What to bring and what to do at the beach in Ireland with little kids
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As a mom of two little ones, a 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl, I know firsthand the joys and challenges of taking your kids to the beach. Living in Greystones within walking distance of multiple beaches, we spend a lot of time sandy and wet.
Things to Consider
Weather: In Ireland, the weather can be unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared for all possibilities. We always bring plenty of layers, raincoats, and umbrellas. And if it's a particularly hot day, don't forget to pack hats and sunscreen.
Timing: As any parent knows, a well-rested and well-fed child is a happy child. We plan our trips around our little ones' nap schedules and meal times to make sure everyone is happy and content.
2. Things to Pack
Towels, change of clothes, and extra nappies and wipes are a must.
Snacks: Our kids are always hungry, so we pack plenty of options like fruit, crackers, sandwiches etc in their bento lunchboxes. And we always bring plenty of water to stay hydrated in our insulated steel bottles.
Entertainment: Our favorite beach toys are diggers, buckets, and scoops. We love building sandcastles and exploring the beach with them.
Gear: If we plan on going for a swim, we always bring wetsuits and aqua shoes to keep our little ones warm and protect their feet from sharp rocks. And our dry robes are a lifesaver when it's time to warm up after getting out of the water. Towel ponchos are brilliant for drying off wet kids and for grown ups to get changed discretely.
Kit: three pieces of kit have made our beach life so much easier, our Rudie Nudie picnic blanket (10% off with my link), a wagon for carting all our stuff around and a mesh bag for taking home all the wet sandy stuff (without bringing the sand home too!).
3. What to Do At The Beach
Build sandcastles: It's a classic beach activity that never gets old. Our kids love to use their diggers and buckets to create their own little beach kingdoms.
Make mermaid tails: Such a simple activity and as a grown up to get to sit still (win!). Have the kids cover your legs in sand and use shells and sand art to decorate your “tail”.
Go for a swim: Depending on the weather, enjoy a dip in the sea. Wetsuits and aqua shoes make it a more comfortable experience.
Body board or paddle board: our kids aren’t quite big enough for this yet, but it looks like great fun!
Take a walk: We love to explore the beach and the surrounding area. Our kids love to collect shells and stones to bring home as souvenirs.
Watch the wildlife: We always keep an eye out for interesting creatures like crabs, jellyfish, and sea birds. Our kids love to watch them from a safe distance (the seagulls don’t always get the memo on safe distance though..)
Go rock-pooling: a fishing net and bucket are all you need to explore the world of the rock pools.
Bury pirate treasure: my kids love this activity. We simply bury a small toy (make sure it’s biodegradable) and they have to find it
Relax: Sometimes the best thing to do at the beach is to simply sit back and enjoy the sea breeze. We love to use our Rudie Nudie picnic blanket (10% off with my link).
Our Rudie Nudie Picnic Blanket in action
I hope these tips and tricks will help make your next beach adventure with your little ones a success. And remember, it's okay if things don't go according to plan - that's just part of the adventure. So grab your gear, head out to the beach, and make some memories with your family!
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