By Katie King

Needing a beach day soon? Whether you’re a “plan ahead” type or more of a ‘grab-and-go’ person, there are essential items that should always be in your beach bag for a fun day in the sun!

My beach bag is always filled with:

• Sunscreen (spf 30+ is a must for me)
• Proper shades
• Floppy hat
• Bottled water
• Beach towel
• A good book or magazine
• A small waterproof bag to keep my ID and cell phone protected
• Baby powder

Yes, some of these items are no-brainers. But trust me, sometimes the obvious things can be the most overlooked, like sunscreen! Don’t let your relaxing beach day turn into a scorching sunburn and a future trip to Walgreens for aloe vera and Tylenol. Pack sunscreen and know which SPF is best for you and your family.

Our pristine, sugar-white sand is beautiful and also highly reflective. So unless you want to be squinting all day, don’t leave home without proper sunglasses and a hat. It can help when the sun starts bearing down a little too much.

If you’re wondering why I carry around baby powder in my beach bag, I’ll let you in on a little secret: it works like a charm when you want to quickly get sand off your feet and body. This is my go-to trick to get all the sand off me before I reapply sunscreen. And personally, I can’t go to the beach without a good book. I’d feel naked without it.

But what about other more creature comfort items that don’t exactly fit in a beach bag? Consider bringing:

• Cooler with snacks and drinks
• Beach Chairs
• Umbrella/Tent
• Bluetooth speaker
• Floatables
• Balls/Games/Frisbee
• Shovel/Bucket/Sandcastle kit
• Snorkel/Mask/Fins

A comfortable beach chair makes all the difference in the world, so splurge on nicer chairs. And trust me when I tell you that an umbrella is a must. You’ll need a retreat from the mid-afternoon Florida sun if you plan to stay all day. If you have a large family, consider bringing a collapsible tent instead of multiple umbrellas – that way everyone can get a break from the sun when needed.

Our calm, relaxing emerald waters are perfect for wading in to cool off, so grab some fun floaties when you’re loading up the vehicle. They will come in handy. If you’re pressed for car space, consider packing some foam noodles as they take up less space and you don’t have to blow them up and deflate them later.

Our waters are prized for how crystal clear they are, so for those in your family who love to swim and explore – grab some masks and snorkels too. This can keep them occupied for hours on end. So can a shovel, a bucket and some sand, for those more inclined to stay dry.

Just remember though, if you carried it to the beach, you must carry it back from the beach! When it’s time to pack up and head home – leave only your footprints behind. If you follow that advice, you will help to preserve the natural beauty of the beaches and ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience.