Do you have a family vacation planned to The Outer Banks of NC this year? If the answer is yes, then we here at Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates understand that spending a week or more sitting on the beach soaking up the rays is just what you need. Staying in one of our oceanfront vacation rentals will keep the beach at your backdoor, but having the right things in your beach tote will allow you to enjoy your vacation even more. Let’s look at what we recommend you pack in your beach bag so you can have a fun family vacation when visiting the Outer Banks .
Beach Tote Items:
Beach Towels
When you are on vacation making sure you have packed everything before you leave home is essential. So be sure to pack a towel for everyone in your family whether you are going to sit in the sun or swim in the ocean. Bringing an extra towel with you is always a good idea especially if you have little ones. Having a beach towel with a different design for each family member can help keep track of whose towel is who’s. This can help keep you organized not only on the beach but in the laundry room to avoid any misunderstandings between siblings or cousins. For a more detailed search on rental properties offering in-home washer and dryers you use our amenities detail search feature.
Sunscreen
The sun in North Carolina is hot along the coast, so making sure sunscreen is in your beach bag is a must. Use a sunscreen that is designed for your beach activities such as waterproof, sport, high SPF, etc.). Dermatologists suggest that you use a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF while you are enjoying the sunshine. Be sure to reapply throughout your day as we don’t want you to ruin your vacation the very first day you’re here with a sunburn. If you happen to get a little more sun than you expected be sure to pack a bottle of Aloe Vera. To help cool the sunburn a little more, place the bottle of Aloe in the fridge and it will help soothe the burn a little better.
Mesh Bag For The Sand Toys
Anytime you go on vacation with kids, you have to bring a ton of sand toys with you. We understand bringing sand back with you into your vacation rental is not necessary and can be quite a hassle. Packing a mesh bag such as a laundry bag or a bag specifically for beach toys can help eliminate the mess. Just throw the sandy toys into the bag, give it a good shake or two and leave the sand behind at the beach.
Water Resistant Phone Pouch or Plastic Bag
Between the water, sun and sand, the beach is filled with many things that can damage your phone. Bringing a water-resistant pouch to the beach can be a lifesaver for many. If you come on vacation and realize you don’t have one, a sandwich bag or resealable bag will do the same as the phone pouch. They will keep your phone protected from the elements at the beach and you can even use it while it’s in the bag or pouch. This way you can keep in touch with family members, coordinate meeting times, and order pick-up or delivery meals while sitting in your beach chair without having to worry about your phone being damaged.
Books & E-Books
Be sure to pack a book or two when preparing to visit the Outer Banks this summer. If digital books are more your thing then take a moment and download a few new book releases to your favorite e-reader before you arrive and be certain to bring your power cord. You don’t want to be stuck without being able to power-up your e-reader halfway through.
Beach Spike for Drinks
One thing that is often missed when packing items to go inside their beach bag is something to keep your drink sand-free. You can purchase a beach spike from any local beachwear store on the Outer Banks. With a beach spike, you can rest assured that your drink will be safe from the sand. You may often find them that include a place for your cell phone or sunglasses and your drink.
A Little First Aid Kit
When you are on vacation, having kids means that someone will get hurt or injured even on the beach. Having a little first aid kit with shells that can be broken along the shoreline or kids just being kids is a must. You can use a waterproof reusable cosmetic bag and add band-aids, Neosporin, aloe, burn cream, ace bandage, Benadryl, Motrin, or Tylenol. Just be sure to have enough for a quick dosage before heading back to your vacation rental for the day.
Sand-Free Hack
This is one item that you may not have thought about, but it is a must whenever you visit the Outer Banks. Whether you are staying in a vacation rental or you decided to drive your car to the beach access, sand will be all over you when you leave the beach. So, bringing baby powder in your beach bag will magically get the sand off of your body without irritation and leave a nice scent too. This is perfect for everyone in the family and not just the kids.
Vacationing With Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates
There are many other things that you can pack into your beach tote, but these are the must have items for your next vacation. For a full list of all the items we suggest to bring on your next visit please check out the vacation packing section of our website. Out of an abundance of caution we also direct you to stay informed about health and safety updates due to COVID-19 before you visit. Please take a moment to review the latest area travel status for the Outer Banks.
Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates, a trusted name in Outer Banks rentals for over 50 years with the largest selection of quality vacation homes to choose from. If you haven’t made your reservations for your vacation, then check out all of our outer banks vacation rentals today. We can’t wait for your family to come and vacation with us!
