items to take with children

[sm76]

we wil be going to the Caribbean the first time this spring. We plan to spend lots of time at the beach. I will be taking beach toys and life jacket. I know I need lots of sunscreen but what other stuff should I take. My son is worried about jelly fish and of course sharks so we will just be on the shore playing. should I buy water shoes? my husband might like to snorkel. any advice would be great. thank you:)

[gr82cruz]

I have 2 sons. we've been on 5 carribean cruises and we go to hawaii every year. We NEVER take beach shoes, kids hate them. Most beaches you go to on a cruise have snorkel gear for rent, we bring our own mask and snorkel, but always rent fins and life preservers. I never go to a beach without desitin ( for boys bathing suit rashes), baby powder to remove sand easily, and a water sqirty fan, to keep momma cool. hope this helps.

[gr82cruz]

we wil be going to the Caribbean the first time this spring. We plan to spend lots of time at the beach. I will be taking beach toys and life jacket. I know I need lots of sunscreen but what other stuff should I take. My son is worried about jelly fish and of course sharks so we will just be on the shore playing. should I buy water shoes? my husband might like to snorkel. any advice would be great. thank you:)

My sons are serious beach goers, theyv'e been on 5 carribean cruises. I Never take beach shoes, we always bring our own snorkel and mask and rent fins and preservers-most of the beaches in ports have these available. Most important I bring desitin creme for bathing suit rashes, baby powder to remove excess sand and a water squirty fan to keep momma cool and relaxed!

[KimberlyC]

Sand socks and Safe sea! Beach shoes are cumbersome, sand socks aren't. Safe sea allegedly protects against sea lice (jellyfish larva) and is sunscreen. I haven't tried it yet, but will using it on our May cruise since its sea lice season.

[waterrats]

We will just bring what we take with us on the boat. Just lots of sunscreen and good behaviors and all will have fun.

 

Joe

[rebeccalouise]

I hoe this doesn't sound too obvious but a sheet to lay on the sand.

[Jenrose]

We brought a lifejacket for the baby and never really used it except for boat drill, because the ship did not have any jackets suitable for her. (She is tiny for a toddler and big for a baby, and putting her in the armless infant float was Not Acceptable.

 

Solarveil for sun protection, and long-sleeved bathing suits for the baby--I never put sunblock on her and she did not get burned once.

 

I highly recommend semisubmersibles for shore excursions with small children. The glass bottom boat was *awful* and felt unsafe, but the semisubmersible was fantastic and becuase it was enclosed, gave my baby an amazing view *and* freedom to move. If it looks like a motorboat, stay away. If you have to go down stairs to get to the viewing area, that's the one to do. The baby LOVED it and we took little camera-videos and she still giggles at the fish.