Once your kids are over the age of 4, are reliably potty trained, don't need cribs etc beach trips are SO MUCH EASIER.

Ours were awful for a few years. High chairs, pack and plays, strollers, two types of diapers, bottles, formula, bibs etc.

Now? I need to remember everyone's bathing suits and at least a few pieces of clothing. We go to the grocery when we're there. They don't need to eat or snack every 90 minutes.

It. Gets. Better.

Also: look for rentals that supply linens and bath towels. That makes a huge difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Use ziploc bags to pre-mix dry ingredients (or spices for recipes) before you go. For example, combine dry ingredients for pancakes, and then label the bag with masking tape and info on what you need to add to finish the recipe. Also works for taco seasoning. If you do this right, you're not grappling with bringing (or not having) critical spices.

Bring small ketchups, soy sauce, hot sauce packets that are stashed in your cupboard from takeout. Likewise plastic utensils and napkins.

This sounds like so much work!!

My advice, keep meals simple and order take out.

Agree. Plus the house will have plates, silverware and cookware. Make some quick salads and grill up some fish/burgers/veggie burgers/whatever. A grocery store and a half dozen restaurants will be within a 15 minute drive.

Anonymous wrote:Use ziploc bags to pre-mix dry ingredients (or spices for recipes) before you go. For example, combine dry ingredients for pancakes, and then label the bag with masking tape and info on what you need to add to finish the recipe. Also works for taco seasoning. If you do this right, you're not grappling with bringing (or not having) critical spices.

Bring small ketchups, soy sauce, hot sauce packets that are stashed in your cupboard from takeout. Likewise plastic utensils and napkins.

This sounds like so much work!!

My advice, keep meals simple and order take out.

So many memories! My 4 kids are grown up, but I well remember annual packing for 2-week beach trips. At one point we had 3 kids under 4 (set of twins), and that was the period of time during which we would actually drive two minivans down to the shore. One van was full of kids, and the other one was full of gear (and my very relaxed husband, who had blissful silence). My mom still teases me about the year I had two highchairs (and they were bulky back in the day), two portacribs, baby gates, boogie boards, etc. We always brought tons of groceries & at the very least all the spices & condiments.

Our routine always involved a trip to the grocery store for me while my husband stayed at the beach house with the kids. He’d start making up the beds and otherwise putting things away while I drove off for my own blissful silence.

Days were full. We’d always bring our own baby pool down to the shore, and we made a fireman’s carry line of water in pails from the ocean to the baby pool. The toddlers/baby could splash while the older one could be in the ocean with a parent. We’d bring lunch down in coolers, plus tons of gear, usually toted on a boogie board.

Evenings were the best. We mostly cooked at the beach home with the occasional night out, but then we’d go to the boardwalk, play mini golf, get ice cream, walk along the dunes, etc. Such happy memories. I miss those days (but not the packing)!

Dont pack too much because it makes a ton of work re-packing the car (it never fits back in right) and then washing and unpacking everything upon return.

My parents live in EI. There's a really nice new Publix at the south end of the island so I would just shop there for what you want. There's not much food delivery (uber eats, grub hub, etc.) but you can go pick up food tons of places. Or eat inside depending on your risk tolerance. Where on the island will you be?

Just pack a few outfits and swimsuits and wash them. Stuff you can throw all in one load and don't even other folding! Get the sheet/towel package if there's still time.

The beach there is great, if you want different activities I'd recommend going up to the Aquarium or Fort Macon State Park. Let us know if you want other recs like restaurants, etc. There's a lot on either the south or north end of the island.

Linen AND crib rental for little ones (avoids having to drag the pack n play). No chairs, toys, etc. because every house has them. Pack clothes in laundry baskets or plastic bins if you have space, then you can use them for laundry after you unpack. A box for all your toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, aloe, etc, and laundry detergent. Don't pack more than a few outfits each and just wash them. Plan on takeout first night and then grocery shopping so you don't have to drag a bunch of food. Stop at roadside stand for fresh produce on the way. Bring hand soap for the bathrooms and spray cleaner for the counters from home. Stores in beach towns are always well stocked so you can easily run out and grab anything you may have forgotten. Don't overthink. Have fun!

Use ziploc bags to pre-mix dry ingredients (or spices for recipes) before you go. For example, combine dry ingredients for pancakes, and then label the bag with masking tape and info on what you need to add to finish the recipe. Also works for taco seasoning. If you do this right, you're not grappling with bringing (or not having) critical spices.

Bring small ketchups, soy sauce, hot sauce packets that are stashed in your cupboard from takeout. Likewise plastic utensils and napkins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t forget to get takeout!

https://www.theonion.com/mom-spends-beach-vacation-assuming-all-household-duties-1819575406

This is so true.

- guy who spends vacations vacuuming sand, hand washing dishes twice a day (because of anything is broken, it’s always the dishwasher), constantly washing clothes, and cooking.

Paper plates/cups/silverware.

x1 million

Linen rental. Beach stuff at the house. Washer dryer makes a big difference in enjoyment. We force ourselves to grocery store the 2nd day morning.

Next time do linen rental and buy your food there.

Anonymous wrote:We are gearing up for our first beach rental house. We are going to Emerald Isle. I've put it off, as I don't like packing/cooking and therefore prefer hotels...but DH is insistent.

I am shocked with how much stuff we need to bring: sheets, towels, FOOD...pack n play, sound machines...basically our whole house, it seems. Then all the beach stuff. I know I can rent the stuff but it's already so expensive, so it's not an option.

I really hope the joy of the beach outweighs this packing!

I always mailed a large box with sheets, towels, beach bags etc to the company that managed the house. We'd drop by a mailing facility on the way out and ship it the cheapest way possible back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, my kids are bigger but I still think I pack a TON and mostly am glad I did despite the hassle. I was like you before we rented a house and thought this is ridiculous, I want my hotel stay! But I now love it. So much nicer to have the space, the kitchen for drinks/snacks all the time, the washer/dryer, and did I mention the space? Staying in a small hotel room just gets old after two days, particularly at the beach with the swimsuits and towels and gear and snacks.

Do you have any tips for organizing? Or any tips for packing?

Mostly do leave stuff you think is just ‘nice to have’. Like particularly with food. Bring essentials and just go without if you can. I buy wine and beer when I get there. I use separate bags for each category - one bag is just sheets/towels. Kids’ clothes in one suitcase. Not rocket science, but when I get to the house, I know what goes where. Definitely bring fewer clothes because you can wash them. I always do badly in that category!

We love week Long Beach trips! And yes we are on a budget so we bring and cook food, only eat out/get takeout a few times. We still love it as we don’t have a budget to fly off to Europe etc.

My tip is to invest in microfiber towels like this:

Your Choice Microfiber Towel Quick Dry Towel Set for Beach, Travel, Swim, Pool, Camping, Outdoors and Sports Towel - Lightweight, Compact and Sand Free (Extra Large XL 67x35, Large 60x30) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074YXFSZP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QNFXYNW6NZE7YQNX7KJA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They pack down so small and dry fast. Totally worth it to get one for each family member.

Traveling with kids who can't pack themselves and take care of themselves sucks. It's not a vacation but a trip. Don't overpack, say yes to junk food and relax. Just try to not worry about everything. When they are older it is much more enjoyable. Until you ask them if they packed and they say they have everything they need and your older kid repacked their bag with winter clothes instead of beach clothes.

Such fun times we still laugh at that 20 years later