(Photo source: Marie Arick)
A great beach outing includes more than just grabbing the sunscreen and a towel on the way out the door. A bit of quick planning can really aid with a successful beach outing that doesn’t require too much effort.
Staying hydrated is important. Freezing bottles of water, sports drinks or fruit drink pouches is one trick to packing a smaller cooler or an insulated grocery bag. It is dual purpose. It can aid with keeping snacks (apple slices or watermelon in resealable bags) cool and when melted, a cool drink to enjoy.
Snacks are a also good idea. Fruit, animal crackers, or pretzels are easily packed and not too difficult to manage. Another tip is to bring a trash bag to keep the beaches clean and to limit your trips to the public waste receptacle.
Sunscreen is a necessity even on a cloudy day. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more by is recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Applying sunscreen before leaving home allows time for adequate absorption into the skin. Remember to reapply at least every 2 hours. Using an umbrella or a tent is a great way to escape the sun’s direct rays. Wearing a hat or other protective clothing can help protect from those harmful UV rays.
Have kiddos? Bringing a few toys to aid with building sandcastles keeps the creative mind going. A few simple safety rules for playing in the sand are: do not bury one another in the sand, avoid throwing sand at anyone as it could harm one’s eyes, and avoid digging deep holes. Safety is paramount and an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine by a Harvard Medical School researcher noted burying a person in the sand is dangerous as the weight of the sand may lead to suffocation. As recently as February 2024, at Lauderdale by the Sea, two children were involved in a beach hole collapse, as reported in the Miami Herald. While digging in the sand is fun, be mindful and create structures that are safe for the kids.
Finally, know your beach flags and where to locate the current beach conditions. The National Weather Service as well as the MOTE Marine Laboratory are great sites providing beach conditions, including water current risk level, UV index, and thunderstorm potential. Local beaches often have social media pages that provide specific data for that area, including the current conditions and flags. Remember, not all beaches post flags and not all beaches have lifeguards on duty.
A day at the beach is an excellent opportunity for a fun-filled day. While this may not be an inclusive list, it does cover many of the basics of a good beach day. Spending a few minutes to determine the beach outlook, gathering the day’s supplies, and following some safety rules can greatly enhance your beach day.
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