Personalized Beach Bucket provides hours of fun as a sand transporter, water carrier, and sand mold. Or stuff it with beach toys for toting ease.  Comes in six different colors and motifs. Personalize name up to 10 characters, $8.99.

Since most of the country is still braving cold temperatures, we’re dreaming of Spring Break and some much-needed fun in the sun.  Whether you’re driving to Florida or flying to the Caribbean, preparing for a beach vacation takes a lot of planning and organization, especially if you have children.  To make your trip easier, we’ve compiled some handy tips to keep you smiling from door to door.

Before You Go:

-Check that your family’s passports and identification are up-to-date.  If you are traveling out of the country, get a visa if required (not necessary for Mexico or the Caribbean).

-Download a few apps, books or movies to your children’s iPads in case of travel delays or no Wi-Fi.

-Start to pack a week or so ahead of time, and create a staging area with neat piles for each member of the family

-Do your research.  Check on the best local restaurants and make reservations beforehand.  Find the closest amusement/waterparks, museums, mini-golf, and local activities that may be going on while you are there.

-Check the weather forecast for inclement weather and pack accordingly

-If you are driving, download Waze, the best GPS app out there

What to Pack:

-If you are flying, pack a foldable beach bag in your luggage.  If you’re driving, assemble the beach bag beforehand so it’s ready when you arrive. Gather buckets and shovels, Frisbee, beach ball, and swim goggles.

-Sunscreen.  Bring two:  One spray to apply easily on the body, and a smaller sunblock for the face

-Bring a large but lightweight beach blanket, water bottles and sealable plastic bags for collecting seashells or transporting wet swimsuits.

-Beach towels:  Pack personalized beach towels so the children can keep track of their own.

-Beachwear:  For each person, pack two swimsuits, one beach cover-up or large t-shirt, two rash guards, one baseball hat or wide-brimmed sun hat, and flip-flops

-Pack a light sweatshirt or sweater for chilly mornings and evenings, and a lightweight nylon jacket in case of rain.

Car Essentials:

-Bring folding kids’ chairs and umbrellas to make the beach day more comfortable and to avoid any sibling spats about whose chair is whose.

-A portable family umbrella

–Cooler and personalized water bottles

-Mosquito spray, handy wipes, tissues, and a small plastic bag for trash

-Kids travel games like Laugh Out Loud Jokes or BrainQuest Games

-Snacks:  Make a surprise pack of mini snacks, such as carrots, Goldfish, nuts, yogurt or other healthy snacks.  Keep sugar to a minimum to keep your sanity.

Baby Essentials:

Bring a pop-up beach sun shelter and a collapsible stroller and car seat. Pack baby wipes and enough diapers to take you through two to three days, and purchase more after arrival. Pack an extra set of baby clothes in your carry-on in case of spills or mishaps. A large quilt or floor mat will do double duty at the beach or hotel. Shop HERE for our personalized baby essentials.

Bring formula, baby food, bottles or toddler cup. Take travel-sized bathing supplies, bibs and pacifiers. For babies under one year, bring lightweight, long-sleeved cotton tops and bottoms to keep skin covered. Pack waterproof sunscreen with a SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed sun hat, according to American Academy of Pediatrics advice for Healthy Children.

Your Essentials:

With ATM machines so prevalent, the days of travelers checks and big wads of cash are over.  Your credit cards and a few hundred dollars should be sufficient.  Be sure to keep some small bills handy to tip skycaps and valets.

Don’t Forget:

-Passport or driver’s license

-Visa, if you are traveling overseas

-Medical insurance cards

-Prescriptions

-Glasses, both eye and sun; contact lenses

-Electronics:  Ipad, phone, headphones and chargers

Our Personalized Beach Towels are ON SALE!  With vivid colors, cool designs, and a big thirsty size, your child will love them for the pool, beach, or bath. You’ll love the value and quality. Towels reverse from plush velour to comfy terry loops, 100% cotton. Name is custom embroidered up to 12 characters.  Above design, Under the Sea is ON SALE for $24.99.  Shop all towel designs HERE.

Youngsters love this Umbrella Beach Chair of their own! Styled like the grown-up version, the compact chairs feature a sturdy metal-tube frame coated with baked enamel for scratch-resistant weather protection. Seat, back, and umbrella are fashioned of durable, double-stitched, wipe-clean nylon with white piping trim.  Chair folds flat neatly, weighs just three lbs. for easy toting, and includes the attached, adjustable-angle, 28″ diameter personalized umbrella. Ages 2-5 years.  Choose from Pink, Purple or Turquoise, $32.99

Our personalized Jute Market and Tote Bags are great for the beach, shopping or travel. Make it personal with a name or monogram added free of charge in the color and style you want. From $11.99 (initial canvas tote on chair, two or more for $9.99), to $44.99. Shop all designs HERE.  Cozy Personalized Blanket, $49.99.  Choose from Gray, Khaki or Navy.

Our NEW monogrammed beach bag goes from sea to shopping in style. Available first week in April.

The kiddos will love to have a personalized Umbrella Beach Chair to relax or eat their lunch.  Comes in Pink, Purple or Turquoise, $32.99

Your little ones will love to have their own Personalized Beach Towels, now all ON SALE, from $19.99 and up. Perfect for the pool, sea or bath.

Shop our full collection of Spring Break travel gifts and essentials HERE.

…and don’t miss our exclusive Easter gifts and décor!  Shop HERE.