I don’t know about you, but I find autumn is a good time to plan for next summer. As the days start to get shorter, the weather turns and nature shows us its true glory with beautiful colours, I love reflecting on what worked well over the summer, what didn’t, and the things that I’d like to buy for next year so that, hopefully, things are easier.

Going to the beach is one of the things we spend a lot of time doing over the spring and summer. This is the first year both kids have been old enough to play with each other with much less input from us. So, I’ve had time to look around and see what bits of kit other parents take to the beach to make their lives easier, think about what we need and make a list of things to save for and buy for next summer.

This post looks at six beach essentials that make trips to the beach in the UK easier, more comfortable and lots of fun. It includes affiliate links to Amazon products and two Wicked Uncle products we were kindly gifted.

Foldable chairs

I know part of the fun of a day at the beach is getting sand everywhere, but if you’re like me and crave a bit of comfort as well as the chance to keep relatively sand-free, a foldable chair is a must. Light-weight camping chairs that come with a carry case are perfect. They’re easy to carry, don’t take up much room in your boot and are relatively comfortable, letting you relax and enjoy some rays while the kids are covering themselves with sand.

Prices start at around £10 from Asda, £15 from Amazon, and up to as much as you want to pay.

Beach essentials for parents: Changing robe

These are a game changer and make transporting the kids back to your accommodation so much easier when they’ve been in the sea. Changing robes are a coat on the outside and a towel on the inside. You can either put the robe on top of your wet swimwear and keep it on until you get home, or they’re big enough so you can get changed wearing it.

The cost of kids changing robes varies massively, starting from under £40 from Amazon, up to over £140 for one from Dry Robe. I’ve got my eye on the Regetta ones for next summer as we saw so many kids wearing them this year and they looked nice and cosy and perfect for wrapping our two up for the walk back to the caravan.

Water toys

Everyone is going to get at least their feet wet at the beach, so it’s the ideal place to let the kids use their water toys. Anything from buckets and spades to water pistols and spray guns are great, as long as they’re lightweight and easy to carry.

We like this Fire Fighter Henry water sprayer as it’s easy for young kids to carry and is the perfect beach toy. Water pistols can be as cheap as a couple of pounds, or more sophisticated options up to around £20.

Easy-to-use sunscreen

Sun cream, sand and kids are often not the best combination, but keeping everyone protected from the sun’s rays is a must for a safe and happy day on the beach. After a lot of trial and error, we’ve found roll-on to be the easiest way of getting the kids protected. Our girls are six and ten and they can both apply the cream themselves using a roll-on (we still supervise to make sure they’ve covered everywhere).

I found buying in bulk the best option as they’re also great for having in their schoolbags and even if the sun isn’t out every day, we still get through quite a lot of them over the spring and summer. We’ve found the Nivea Factor 50 roll-on suits us best as it’s nice and thick and it’s easy for them to see where it’s been applied and where they still need to do. You can get similar ones from supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Card Games

Sand sandwiches are a Great British tradition and one we try and do at least once every summer. But if you’re kids are anything like ours, they will like going to a beach cafe or pub for lunch or tea on the way home.

Colouring tends not to keep our girls occupied for long so I’ve been looking for something that’s easy to carry and simple to do and this Polar Panic card game fits the bill perfectly. It’s simple enough that our six-year-old can join in and is engaging enough for the 10-year-old. The game comes with rules, but when we’ve played it, we’ve tended to make up our own (or rather our youngest does!). It comes in a lovely metal tin so it’s quick and easy to clear away when your food arrives!

Physical games

If you’re looking for an easy activity for the beach that’s lightweight and easy to carry, these Air Squares flying discs from Wicked Uncle are brilliant. They can be used just like a Frisbee; the sleek, square aerodynamic design enables impressive distances with a range of 100m and features a soft, cushioned rubber rim for easy, safe catching. Perfect for burning off energy and keeping the kids occupied.

What are your go-to beach and holiday essentials? Leave a comment and let me know.

Head over to the parenting section to read the latest articles and tips.

This article includes tips from independent travel expert Aled Evans, founder of Our Local Tour, as well as ideas from other adopters to help manage holiday overwhelm for kids, so your trip is enjoyable for everyone.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them and make a purchase, I receive a commission from Amazon.

Include the kids

When you’re at the planning stages of your holiday, involve the kids (as much as their age allows) in terms of picking a destination and the kind of things you’re going to do when you’re there. It’s pointless booking a two-week beach holiday if the kids hate the heat and sand! Compromise will be key for everyone, as it’s unlikely you’ll all agree on the same things. Taking everyone’s wishes and needs into account is likely to lead to a happier holiday.

If you’re not sure where the best place to go is, here are Aled’s recommendations for child-friendly destinations:

“One of the best places in the world to travel with kids is Greece. The Greeks are highly family-oriented, and it is common for their families to be out late in the evening when it’s cooler, enjoying a stroll along the waterfront or having a meal in a local restaurant. The food is child-friendly, even for the pickiest kids, and the hotels and restaurants are very welcoming and understand the needs of parents with small children.

“I can’t recommend a safari enough for those with slightly older children. If you can stretch the budget, it’s an incredible experience for the whole family with action-packed days and relaxing evenings. For beginners, consider Kenya or South Africa, which have many lodges and parks ideal for families.”

Use images and videos

When you’re travelling somewhere new with kids who struggle with change, find images and videos of the location and accommodation you can look at with them. Start reviewing these well in advance of your trip so they can familiarise themselves with the location and ask questions you can answer if you don’t have the answers straight away.

Contact your accommodation and ask if they can send you images or a video of the exact room your child will be staying in, so your child can see where they’ll be sleeping and the room layout. This can help alleviate anxiety about what to expect. If they can see the bed they’ll be sleeping in and the bathroom, that may help them feel less anxious and overwhelmed.

Talk through their concerns

If your child is anxious about travelling to a new place, talk through with them what is worrying them. You might think they’re worried about a new location or a new bed, but it’s actually about food and how they’ll get breakfast.

Talk through their worries in an age-appropriate way and develop a plan together to help them feel more at ease. Again, use images and videos whenever possible to show areas such as dining areas, the swimming pool, and other places they may not have experienced before.

If they’re worried about going on a plane or ferry for the first time, show them a video of what to expect so they’re familiar with what’s going to happen. Seeing it means they can hopefully talk about which parts they’re worried about.

If you’re travelling with toddlers who can’t express their worries, using images and videos as much as possible will help ease their concerns.

Take familiar things

Make sure your child has familiar items with them, such as a comforter, a snuggle toy, and favourite PJs, to help them feel safe. Taking their favourite bedding and pillow can help make their bed feel safer and more familiar, and bringing their favourite breakfast cereal or snack can provide familiarity for at least the first few days.

Stick to routines

Part of the fun of holidays is not having to get up at the same time and for longer, laid-back days and evenings. But that doesn’t suit all children. If your children need consistency and routines, wherever possible, stick to the same times for waking, breakfast and bedtime as well as the same bedtime routine. For kids who struggle with change, this consistency is likely to create a calmer environment.

If your budget allows, book accommodation with a separate bedroom or balcony so you have space to go and relax once the kids are in bed. A separate room or an outdoor space gives everyone a place to go if they need time alone to regulate or just a few minutes to themselves.

Managing holiday overwhelm for kids: Keep them occupied

Stock up on their favourite snacks and make sure you have plenty to keep them occupied during the journey, whether that’s in an aeroplane, boat, or car. If they have tablets, make sure they’ve downloaded their favourite cartoons, films, books, and puzzles, if they enjoy those too.

Choose craft activities that create minimal mess, such as stickers, paints that just use water, colouring books or use games that are easy to do on the go, like “Would you Rather?” that everyone can join in.

Tips from a travel specialist

Here are Aled’s top tips for reducing travel stress:

Plan ahead

Plan ahead, especially for long-haul flights. Make sure all devices (iPads, etc.) are fully charged and that chargers are nearby. Include plenty of healthy snacks and keep the children hydrated. Keeping children fed, watered, and entertained, especially on flights, ensures stress-free travel for everyone.

Baggage

Always book checked baggage if booking flights. It is stress-free, so there’s no need to worry about overhead compartment space, and bags are usually out quickly when you arrive. You get more weight so you can pack more.

Remember it’s a holiday for everyone!

If you’re going on holiday, remember that it’s a holiday! Don’t try to include too much sightseeing or pre-book lots of excursions. There is nothing wrong with spending the whole time relaxing at the pool while the kids are playing.

Passports

This tip is not just for when travelling with kids. Always take a photo of each person’s passport picture page and upload it or email it to yourself. You then have easy online access to a copy of everyone’s passport if the worst happens and one gets lost.

Give yourself time

Finally, give yourself plenty of time. Airport security, baggage check-in, parking, whatever it is, will always take longer with kids. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time, just in case something delays you. It’s better to spend time waiting to board a flight than to be stuck in security, panicking that you are not going to make it.

You can learn more about Our Local Tour and the unique travel experiences they offer on their website.

Stay local

If your kids struggle a lot with travel and going somewhere new isn’t an option, think outside the box. Stay in your local area and take day trips or camp in your garden. Book a night in a local hotel that your child sees every day and gradually build up to going further afield, or somewhere you regularly go for day trips. Familiarity is key, as is keeping things simple and building up gradually.

Head to the parenting section for more tips and advice.

Are you looking for an exciting and eco-friendly way to explore new destinations? How about taking your ebike to your travel destination?

With their battery-powered assistance, these versatile bicycles make adventure travel accessible to riders of all experience levels. So helmet up and read further.

Ways to Use Ebikes While Traveling

You can use offroad ebikes for all sorts of vacations. Below are some ideas to get you started:

• Bikepacking: Bikepacking is a form of adventure travel that combines biking and camping. You can use your ebike to explore backcountry trails and get off the beaten path. Just be sure to pack light, as you’ll have to carry all your gear on your bike. Your bike should have a luggage rack that supports up to 50 pounds of weight.

• Bike touring: Touring is another great way to see the world by bike. With an ebike, you can cover more ground than you can on a traditional bicycle, making it easier to see more of your chosen destination. Whether you’re doing a self-supported tour or joining an organized group, ebike touring, especially offroad, is a great way to explore and see the great outdoors.

• Exploring bike trails and parks: If you’re looking for a way to add some adventure to traveling, consider exploring bike trails and parks on an electric bike. This is a great way to get some exercise while seeing some spectacular sights.

Tips for Going the Distance on an Ebike

Maybe you want to use your ebike on a longer trip. If so, below are some tips to get the most out of the experience.

1. Get comfortable with your ebike before heading out on a long ride or trip. If possible, take some shorter rides to get used to your ebike’s power and handling. This will help you feel more confident when riding for longer periods of time on unfamiliar terrain.

2. Make sure you have all the necessary gear for a comfortable ride. In addition to bringing along things like food, water, and a first-aid kit, add a GPS and phone. Some bikes are equipped with phone holders and chargers. If you take a trip in colder weather, dress in layers and make sure you carry a blanket and cold-weather-friendly sleeping bag.