Guide to Planning a Family Friendly Beach Holiday

When you’re looking at where to go on your holidays, the call of the beach is hard to resist – but it can come with its stressors if you don’t plan properly. Making the right choices and having the right approach can make it a doddle, so you can focus on relaxing and catching some rays.

Choosing the Ideal Beach Destination

First step, picking the right place to go! Look for beaches with calm, shallow waters that are suited to little swimmers so everyone can enjoy the ocean. Spain’s Costa Brava has many Blue Flag beaches that meet high safety and cleanliness standards, Portugal’s Algarve has beautiful beaches next to family hotels, and a Lanzarote holidays provides sun almost all year round so you can head off whenever suits you.

beach destinations

Accommodation Options for Families

If you don’t have the right spot to rest up, it can really affect your holiday. Look for somewhere with family rooms or connecting rooms, giving you peace of mind around where you’re staying. Many beach hotels offer kids’ clubs that can give adults a bit of a break, while renting a villa or flat gives everyone more space and more options for cooking your own meals. If you’re likely to go out for meals often, see if you can note down a few restaurants nearby with kids menus so you can head out with confidence.

Packing for a Family Beach Holiday

Every holiday needs a packing list for that extra reassurance. For beach holidays, that means swimwear, high-factor sun cream to stay protected, sun shirts and maybe some arm bands for those still learning. When you’re there, having a bag per person can make it easier to find specific items and ensure nothing gets left behind.

Engaging Activities for Kids of All Ages

Sandcastles are all well and good, but beaches have much more to offer. Kids can go on a seashell hunt, play with beach toys and inflatables, and even snorkel if they’re a little older.

For something a bit different, book onto a boat trip so you can spot exciting sealife. It can be best to head out earlier for these things when kids have more energy, leaving afternoons for rest.

children playing on a beach

Choosing the Right Time to Travel

While summer is when most people think about beach holidays – giving the best chance of good weather – May, June and September are often just right for warmth while having less tourists around. They can be cheaper months to travel too, helping your money go that bit further.

By ticking off each of these items, your beach holiday can go off without a hitch – meaning you and your family can make the most of your time away with the sand between your toes.

This is a collaborative post.  Images are my own or from Canva Pro.