How to Enjoy a Day at The Beach

Many people enjoy a quiet and relaxing day at the beach. People who don't spend much time on the beach may not know exactly what to bring or how to choose a beach. The trick is to choose the right beach and bring the right things with you. Here's some help.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Beach Bag
• Towels
• Drinks
• Snacks
• Books
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

1. The first thing you've got to do is choose your beach. If you are at home, you may know your local beaches very well, but if you're traveling to a beach it's wise to research the different beaches so you choose the right one. If you are taking kids to the beach, you may want a beach with lots of sand and a safe area to swim. If it's an adults only day at the beach, you may want to look for some place more quiet and secluded. Do your research so you choose a beach that's going to meet your needs.

2. Now it's time to get ready. It may just be a day at the beach, but not having the things you want or need will lessen your enjoyment and may cut your day short! Start with a beach bag or two large enough to meet your needs. You'll want to pack towels for each person and maybe an extra towel or two for use right before you leave the beach. Add sunscreen, sunglasses, beach toys for kids, goggles or masks for swimming, some snacks, drinks, books or magazines, a few band-aids and other first aid items, and anything else you may want to use at the beach. Pack a garbage bag or large ziplock to hold your trash. If you'll be tanning, you may want to bring a timer or watch with an alarm. The sounds of the ocean may lull you to sleep and you don't want to wake up looking like a lobster!

3. Consider bringing a cooler. Hopefully, it's hot at the beach and drinks will get warm fast, and nothing is worse than opening a bottle of hot water when what you need is a nice cold drink to cool you down.

4. Before you leave, consider covering your car seats with towels or a blanket. It will make sand clean-up much more simple later.

5. If you are taking kids with you to the beach and they are new to the beach experience, talk to them about beach safety and explain that the ocean is not like a swimming pool.

6. When you get to the beach, scout your perfect spot and set up camp. Leave the extra towels that you brought in your beach bag - you'll be thankful for these when you are getting ready to go home and all the other towels are damp and/or sandy. Get sunscreen on all who need it.

7. If you are with kids who will be playing in the water, go in with them to check how deep it is and to get a feel for the water. Let them know how far they may go into the water. Set clear limits for safety.

8. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds and sights of the ocean. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen as needed. If you are with children, have them take a break every once in awhile and get out of the water.

9. When it's time to go, rinse off any toys - if the beach you are visiting has a fresh water shower, rinse your toys, shoes, and body there. If not, you'll want to rinse your toys, masks, etc. again when you get home to get the salt off of them.

10. Get those clean towels out of the bag for your final dry off. Ahhh...no sand! Aren't you glad you brought those along?

11. Pack up, look around to make sure that you have all of your belongings and trash before you leave.

12. Once you are home, put things away and rinse items that were in the water. Get a dustbuster out for the sand in the car. You made it!

Tips & Warnings

• Always pay attention to warning signs at the beach. They are for your safety. The ocean is powerful and can change quickly, often by events far out at sea.

[WesleyJ]

on 12/8/2008 Yup location is so important! Great article! Absolutely 5 stars!