Hittin' the beach before summer ends? Not without perusing this list of fun-in-the-sun hacks that'll make your seaside trip easier, breezier, and much more comfortable.
Sprinkle it on your body to dry up the sand then brush it off.
Because I don't want to be the annoying jerk on the beach who can't properly secure his umbrella when even the slight gust of wind blows through, I picked up this nifty corkscrew anchor to keep my shade firmly in place. It has never failed me.
You'll get more all-over, longer-lasting protection out of the rub-on sunscreen than the spray. Cover your body with the lotion before you leave the house, then follow-up with sprays throughout the day.
I've found that those snack-size baggies are the perfect fit for iPhones, in particular.
You'll have an easier time shaking the sand off the tarp (it'll just slide right off, in fact) than trying to get it out of your blanket or sheet.
When the water rushes in to fill it up, you'll have an instant pool for the kiddies to play in. This is an especially good idea for those who aren't very keen on swimming in the ocean — like me.
Use them throughout the day to keep your trash from blowing all around and so you don't have to keep walking to the trash cans every 30 minutes.
Most meat tenderizers contain papain, which helps break down venom proteins. Wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes so it doesn't start to irritate the skin itself. (Vinegar works, too.)
Lay the fitted sheet facedown on the sand and use your beach gear to fill in the elastic corners. Instant sand barrier.
Kids have water in their ears? Bring a balloon to the beach and let them blow it up to help unclog waterlogged ears. Works just as well for you, too.
A child's wagon — particularly the Playskool brand — has wide plastic wheels that roll through the sand easily. Load up your gear and make the trek to your sandy oasis a hands and hassle-free experience.
Freeze a wet sponge and place it in a plastic bag before putting it in a cooler to keep your refreshments chilled. No heavy ice or water to dump or lug later.
Only the most desperate of beach thieves will attempt this heist. A friend of mine also told me that she wraps her valuables in a clean pair of underwear and places that in a Ziploc baggie. "Even left out in the open no one has ever stolen my panties, but they've stolen my friend's cash/cards that were just inside their totes," she said. Both tips are solid.
If you don't have baby powder around, pack a clean, soft paint brush to whisk the sand off your body.
This method of digging a hole for your umbrella then securing it by filling in the hole with a 50/50 sand/water mixture comes from an Eagle Scout — so you know it's legit.
"Sport" and "For Kids" high-SPF sunscreens are the exact same product with different labeling. Compare the cost of the two and buy the cheapest.
If diapers or underwear aren't your preferred methods of theft deterrence, go with the more modest route by placing valuables inside a used sunscreen bottle.
This trick works threefold: Your food stays cold; the ice melt stays contained; and you have cool, fresh water to drink later in the day, making your cooler much lighter to carry back.
Your idea might be to pig out on junk food on your day at the beach, but you might find yourself craving for cool, fresh fruits and veggies once you start playing in the water and baking in the sun. You can keep the chips, of course, but pack healthier alternatives — cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and more — just in case.
Have you ever been to a beach where it looks like everyone is walking the runway? Totally not worth it — especially when you can look just as good for less and without ruining your stuff. This especially applies to sunglasses. Leave your pricey pair at home and take the cheapies with you. If you lose or scratch them, you won't mind as much.
Everybody remembers the sunscreen, but many of us often forget the bug spray. I've had several annoying days at the beach because of biting flies that a little bit of DEET would have controlled.
Put a few Band-Aids, wipes, aloe gel, sanitary products, and other first aid-type items in a plastic container, like GladWare, so everything stays clean, contained, and organized.
Soothe your sunburn even more by placing aloe vera gel in ice cube trays in the freezer and rubbing those frozen blocks on your skin. (Or, ya know, just don't get sunburned — which is highly recommended!)
Place your sunscreen in the fridge or cooler before applying for a jolt of refreshment.
Instead of washing beach toys individually, place them all in a plastic laundry basket and rinse them off in one fell swoop at a washing station while the water drains from the sides.
Attaching a floatable keychain or cork material to your keys is a great way to ensure that your keys don't sink to the bottom of the ocean if you accidentally drop them. To minimize any potential hazard further, only take your car key to the beach while locking your other valuable keys in the car.
Do you have more beach hacks that you'd like to add? Please share in comments!
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Put cut pool noodles on the bottom of zero gravity( or any chair ) that goes to the beach, just like you would insulate pipes at home, the chairs don't sink as much, for us big guys.