After living in Florida for 11 years—and five of those years with kids in tow—we’ve learned that a beach day can either feel like a dream… or a complete disaster.
The right setup truly makes or breaks your trip. Here are our best tips for hitting the sand with little ones—Florida style:
1. If you can, visit a drive-on beach
This is hands down the biggest game changer for beach days with kids.
In Northeast Florida, there are four counties that let you drive right onto the sand (if you have 4WD):
- Volusia
- St. Johns
- Duval
- Nassau
We load up the car, roll right onto the beach, park, and set up right there. No carrying chairs, umbrellas, toys, or snacks across hot sand while chasing preschoolers.
Our favorite drive-on beach even has tide pools that form when the tide goes out. The kids splash, build sand castles, and search for tiny fish—all in calm water away from the waves.
2. Go with friends (if you can)
Sure, we love solo family days at the beach—but the best days by far are when we meet up with other families.
The kids keep each other entertained for hours:
- Digging giant holes
- Collecting shells
- Building castles
- Racing boogie boards
And let’s be honest: extra grownups mean extra sets of eyes and safety is critical at the beach.
3. Pack light—but bring the essentials
We see families lugging half their living room or garage or whatever combination of those two places they can come up with across the sand. That is not us.
Here’s what usually comes with us:
- A chair for each adult
- A big blanket for the kids
- A couple of towels
- Shade (umbrella, beach tent, or something similar)
- One mesh backpack of sand toys
- Boogie boards (the kids each carry their own)
- Just enough snacks & drinks (we already know our kids last about 2–3 hours before they’re ready to head out, and honestly, that’s all we last, too. It’s a workout chasing three littles across the sand and ocean.)
If it’s a drive-on beach, we bring this plug-in cooler and pack a little extra, but we still keep it simple.
4. Never skip the shade
Florida sun is no joke. It’s hot, intense, and reflects off the sand.
Shade isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether it’s a beach umbrella, a tent, or a sunshade, make sure you have something to escape the midday sunshine.
5. Bring a change of clothes
Before heading home, we all change into dry, comfy clothes—usually right in the car or at a beach changing station.
It keeps the sand and water out of car seats and helps everyone feel clean and comfortable for the ride home. (Trust us: nobody wants to sit salty and soaked in a car seat. That sounds like diaper rash waiting to happen.)
Most importantly: have fun
Let the kids get messy, sandy, and wet. Let them find shells and get excited about fish in the tide pools. They’re kids. They make messes and in our book messes are okay as long as no one is being hurt and nothing is being damaged.
We’ve learned over the years that the less we stress about perfectly planned days, the more fun everyone has.
Related Posts You’ll Love:
5 Things to Do This Summer in Florida (That Aren’t Disney)
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