Going to the beach is a dream, of course — we especially love Rockaway Beach in Queens — but for a long time, it also felt tricky. Does anyone else feel the same? Toby would get restless, I would get hot, and Anton… well, Anton would love it, but the two of us would be so hot and restless!
But then I got a tip that changed everything…
Bring a good shovel. Not a flimsy toy one, but a good heavy-duty one. A mom of five, who once sat next to me at the beach, gave me this advice, and I looked up and saw it in action: her kids played happily the whole time while she watched over them and read her book. It felt like the answer to a riddle. After that, we started bringing a good shovel every time, and the boys would spend ages building castles (with moats!), or digging small holes and watching the waves close them up, or any number of fun things; and other kids would drift over to join them, and I, too, would watch over them and read my book.
Other beach toys we’ve liked are Uno, frisbees, and nets, but nothing beats a good shovel!
Relaxing after a good dig.
What do you always bring? Any other beach — or travel — pro tips?
P.S. A very low-key summer checklist, and the #1 key to enjoying family travel.
