Anyone have any good tips for a beach trip?? I’m so nervous for this trip!! We have a level 2 autistic 3 almost 4 year old and have a 15 month old who isn’t walking. So it will be full time eyes and attention on both on them so any tips are welcomed!!
Play pen with toys for the non walker shade cover of course, and life jacket for the other little one if they like water , you can also set the playpen in the water just enough to get wet and then you will be close to both
Before you go, play video & audio of the beach for your 3/4 yr old to see if she/he can stand the noise & crowds (waves, seagulls, ice cream vendors’ bells & yells, lots of other people, boom boxes, other kids yelling and screaming).
Let them play in a sandbox. How do they react? Will they be able to tolerate all the sand at the beach? Can they have fun building sand castles?
Do they both like water? Will they find waves scary? Will they be OK with outdoor showers to get the first layer of sand off? If there aren’t indoor showers available and you’re going to use outdoor showers, bring soap, shampoo & conditioner to the beach; maybe a small clean bucket to help rinse sand off; maybe dump a bucket or two down the inside of their bathing suits
How about where you’re staying? Will your child on the spectrum be able to deal with a change of location or are you just going for the day?
Can you practice throwing a beach ball or using a pail and little shovel in the tub so they know what to do when ýou get there?
Take a container of water or fill it when you get there just to wash little hands before and after snacks. A washcloth or two always comes in handy.
Be sure they have some kind of shoes to walk across hot sand.
Play yard or porta crib plus a fitted sheet and clothespins to fasten on top for shade, take a little tent or rent an umbrella.
Slather them with sunblock beforehand and take spray sunscreen to reapply every 2 hours or if they come out of rough sea water. Have brimmed hats that fasten under the chin so they won’t blow off and little sunglasses couldn’t hurt if they’ll wear them at least some of the time in the sun.
Have extra dry towels in the car to sit on if you’ll be using a car to and from the water.
I bring a plastic baby pool and put it in his tent! Definitely rash guard bathing suit with the long sleeves.