Planning the Perfect Beach Holiday with Kids

Beach holidays sound like a dream to most, but without a bit of planning, they can easily become a stressful, rather than relaxing, experience. While you want your kids to have fun, you still need to ensure everyone is safe and everything is manageable.

Picking the Right Location

While it is tempting to select the most picturesque destination, practicality should take priority. When exploring options for your beach holiday, opt for a beach that is calm and shallow, with gentle waves—perfect for young children who are still learning to swim. To make things simpler, try to select a beach that offers shaded areas and is close to amenities such as restaurants and toilets.

If your family is a tad more adventurous and enjoys things like water sports or exploring marine life, try to find a spot that offers these options without being overcrowded. Consider family-friendly beach resorts, as most offer fun activities as well as comfort, allowing parents to relax and children to be entertained.

Plan Fun Activities

Bring along buckets and spades for sandcastle building, or organise a treasure hunt with small prizes hidden in the sand to keep the younger ones entertained. Activities such as snorkelling and kayaking are also a great option for older kids. If available locally, you could also consider booking onto some family-friendly tours like dolphin watching or island hopping.

Whatever you choose, be sure to schedule in some downtime so people aren’t left feeling overwhelmed or exhausted and can actually relax.

Pack Like a Pro

When packing, think beyond the usual sunscreen and include things like hats, sunglasses, and reusable water bottles. If you’re travelling with younger children, don’t forget to pack toys and games for the plane, as well as extra snacks to keep everyone happy and satisfied.

As a lot of time will be spent on the beach, consider taking a compact pop-up tent for some shade, along with a lightweight beach mat or blanket to make things comfortable and save you some frustrations.

Put Safety First

Keep a close eye on your kids, especially if they are in the water. For weaker swimmers, pack or purchase flotation devices like arm bands or life jackets and make sure they know the swimming rules, like never swimming alone or venturing too far out.

Also, be mindful of the sun and apply sunscreen regularly, especially if people are constantly in and out of the sea. Lastly, avoid sunstroke or fatigue by staying hydrated and taking regular breaks in the shade.

Making the Most of Your Family Beach Holiday

A family beach holiday is an opportunity to create experiences everyone will cherish. By taking into consideration the needs of everyone and ensuring the majority are satisfied, you’ll find even the simplest of moments, like building sandcastles on the beach, quite quickly become the highlight of the trip.