The Only Family Beach Vacation Packing List You’ll Need (+ Free Printable)
So, you’re getting ready to go to the beach this summer with the family – fun, fun! I’m hoping to check out one of the beaches in Maine this summer but that’s still a few months away. If you’re planning your very own beach trip this year, keep reading for the ultimate family beach vacation packing list. Oh and don’t forget to grab the free printable PDF version of this list too!
Planning and packing for a beach trip is more than just tossing a few swimsuits and beach towels into your bag, especially when you’re traveling with family and kids. There’s so many other things to think about like what you’re going to wear on your trip, the beach essentials you have to bring, and all the baby & toddler stuff you’ll need if you’re traveling with little ones.
In this post, I’ve divided up what you’ll need to pack for a family beach vacation into categories. Hopefully that makes it easier to stay organized and not forget anything. There’s also sections that include beach trip packing lists for babies, toddlers, and kids. To make things even easier, you can print out a FREE mobile-friendly packing list to carry along with you.
The following post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Download the FREE Beach Trip Packing Checklist!
Download a FREE editable PDF of the family beach vacation packing list!
This packing list is editable – meaning you can click to tick off the boxes as you go!
This PDF is a part of my travel freebie library, which contains FREE travel checklists, resources, guides, & more!
You will also be added to my monthly email list to stay notified about the latest free content & travel tips!
Click here to subscribe & get access to the travel freebie library
The Best Luggage for a Family Beach Vacation
The right luggage makes a big difference when you’re traveling with the family. The type you choose will depend on if you’re flying, driving, and how many people are going along with you.
Of course if you’re just going for a day trip to a local beach, you can skip the heavy luggage and just stick with a beach bag.
My favorite when it comes to going anywhere, including on a beach vacation, is a lightweight durable suitcase. It fits a ton of stuff and is easy to roll around. Older kids can even bring their own little suitcase to carry around!
If you’re looking for something a little smaller or compact, aim for something like a weekender bag or duffel bag that can still hold a lot of items.
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The Best Beach Bags for a Family Beach Vacation
For a trip to the beach, there are a few other bags I would consider bringing besides your suitcase. These bags are also great if you’re just going on a day trip to the beach, and aren’t staying in a hotel or rental.
- Beach bag(s) – bring a separate beach bag or tote that you can carry easily on the beach. Make sure it’s waterproof, sand-resistant, and large enough to accommodate swimsuits, toiletries, and other beach essentials. Having a separate beach bag for each adult or older child can help keep things organized.
- Cooler bag – you could bring an actual cooler, or you can bring an insulated cooler bag for storing snacks and drinks.
- Waterproof bag or dry bag – for stashing wet swimsuits and sandy towels after use. A waterproof drawstring bag is a good one for this. You could also just recycle a plastic grocery bag!
- Diaper bag – if you’re traveling with babies or toddlers, make sure to bring a diaper bag and a changing station. That way, you’re not hunting for bathrooms or changing areas on the beach.
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
How to Pack for a Beach Trip
Packing for a family beach vacation is a little different than packing for other trips. You have to pack not only for the hotel, but also for beach days and other activities you may be doing while you’re on vacation. Staying organized and planning for all occasions is important!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you stay organized and make sure nothing gets left behind.
Step 1: Sort Items by Category and Family Member
Start by laying out everything you’ll need to bring on your beach vacation. You can download my free packing list to make this step easier! Organize each item into categories and also by family member.
Step 2: Use Packing Cubes or Pouches
These handy dandy organizers can be lifesavers when it comes to packing! You can use different color packing cubes for each family member or for each item category (for example, putting all swimsuits in one particular cube). They keep your suitcase neat, make unpacking easier, and save space.
Step 3: Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling clothes instead of folding them reduces wrinkles and saves space—especially for bulky beach items like cover-ups.
Step 4: Prep a Beach Day Bag Separately
Pack a separate bag with everything you’ll need for a day at the beach – swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, beach toys, etc. This will make it easier for you to just grab all the essentials and go, without wasting any time digging around in your suitcase.
Step 5: Keep Essentials Within Reach
Pack travel documents, medications, snacks, baby items, and tech in a carry-on or accessible bag. If you’re flying, include a change of clothes for the kids and anything you might need in case of delays or spills.
Step 6: Double-Check with Your Printable Packing List
Once everything’s packed, do one final walk-through with your printable list. Tick off anything you may have missed and adjust for weather, destination activities, or travel days.
Packing Tips for a Beach Trip
- Bring two swimsuits if possible. It gives time for one to dry while the other is in use.
- Bring ziplock bags or reuse plastic grocery bags to store wet items after using.
- Don’t forget to bring a small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and children’s medications. You never know when boo boo’s occur! This is a good basic first-aid kit from Amazon.
- Pack extra chargers and a portable power bank.
- Don’t forget entertainment for downtime (books, tablets, puzzles, coloring books).
- Snacks are saviors! Pack plenty, especially for travel days and beach breaks.
What to Pack for a Family Beach Vacation
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Clothing
Packing the right clothing for a family beach vacation is super important. Forgetting flip flops for the beach can be a little bit of an inconvenience – trust me, I know from personal experience!
The list below should help you pack all the important clothing pieces for your beach trip. Bring extras whenever possible in case one piece gets wet or sandy. Also, bring outfits for every occasion – swimming in the water, strolling along the boardwalk, fancy dinner outfits, etc.
- Swimsuits
- Swim cover-up
- Tank tops
- Shorts (I personally love waterproof ones)
- Dresses or casual outfits for dinner
- Pajamas
- Lightweight jacket or sweatshirt
- Underwear
- Socks
- Flip flops or waterproof sandals
- Sneakers
- Flats
Accessories
Having the right accessories for a beach trip goes a long way in keeping your family comfortable while on the beach. I’ve forgotten a few of these in the past and had to hunt for them at my destination. Not a fun experience! Some items can be hard to find, much pricier, and with limited options.
- Sunglasses
- Sun hats or baseball caps
- Hair ties and clips
- Beach jewelry (optional )
- Tote bags
Beach Gear
You can’t go to the beach without these essentials! Of course what you bring will depend on if you’re driving or flying to your beach destination. Many places have rentals available for larger items like beach chairs or tents, but bringing your own when possible is always the best.
- Beach umbrella or pop-up tent
- Oversized beach towel
- Large beach blanket
- Beach chairs
- Floaties or life jackets for kids
- Swim goggles
- Cooler or insulated cooler bag
- Portable fan or handheld mister
- Reusable water bottles
- Beach food/snacks
- Utensils and plates
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Beach Entertainment
Keeping everyone entertained while on the beach, especially kids and toddlers, is important. Of course, the types of things you bring will depend on who you’re traveling with and how old your kiddos are, but here’s a list to get you started!
For Babies & Toddlers:
- Stacking cups or nesting toys
- Baby beach books
- Bubbles
- Teething rings or rattles
- Pop-up shade tent with soft toys inside
For Kids:
- Sandcastle-building kits (buckets, shovels, etc)
- Beach balls or inflatable toys
- Water sports sets
- Paddle ball or catch-and-throw sets
- Boogie boards or skimboards (age-appropriate)
- Kites
- Waterproof playing cards
- Travel-size board games
- Beach scavenger hunt printables or DIY games
For Adults:
- Bluetooth speaker
- Frisbee
- Snorkel gear
- Books or e-readers
- Folding beach games like cornhole, ring toss, or spikeball
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Just like accessories, bringing the right toiletries on your beach trip is incredibly important. Of course, the type and amount you bring will depend on if you are flying to your destination, driving there, or just spending a day at the local beach.
Make sure to stash a few important items in your beach bag or tote for easy grabbing. I also like to keep a travel-size or mini-size version of my favorite products in a beach bag. Having a little pouch or packing cube dedicated solely to these items is another good way to keep yourself organized.
To make it easier, I’ve divided up the toiletries into what you can keep in your luggage vs. what to stash in your beach bag.
General Toiletries (For Your Luggage)
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Razor and shaving cream
- Deodorant
- After-sun lotion or aloe-vera gel
- Hairbrush or comb
- Face cleanser and skincare products
- Feminine hygiene products
- Contact lenses, solution, and case
- Prescription medications
- Nail clippers and tweezers
Toiletries for the Beach Bag
- Sunscreen SPF 30+
- SPF lip balm
- Aloe vera gel or after-sun stick
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Tissues
- Travel-size deodorant
- Compact hairbrush
- Waterproof bag for wet swimsuits or dirty clothes
- Small mirror and chapstick
- Mini first-aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic wipes, etc.)
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Tech & Gadgets
Even a relaxing day at the beach requires some gizmos to keep you plugged and connected.
I never go to the beach without my portable power bank. For some reason, my phone battery tends to drain super easily when I’m at the beach. I also like to bring a pair of headphones to listen to some beach tunes or even a podcast while I’m relaxing at the beach.
- Phone and charger
- Portable power bank
- Tablet or e-reader
- Headphones
- Waterproof Bluetooth speaker
- Camera or GoPro
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Packing List for Beach Vacation with Babies, Toddlers, and Kids
I may have mentioned some of these items in the lists above, but here’s a separate section for specific beach items you may want to bring when traveling with babies, toddlers, or kids.
Beach Vacation Packing List for Babies
- Diapers and wipes
- Swim diapers
- Baby-friendly sunscreen
- Baby beach tent or shaded play area
- Muslin blankets for shade or warmth
- Baby sun hat
- Bottles, formula, or breast pump
- Baby food or pouches
- Bibs and burp cloths
- Extra onesies and baby swimsuits
- Foldable stroller
- Baby carrier or wrap
- Travel changing pad
- Noise machine and blackout cover for naps
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Beach Vacation Packing List for Toddlers
- Swim diapers and regular diapers
- Wipes, wipes, and more wipes!
- Sippy cups
- Toddler snacks and meals
- Toddler-sized utensils
- Foldable travel high chair or booster seat
- Packable stroller or carrier
- Sunscreen made for sensitive skin
- Toddler-sized sunhat
- Beach shoes or water-resistant sandals
- Favorite books or toys
The product links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Beach Vacation Packing List for Kids
- Kid-sized swimsuits
- Swim diapers (if needed)
- Sunscreen for kids
- Goggles and floaties
- Beach toys
- Sandcastle-building kits
- Coloring books or card games
- Snacks
- Refillable water bottles
- Extra clothes (accidents and spills happen!)
- Sunhat and sunglasses with strap
- Favorite stuffed animal or comfort item
Download the FREE Beach Trip Packing Checklist!
Download a FREE editable PDF of the family beach vacation packing list!
This packing list is editable – meaning you can click to tick off the boxes as you go!
This PDF is a part of my travel freebie library, which contains FREE travel checklists, resources, guides, & more!
You will also be added to my monthly email list to stay notified about the latest free content & travel tips!
Click here to subscribe & get access to the travel freebie library
I hope you found this family beach vacation packing list useful in getting ready for your next adventure! Let me know your thoughts below and if you have any other travel necessities that you can’t leave home without! I’d love to hear from you & happy travels!
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