Having the perfect beach day starts at home— especially if you are taking kids along. Even if you are just going for the day, there is some preplanning that needs to take place. Take a look at the tips below to make sure you have the most successful beach day trip.

1. Make a checklist: Write out everything that you need to take with you and as your packing it into your beach bag or cooler, check it off of your list. This way you will ensure that you won’t forget anything. This might include things like cash, sunscreen, sunglasses, towels, beach chairs, water, snacks, a change of clothes, etc.
2. Choose a beach: If you live in New England, it’s likely that you have multiple beaches to choose from. And you might be looking for a different beach experience than the one you always go to. Maybe you usually take your day trip to a popular beach, but you know that it is going to be crowded and full of life. But this time you’re looking for a quieter day, so you might want to visit a private or town beach that doesn’t have a boardwalk and hundreds of people around.
3. Pack the night before: Along with packing from your checklist, it’s best to pack everything up the night before. And if you are ambitious, pack the car the night before as well (everything but the drinks and refrigerated food).
4. Set a plan for the day: Make sure all parties involved know how the day will pan out. Do you plan on leaving town at 7am or 9am? Do you plan on packing a lunch or grabbing something at the boardwalk? Do you plan on staying at the beach until 2pm or 5pm? These are all very important things to consider beforehand and to include everyone in on the decision.

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