What are the must have beach items for baby?

[mirage86]

May 31, 2016 12:58:14 GMT -5 mrsmonogrammed said:

May 31, 2016 12:55:48 GMT -5 mirage86 said:

What lakes do you go to in Minnesota? I haven't experienced leeches yet in any that I've been to...

It's a "small" lake way up north. I can PM you the name if you're still curious:)

I pm'd you.

[billyhorrible]

May 31, 2016 9:38:11 GMT -5 @imapenguin said:

Oh, and baby powder! Works like magic to get sand off! A small travel size was more than enough to get our family of three through the week.

This is why I recommend cornstarch. It does the same thing, is cheaper, and no inhalation risk. Plus edible.

[beersandweirs]

So do you put the cornstarch/baby powder on before they get sandy, or just kind of dump it on to get sand off afterward? Does it work with wet sand?

[billyhorrible]

May 31, 2016 14:30:23 GMT -5 beersandweirs said:

So do you put the cornstarch/baby powder on before they get sandy, or just kind of dump it on to get sand off afterward? Does it work with wet sand?

Rub it on your hands (like you're a gymnast) then rub your hands over whatever is sandy. Works on wet and dry sand.

[ashbash]

Just skimmed so this may be repeats but......
- shade, canopy or little tent
- cornstarch for sand
- wagon for hauling kid and junk from hotel to beach
- small cooler for water and snacks
- bucket and shovel
- sunscreen/hat
- umbrella stroller for walking on the boardwalk/ walking to restaurants
- we loved walking in the evenings on the beach and used our baby carrier

Baby water shoes - i found knock off crocs at walmart for $4 that have worked great at the splash pad and lake

[hannahl201477]

I just ordered an outdoor blanket (waterproof and easy to shake off sand) and a battery operated fan.

[Widget123]

bump. Any updates from people who have gone to the beach in the last few months?

[mrsdee1982]

+1 for the corn starch or baby powder. It's amazing to get sand off.

Obviously sunscreen, hat, shade provider

Extra water and sippy cups

A little shovel and pail. C loves to shovel the sand into the pail and then dump it back out

Snacks. The sun seems to make C way more hungry than usual

Also, this seems relevant:

[mcp6286]

We have a beach PnP that is awesome! Hayley loves to both play in it and sleep in it. Also, if your kid runs screaming with glee into the waves like mine does, a life vest is a must!

A big +1 to all those who have said baby powder!

I would be so bummed if I didn't have the ocean nearby! Lakes skeeve me out big time. It's the ocean or nothing for this girl. I was really surprised when my BFF from Canada referred to their lake as "the beach" because here we would either say we were going to "the lake" or "the beach"...maybe a regional thing? 

ETA clarification on my feelings re: lakes so as not to upset anyone. Clearly words were not my friends today!

[tiffbot]

Jul 11, 2016 15:16:46 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

I feel compelled to say that I am very sad for all of you who have to go to a lake beach! My BFF from college is Canadian and she took me to "the beach" the first time I visited. Ummm just no. Lakes skeeve me out big time! It's the ocean or nothing for this girl.

I know you kind of mean this light heartedly, but you don't need to feel sad for me. The experiences we've given our children so far this summer and have planned for the future has already become my favourite part of parenting. It's my favourite childhood memories myself, and I'm so happy I get to pass along and make new camping traditions.

[mcp6286]

Jul 11, 2016 16:28:41 GMT -5 tiffbot said:

Jul 11, 2016 15:16:46 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

I feel compelled to say that I am very sad for all of you who have to go to a lake beach! My BFF from college is Canadian and she took me to "the beach" the first time I visited. Ummm just no. Lakes skeeve me out big time! It's the ocean or nothing for this girl.

I know you kind of mean this light heartedly, but you don't need to feel sad for me. The experiences we've given our children so far this summer and have planned for the future has already become my favourite part of parenting. It's my favourite childhood memories myself, and I'm so happy I get to pass along and make new camping traditions.

Definitely meant light heartedly! I know that MANY people (my BFF included) love lakes and prefer them to the ocean! Totally a personal preference, and I absolutely know that you can make just as many good memories at a lake beach! I'm just not a camper/outdoorsy person, so not my thing. Didn't mean to offend you at all, and sorry if the wording did!

[jillywilly]

mcp6286, this Michigan girl thinks you need to visit one of the Great Lakes - those are by far some of the best beaches I've been to - ocean or lake!

[mcp6286]

Jul 11, 2016 18:14:39 GMT -5 jillywilly said:

mcp6286, this Michigan girl thinks you need to visit one of the Great Lakes - those are by far some of the best beaches I've been to - ocean or lake!

I'm up for giving it a try! For some reason the thought of the creatures that live in lakes freaks me out more than the creatures that live in the ocean...it's my main hang-up with lakes...way more about my ridiculous fear of snakes and the like than anything to do with the lake itself lol

[tiffbot]

mcp6286 no worries, thanks. It's obviously not that you don't like it that I took to heart because everyone has their own interests, it was just the wording of saying you feel sad that people do it and specified your friend being Canadian. It was just a little punch in the gut to something I'm very proud of. I won't be losing any sleep over it

[mcp6286]

tiffbot I hear ya. Trust me, I loved my time in Canada. That trip was just the first time I'd heard someone refer to a lake as a beach, which is why I mentioned it. No offense against Canadians intended at all, but I'll make sure to word my thoughts better in the future. Glad there are no hard feelings! 😊

[mrsmonogrammed]

Jul 11, 2016 16:28:41 GMT -5 tiffbot said:

Jul 11, 2016 15:16:46 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

I feel compelled to say that I am very sad for all of you who have to go to a lake beach! My BFF from college is Canadian and she took me to "the beach" the first time I visited. Ummm just no. Lakes skeeve me out big time! It's the ocean or nothing for this girl.

I know you kind of mean this light heartedly, but you don't need to feel sad for me. The experiences we've given our children so far this summer and have planned for the future has already become my favourite part of parenting. It's my favourite childhood memories myself, and I'm so happy I get to pass along and make new camping traditions.

Omg so much this! I've been going to the same cabin/lake/resort 12+hours away for 23 straight years. I took DD last year at 5w old, and this will be her 2nd trip at 13m. I literally can not wait to make the kinds of memories with her that I have from my childhood! I'm thinking it's going to be my favorite part of parenting, too:)

[kemdupuis]

Jul 11, 2016 19:56:21 GMT -5 mrsmonogrammed said:

Jul 11, 2016 16:28:41 GMT -5 tiffbot said:

I know you kind of mean this light heartedly, but you don't need to feel sad for me. The experiences we've given our children so far this summer and have planned for the future has already become my favourite part of parenting. It's my favourite childhood memories myself, and I'm so happy I get to pass along and make new camping traditions.

Omg so much this! I've been going to the same cabin/lake/resort 12+hours away for 23 straight years. I took DD last year at 5w old, and this will be her 2nd trip at 13m. I literally can not wait to make the kinds of memories with her that I have from my childhood! I'm thinking it's going to be my favorite part of parenting, too:)

*my family has a lake house*..... Uhhh I LOVE the lake! I spent all my summers in, on, and around Lake Champlain, and I wouldn't change any of it! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the ocean, but the lake is awesome too.

[mcp6286]

Maybe I should have saved my feelings about lakes for UO, since I'm clearly in the minority on this one 😉

[Deleted]

Jul 11, 2016 19:17:52 GMT -5 mcp6286 said:

tiffbot I hear ya. Trust me, I loved my time in Canada. That trip was just the first time I'd heard someone refer to a lake as a beach, which is why I mentioned it. No offense against Canadians intended at all, but I'll make sure to word my thoughts better in the future. Glad there are no hard feelings! 😊

As someone who grew up at the beach and is now living by a Canadian lake. Lakes are awesome!! Plus I don't have to think even once about a shark or stingray being anywhere. The only thing I do miss is surfing because no waves here. But I'll probably get into paddle boarding or kayaking soon.