We are visiting my sister and niece next week. They live about an hour outside of Williamsburg, VA. Every time we visit, we make sure to hit up an amusement park, the beach, and typically something historical too. This time is no different, as we are planning to go to Busch Gardens and Water Country. We will also take a trip Buckroe Beach. (Make sure to check back in the next few weeks as Eric will be writing about the trip when we get back!)
I have previously shared my Must Haves for Traveling with Little Ones, when we went on our trip to Washington D.C., but this time I wanted to share the extras we will be bringing along to both the amusement park and the beach.
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Amusement Park Essentials
Fanny Pack or Backpack
Keeps you hands free! We still have young children, so we carry a diaper bag, but I like to keep my wallet, phone, bandaids and hand sanitizer at an easier reach. This way I don’t have to dig through my diaper bag when I need something. Right now, I am loving my Kate Spade belt bag. I got it on sale at the Outlet store and it is the perfect size. (Here is their newer version – Belt Bag)
Refillable Water Bottles
Who wants to purchase water all day at the parks? It gets so expensive! You could bring along some frozen water bottles, but how many you’re allowed depends on the parks. Busch Gardens only allows one water bottle per person. A lot of parks have water fountains, and you can also get free water at food places. By having a refillable water bottle, you can fill it as you need it. We also make sure to bring our steel water bottles to keep our water cool in the heat. Eric and I really like the Stanley cup, and Graham uses a Thermos cup.
Snacks
We like to take granola bars, bags of gold fish, and fruit snacks to munch on throughout the day. Just like water bottles, you need to check park rules before bring foods with you. Busch Gardens only allows individual sized snacks. The local Amusement Parks by us (Kennywood Park and Idlewild Park) allow outside food and drink. When we went to Idlewild we took in a full picnic lunch of sandwiches, fruit, chips, and veggies.
Stroller Fan
Stroller Fans are a MUST to keep stroller age kids cool on those hot summer days. We have two different fans; one with legs, and one with a clip. Both work the same, but the one with legs makes it easier to attach to the stroller.
Sandwich Bags
You don’t need to buy any special waterproof bags for water rides; just grab a sandwich bag out of your kitchen drawer! Throw your phone into the bag before heading on to the ride and it’ll stay nice and dry.
Portable Charger (and cords)
We have two kids and two stroller fans, plus two cell phones so I normally take two or three chargers, just in case – I don’t want my babies getting hot or my phone to die so I can’t take pictures! Most chargers do not have attached cables, so make sure to pack those too.
Extra Clothes
If you have small kids, I’m sure you already take along an extra set of clothes, but they come in handy too for water rides or a downpour!
Wet Bags
Wet bags are a perfect place to store those wet clothes so they aren’t getting anything else wet.
Hand Sanitizer
Germs…
Beach Day Essentials
Sunscreen
I know this is pretty much a given, but screen is probably the most important thing when spending all day in the sun! It’s really important to me to use the safest products; that actually work; on my kids, so I spend a lot of time researching the best options. I found Think Baby and Blue Lizard, and I love them!
Make-up Brush
Do you struggle to put sunscreen your our kids face? I saw a hack on online to use a make-up brush and it totally works!
Sand Toys
My kids love water, but honestly Graham spends the majority of beach days playing in the sand.
Beach Hats
Keep the sun off of those little faces, and scalps.
Swim Floaties
The ocean is super unpredictable, so I make sure that Graham is wearing his floatie whenever he is near or in the water (always with an adult as well). We use a Puddle Jumper, and have never had an issue.
Water Bottles
I make sure that the kids are drinking water all day.
Wagon
We got a Radio Flyer wagon with beach days, and it is perfect! It fits the kids, and all of our beach supplies (minus chairs if we take those). We did the Build-A-Wagon Folding. We upgraded to all-terrain tires for the sand; we also added on the storage bag and the UV canopy. It was pricey, but totally worth it. We use it at the beach, for pool days (we walk to our community pool), and we’ve taken it to pick fruit. Once Audriana is older, we will probably use it for amusement parks instead of a stroller.
Pop N’ Go Play Pen
I can not rave about the Pop N’ Go Play Pen from The California Beach Co. enough!! Not just perfect for the beach, but the best baby/kid purchase that we have made. We used it when Graham was a baby, and are currently using it for Audriana, to keep them contained while I do dishes. We also take it outside, as a place to escape the sun. It is very large, so we have even put our baby pool inside of it!
Super light weight, and easy to set up, and take down. It also comes with different stakes for the ground and sand, a UV shade cover with storage bag, and a travel bag with shoulder strap. You can buy a mattress pad and cover if you’d like to add some cushion to the bottom.
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Snacks
Bring all the snacks, just watch out for seagulls.
Baby Powder
Helps to get the leftover sand off of your feet before you go into your car or inside the house.
Remember
These are just things that work for our family! I feel like we even take way more than whats listed (especially with a baby). You may not need, any or all of our Must Haves, but some of them make summer adventures easier! What are some things you take on trips with you?