The Ultimate Beach Kit

Published 19 May, 2023

What To Pack For A Fun, Stress-Free Family Beach Day

Packing for a successful family beach day is like preparing for a week-long expedition. You need everything from sun cream to a full medical kit, and you’ll probably still end up forgetting the one thing you actually need!

To help you get set for sunny and sandy days, we've created the ultimate guide of beach essentials and accessories for when you're planning a full day at the beach. From what to wear to keep cool and comfortable, to simple sunshade solutions and the perfect picnic pieces – it’s the little extras that can make all the difference to family fun at your favourite beachy spot.

The Absolute Essentials: Don't Leave Home Without These...

Beach Tent/Umbrella: You’ll need something to provide shade. Setting it up will be a test of your engineering skills and patience, but it’s worth it to avoid looking like a family of lobsters later in the day.

Suncream: You need SPF 50, SPF 30 and that special one that’s tear-free/anti-allergy/water-resistant for the kids (you’ll end up chasing them around like you’re trying to lasso a wild horse just to apply it, so it’s worth considering a spray-gun applicator and practising your aim for a few days beforehand).

Beach Chairs: For those moments when you need to sit and take a breath. Just be prepared to share your chair with sandy, wet children who think your lap is the best seat on the beach.

Towels: Bring more towels than you think you need, somehow you never have enough. Ideally, you’ll have a few large towels for the family to lie on in between swims and then some fresh ones to use to dry off.

First Aid Kit: You never know when someone will step on a shell or get stung by a jellyfish. Better to be prepared with band-aids, antiseptic, wound spray, and maybe a small defibrillator if you have one.

Shibumi - Sunshade

An ample sunshade is a must for a family day at the beach. Everyone can cool down under this one by Shibumi, and it makes the ideal shelter for picnic lunchtimes.

Tupelo - Load Up Wagon

Forget weighty, overflowing bags and invest in a tough beach wagon to pull down to the beach. This foldable one by Tupelo handles well on sand and is roomy enough to carry everyone’s towels, toys and refreshments.

Lafuma - Deck Chair

This stylish reclining seat is super comfortable and durable with a solid wooden frame and spill/splash resistant fabric.

Matouk - Paros Beach Towel

You’ll never regret opting to take several extra-large beach towels - the bigger the better in our opinion. Matouk stocks this luxuriously soft option in a variety of shades. It’s perfect for wrapping up the kids after swims or just stretching out in style!

Tartan Blanket Company - Picnic Blanket

Set the scene for your beach picnic (or to ensure everyone in the group has a spot to sit) with this beautiful tartan blanket. It has a water-resistant underside and handy carry-straps

Taylor Morris - ZERO Sunglasses

Always remember your shades to shield your eyes from that white-sand glare! This unisex pair by Taylor Morris provides a perfect classic-with-a-twist style: round tortoise shell frames with on-trend mirrored lenses.

Unchartered Supply Co. - First Aid Kit

Babo Botanicals - Sunscreen

Beach Fun & Games For The Whole Family

Planning a family beach day is all about creating lasting memories filled with fun and laughter, and the right beach games can make it even more exciting.

From the classic beach volleyball and frisbee, to creative games like sandcastle competitions and scavenger hunts, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Packing a variety of games ensures that kids and adults alike can join in the fun, making your day by the sea unforgettable. Here’s a guide to the best beach games to pack for a day full of excitement.

Shovels, buckets, inflatable unicorns and beach balls. Bring enough to keep the kids entertained for hours – or at least 15 minutes.

Grey Nicolls - Beach Cricket Set

Our favourite family game for days at the beach! This lightweight cricket set comes all packed up in a neat holdall and includes a bat, a set of stumps and a soft PVC ball.

Fortunoff - Bocce Ball Set

If it’s a bit too hot to run about, a gentle game of bocce will keep the kids amused. We love this set from Fortunoff – it has how-to-play instructions on the carry-bag.

Zume - Flying Disc

This bright, soft-touch frisbee is a brilliant lightweight item to tuck into your beach bag. It’s suitable for ages 6 years and above.

Seavenger - Snorkeling Set

A kids’ snorkel, mask and flipper set that’s great quality and ideal for youngsters who like to be in the ocean all day long.

Quut - Bucket and Spade

No day at the beach is complete without some serious digging, shell collecting and sandcastle building. Quut have the most stylish and practical of sand-friendly implements, from the Bucki bucket with a detachable sieve to the Scoppi, an “unbreakable shovel’’.

What To Wear

At Tom & Teddy, we've got everything you need to make a splash—from matching swim shorts that keep the whole crew looking coordinated, to sun-protected rash vests that let you enjoy the

sun without worry. And don’t forget hats and flip-flops to shield your face and protect feet from the hot sand.

Tom & Teddy - Matching Swim Shorts

Team up the big and little guys in some Tom & Teddy matching swim trunks. These super-soft printed swimmers are made in a UPF50+ fabric and are quick to dry after all that splashing in the waves.

Tom & Teddy - Rash Vests

Top off everyone’s beach outfit with a Tom & Teddy t-shirt style rash vest. They’re resistant to both saltwater and chlorine, so these rashies will be in your essential beach kit for years to come! And the best bit? The no-cling fit, with a silky inner lining, makes them extra easy to pull on and off, even when wet.

Dry Robe - Dry Robe

If the weather forecast is looking a little mixed, consider packing a Dry Robe in your beach kit. It’ll keep you extra snug after a swim.

Tom & Teddy - Flip Flops

The one and only beach shoe, Tom & Teddy style. Pick out a pair of soft, cushioned flip flops for all the family to slip on and off.

Tom & Teddy - Beach Cap

A great-fitting hat is non-negotiable on hot, sunny days at the beach. Protect everyone’s heads, hair and faces with our beach caps in fresh shades of blue and green. A generous peak provides shade and the adjustable back strap will keep them all in place, all day long.

Awesome Accessories

When heading out for a family beach day, it’s easy to remember the basics like towels and sunscreen, but some lesser-thought-of accessories can really elevate the experience!

IItems like a sturdy. easy-to-carry beach tote with plenty of compartments, a cool bag to keep drinks and snacks fresh, and even a corkscrew for an impromptu beach picnic will help make the day run smoothly.

A portable phone charger, a waterproof speaker for some tunes and a wet bag for everyone’s soggy swimmers are all small additions that can turn a good beach day into a great one.

Tom & Teddy - Beach Bag

Our natural jute beach bag will add a smart edge to your essential beach kit. It’s roomy enough to hold towels, books, toys and water bottles, and its wipeable lining makes for a swift clean-out at the end of the day.

Yeti - Cool Bag

The can’t-do-without cool bag, Yetí’s Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler is designed as an ultra-ergonomic backback. It’s tall and tough as well as leak proof.

Sea Bags - Anchor Bottle Opener

Victorinox - Swiss Army Knife

Matador - Wet Bag

A great-fitting hat is non-negotiable on hot, sunny days at the beach. Protect everyone’s heads, hair and faces with our beach caps in fresh shades of blue and green. A generous peak provides shade and the adjustable back strap will keep them all in place, all day long.

Beach Picnic Essentials

When it comes to a beach picnic, it's all about balancing deliciousness with practicality—and a little bit of sand (inevitably).

Pack a cooler with enough snacks to survive a nuclear winter. Fruit, sandwiches, chips, and more water bottles than a marathon-race station. Bio-degradable wipes are a must for sticky fingers.

Waterdrop - Ultralight Steel Bottle  

This sunshine yellow drinks bottle is good looking as well as good for our planet! Made from stainless steel, you'll be well equipped for all your beach adventures.

Target - Plaid Picnic Plates

We love these plaid-pattern picnic plates – the perfect size for al-fresco eats!

Hydro Flask - Kids Lunch Box

The coolest kids insulated lunch box. The insulated interior keeps PB&Js and carrot sticks fresh. It’s the perfect lunch box for beach time picnics.

Hydro Flask - Serving Bowl with Lid

Pick up one of these lidded-bowl sets in lovely beachy colours. They’re ideal for food storage and and stack neatly back together when all the picnic goodies have gone.

Herban Essentials - Lemon Towelettes

Clean up – before and after lunch – with these lemon-scented, all natural wet wipes.