A day at the beach with a child is great fun for the whole family and time well spent! But for that to happen, you need to be prepared. Find out what to take to the beach for a day out with your child, what not to forget so everyone has a good time, and where to find the best spot for a family beach day!
At the beach with a child – 7 safety rules
When planning a trip to the beach with a child, there are a few safety rules to keep in mind:
- Cover your little one’s head – this is really important, especially if your child will be out in the sun all day. Choose a hat that won’t keep falling off their head and getting in the way of play.
- Apply sun cream – protect your child’s skin with a suitable cream: apply it 15–20 minutes before heading to the beach, and bring the cream with you so you can reapply it to your child’s skin after 2 hours.
- Hydration – make sure your child drinks water throughout the day, and avoid sugary drinks.
- Keep an eye on your child at all times – you must never take your eyes off your child when you’re near water! A moment’s inattention can lead to tragedy.
- Choose lifeguarded beaches – unsupervised swimming spots can be dangerous for small children. It’s better to visit a beach with lifeguards on duty.
- Adjust your beach hours – avoid the heat: the sun is strongest between 12:00 and 15:00, so it’s much better to head to the beach after breakfast and take a break later.
- Be prepared – bring a few plasters, disinfectant, gauze pads and a soothing cream for bites or burns in case of minor injuries – put together a mini first-aid kit with the essentials. Avoid medicines or products that can spoil after prolonged exposure to the sun.
And how do you choose the right beach for a trip with a child? There are so many options! From city beaches to the “Polish Dubai”. Check out our suggestions below.
Where to go to the beach? Only the seaside?
Taking your child to the beach doesn’t have to mean planning a trip to the seaside. People living in cities with lakes nearby know this best. Lakes usually have beaches – some unsupervised, others with lifeguards.
In larger cities such as Poznań and Warsaw you’ll also find riverside beaches with plenty of attractions beyond the sand itself. In Kraków you can visit Bagry Beach, where you can even hire water sports equipment. Wrocław has no shortage of city beaches either – Morskie Oko, Hot Spot, Odra-Pany and many more.
In Szczecin, meanwhile, there’s a beach on Grodzka Island which, alongside sun loungers and bars, even has palm trees in planters! In Płock, on the Vistula escarpment, there’s a large sandy area where events are held throughout the summer.
You’ll find beaches in the mountain regions too. You can head to Nowy Targ, Krościenko or Poronin to spend some time sunbathing on the sand.
And finally – visit Jarosławiec, known as the “Polish Dubai”: an archipelago of artificial islands arranged in the shape of a palm tree. Every year in the warmer season it draws large numbers of tourists.
A lake trip with a child
A lake trip with a child is a great opportunity to spend family time outdoors and surrounded by nature. Your child will have plenty to do at the lake! They can build sandcastles, swim (under adult supervision and with the right accessories), play ball, or simply observe nature.
Poland has no shortage of lakes, and there may be smaller natural or artificial bodies of water near you where your child’s adventure can begin. Try planning a one-day trip to a lake to get your child interested in water, the beach and nature.
If you’re planning a longer lake holiday with your child, Masuria is a great destination. Towns such as Mrągowo, Giżycko, Mikołajki and Ostróda offer both relaxation by the water and many nearby attractions to discover together on each day of your stay.
A seaside trip with a child
When heading to the seaside with a child, choose a place with quick access to the beach that’s relatively peaceful – for example, no discos or quad-bike tracks – and where the beaches have clean sand. It’s also worth checking whether there’s a playground and other attractions for children nearby.
Poland has beautiful seaside beaches you can visit with the whole family. The widest beach is in Świnoujście, while Dziwnów is the best place for babies and small children thanks to its clean, sandy, wide beach and extra attractions such as rope parks, playgrounds, fishing harbours and pirate ship cruises. In Darłówko, besides a beautiful beach, you’ll also find a lighthouse and a sliding bridge that can make a big impression on a child! What’s more, in the eastern part there’s a beach separated from the open sea that’s much shallower with smaller waves – perfect for very young children.
What do you need to take to the beach with a child?
Towels and a blanket are standard. But what else should you bring to make a day at the beach fun and safe for your child?
A wristband with a tracker for your child
First and foremost, think about your child’s safety. Every day on the most popular beaches, lifeguards help lost children find their parents. With the notiOne tracker wristband and the Alarm feature in the device’s free app, you’ll know when your child is wandering too far from you. That lets you react quickly enough and avoid a stressful situation. The device is waterproof, so your child can wear it while happily splashing about in the water.
Sun protection
High-SPF sun creams, caps, hats and headscarves are a must-have for you and your children alike. Protect your skin and head so that a long day in the sun doesn’t take too much of a toll.
For a longer stay at the beach, a beach tent is ideal. It not only provides a shady spot at any time of day, but also shelters you from the wind. It’s a great place to rest, too – you can take a nap in it when the fun gets too tiring.
Snacks and water
It’s important to drink plenty of water, and not only on hot days. Make sure there’s enough for every member of the family. Dry snacks are the best choice for the beach – they won’t melt or stain clothes. It’s also a good idea to bring some fruit – the healthiest sweet treat, which will give you energy and cool you down at the same time.
To keep drinks and some snacks at the right temperature, a cool bag is invaluable. You can buy one in many shops, especially during the holiday season.
Hygiene essentials
Children like getting dirty, but they also get cuts and scrapes easily. Make sure your bag contains not only wet wipes but also plasters for grazes, and even a bandage in case something more serious happens. If your child is still a baby, don’t forget the nappies.
Toys and swimming accessories
Now that you know how to take care of the basics and safety, you can think about entertainment. Pack spades, buckets and moulds in your bag. They’ll make building a sandcastle much easier.
For playing in the water, pack swimming trunks and armbands, an inflatable ring or a dinghy (for older children). Swimming goggles are good protection for the eyes. Remember not to let your child out of your sight while they’re playing in the water. A moment’s inattention, a mouthful of water, and disaster can strike.
A bag for wet swimwear
And when the fun is coming to an end, it’s good to have a zip-up plastic bag to put the wet clothes in. Provided, of course, that you haven’t forgotten the change of clothes 🙂
While relaxing on the beach, keep an eye on your valuables: wallets, keys and phones. The notiOne tracker mentioned above is an excellent way to protect these small items. It’s also available as an unobtrusive key ring that shows you in the app where the thing you’ve lost is.
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