Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in pittsburgh, PA

I have yet to meet a kid that doesn't like a sandbox.  And what is the biggest sandbox you can find?  The beach.  So, I offer for you a savvy parent's guide to surviving a beach vacation in five easy steps:

Sand is Ubiquitous
Fact: you will get sand in everything, so don't stress about it.  Enjoy building sandcastle after sandcastle.  Gather shells to your heart's content.  And know that even after you get home, you will be tracking sand around.  It's all part of the beach experience, so embrace it and maybe enjoy a laugh or two figuring out exactly how long you will be shaking those grains out of everything.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an absolute essential for the beach.  You aren't just dealing with the sun shining down from above, you are dealing with the reflection off of the sand and water, too.  Your best plan is to get the kids used to wearing sunscreen before you go away, then you won't have to argue about it at the beach.  (To be honest, using sunscreen for every outdoor playtime is a good idea anyway.)

Pack Lightly
Don't overpack, you've got enough to handle with the kiddos.  Besides, you will probably spend most of the week wearing your swimsuit anyway.  My usual method to pare down the gear is to make a pile of everything I want to take and then cut it in half.  Depending on how much I gathered in the first place, I have been known to cut it in half again.  And unless you are going to an extremely remote location, you can always run to the store for supplies if needed. 

Familiar and Unfamiliar
When you are traveling with kids, it is a good idea to bring along a familiar and loved item for comfort, whether it be a book, a stuffed animal, or a blanket.  Another great vacation survival tip is to bring a new item along.  You can use it to get through the journey itself or perhaps present it when you get to your destination.  Either way, the novelty will be sure to keep the kids occupied for a while. 

Relax and Enjoy Yourselves
With all of the planning and packing and traveling, don't forget to use your vacation for some well-deserved relaxation.  I know that many of us try to make sure we are getting the most out of our time away and tend to schedule a lot of activities.  Then, we come home more tired than when we left.  Taking a day (or two...or more) to simply relax and enjoy having some time together as a family is what vacation is all about.

What do you do to survive a trip to the beach?

I have yet to meet a kid that doesn't like a sandbox.  And what is the biggest sandbox you can find?  The beach.  So, I offer for you a savvy parent's guide to surviving a beach vacation in five easy steps:

Sand is Ubiquitous
Fact: you will get sand in everything, so don't stress about it.  Enjoy building sandcastle after sandcastle.  Gather shells to your heart's content.  And know that even after you get home, you will be tracking sand around.  It's all part of the beach experience, so embrace it and maybe enjoy a laugh or two figuring out exactly how long you will be shaking those grains out of everything.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an absolute essential for the beach.  You aren't just dealing with the sun shining down from above, you are dealing with the reflection off of the sand and water, too.  Your best plan is to get the kids used to wearing sunscreen before you go away, then you won't have to argue about it at the beach.  (To be honest, using sunscreen for every outdoor playtime is a good idea anyway.)

Pack Lightly
Don't overpack, you've got enough to handle with the kiddos.  Besides, you will probably spend most of the week wearing your swimsuit anyway.  My usual method to pare down the gear is to make a pile of everything I want to take and then cut it in half.  Depending on how much I gathered in the first place, I have been known to cut it in half again.  And unless you are going to an extremely remote location, you can always run to the store for supplies if needed. 

Familiar and Unfamiliar
When you are traveling with kids, it is a good idea to bring along a familiar and loved item for comfort, whether it be a book, a stuffed animal, or a blanket.  Another great vacation survival tip is to bring a new item along.  You can use it to get through the journey itself or perhaps present it when you get to your destination.  Either way, the novelty will be sure to keep the kids occupied for a while. 

Relax and Enjoy Yourselves
With all of the planning and packing and traveling, don't forget to use your vacation for some well-deserved relaxation.  I know that many of us try to make sure we are getting the most out of our time away and tend to schedule a lot of activities.  Then, we come home more tired than when we left.  Taking a day (or two...or more) to simply relax and enjoy having some time together as a family is what vacation is all about.

What do you do to survive a trip to the beach?