Going on a trip to the beach is a great family activity filled with water, sand, and sun. Packing everything you need for the beach, though, can get costly. Make your trip a little easier, and less costly, by using these helpful beach hacks.
1) Make Your Own Duct Tape Beach Bag
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.
2) Use Frozen Water Bottles as Ice Packs
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.
3) Use a Fitted Sheet to Keep Out Sand
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.
4) Make DIY Drink Holders
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.
5) Create a Hiding Place for Your Valuables
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.
6) Build a Makeshift Tent
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.
7) Protect Your Cell Phone
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.
8) Protect Your Cash
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.
9) Use a Mesh Laundry Bag as a Beach Bag
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.
10) Make a Beach Bag Towel Into a Beach Bag
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.
11) Get Rid of Sand
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.
12) Freeze Aloe Vera Gel
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.
13) Make Your Own Frozen Treats
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.
14) Keep Sand Out of Your Snacks
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.
15) Create a Beach Emergency Kit
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.
16) Make Your Own Sandcastle Kit
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.
17) Keep Out Bugs
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.
18) Make a DIY Kiddie Pool
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.
19) Create Mementos
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.
20) Put Together a Bonfire Kit
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.
21) Leave Sunscreen Reminders
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.
22) DIY Beach Blanket Hack
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.
23) Create a Homemade Sunshade
Build your own homemade sunshade to keep off the sun at the beach. For instructions, check out this how-to at HomeSteady.
24) Make a Pocketed Beach Towel
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.
25) DIY Homemade Sunscreen
Avoid harsh chemicals in your sunscreen by making your own. One Good Thing by Jillee has a great recipe for a DIY homemade sunscreen.
1) Fix Your Flip-Flops
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.
27) Take Along a Kiddie Pool
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.
28) DIY Beach Dress
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.
29) Make Your Own Green Tea Face Mist
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.
30) Organize Your Car
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.
31) Create Your Own Key Float
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.
32) Apply Waterproof Safety Tattoos
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.
33) Make Your Own Juice Boxes
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.
34) Use a Beach Sled
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.
35) Repurpose a Yoga Mat
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.
36) Create a Cooling Lei
To keep your kids cool while at the beach, make this sponge lei from One Crazy House.
37) Make Sand Candles
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.
38) Freeze Some Sponges
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.
39) Use ScotchGard on Beach Chairs and Umbrellas
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.
40) DIY Lemon Juice Highlights
Highlight your hair naturally by applying lemon juice on your hair before going to the beach. Check out this from Self for more.
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Enjoy your time at the beach without breaking the bank with these great beach hacks!