Summer is here and we live in Florida (aka the Sunshine State). There are about 663 miles of beaches in our beautiful state, which is a big reason why almost 100 million tourists visit each year. When you think of the beach, you probably think of a tropical paradise with suntans, waves, and fun. All I think of when someone mentions the beach is ALL.OF.THE.SAND! You see, I am a mom who HATES sand. I despise it! So, how does this sand hating mama survive beach trips with my young kids? Here are some tips and tricks to make a day at the beach a little less hateful (and a lot less sand-filled).
1. Plan well. If you are a fellow sand-hater, you know that planning for your trip to the beach is important. You need to make sure you have everything you need to keep your kids entertained, but also to keep you free of sand. Start by applying sunscreen before you leave so the sand isn’t sticking to everything from the get-go. I prefer to have our daughters wear rash-guard bathing suits, as this requires less lotion reapplication and helps protect from the sun (and sand).
2. Use a beach cart. My husband bought a beach cart for all of our family’s stuff. Picture a stroller for your beach equipment. It helps carry beach chairs, blankets, and tents/canopies. Without those items, sand would be everywhere. But let’s face it, carrying all of that is no treat, so let the cart do the hard part for you.
3. Stake out the perfect spot. This is of utmost importance for a successful sand free experience. You want to be somewhat close to the water (wet sand doesn’t fly around & if your children have less space to go between the ocean and your spot, there’s less of a chance that sand will end up on you). You also want to find a location that isn’t near lots of other people if possible. Other kids= sand fest! I like my personal space anyway, so this is a win win for me.
4. Sand Free Supplies. As mentioned above, you want to bring a nice beach chair, a tent/canopy (to prevent flying sand), and a nice big sheet (sand doesn’t get trapped in the fabric like it can with regular blankets or towels). We bring extra towels (to dry off, but also to de-sand if needed), a spray bottle with fresh water to cool down and get off any stray sand, and a cooler with fresh water (along with a nice mommy drink, if ya know what I mean, in case things get really sandy).
5. Go with Friends/Family that don’t mind sand. This is one of my favorite suggestions. If I don’t have to partake in the sand castle making then I don’t have to touch sand at all (theoretically, anyway). I am lucky that my super involved husband doesn’t mind going all out with the sand play. I also have mom friends that aren’t sand-phobic like myself (one friend in particular that I, lovingly, refer to as the sand monster because she’ll roll in it with the kids if they want).
6. Leave the sand at the beach. The hardest part of remaining sand-free, is when you are departing the beach. The sand is supposed to stay there, not follow you home. Bring your supplies in a mesh bag, that way the sand filters out as you journey toward the car. Take advantage of the showers to rinse off the sand and bring a small washcloth to help with this process! My daughters use poncho towels after showering- they can dry off but wear the towel so we can quickly and discreetly change into dry, non-sandy clothes. Bring a wet/dry bag or plastic bag with you to place the bathing suits in once everyone is changed. Once your kids are dry, you can use baby wipes or baby powder to get any stubborn sand off. As a last resort, you can also use a mini broom (from the dollar store) to truly become sand-free before heading home.
7. The House is a Sand Free Zone. Once you’ve left as much sand at the beach as humanly possible, you’ll still find that some has snuck home with you. I have my family leave pretty much everything outside the front door. They go straight to the bathroom to shower off any remaining beachiness before they are allowed to do anything or go anywhere else in the house. While I bathe the kids, my sandy husband rinses off the bathing suits and toys with the water hose. Those items stay outside until dry and ready to be thrown directly into the washing machine.
8. If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Join ‘em. If you have a super sandy family, you may just need to join them (even if that requires an extra mommy drink to help calm the sandy nerves). Sand isn’t forever, but memories are, so sometimes I suck it up and make the sand castle. I cringe inside, and dream of my shower, but in the end, I do have fun with my family.
I hope these tips and tricks help my sand-hating mom tribe out there. I have hated sand since I can remember, so I’ve had quite a few years to perfect my sand-free beach trip ideas. If you also despise the grainy stuff, try these suggestions and let me know if they help you get over your sand fears. If you happen to have any other advice, I’d love to hear from you too. I’m always up for new ways to incorporate sand-free fun into our beach trips!
