Durable and waterproof, duct tape is the perfect medium to make items for use at the beach. This DIY project from Fiskars shows you how to make your own waterproof beach bag.

Ice packs will melt and get warm within a short amount of time. Use frozen water bottles as ice packs instead. It will keep cooler much longer.

Keeping sand off your blanket is a pain. It’s much easier, however, when you use a fitted sheet as a beach blanket. Place it down and use your beach bag, cooler, and other items at each corner to keep the sides of the sheets up as a barricade.

Keep your drinks out of the sand and sand out of your drinks with an outdoor drink holder. You can make them out of soup cans, and they will keep your drinks raised up and out of the sand. Learn how to make them here.

Keep your valuables safe while you’re at the beach. Cut off the top of a sunscreen bottle, and place your keys and cash inside. Put the top back on, and your valuables will be perfectly disguised.

Looking for a little shade? You don’t have to go and buy a fancy tent or canopy. Some sticks and sheets will do. Learn how to pitch a bohemian tent here.

Once you get sand stuck in the crevices of your phone, it’s hard to get it out. Place your phone in a sandwich bag. You’ll still be able to use it through the plastic.

If you’re not keen on hiding your cash in a bottle of lotion, you can keep it with you even when you swim. Just cut a hole in the top of a medicine bottle and glue a string to it. Place your cash inside, and wear it around your neck. Get the details here.

Need a new beach bag? Use a mesh laundry bag instead. It will allow the sand to fall right through. It’s perfect to keep beach toys in.

Turn your beach towel into the ultimate beach towel/beach bag/pillow. It has side pockets for your stuff and can roll up into a bag that can be carried. Learn how to make it here.

When you rinse your legs with water, usually there is still sand left behind. So sprinkle talcum powder on your skin and rub. This will make the sand slide right off.

For sunburns, freeze some aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray. Then run the ice cubes over your burnt skin. Do this for a day, and it will cool your skin and get rid of your lobster coloring.

Stop spending money on ice cream and frozen treats. Just freeze some Capri Suns. They’ll be slushies by the time you’re ready to eat them at the beach. Just remember to bring scissors.

Sand can easily slip into open snack containers and packages. Use old Coffeemate containers instead. You can just shake your snacks out and snap them closed to prevent sand from getting in.

Don’t let a scrape or jellyfish sting put an early end to your beach day. Bring an emergency kit with you that includes things like bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers, and anything else you’ll need. Get some ideas for your emergency beach kit here.

Make your very own sandcastle kit using measuring cups, paint brushes, and paint spatulas. To find out more on how to make this fun kit, check out Sandy Toes & Popsicles.

Use a cupcake liner to keep bugs and sand out of your drinking cups. Simply turn the liner upside down and poke a hole in the center for a straw.

To make your very own DIY kiddie pool while at the beach, dig a hole in the sand and insert a shower curtain liner. Finally, fill the lined hole with water.

Create mementos of your beach trip by bringing plaster of Paris with you. Then, fill your kids’ handprints and footprints with the plaster of Paris to create an awesome reminder.

Make your very own beach bonfire kit by gathering dryer lint, old candles, and an egg carton. This should help in getting any bonfire started.

To keep from getting sunburned at the beach, you need to regularly apply sunscreen. To make remembering easier, use a marker and write down when you need to reapply sunscreen directly on the bottle.

Make a great DIY beach blanket that stays in place using a flat sheet, tent poles, and a little sewing. Check out how to complete this project at Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Build your own homemade sunshade to keep off the sun at the beach. For instructions, check out this how-to at HomeSteady.

A pocketed beach towel allows you to keep all that you need in easy reach. Check out this tutorial from Making it With Danielle to find out how.

Avoid harsh chemicals in your sunscreen by making your own. One Good Thing by Jillee has a great recipe for a DIY homemade sunscreen.

If you buy cheap flip-flops, they’ll probably break. If the thong part of your flip-flop comes out, you can fix it with the tab of a soda can. Pull the thong back through, and place the tab over it. It will hold the thong in place until you can get a new pair of shoes. It also works with a paper clip or a bread bag tab.

To keep your youngest ones within easy reach, take a kiddie pool to the beach with you. Then simply set it where you can keep an eye on your children, fill it with water, and provide some shade to keep the sun out.

To save on clothing for the beach, you can make your own beach dress. Make this DIY beach dress from Lilygirlfriends using nothing more than a large scarf.

A green tea face mist can keep you cool while also being healthy. Make this green tea face mist from College Fashion to take with you on your next beach trip.

To make your next trip to the beach as hassle-free as possible, consider organizing the space in your car. Keep your beach supplies better organized with these tips from The Castro Family.

Use a piece of cork and some wire to create a float to keep your keys from getting lost while on the water. This hack, from Greenmoxie, should keep your keys from sinking to the bottom of the lake or ocean if you drop them.

To help return your children if they get lost at the beach, apply a waterproof safety tattoo to their arm. These tattoos have space to write your phone number so they can call you if they get lost.

Make your own juice boxes for the kids using a ziplock bag, some juice, and a straw. You can even use this DIY project from She Knows to make an alcoholic version for the adults.

One of the hardest parts about going to the beach is lugging your items down to the sand. Use a lifeguard beach sled to easily pull your beach supplies across the sand.

Use a waterproof yoga mat instead of a cloth beach towel to avoid lying on a damp towel when you are out of the water. When finished, simply roll it up and take it with you.

To keep your kids cool while at the beach, make this sponge lei from One Crazy House.

You can make beautiful candles while at the beach to use at home. Simply stick a candle wick into a hole in the sand, pour in some melted candle wax, and allow to sit for a few hours before digging it up.

Freeze some water-soaked sponges in the freezer before going to the beach. Place them in some plastic bags, and you have an easy way to keep items in your cooler cold.

Apply ScotchGard to your beach chairs and umbrellas to protect them from the sun’s rays and liquid spills, making them last a lot longer.

Highlight your hair naturally by applying lemon juice on your hair before going to the beach. Check out this from Self for more.