Beach Days Without Going Bonkers

The weather’s gorgeous. Everyone’s frolicking on the beach. The salty scents. The rolling waves.

Oh, to run freely, breeze floating through your hair.

Yes, once upon a time…

Often, reality is that you wake up and you’re feeling a little beachy, so you start chasing your 700 children (two, feels like 700) around the house packing a bag, while your little helpers unpack packing and move it to unknown hiding spaces.

Oh, how we love playing “hide and seek” as we’re trying to exit our abode.

You make it out the door, but before you buckle in, someone needs to go to the toilet - someone who has already been asked if they needed to go but didn’t need to a minute ago.

Whatever it is, there’s always someone who needs to do something the minute you’ve locked the door behind you.

Suffice to say, these days, beach days feel like you’re manoeuvring a mammoth.

So, how do you bring back the beach without going bonkers? Planning, of course. You need to pack in advance and keep a bag ready in the car.

Assuming you would like to spontaneously stop, this is what you’ll need.

For each person, you must pack a swimsuit. No dodgy togs, please.

There are some really lovely pieces available for the whole family. You can even find matchy-matchies if that’s your thing.

Beach towels have come a long way, and I have to say a lightweight one is a must.

Turkish towels are great or try a compact towel like the Sky Gazer Beach Towels. They dry quickly and are sand-resistant, too.

Get one for everyone, and you’ll never have to lug heavy beach towels around again.

Something unexpected, but could easily be the must-have accessory for summer, is a fan. Use it to cool down, swat away children or shoo flies. So many uses.

When I go to the beach, I aim to take as little as possible, especially when it comes to handbag items. This is when you look to your mini bags: small purses just big enough to fit your phone, keys and other essentials.

Remember to pack a hat for everyone, a sarong if you fancy, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Originally published in Sunshine Coast Daily’s Weekend Life & Style Magazine, 23 November 2019.