Not all beaches are created equal. This is a fact we learned a few years ago when we visited Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The island itself was stunning, with well-planned landscaping and strategically designed roadways, signs, and businesses. The atmosphere was purposefully calm and relaxing—a bit different from the loud and exciting beaches we had visited in Florida. We were traveling with a two-year-old and a nine-year-old, and we were looking forward to the relaxation!

The problem, if you will, is that traveling with kids and looking for relaxation can be a little ironic. Beach trips with kids are not like their adults-only counterparts!

Over the years, I’ve spent plenty of time searching top mom blogs like the Mom’s Tribute blog, looking for tips for traveling with children. I’ve accumulated lots of strategies that have helped us keep things on the more successfully relaxing side.

• Choose a Place to Stay

Using strategy to choose the right accommodations can pay off big time, especially when you’re going for a specific “feel.” For our Hilton Head Island trip, we knew we would be traveling with a two-year-old. That meant bringing a stroller along, which made a few amenities especially important to us. We chose a condo right on the beach which offered not only an elevator for our second floor unit but also a ramp for beach access. These features assured us that getting around on wheels wouldn’t be too difficult.

With this in mind, we chose the Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort. Besides the accessibility-friendly nature of this spot, it also offered a full playground as well as a swimming pool complex and two different restaurants on property. It also featured tennis and pickleball courts, and bike rentals. This meant there was plenty to keep us all busy without ever leaving the resort.

• Choose What to Pack

Once we had our accommodations squared away, it was time to consider the specific how’s of actually taking kids onto a sandy beach and keeping them occupied. Sand toys came to mind right away—but the word “sand” gave me worry. What to do with all that grit?

We bought a sand-repellent blanket so our little ones could chill when they wanted to get off the scratchy beach floor. We also used a mesh laundry sack to easily carry the toys. We simply tossed the toys into the sack at the end of each day, carried them to the showers at the beach edge, and rinsed away the sand. Easy peasy!

What to do about the sandy kids, though? Baby powder was our unexpected hero, here. After rinsing and drying the kids at the beach’s edge, we rubbed them down with baby powder. The powder absorbed any extra moisture and the sand particles brushed away without a fight. This really was a game changer for us!

Packing other common-sense items also made our beach trip easier. These items included sunblock, sun hats, and a beach tent. This made it easy for the kids to keep the sun rays at bay when they were getting a bit too many. We didn’t forget the snacks and drinks, either!

• Choose Local Attractions

Though we had plenty to do while at our beach resort, we decided to spend one day exploring the rest of the area. We chose to visit the Harbour Town Lighthouse on the southern tip of the island. This kid friendly attraction is surrounded by a delightful shopping district, boat docks, and restaurants.

If you have the stamina to climb the 104 stairs to the top of the lighthouse, you will be rewarded with a stunning ocean view. The lighthouse also hosts a coast guard exhibit, which you get to enjoy throughout your upward journey. We found pressed penny machines along the way, as well, which were a big hit with the kids—they still have the pennies as souvenirs today! You’ll also find a charming gift shop at the top.

The cost to climb the tower is under $6 per person, and kids 5 and under are free (a great budget activity!)

Still staying in the southern tip of the island a short drive of twelve minutes brought us to another KidFriendlyVenues-approved spot. It was the Salty Dog Ice Cream Shop and Café at South Beach. With a fabulous array of ice creams and sorbets, we scooped up our favorite flavors and gave our day trip a perfect ending.

• Choose the KFV App

My top tip for planning a kid friendly beach vacation (or any type of vacay!) is to download the KFV app. This handy, time-saving tool lets you see recommended spots for families with kids in any given locale. These spots can be easy to find when you’ve got a host of other moms guiding your way!

Overall, ours was a successful and relaxing beach trip with kids. If you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to use the KidFriendlyVenue app to help you choose activities that are perfect for your own family’s needs. Now, let’s make it happen!

Katie C