A family beach day is one of the easiest ways to make the most of warmer weather in the South East. From the sandy dunes at Camber to the shingle shores of Bexhill and Hastings, families around Tunbridge Wells have plenty of coastal options within reach.
Those beaches can be quite different from one another. Camber Sands is known for its wide sandy beach and dunes, while Bexhill and Hastings are predominantly shingle.
That means there is no single packing list that works perfectly everywhere. A little preparation based on the beach you are visiting can make the day much easier.
Start With Somewhere Comfortable to Sit
A beach blanket works well on soft sand, but several hours on pebbles can be uncomfortable. Folding seating can therefore be particularly useful at shingle beaches such as Bexhill, Hastings or Pevensey Bay.
Think about how far you will need to carry everything, too. Beach kit can quickly become cumbersome once you add towels, food, toys and children’s belongings.
A lightweight folding chair gives adults somewhere supportive to sit while children play nearby. If you are comparing portable seating for days outdoors, ozzigear.com shows one example of the type of chair designed for beach trips.
A large blanket or beach mat is still useful even if you take chairs. It creates a space for lunch, gives younger children somewhere to sit and keeps bags away from damp ground or hot sand.
Pack Sun Protection Whatever the Forecast Says
Cloudy skies are not a reason to leave the sunscreen behind. The NHS advises that people can burn in the UK even when it is cloudy and recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 (NHS, n.d.-a).
For a family trip, pack sunscreen, sun hats and clothing that can cover exposed skin. Sunglasses are also worth bringing, particularly because sunlight reflected from water and sand can increase exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The NHS recommends spending time in the shade between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from March to October, when the sun is generally strongest in the UK. Sunscreen should be reapplied frequently and after swimming, towel drying or sweating (NHS, n.d.-a).
Families with babies need to take extra care. NHS guidance says babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight, while a parasol or suitable pushchair sunshade can provide additional protection (NHS, n.d.-b).
A beach umbrella or shelter can therefore be one of the most useful larger items to bring if you are planning a full day beside the sea.
Bring Enough Water and Food for Your Chosen Beach
Playing on the sand, walking along the promenade and going in and out of the sea can make children thirsty quickly.
Take filled reusable water bottles and enough drinks for the time you expect to spend there. Although larger resorts such as Hastings have cafés, restaurants and shops close to parts of the seafront, facilities vary greatly between beaches and even between different access points at the same beach. Visit 1066 Country, for example, describes Hastings as having convenient access to shops, cafés and restaurants but presents other stretches of coastline as more nature-focused (Visit 1066 Country, n.d.).
It therefore makes sense not to rely on being able to buy everything once you arrive.
A cool bag is useful for sandwiches, fruit and snacks, particularly on warm days. Choose foods that are easy to eat outdoors and do not need much preparation.
Bring a rubbish bag as well. If nearby bins are full, you can take wrappers, wipes and leftover food home rather than leaving them on the beach.
Match Your Footwear to the Shore
Flip-flops may seem like the obvious choice for a beach day, but they are not ideal everywhere. Sturdy sandals or water shoes may be more comfortable on pebbles, especially for children walking to and from the water.
For sandy beaches, footwear that slips on and off easily is usually more practical. It is also worth keeping a clean pair of shoes or socks in the car for the journey home.
Take Towels and a Full Change of Clothes
Even children who do not plan to swim can end up wet after paddling, splashing or being caught by an unexpected wave.
Pack at least one towel for each person likely to go into the water. An extra towel can also be useful for spills, damp seats or children who get cold.
A complete set of dry clothes for younger children is worth the extra space. Include underwear as well as shorts, trousers or a fresh top.
Keep a waterproof or reusable bag handy for wet costumes and towels. It prevents the rest of your belongings from becoming damp on the journey home.
Keep Beach Toys Simple
Children rarely need a car boot full of entertainment at the seaside.
A bucket and spade, ball or small beach game can provide plenty to do. Sandy beaches such as Camber naturally lend themselves to sandcastles and digging, while pebble beaches can be good for supervised beachcombing and looking at shells and stones.
Visit 1066 Country specifically notes shell collecting, sandcastle building and paddling among the activities families can enjoy at Camber (Visit 1066 Country, n.d.).
A mesh bag is useful for toys because much of the loose sand can fall out before you reach the car.
Encourage children to observe wildlife without disturbing it. Photographs are often a better souvenir than removing natural materials from sensitive coastal habitats.
Keep Safety Information Close to Hand
A small first-aid kit is worth carrying on any family day out. Plasters, antiseptic wipes and any medicines your family regularly needs can deal with minor problems without a trip back to the car.
Sea safety deserves more attention.
The RNLI recommends choosing a lifeguarded beach where possible and swimming between the red-and-yellow flags. These flags mark the area monitored by lifeguards and designated for swimming (Royal National Lifeboat Institution [RNLI], 2026).
The advice matters even for confident swimmers because sea swimming is very different from swimming in a pool. Waves, currents, water temperature and changing tides all affect conditions.
If you are visiting a beach without lifeguards, the RNLI recommends checking the weather, tide times and local safety signage before entering the water (RNLI, 2026).
Families should also know the RNLI’s Float to Live advice. If someone gets into difficulty, they should tilt their head back, relax, control their breathing and use their hands and legs to stay afloat before calling for help or swimming to safety when able (RNLI, 2026).
Check Bathing-Water Information Before Swimming
If swimming is an important part of your plans, check the latest bathing-water information before leaving home.
The Environment Agency monitors designated bathing waters in England during the bathing-water season and publishes results through its Swimfo service. Its monitoring programme tests for bacteria used as indicators of faecal contamination, including E. coli and intestinal enterococci (Environment Agency, 2025).
The agency recommends checking Swimfo when planning swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding or other activities in or near designated bathing waters (Environment Agency, 2025).
Conditions can change, so a recent check is more useful than relying on information remembered from a previous visit.
Remember the Small Extras
Some of the most useful beach items are also the easiest to forget.
Wet wipes or a damp cloth are handy before lunch. Hand sanitiser, tissues and small rubbish bags take up very little room.
A portable power bank may also be worthwhile if your phone is being used for navigation, tide information, weather updates and photographs throughout the day.
Families with babies or toddlers should pack the same changing supplies they would normally need for several hours away from home.
Finally, resist the temptation to fill every bag completely. Wet towels, sandy toys and spare clothes always seem to take up more room at the end of the day than they did at the beginning.
Conclusion
Kent and East Sussex offer a varied coastline, from Camber’s sweeping sand to the shingle beaches of Bexhill, Hastings and Pevensey Bay. That variety is one of the region’s attractions, but it also means packing for the particular beach you plan to visit.
Comfortable seating, sunscreen, shade, water, suitable footwear, towels and spare clothes cover most of the basics. Add a few simple toys, first-aid supplies and up-to-date checks on swimming conditions, tides and water quality, and you will be prepared for much more than simply hoping the weather stays fine.
A few minutes spent packing carefully at home can mean fewer trips back to the car and more time enjoying the coast together.
References
Environment Agency. (2025, May 15). How the Environment Agency monitors and tests bathing water quality. Environment Agency: For Homes and Habitats.
National Health Service. (n.d.-a). Sunscreen and sun safety. NHS.
National Health Service. (n.d.-b). Keeping your baby safe in the sun. NHS.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution. (2026, July 16). RNLI urging public to follow safety advice as warm weather continues. RNLI.
Visit 1066 Country. (n.d.). Beaches. Visit 1066 Country.