On bringing toys to the beach: You bring it down, you bring it back up. Mommy only brings the towel bag. End. Of. Discussion. (How’s that for a DIY lesson?)

  
The only way this works is if the rule is true. Lady J and Bud have each learned this the hard way. They haven’t left anything big behind, but a few shovels and buckets have been donated to other beach-goers. Lesson learned.

And while Bud and K-Mad are still learning what they can actually carry themselves, Lady J has it down to a science and thoughtfully chooses what beach activities she’ll do for the day. She’s also old enough to realize that all activities and toys are shared, as long as she brings something to share too.

Sidenote: I don’t do the whole blanket-chair-umbrella setup. When it’s just me and the kids, less is more.

  
What I actually carry in the towel bag:
-towels
-goggles
-sunscreen
-ziplock bag for beach tags
-ziplock bag for phone & ice cream money
-camelbak water bottles (though sometimes the kids carry their own)
-K-Mad’s puddle jumper hooked to strap
-Keys hooked to strap (carabiner clips are life savers for keys)

It should also be noted that my beach tote is a reusable grocery bag from BJs because we’re fancy like that.