Build a Better Beach Bag

Team Mom Staff

Taking your family to the beach? You're probably lugging around a lot more than you need. Barbara Reich, professional organizer and author of "Secrets of an Organized Mom," shares how to put together the perfect beach bag for some fun in the sun.

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  • Choose the right bag. Look for a bag that has long straps, is lightweight and, most importantly, water-resistant. "The best bags have pockets on the outside and the inside, so that you can stick things in in a pinch and pull them out easily," Barbara says.

  • Leave the heavy stuff behind. Barbara's philosophy is "carry only what you need." It might be a habit to bring along your entire purse, but there's no need. "Eliminate your wallet... Bring cash, a credit card, and identification."

  • Repurpose cosmetic bags. Place smaller items such as sunscreen, keys, and phones in cosmetic bags for easy access. "Not only do they contain your things, but they also prevent your cellphone from getting wet or sandy."

  • Keep things dry. Plastic bags always come in handy at the shore. At the beginning of the day, they can hold your family's dry clothes; at the end of the day, they can hold wet bathing suits.

  • Be prepared. "You never know when an accident is going to happen, and that way you're prepared," Barbara says. Pack a first-aid kit for possible scrapes and cuts. Another tip? "You never know how far away the bathrooms are or how clean they are," Barbara says, so bring along some Charmin-To-Go wipes or a flattened roll of toilet paper.

  • Label, label, label! "There is no way that you will come home from the beach with everything you took with you without labels." Barbara suggests using the Brother P-Touch to label everything from sippy cups to beach toys.