This was Baby S's second trip to the coast, but so much has changed from last year! She was 6 months old and barely sitting up on her own last Summer, so she mainly got passed around and napped in her play yard. This year, she turned 18 months and as soon as she saw the ocean she was gone! We still took turns playing with her; jumping the waves, playing with sand toys, and splashing in the tidal pools. She napped each afternoon in the condo, but for the most part we stayed on the beach all day long.
I wanted to share a few items that we purchased specifically for this trip that made our lives easier. I'm thankful to report that we traveled lighter this year having a toddler, even if that meant not reading a single page of my book!
If I had to pick only one item on this list, it would be this high chair.
Worth. Every. Penny.
She struggles at mealtimes when her routine is altered, so this high chair was a life saver in the condo. Holding a busy toddler in your lap while trying to eat just doesn't cut it. This chair folds up flat, is so easy to use, and cleans up like a dream. We will be packing this for every future trip within driving distance - even if I have to strap it to the roof!
Mini Crib Sheet
When traveling, a pop-n-play style crib is usually the most convenient way for your babe to sleep. We knew that sharing a room in a condo meant we needed to bring our own portable crib for our daughter. Thankfully, our room had a large walk-in closet that she fit in perfectly! It was dark enough that she could sleep without black out curtains, but we could still hear her with the door cracked at night. This muslin crib sheet is so soft and lightweight; she slept great each night after a day on the beach. The "mini" fits most play yards, and they have full size crib sheets for at home!
Bogg Bag
Bogg Bags have been super popular the last few summers. I see them everywhere online and there's a reason why, they're amazing! I love the style, colors, and lightweight material. I can fit all three of our beach necessities inside the XL size, then pop it right into the beach cart. I also appreciate how easy it is to hose off after a day in the sand. Worth the splurge!
Clip Fan
We loved having this clip fan on the beach. We charged it up at night and it provided the best breeze all day long. It would also work great on a tent while tailgating or camping.
Water Shoes
We just sized up in our second pair of these lightweight water shoes. Perfect for the beach, pool, splash pad, or just playing in the yard! They fit true to size and come in so many colors.
Silicon Sand Toys
These sand toys are just so sweet. I love the muted colors and mesh bag that's included. The silicon was easy to spray off at the end of the day to get rid of any stuck on sand.
RePlay Sippy Cup & Snack Stack
We've tried just about every brand of toddler cup and these are by-far her favorites. I love the price, colors, and different top styles. We packed a couple with spout tops and a couple with straw tops to get us through the week. The snack stacker was perfect to load up with gold fish and fruit snacks, then throw in the beach bag. Easy to clean and better for the environment!
Swim Diapers
We've invested in a couple of reusable swim diapers for home use, but on vacation when you know your babe will be wearing several a day, just go with the disposables. Being able to rip one off and pull on another without having to walk back and forth to the house, or run a load of laundry in the middle of the day, is worth it. You're on vacation!
Poncho Towel
This one is just for fun. I saw this poncho style towel and had to have it! It's still a bit big on my 18 month old, so I'm excited to see her wear for a few more years. So cute, y'all! & they make adult sizes.