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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gear up for the beach!

The Spokesman-Review

A family day at the beach may be eagerly anticipated by children, but it can be a big headache for mom. She’s the one most likely to pack the sandwiches, snacks and drinks, slather the children with sunscreen to prevent them from getting a sunburn, and make sure the littlest ones do not eat sand or rub suntan lotion in their eyes. But going to the beach with the kids does not have to be a nightmare — if you have the right gear. Here are some conveniences that can make your beach outings less stressful so you can have more fun:

Sunscreens — Everyone loves to frolic in the sun, but the UV rays can seriously damage the skin. Aside from the long-term worries about skin cancer and wrinkles, moms have to consider burns, which can make for an uncomfortable, cranky kid — or husband. Kids, who are more likely to burn and might be reluctant to wear hats and other protection while playing in and out of the water, should wear a sunscreen with a high SPF. There are several options on the market that offer an SPF of 45. Parents of those newborn to age 2 might consider buying a little tent with netting, available at many baby stores, which keeps their precious bundle out of the sun and away from mosquitoes.

Don’t forget about protecting mom and dad. When picking out a sunscreen, adults should look for the ingredient Parsol 1789, which provides protection against both UVA and UVB radiation and, therefore, helps to prevent premature aging. Most adults appreciate oil-free sunblock that doesn’t clog pores — there are a few on the market that offer SPF 30 and won’t cause breakouts.

Cool cover — Umbrellas are another way to shelter your family from the sun. During the summer, you can find beach umbrellas in all sorts of stores. You should be able to find lightweight umbrellas in a variety of colors and styles at $15 and under.

Clothing is another way to shield skin from the sun. Many children’s stores sell affordable and stylish beach robes, wraps, sunglasses and hats for the little ones. Go for a Hawaiian button-downs for little boys, or the striped, hooded terry cover-up for girls; both are great ways to combat the rays. Don’t forget to pick up a hat and some new sunglasses for yourself while shopping for your little sunbathing beauties!

Picnic pleasures — Nothing does more for the appetite than a day in the water. You’ll need a hefty cooler that keeps sandwiches and snacks fresh for hours — unless you don’t mind paying for often unhealthy boardwalk food. Carrots, fresh fruit or PB and J can withstand the heat in the right cooler. There are some great coolers on wheels available that have enough room for food for a family of four, and are convenient enough to cart the cooler from parking lot to beach.

H2O high — You’ll need water to stay hydrated under the hot sun and to wash down all that yummy food! Rather than buying small water bottles to put in the cooler (which takes up space and tends to cost more), consider buying a thermos or large jug to carry water, lemonade or iced tea. There are rolling beverage coolers on the market that allow you to carry up to six gallons of beverages on all-terrain wheels.

Beach blanket — Even the largest beach towel probably will not provide a space big enough for all of you to spread out while eating or taking a rest. For the most room, pack an old flat sheet or cotton blanket. (Avoid wool or crocheted ones that pick up too much sand).

Terrific toys — Most kids delight in building sand castles or digging holes with nothing more than some plastic spoons and cups. But without too much detective work, you’re likely to find great collections of classsic buckets and shovels at your neighborhood discount or drug store.