Your beach day will be both safe and enjoyable.

From planning the beach day’s activities to basking in the serenity of a well-prepared afternoon, a trip to the beach should be a pleasurable experience. A safe and enjoyable day at the beach, on the other hand, necessitates some planning, especially if your children are accompanying you. A little planning and a short to-do list, beginning with a few basic necessities, is a great place to start.

First and foremost, bring plenty of beach towels and blankets for your swimmers and sunbathers. You should also bring beach umbrellas, sunglasses, and hats to protect your family from overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Keep in mind that an afternoon of swimming and sandcastle building can dehydrate you before you realize it. So, prepare ahead of time by stocking a cooler with water and other ice-cold beverages to keep everyone cool and hydrated while enjoying the sun.

With all of the calories, your family will be burning, stomachs will be growling before long. Be prepared for this by packing plenty of food in your cooler. Beaches will occasionally have food stands, but the selection isn’t always the best. Bringing your favorite snacks ensures that you will have access to what you enjoy on your beach day.

Don’t forget to include the necessities for your children in all of your preparations. Toys, buckets and shovels, volleyballs, frisbees, kites, and anything else the family might enjoy in the water or on the sand should be brought along.

If your family is particularly active, you might want to consider planning special activities for the beach day.

This could include organizing a play date for your children or allowing them to participate in a staff-led program.

Finally, if you have small children, make sure to check ahead of time to see if the beach you are visiting will have a lifeguard on duty. Having an extra set of eyes watching out for your children will keep your family safe and the benefits of all your beach day preparations.

# Check the beach warnings on beach day

Beach advisories that restrict beach access can be caused by harmful algal blooms (HABs), high levels of bacteria, or other pollutants that can make water unsafe.

Keep an eye out for harmful algal blooms in your area and double-check any HAB forecasts during high-risk seasons.

Many beaches also issue E.coli exposure warnings, especially after it has rained in the area. These hazards are less likely to ruin your beach day than other risks, depending on where you live, but it is still worth checking before you go.

# Use reef-safe sunscreen

Aside from staying in the shade and wearing protective clothing, the best way to protect yourself from UV radiation is to apply sunscreen liberally. But first, take a look at the back of the bottle.

Many sunscreens contain chemicals that are toxic to marine life, such as corals, mussels, fish, and even dolphins! The NOAA National Ocean Service has a helpful guide about skincare chemicals and marine life that details these effects and can assist you in selecting a sunscreen that will protect both you and the environment.

#Choose beaches that offer extras

Look for built-in entertainment, such as boogie-board rentals, boat rides, or food vendors, advises Saskia Conti, a mom and Airbnb host from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Or investigate what’s going on just off the beach. You could rent bikes, go to a shop or a restaurant, or hike in a nature preserve.

“A beach that offers additional activities enhances the beach-day experience,”