This ultimate printable family beach vacation packing list includes all the travel essentials and tips to make your trip fun and worry-free!
When it comes to planning a vacation for your family, there’s so much to think about – from finding the perfect vacation rental to coming up with dinner ideas to cook while you’re there.
But one of the most important things to plan before your trip is what to pack!
With the help of this printable family beach vacation packing list, you’ll be sure to include everything you need for your trip in your suitcase!
We loved this list from our trip to Maui a couple of years ago, but it also works great for any beach destination!
What to Pack for a Beach Vacation
When you’re in charge of packing everything for your family vacation, it’s easy to get overwhelmed!
One of the best ways to stay organized as you’re filling up your suitcases is to use a packing list.
This comprehensive list includes everything you and your family will need to take on your next beach vacation.
Grab Your Printable Beach Checklist Here
Important Items to Bring on a Beach Vacation
While clothes and sunblock are must-have items when heading to the beach, there are a few things you definitely don’t want to forget.
Before you pack anything else, make sure to pack these personal items in a safe place.
- Driver’s licenses
- Debit or credit cards
- Cash
- Coins for parking and tolls
- Health insurance cards
- Auto insurance cards
- Vacation rental information
- Cell phones
- Chargers
Printable Family Beach Vacation Packing List
Once you have your important items ready to go, it’s time to start filling up your suitcases with everything else your family will need for a fun beach vacation.
Make sure to include these items for each person in your family.
Clothes
- Underwear and bras
- Socks
- Pajamas
- 2 bathing suits each
- Rash guards
- Swim suit coverups
- T-shirts or tank tops
- Shorts
- Jeans or capris
- Light jackets
- Dresses or skirts
- Workout clothing
- Dinner outfits
Shoes & Accessories
- Running shoes
- Flip flops
- Sandals
- Water shoes
- Sun hat
- Belts
- Jewelry
Toiletries
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Razors
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Aloe
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Brushes and combs
- Hairdryer
- Hair straightener or curling iron
- Hairspray and/or gel
- Hair elastics and clips
- Cotton swabs and balls
- Contacts case and solution
- Contact lenses
- Glasses
- Makeup
- Feminine products
- Perfume and cologne
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
- Nail polish and polish remover
- Swim diapers and dry diapers
- Lip balm
Medication & First Aid Kit
- Pain reliever
- Allergy medicine
- Antacid
- Bandages
- Prescription medicine
- Kids’ medicine
- Hand sanitizer
- Wipes
- Bug spray
Beach Items
- Beach umbrella
- Canopy or beach tent
- Beach tote
- Cooler
- Beach blanket
- Beach towels
- Beach chairs
- Beach or sand toys
- Goggles / Snorkel gear
- Sunglasses
- Life jackets or flotation device (example: swim vest)
- Inflatable floats or toys (example: boogie boards)
- Wagon or cart
- Waterproof pouch for cell phone
- Beach bag
Entertainment
- Tablets
- Laptop
- Books and magazines
- Deck of cards
- Toys or sports equipment
- Coloring or activity books with crayons
- Board games
- DVDs
- Waterproof speaker
- Headphones
- Binoculars
- Waterproof camera
Household Items
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Napkins
- Laundry detergent
- Stain remover
- Dryer sheets
- Wrinkle release spray
- Disinfectant wipes
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Zip-top bags
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Paper plates
- Plastic-ware
- Garbage bags
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Water bottle
Also don’t forget a good book if you like to read at the beach!
Grab Your Printable Beach Packing List
What should be on your food packing list for a beach vacation?
In addition to packing your clothing, toiletries, and household items, you might also want to consider bringing some food along with you — especially if you’re driving to your beach destination!
Adding food to your beach vacation packing list is a great way to save time and money on your road trip.
Food Items to Pack For the Beach
1. Drinks
Grabbing some of your family’s favorite drinks (coffee, tea, sports drinks, drink mixes, juice boxes, etc.) is a great way to save money on the day of your trip and to ensure you have what you need when you arrive at your rental.
We suggest packing a couple of ice packs so your family can enjoy a cold drink on the way there!
2. Snacks
Packing some of your kid’s favorite snacks is also a great idea.
Bring along some nonperishable snacks (crackers, chips, applesauce pouches, etc.) for your kids to enjoy on the trip and to keep at the rental throughout your vacation.
3. Spices and condiments
Avoid the need to purchase full bottles of spices and condiments you’ll need for lunches and dinners by bringing them from home.
Make a beach vacation meal plan before you leave so you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’ll need to prepare breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout your trip.
4. Nonperishable items
You can also include a few nonperishable items on your packing list to reduce the amount of food you need to purchase when you get to your destination.
Items like pasta and sauce, peanut butter, oil, cereal, and bread are all perfect for packing before you leave on your trip.
You may like this Family Beach Vacation Meal Planning List as well!!
How Do I Pack for a 7-Day Beach Vacation?
Making sure you have everything you need for your week-long trip can be a daunting process. The key to staying sane is to get organized!
Use these 4 helpful tips to ensure you don’t forget anything.
1. Use a packing list
Start by printing out the packing list and marking off each item as you add it to your suitcase.
2. Sort before packing
Don’t place anything in your suitcase until you have everything laid out where you can see it. It will make it much easier to notice if you’re forgetting something if everything you’re packing is organized in front of you.
3. Make a pile for each person
Keep yourself organized by sorting the items by person. Start a pile for each person in your family, then check items off the list when you add them to every person’s pile. We love to use packing cubes to keep things organized in our luggage.
4. Save must-haves for last
When you’re ready to start adding everything to your suitcase, make sure to keep the items you’ll need when you arrive on top. If you know your kids are going to want to jump in the pool the second you get there, for example, make sure to have the swimming suits within easy reach!
5. Pack a Wet Bag and Dry Bag
A wet and dry bag are beach essentials on a family vacation! The last thing you want to do after a day on the beach is sort through damp, sandy items! Having 2 designated bags can help you stay organized even on vacation!
Get Your Family Beach Trip Packing List for Free
5 More Small but Important Travel Tips
- Check the weather before you pack.
- Will you rent or bring beach gear? Decide beforehand and price out options.
- Do you need to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs?
- Do you need to find out if the Airbnb or hotel room has a washing machine?
- Traveling with babies or small children? Consider packing an extra outfit for the travel day just in case someone has an accident.
- Travel insurance is another great option to add-on to your trip in case anyone gets sick!
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