Beach safety

Sunscreen

Even on a cloudy day, the sun’s UV rays can burn delicate skin. Keep a plentiful supply of sunscreen in your beach bag, and apply it regularly to all exposed skin.

• Young children need a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30
• Small babies need to be fully shaded at all times

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, so try to limit your sun exposure during this hottest part of the day. For more help and advice see our guide on sun safety for babies and kids.

Hats, parasols and sunglasses

There’s not usually much shade on the beach, so create your own with wide-brimmed sun hats and parasols. Baby sunglasses, as well as being fun to wear, protect little eyes from the sun’s UV rays.

Water and snacks

It’s easy to become dehydrated on a hot sunny day, so pack plenty of bottled water for everyone. Snacks such as fresh fruit and cucumber contain natural juice, which helps, and carrot sticks and cereal bars fill a hungry gap before the long sandy trudge to the ice-cream van.

First aid kit

Useful on the beach or off, check that your first aid kit contains plenty of antiseptic wipes, plasters, insect repellent and insect sting relief. Find out more about what to pack in your family holiday first aid kit.

Towels

You can never have too many towels. You can use them for:

• Sitting on
• Getting changed underneath
• Drying off after a dip
• Wrapping up warm
• Rolling up to make a pillow
• Making a sun ‘turban’
• Lining a sand chair

Beach toys

Buckets and spades are a must for digging, building sandcastles and collecting shells and pebbles. Pack a frisbee, beach ball or cricket set too, to get the whole family active on the beach.

Beach chairs

A necessity for little babies, and a luxury for grown-ups if you have enough hands to carry them. Why not make your own sand seats by digging down into the damp sand, shaping chairs and covering them with towels?

Goggles

Salty sea water can sting eyes, so bring some goggles. You’ll be able to look for fish and crabs under the water, too.

Beach shoes or flip flops

Even the best family beaches can have pebbly or stony bits that can be hard on little feet. Some sandy beaches can harbour spiny creatures like weever fish or sea urchins that are no fun to tread on, so beach shoes are a good idea.

Powder pouch

Nobody likes itchy sand all over them, but there is a solution – talcum powder! Take a little cotton bag, fill it with talcum powder and rub it on the skin to remove the sand.