17 Essentials for a Beach Getaway with Tweens and Teens

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Planning a beach vacation with your tweens or teens? Here’s a laid-back list of must-haves that will make your trip a breeze and keep everyone happy.

1. Food. Seriously, pack a mountain of snacks. You think you know how much they’ll eat? You have no idea. The sun and sea make them ravenous, and I’ve actually googled “how to get rid of a tapeworm” just to keep up. True story.
2. Donuts. Okay, so donuts are technically food, but they need their own mention. Trust me, they’re worth it. They’ll keep your kids from waking you up at the crack of dawn demanding breakfast. Sugar is a small price to pay for a little extra sleep.
3. A buddy for each kid. This is the ultimate game-changer! Having a friend along means your kids are happier, you get some quality time with your partner, and sibling squabbles decrease. Extra bonus if their parents throw in snacks—especially donuts.
4. Wine and beer. Don’t forget some fruity frozen mixes and cute little umbrellas for the kids’ drinks. It’s a fun way to bond over a game of poker (see item No. 7).
5. Corkscrew. Unless you want to get creative with a steak knife (not that I’ve ever tried that). A shoe can work too, but let’s stick with the corkscrew, shall we?
6. Minimal wardrobe for boys. Just one T-shirt, one swimsuit, shorts, and flip-flops will suffice. My son’s clothes usually come back untouched anyway. Seriously, who cares? A little Febreze will fix that if necessary. Girls? I’m not so helpful there—just ask my daughter, Mia.
7. Playing cards or a board game. These are lifesavers! They’ll keep your kids entertained instead of glued to their phones. Teach them poker or blackjack; it’s not only fun but also a handy life skill. I still cherish those poker nights with my folks years ago.
8. A book. A real, tangible book! You’ll have plenty of time to read when your kid is sulking, ignoring you, or sleeping in. Bonus points if you bring back that same book from last year’s trip that you never got to read.
9. Towels. Pack four times the number of towels you think you’ll need. I have no idea how my kids manage to lose them, but it happens.
10. More towels for you. Stash a few away for your own use. There’s nothing worse than drying off with a sandy towel after a long day at the beach.
11. Secret snack stash. Hide some snacks under your towels. When the kids devour everything and you’ve had a little too much wine, you’ll thank me when you can quiet their hunger without ordering pizza.
12. A big straw hat. Your kids may tease you, but you’ll get sun protection and a good laugh at their expense. Win-win!
13. A boogie board. Yes, it’s for you! Trust me, you’re never too old to ride the waves. Your teens will secretly enjoy showing you how to do it.
14. Cash or willpower. You’ll need one or the other to deal with the endless requests for mini-golf and go-kart rides. But hey, beating your kids in a go-kart is a blast!
15. Extra chargers. My family has a mysterious charger thief, so bring a few extra just in case. Nothing ruins a vacation faster than dead electronics.
16. Did I mention wine? Especially if you forget those extra chargers.
17. Neutral kitchenware. Avoid the neon sand buckets that scream “kiddie.” Instead, bring along some neutral-colored bowls and utensils. I had a blast making sandcastles with mine, and it turned into a team effort with the kids. We ended up building an epic castle—no eye-rolling or complaints!

So there you have it! Pack these essentials, and you’ll survive your beach getaway with tweens and teens like a pro. For more tips on navigating family vacations, check out our other blog posts here.

In summary, when packing for your beach adventure with tweens and teens, focus on food, fun gear, games, and a few comforts for yourself. This way, you’ll keep the entire family entertained and make lasting memories together.