Tips for Taking Two Toddlers to the Beach Solo

You need another adult or teenager with you. Last year my kids were 1.5 and 4.5 and we skipped the beach all summer and just went to the pool (where usually my childless best friend would help me out). However a teenage mother's helper may be a great help and allow you to do this kind of trip. Even with my kids being 2.5 and 5 I much prefer having 1 adult per child for most outings.

I would hire someone to go with or not go at all. I am a firm believer in man-to-man defense around the water when they're so young. Do you have a local college with an elementary education program? You could probably find some affordable help from that pool.

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't go with 2 that little without another adult. Water is so dangerous, and it really only takes a minute distracted by one to lose the other.

My 3 1/2 yo loves the water and has absolutely no fear of it. Plus she's really fast, and it only takes seconds to lose them to the waves. We were just at the ocean this weekend, and she needed someone to be with her and watching her constantly. She loved running from the waves, but did trip once, and luckily the wave didn't cover her head when it came in.

Even at the pool, she'd run right for the water, so we couldn't let go of her hand for a second. We did explain the danger to her, but she really didn't get it. You really can't trust the impulse control of a 3yo.

Try to find another adult or a really responsible older teenager or college student to keep a constant eye on one of them.

Best wishes!! =o)

Go in the midafternoon or early morning when the sun is just coming up. That way there will be some shade and you won't have to drag along umbrellas and such.

You set a rule that everyone goes down to the water together, or on the beach together.

Personally, I agree with taking a friend or even a teenage sitter with you that can watch the 1 y on the beach while you take the 3y to the water.

If you live close enough to the water, just find a sitter for the 1y and leave him home.

M.

Don't! At that age they can get away before you know it. You need a second set of eyes and hands.

Blessings...

.

Hi S.-

I have 2 boys that are the same ages as your little ones. We spend many days at a nearby lake, which is our beach-equivalent. The boys love it, and it gets them really tired!

I bring lots of sand toys (buckets, shovels, plastic measuring spoons, and measuring cups- which they seem to like better than the traditional sand toys). We pack lightly:towels, dry clothes, snacks and a low-to-the-ground chair for me. We choose a spot right on the shore line and the boys play for hours. Managing two in the water hasn't been a problem. My guys tend to stay in the very shallow water and there are no waves to worry about.

The challenging part is getting ready to leave the beach. I try to leave before the "crankys" begin. I get the 1 1/2 year old in dry clothes first, then put him in my chair with his favorite treat (gerber graduates fruit snacks). I know he will not move. I get the 3 1/2 year old ready, give him a pack of fruit snacks and then pack up our stuff. So far, this has worked like a charm.

Hopefully, your beach trips will be smooth!
T. Y
SAHM of almost 5 (11 yrs, 9 yrs, 3yrs, 1 yr and 18 weeks pregnant)

Hi sherri-

Maybe get one of those 'yard' gated things? I cannot remember what they are called...That...put up near friends...with an umbrella over it...will keep the littler one confined a bit...and 'hands free' for friends watching him...and frees you sometimes for 'older'?

Best luck!
Michele/cat

My husband works nights so most of our outings are solo...kids were 1 and 3 last year so hope this helps (so far I am finding 2 and 4 MORE challenging :) Life jackets when in the water, unless I am working with one on swimming skills. I brought everything to the beach by sled (slides better in the sand than a wagon for me). We are all at the water, or all at the sand, all to the bathroom (joy), or all at the playground/picnic area. No listening to Mommy...we left, and I spent most of the ride home relaying all of the fabulous things that we missed out on (even if we weren't planning on ice cream!!) Bring a cooler with lots of choices, easy to eat, pre-cut, minimal spoilage factor. I brought several water bottles, one just for squirting off sandy hands. It is a lot of work, but with practice, gets easier. If you can't get out and do stuff, you wind up feeling captive in your own home!

I go to the beach without my husband all the time with my two kids (4 and 1). We always go with friends, and it's usually a bunch of us moms with our multiple children. Even though everyone else has kids, it's never a problem. Of course, I am ultimately responsible for my own children, but we all look out for everyone else.

That being said, I don't have the baby go in the water. If the big kids want to go in, a couple moms will supervise while the other ones watch the babies.

Get a beach tent.
You will need shade.

You can find it online.
It comes in varying sizes.

Also get a wagon. To tote all your stuff. Instead of carrying it ALL on your shoulders.

Bring mats... to lay on.

Now... imagine you have to use the bathroom.
You will have to take both kids with you. Thus, leaving your beach stuff/gear all there. Then what? Who will watch it? Thefts at beaches are common.

Or imagine one of your kids takes off running! Away from you??? Then what? You can't just leave your other kid there, while you go running after the other kid.

I would if you can, take another person with you.
They don't have to be looking out for your kids.
Bring a friend of yours.

I have seen, here at our local beaches, kids just WANDERING around the beach, while the Parent is busy with the other kid. Not even knowing their other kid was roaming far away.
Kids the same age as your kids.
Dangerous situation.

It takes just a split second, for a kid to be swept up by a rogue wave, and stuck underwater. Or, grabbed. By someone else.

I was at the beach the other weekend with my family. A kid about 3 years old just joins in with us and my kids. Hmmmm... I ask him "where is your Mommy?" the kid does not answer, just continues to play with my kids.
I ask him again... the looks down the beach and points. Well, there are TONS of other kids and families on the beach too. Like a needle in a haystack.
FINALLY, the Dad wanders over... his family was FAR away from where we were. Didn't know his kid, with with us. Nor, in our vicinity.

We lived in Hawaii while mine were little, and DH was always deploying or gone so I learned very quickly how to handle two little ones at the beach! First of all, both of them need to be in life jackets approved for ocean water. Go to a beach with a life guard if you can, then you are guaranteed another set of eyes ;) As long as the waters are calm and the gradient very gently, the beach can be a great way for you to get their energy out so they sleep at night! Stay right by them, always have your youngest's hand and be prepared to only sit down while sand castles hold their attention!

Bring a nice shade umbrella, some big towels to lay on under your umbrella, lots of water and beach friendly snacks and sunscreen. There will be plenty of times when they both want to do different things, but that's when mom just feels out the situation. Usually you can get the reluctant one involved in the activity, it's easy to make swimming or sand play fun. Go in the morning after breakfast but before lunch and naptime. Once you go a few times you will get the hang of it, don't be discouraged if it's a rough start. Enjoy the beach!

Life vests, sunscreen, jogging stroller or wagon for the kids.
Also there are these half tents that are sold in wal-mart or even in a camping supply store. There are only 3 supports to them and they look like half a tent. They are wonderful for napping or even just to get some shade. I think I paid $10 for ours. They are lightweight, easy to carry, and quick to set up. If you have one of these you can contain the kids easier. Also don't forget the cooler with water and snacks.

Go and have fun! I always set up camp away from the water and then go down, only if they request. They are mostly content just playing in the sand. Here is my one tip: invest in a portable potty. It is draining going across the sand to the bathroom. I ake sure not to have to go, let the older kid use the pp and only change a diaper at the beach if absolutely necessary. If you keep your visits 2 hours or less, they are manageable. If the first trip is a disaster, reevaluate after you try.

I agree that you should have another adult with you. If at all possible, it would be great to take a teenager with you to give one on one attention to one of your boys. If that isn't a possibility, make sure you have a friend with you. Then you and your friend need to work as a team (e.g. one watches kids in the water, the other watches kids on the sand). Take breaks where all kids are at the blanket (e.g. for snacks/lunch or playing in the sand right at your feet). Sometimes the beach at a lake is easier to manage b/c you don't have waves to contend with.

If you do decide to go solo, just make it for a short period of time.

I hope you find a way to enjoy some water time with your boys this summer!

take a babysitter with you Personally, I would not take two toddlers to the
beach without another childless person. On the other hand, how crowded
will the beach be. Is it quiet and secluded or is it like Jones Beach where
on a nice day there is 12 inches between blankets at best. Thousands of
people. If it is a quiet, secluded beach you could possibly do it yourself.
Try to enjoy yourself.