Shoes
Sunscreen
Bug Spray (There are lots of bugs in the sand, always a good idea to bring bug spray)
Chapstick (with SPF)
Phone
Camera
Amazon Kindle
Portable Speaker
Portable Charger
GoPro
Waterproof phone Pouch
Hat
Sunglasses (women’s)/ Sunglasses (men)
Towels (best microfibre towels that repel sand and dry very quickly, take up less space in a suitcase)
Towel Clips – great to keep your towels in place so they don’t keep flying away
Hat clip – lets you hang your hats on your bag handle

Here are the must-have beach day essentials:

Beach Bag (with all essentials)
Wagon (great for getting everything to and from the beach)
Umbrella (for sun protection)/ Beach Tent
Life Jackets
Floties Vest/ Arm Floaties/ Toy Floaties
Portable Fan (comes in very handy when there is no breeze) (compact, great power, rechargeable)
Goggles / Snorkel Equipment
Beach Toys
Beach Blanket (waterproof, quick dry, compact, lightweight, very large)
Microfibre Towels
Beach Chairs (these are great) (easy to carry, fold compact, have a cup holder, comfortable)
Cooler (great for keeping drinks and snacks cold)
Snacks (Pringles, granola bars, sandwiches, fruit, salads, etc.)
Beach Ball
Portable Safe (great for holding important travel documents)

Family Beach Vacation Packing List – Money And Travel Documents

Before you leave for any trip you want to make sure you have all your money and travel documents ready to go. You want to make sure your transportation is all set, and you want to make sure your accommodation is good to go whether it’s a cottage rental, Airbnb, hotel, or whatever it may be. Make sure all passports are not expired if traveling internationally. You want to make sure all your travel insurance is ready. And it is always hand to carry cash in case cards are not accepted. These are the most important money and travel documents you need to have for your family vacation: