If the title of the post was not a good enough hint, I am just back from a refreshing and much-awaited vacation from Goa. Yes!! Goa, the land with some of the best beaches in the world, beautiful churches, fun, frolic and amazing seafood. Before I go on a tangent and start describing my vacation in detail, let me get a grip. This post is all about vacation tips for having a memorable beach holiday with kids especially toddlers. So without further ado here we go:

Clothes: The thumb of the rule should be two changes of clothes for each day of your vacation. If your toddler is not potty trained yet, then carry diapers and the extra set of clothes. Jeans are not the attire for a beach holiday. Choose airy and lightweight fabric like cotton while heading for a beach destination with kids. You can also carry 2-3 swimsuits for the beach and pool. It usually gets a little chilly at night near the beach so you should carry a light jacket or a shrug which the kids can wear.

Sunblock: Look for “waterproof” or “water-resistant” on the package. A sunscreen with SPF 30 will block almost 97% of the sun’s rays if applied every two hours. Also, make sure that it is paraben free for the sensitive skin of children. Make sure that you let the suncream absorb in their skin before they venture into the water. Also once they are out of the water to dry their skin completely with a towel before reapplying the cream.

Accessories: Beach toys, hats, sun umbrella, float and sunglasses are a must carry if you are taking the kids to a beach destination. No beach holiday can be complete without making some sand castles so carry a sand bucket and shovel. In case you are travelling by air like we did, you can also buy or rent these from the various shops near the beach. Also, carry extra towels for each outing on the beach because believe me you are gonna need it.

Food: While you may enjoy feasting on exotic seafood like prawns, scallops, lobster (*drooling), it may not be a great idea to let your toddler also have these food items unless there are no proven allergies. Also remember, the cooking techniques and ingredients might be different from what you usually have so it is better to err on the side of caution. Fresh fruits, juices, rice, pasta, veggies are great options for children.

Hotel: While you may not spend a lot of time in your hotel while at a beach vacation but it still pays to stay at a kid-friendly hotel when you travel with kids. For those days when the sun is too hot or the tide is too high, your toddler might have to spend time indoors and a hotel which has amenities like a kiddie pool, play area or indoor game room will be appreciated. Also, read the online reviews of vacation resorts to find out whether the staff is kid-friendly, toddlers are welcome at all the restaurants, housekeeping is open to accept requests like ice for a sunburn or a kiddie meal.

Apart from the above you also need to be cautious regarding sea creatures like jellyfishes, unexpected tides, and getting in the eyes of kids etc while at the beach.

I hope these tips will help you have the perfect relaxing and wonderful vacation at the beach destination with your toddler. And yes, don’t forget to carry your camera because this trip will give you a lot of memory making moments.