Cecile DeMartini is the Chief Beach Ofiicer at the incredibly cool new business, Beach Butlerz.  Cecile is also an engineer by day and a mom, always.  Thanks, Cecile for finding time in your crazy schedule to share your beach wisdom with Playful Planet!

AWESOME DAY AT THE BEACH!

Raise your hand if you love going to the beach!  Ooo, the vision of one’s self lounging on the sandy beaches of some tropical getaway with the sound of crashing waves in the near background and the feel of toasty warm air surrounding your bare skin.  It’s a vision of true relaxation.  Throw the kids into that picture, and well then, it’s a completely new story.

I happen to live in a remarkable area that has many public beaches.  Whenever I ask my kids if they want to go to the beach, I see their faces transform with a huge smile and gleam in their eye while exclaiming ‘YA!’  The anticipation and energy emanating from them as we slather on the sunscreen and change into bathing suits makes me want to give myself a pat on the back, “Well done Mom.”  Even though it’s not quite the same feeling as sunbathing on a tropical isle it certainly cheers my soul knowing we’re going to create a memorable, fun day.

Last weekend, the kids, Hubby, and I opted to have lunch at the house (just to save some money) and enjoy a ‘sand-free’ sandwich before our beach day.  When we arrived at the beach, we were greeted by the sound of a free Caribbean music concert going on nearby. Score! Right now you may be picturing each of us with a kid in one arm while lugging bags of towels, sand toys, beach chairs, and an umbrella in the other arm.  Not fun right?!

Lucky for us, we decided to enjoy the Beach Butlerz experience for ourselves to know what our customers feel like.  If you haven’t heard about the Beach Butlerz yet, you will soon.  The basic service includes having the most comfortable beach loungers set-up underneath a large, secured beach umbrella to keep everyone sun-safe.  The beach blankets and sand toys rock!  As we approached this little piece of beach heaven, built for us by the ‘Butlerz’, I heard the church choir hum in my head of ‘awwwwwwww.’

The kids spent the next two hours running in and out of the surf, digging holes in the sand, and exploring for sea creatures.  Kids at the beach normally do well on their own for the first half hour, so I’ve found that having some ideas ready for kid-friendly beach activities helps things go a bit smoother.

Drum roll please - I present to you the Top Ten Beach Activities that are fun and (mostly) free:

1. Sand toy play.  No brainer right – great for all ages.  You just don’t go to the beach without a sand bucket.  If you’re interested in a ‘sustainable slant’ on the plastic toys, just check your kitchen for spoons and utensils that become diggers and shovels and plastic cups/containers that can be used to build your castles!
2. Spell your kid’s name in the sand with your toes.  The beach is now personalized with their name.  They love this stuff!
3. Search for sea glass.  Tell the kids how sea glass is one of the secret treasures created by the sea and people make jewelry from it.  Let them know how Mommies love sea glass jewelry and it makes Mommies happy to get it as a gift.
4. Have the kids collect cool looking sand stones and shells.  Put them in a special see-through jar that will sit on a table in the kitchen, bedroom, or at work.  This jar is a great reminder to me of those awesome days at the beach.  The kids will notice.
5. Bury legs and toes for fun.
6. Plan to go to the beach during free music events whenever possible.
7. Walk to the end of the beach pier.  Most beaches will have at least one.  If it’s a fishing pier, see how many fish have been caught along the way.
8. Do some beach yoga – Storyland Yoga has some EXCELLENT yoga moves for kids to do at the beach. See who can be the loudest seal, or the most playful dolphin, or the cutest mermaid.
9. Build a boat or car in the sand big enough to sit in.  Take an imaginary journey.
10. Get your roast on!  If bonfires are allowed on the beach and the day isn’t too hot, ignite a bonfire and roast some hot dogs on a stick!

If you keep them busy enough you may be rewarded (as I was this day) with a couple of kids passed out for a late afternoon nap while cuddled underneath the beach blankets (YES!)

Summers are short – be sure to fit a beach day in with the family at least once this year.  You and your kids with cherish the memories - Cheers!

Cecile DeMartini, Chief Beach Officer

Beach Butlerz