When planning a beach vacation with your tweens or teens, packing can feel overwhelming. To help you out, here’s a practical list of 17 must-have items that will keep everyone happy and entertained while you soak up the sun.
- Plenty of Snacks: Stock up on a variety of snacks. Trust me, your kiddos will devour more food than you think they can handle. The combination of sun and surf turns them into bottomless pits!
- Sweet Treats: Donuts may not be the healthiest option, but they’re an essential part of our vacation routine. They are a surefire way to keep my kids satisfied and avoid early morning demands for breakfast. Sometimes, sugar is worth the peace!
- A Buddy for Each Kid: This is a game-changer! Having a friend along not only keeps your kids entertained but also gives you some much-needed downtime with your partner. Fewer sibling squabbles are just the cherry on top!
- Wine and Beer: Don’t forget to bring along some drinks for yourself! A fruity frozen mix makes for great virgin cocktails for the kids while you relax.
- A Corkscrew: You’ll want one if you’re bringing wine. Trust me; you’ll appreciate not having to resort to using a steak knife.
- Simple Wardrobe: For tween and teen boys, just a T-shirt, swimsuit, shorts, and flip-flops are all they need. Everything else you pack will likely come back untouched. As for girls, well, let’s just say I’m out of my depth there!
- Games: Bring along some playing cards or a board game to keep them engaged in the evenings. Teaching them poker can be a fun way to bond, and who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?
- A Good Book: Pack a book that you’ve been meaning to read. You’ll find time to dive into it while your kids are preoccupied, whether they’re sulking or sleeping in.
- More Towels: If you think you have enough towels, quadruple that number. Somehow, towels vanish when you need them most!
- Hidden Clean Towels: Stash away some clean towels just for you. No one wants to dry off with a towel filled with sand and shells after a long day at the beach.
- Secret Snack Stash: Hide some extra snacks beneath your towels. It’s a lifesaver when the kids have devoured everything else, and you want to avoid pizza delivery.
- A Stylish Sun Hat: Grab that big straw hat, even if your kids tease you about it. It’s perfect for sun protection and gives you an opportunity to embarrass them a little!
- A Boogie Board: Don’t underestimate the fun of boogie boarding! It’s a blast, and your teens might just enjoy teaching you a thing or two.
- Cash or Willpower: Be prepared for requests for mini-golf, go-karting, and arcade games. Alternatively, practice saying no if you’re on a budget.
- Extra Chargers: Bring along a few extra chargers to avoid the tech meltdown that comes with dead devices. Nothing makes a teen grumpier than a dead phone!
- Did I Mention Wine?: Especially useful if you forget the extra chargers!
- Neutral Kitchenware: Forget the bright kiddie sand buckets; bring some kitchen bowls and utensils instead. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have making sandcastles, and it’ll keep the kids engaged, too.
In summary, packing for a beach vacation with tweens and teens doesn’t have to be a hassle. With this comprehensive checklist, you’ll be well-prepared for a relaxing and enjoyable trip. And while you’re at it, check out this useful resource on pregnancy, and don’t forget to visit Make A Mom for reliable at-home insemination kits and fertility supplements.
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