Packing for a beach trip with two kids sounds like it should require a trailer. Add a husband into the mix, and it’s easy to feel like you need a full moving truck. But after a few trips of overpacking and digging through cluttered bags for the one thing I actually needed, I’ve started to figure it out: you don’t need everything, just the right things.

Here’s how I keep things light, practical, and stress-free when heading to the seaside with an 8-year-old, a 10-month-old, and one very helpful, slightly minimalistic husband.

 👗 Clothes: Simple, Swappable, Sand-Approved

We’re not doing laundry while we’re away, so I pack just enough to get us through, no more, no less. I go for clothes that can be mixed, matched, and worn more than once (because let’s be honest , half the time we’re all in swimsuits anyway).

For each kid:

• 5 outfits (lightweight and comfy)

• 2 swimsuits

• 1 long-sleeved layer for cooler evenings

• Pajamas

• A sun hat

• Sandals and water shoes

For me:

• 3–4 mix-and-match outfits 

• Swimsuits + cover-up

• One light sweater or jacket 

• 2 comfy dresses for dinners or beach walks

• Flip-flops and one pair of walkable shoes

For my husband:

• A few easy t-shirts and shorts

• Swim trunks

• One pair of jeans or pants for evening strolls

• A hoodie or light jacket 

• Flip-flops + sneakers

(He claims he could pack in five minutes and honestly, he’s not wrong.)

🧴 Toiletries: Family-Sized and Fuss-Free

One toiletry bag for the whole crew. I don’t overthink it, just the basics:

• Baby safe sunscreen (used by everyone)

• Toothbrushes + toothpaste

• Hairbrush + hair ties 

• One all purpose shampoo/body wash

• Diapers + wipes (for the baby, and for sandy hands too)

 • A small makeup bag with all of my makeup 

• Tiny first aid pouch (just in case)

If we forget anything? Beach towns always have a pharmacy.

🎒 Miscellaneous Must-Haves

This is the category where things can spiral, but I’ve learned to keep it tight:

   • Toys: One small pouch per child. My eldest brings a sticker book, a notebook, and a few pens. The baby gets a teether and one or two favorite toys.

   • Baby carrier (a lifesaver for beach walks when the stroller isn’t practical)

  • Travel stroller (if needed for naps or longer strolls)

 • Snacks for the trip and first day 

  • Beach bag with just the essentials: towels, sun hats, a few toys, water bottles, and lots of patience.

Packing light with kids doesn’t mean being unprepared. It means being smart about what actually gets used. A few outfits, a little bag of essentials, and space left over for sea shells, sticky hands, and sandy memories, that’s more than enough.