As the summer sun begins to set and the school bells start ringing, many families might be feeling a bit wistful about bidding farewell to their carefree beach days. However, fear not! Just because school is back in session doesn't mean the beach fun has to come to an end. In fact, with upcoming holidays like Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Break, there are plenty of opportunities to continue creating cherished seaside memories with your loved ones.
1. Labor Day - The Grand Finale of Summer:
Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but it also presents the perfect opportunity to squeeze in one last beachside escapade. Gather the family, pack your Beachmate essentials, and head to the shore for a relaxing day of building sandcastles, playing beach volleyball, and enjoying the soothing sound of the waves. Whether it's a picnic by the water's edge or a leisurely stroll along the coast, Labor Day offers a chance to bid farewell to summer in style.
2. Fall Break - Embrace the Tranquil Shores:
As fall settles in and the temperatures begin to cool, Fall Break provides an ideal window for a quieter, more tranquil beach experience. The crowds have thinned, allowing your family to relish in the serene beauty of the shoreline. Beachmate's versatile gear, including its compact cooler, and convenient storage compartments, will ensure that your family has everything needed for a cozy day by the sea.
3. Thanksgiving - Gratitude by the Waves:
Why not shake up your Thanksgiving traditions this year by celebrating gratitude in a beachfront setting? Pack a hearty beachside feast and gather with your loved ones to enjoy a unique Thanksgiving meal with your toes in the sand. After sharing a delicious meal, take a leisurely post-turkey stroll along the shore, basking in the beauty of nature and the company of family.
4. Christmas Break - Sandy Stockings and Sunny Delights:
While a white Christmas might be the norm for some, a sandy Christmas can be equally enchanting! Swap snow for sand and explore the magic of the holiday season by the sea. Bring some festive decorations and set up a beach-themed Christmas celebration, complete with beach games, warm beverages, and sandy toes. Beachmate's organizational capabilities will make it a breeze to transport all your holiday essentials to create a memorable beachfront celebration.
Plus, Beachmate Towels and Happy Hour Cooler Setup:
Don't forget, Beachmate's lineup includes soft and absorbent Turkish towels that add a touch of comfort and style to your beach days. And here's a bonus – use the Beachmate system as a convenient and stylish happy hour cooler setup. The Low Profile Cooler, combined with its versatile compartments, is perfect for keeping your favorite beverages chilled while you enjoy the sun and surf.
Remember, as the school year begins, the allure of the beach need not fade away. With holidays like Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Break on the horizon, there are ample opportunities to keep the beach fun alive for your family. Beachmate's innovative and practical accessories will help you make the most of these moments, ensuring that every beach adventure is a seamless and enjoyable experience. So, embrace the changing seasons, gather your Beachmate gear, and let the beach become a year-round backdrop for your family's cherished memories.
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Family really is everything isn’t it? As the kids grow older, parents try to create precious moments to share with their children. Easter is coming up and we have put a list together of a some activities that you can do together with your whole family.
These are easy and simple little activities that will leave long-lasting memories in your lives.
The Easter Bunny is hopping around, and he’s about to make his rounds. Did you decorate your Easter eggs? If not, then get all of the family members involved in Egg Decoration ! Here are some fun filled non-traditional examples of the eggs you can create!
Grab dot stickers from the office equipment store and stick them to the egg. It's as easy as that.
This is especially special for small children; just wrap up the egg using colorful tape. It is so simple but so cute.
To create this amazing egg, take a brown color pen and draw a basket. Then using your best creativity draw with color pens to create eggs.
Glue up some tiny yellow and white buttons, and try to create a flower shape. Attach green paper leaves with glue, and you're done. It is quite cute and easy to make, and your children will enjoy making this egg!
Get an egg from the basket and dye it black. Then take a sponge and a few paint layers on the egg itself (black, purple, blue). Let the color dry for at least a couple of minutes, then finish by splattering some white paint. Also don't forget to place a cover on your table because you will make a big mess, especially if your kids accompany you.
Firstly paint your egg blue, then grab a brush and white paint. Slowly paint fluffy clouds, and voila, you are finished!
To create this cute little bug, firstly dye your egg pink. Then take a black food safe color pen and draw a ladybug pattern. And an optional step, cut antennae from a black wire and attach it with glue.
Wondering what to make for Easter? Don’t panic, because we’ve got your back! Here are a few tasty and delicious egg recipes. Check them out below and they are quite easy to make and don't require extensive cooking skills. So you can get the kids involved and get ready for Easter day.
For some added fun, consider having egg races in your yard or at a park with your kids!
Kids love a physical challenge, so the Egg spoon game is the perfect activity for the Easter Holiday. This game provides a challenge without it being too difficult. So here are a few egg race ideas that you and your family can do:
Basic race: Start by either walking or running from one location to another while still holding the spoon with the egg sitting on it. The winner is the first one to get to the finish point without losing or breaking the egg.
Relay race: Set up two teams with at least two kids on each side. Set up a start point and an endpoint. Position the first two kids up at the start and the other ones at the finish point. Begin with the first kid's race to the finish point. Then they will give off the egg to the next kid, the first group to finish the race wins!
Obstacles: Add a few obstacles to the race. Something easy is better – a jump rope for the kids to step over, cones to loop in between.
Easter can be a fun filled holiday for both parents and kids!
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So what exactly is a leprechaun? A leprechaun is a tiny elf that appeared from Irish folklore. He loves big shiny gold coins, shamrocks, beautiful rainbows, and anything that is green. According to the old legend, if a human somehow succeeds in capturing some of these small green men, the leprechaun will fulfill your needs. They will give you three wishes or give you his pot of gold!
Catching a leprechaun sure can be tricky, so one of the best ways to do it is by making a leprechaun trap. Building leprechaun traps for St. Patrick's Day is a pretty fun and enjoyable activity you can involve the whole family in. Children will enjoy building their unique leprechaun traps for St Patrick's day. And the best thing is that every trap can be different, and there is no right way to catch a leprechaun.
To create your very own leprechaun traps, here are some essential components you may want to include:
Shamrocks - you will be able to find shamrock stickers, or you can even let your children draw on their own on a small green paper.
Decoration - you can use green construction or glitter paper to do some personalization and decoration on your traps.
Bait - lucky charms or fake gold coins so that you can bait the leprechaun!
Ladder - you can create a ladder using pipe cleaners, twigs, Legos, or even popsicle sticks.
Trapping Mechanism - now, to trap the leprechaun, you must create a trap, so you can make a hole, a door that closes or something that will drop on top of the magical leprechaun.
We will show you three fun, and straightforward leprechaun traps you can create with your loved ones' help. First, you can assemble all the supplies in one spot and then let your children build their own variants too!
Your children will have fun preparing and designing their traps beforehand. Have them firstly draw out a design so that they can build it after.
Materials:
Materials
Materials:
You can follow these leprechaun traps or use for inspiration to build your own. Once the trap is all set up, delight your kids with leprechaun tricks around your home, and then party with green treats! So go out there and start building the leprechaun trap before it's too late.
]]>2020 (and still going…) forced us all to stay home to help curb the spread of Covid-19. Safety is definitely the number one priority, but it wasn’t without one very big pitfall – Screen Time skyrocketed.
As if we needed more to be guilty about as parents, especially in these extremely stressful times, screen time has become a major bone of contention in almost all homes. Traditionally, parents have had the upper hand because teens and kids were primarily using screens for fun and entertainment purposes, but Covid-19 changed all that. The pandemic introduced screens as the school replacement. They became the primary way of contact with the world beyond your walls and how we communicated with friends and family. This meant all screen time “rules” essentially went out the window.
What was the average screen time before Quarantine?
It’s been proven that teens and kids spend around 4-6 hours per day on the screens for entertainment (TV, mobile, tablet, computers). That’s almost a quarter of their day…I’m scared to add up what it equals now with distance learning and staying connected to friends and family! Worse, some researchers have found that screen time is up almost 500% due to the pandemic.
How is this affecting your household?
As challenging as this is, it doesn’t seem to be going away too soon, so take a deep breath and remember that we are all in the same boat. You and your child are having the same battle as everyone else, everywhere else. As parents we all know that there will be some ramifications from spending so much time staring at screens. We are worried about eye pain and the inability to focus or concentrate properly which can lead to long term issues. Neck pain and joint stiffness can lead to headaches, soreness and back issues. What worries me the most is that this forced physical isolation can also lead to feelings of psychological isolation, so we’ve been lucky to have these screens to stay connected but it doesn’t replace the value of physical interaction. It’s a viscous cycle and finding the balance is really hard, but remember that when you are on a screen, you are isolating yourself from those in your house.
The best we can do right now is be aware of what’s happening, learn a few tips to take the much needed breaks and get creative to find other ways to pass the time.
And remember, same rules apply to us parents as well! 😏
Tips to manage your kid's screen time
► Turn screens off one hour before bedtime - the light coming from the screen can cause some children to have trouble falling asleep. Our eyes need time to adjust and stop the stimulation, so all screens should be turned off at least one hour before bedtime to get optimal sleep.
► Screen-off during mealtimes - while the kids are on the table eating, always remember to turn off the screens. Try and communicate with them and connect with each other. When screens are on the table, they will be distracted and less engaging during family time.
► Turn off the screen when they aren't using them - screens are like magnets, don’t let the incessant beeps & buzzing distract kids when they are playing elsewhere. So let them stay focused on the activities by turning the screens off.
► Schedule “screen-free” times - go ahead and create a schedule and clearly outline when the screens are not permitted. Be sure that your kids respect the schedules and make them pay attention to them.
► Use the devices when necessary - try to make your kids only use the devices when necessary, for example, for educational purposes or limited social media needs.
► Write Cards & letters – instead of relying solely on a screen for connection, you could change it up and start writing card and letters to your loved ones so they get a surprise in the mail.
► GO OUTSIDE – the best medicine for all - fresh air and sunlight!!
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This has been a pretty difficult year for everyone, but kids have been the most impacted. With distance learning, they have been isolated from the open world. To bring back the happiness and joy to their faces, we’ve gathered up a few activities that you can do with your kids in order to make their winter break more enjoyable:
One of the best moments of winter is to go outside and let your kids play in the snow (that is, if you live somewhere with snow as an option). Besides the restrictions due to COVID-19, you can still enjoy the snow in your yard or go to a local park.
Bundle the kids up, pack up your Beachmate with snacks and drinks and get outside!
A family walk or hike is always fun. And if you’re lucky enough to get snow, building snow forts, igloos, having snowball fights, sledding or build a snowman. Beachmate buckets and shovels are perfect for all of these activities, and if your kids are anything like mine, they get left outside for days – the bright colors make for easy spotting J The possibilities are endless, all you need is your imagination and the intention to have loads of fun!
If you live somewhere without snow, you can still enjoy the great outdoors, and find games like corn hole (we sell an awesome portable set!), frisbee or any other sport. You can also pack up the Beachmate for a family picnics, read, or even watch movies outside on a projector or Ipad. There is nothing like fresh air and childhood exploration!
If indoors is more your speed, there is nothing like board games to bring you all together. We love Memory, Candy land, Battleship and Monopoly to cover the classics. If you want to get more interactive there’s Twister, Charades and Freeze Dance that never go out of style. Or another longtime classic, Scrabble. This will help your kids be engaged but also have fun. These all improve your child’s memory, solving skills, concentration and focus.
Our other family favorite is Puzzles – there is always one in the works at our house!
Gardening can help your kids learn more specifically where the food comes from and how it grows. You can do this in your yard or inside the home. A great way to begin growing plants is by re-growing vegetables such as avocados, peppers, onions, etc. If you don't quite know how gardening works, then go ahead and visit YouTube there are tons of videos explaining how it works.
Gardening has been proven to have therapeutic benefits and there is nothing like the satisfaction of eating veggies you grew yourself! Aside from veggies, you can grow flowers, herbs, cactus and whatever else you want! Getting the kids involved in the process will create lasting memories for years to come.
One of our favorite things to do is cook with the whole family! Nothing is better than bringing us altogether to create some delicious recipes for a yummy meal any time of the day. Don't worry too much about complex instructions, you can handle that part, the kids are just happy to help in any way they can. It’s fun to teach them about the different ingredients and how they work together when cooking. Don’t’ be afraid to Try something new and pick a recipe that gives everyone a role, just like a profession kitchen.
If this is new to your family, we’d recommend you start with baking – the sweet treats are usually more enticing to the kiddos!
If your kids need more interactive stuff to entertain them and get the silly’s out, try these:
The Floor Is Lava
This is a game that you can play with your kids. The basic rules are the participants aren't supposed to touch the floor, as it is LAVA! One member runs for them and if you get caught or touch the floor, you are out.
Musical chairs
Another classic game from our childhoods - Participants walk around the chairs (set out one less chair than people playing) while music is playing, once the music stops, they have to sit down in an open chair. There won't be a seat for one member, so that person gets eliminated. This continues until there are 2 members and 1 seat. The last person in a seat is crowned the winner! Prizes could be, they get to pick what is for dinner, or what movie to watch that night.
Hide & Seek
Easy to do anywhere.
Fort Building
Best with couch cushions, chairs and empty cardboard boxes.
Obstacle Course
Use random items from the house or the yard to create the ultimate obstacle course.
Whether your kids are pretty advanced readers, or they are younger and are just starting to read, you can make it a family event by creating a story time with them and reading a book together.
If your kids are a bit too old for story time, encourage a reading hour where the entire family reads a book of their choice quietly together.
Reading is so beneficial to the mind.
Creativity is something that should be regularly encouraged. It’s ok if they don't quite know how to draw, but if they are willing to learn, then show them a few tips. Youtube has a variety of how to draw videos, so even the worst artist can easily improve their skills. At the end of the day, art is about expression, and allowing yourself and your family to have an outlet for that expression is highly beneficial to ease boredom and expand their mind. Feed their imagination and show them that paintbrush, pen, markers, whatever can create magical wonders on paper.
]]>December is finally here, and Christmas is right around the corner. It’s a great reminder to slow down, relax, and have quality time with your friends and family.
Have you noticed that the holidays seem to come around quickly? Just when you’ve purchased and wrapped all the presents, you might end up forgetting something pretty important. Figuring out what kind of fun holiday activities you can do to make your Christmas even more magical can be a challenge.
Don’t worry though, because we’ve got your back. We’ve gathered a list of fun things you can do with your friends and family before or after you open up all the presents. Here is a list of holiday themed activities you can do to fully embrace your Christmas spirit:
There is nothing better than to sit down with all your loved ones and watch some good ol' Christmas movies. A suggestion to make all the family members feel included is to pick one movie each and watch them during the holiday weekends. The only preparation for this is some fresh popcorn (or snacks of your choice) and delicious hot chocolate. Really go all out with the snacks, if you like salty sprinkle some parmesan on your popcorn. For those with a sweet tooth, a drizzle of chocolate on top. Add whip and sprinkles to the hot chocolate for even more of a festive treat! After the movie is over, you can discuss everyone's favorite parts.
If you can't decide what movie to watch, then here is a list of top 10 movies to watch this Christmas:
One of our favorite things to do at Christmas is to play some games! Everyone loves a good party game, but this will bring joy to your kids, and they will love the games. There are tons of games you can consider playing. Here are 3 of our most popular games with instructions on how you can play them:
To start, write out terms to act out on scraps of paper, make them Christmas related. Then separate your family into teams and then pick up one person from each team to start the acting. The actors can't talk, and each team will have a time limit. If the team figures out the word without passing the time limit, then the team gets a point. The first team to get 10 points wins the whole game.
Go ahead and print out a picture of Rudolph or simply draw it, and then place it on your wall. Grab a piece of paper, and tape it at the back. Then every family member gets a turn to try and put the nose on Rudolph while blindfolded. To start off, blindfold someone then spin them in place at least 10 times, and then let them try to attach the nose to Rudolph. Whoever pins it the closest, wins!
One family member picks a Christmas object, this could be an ornament or any decoration in the room. And all the other players ask him or her questions about the object, he or she needs to answer with yes or no. If the family doesn't get the object name after 15 questions then the answerer won and he will pick a new object for the next round. And if someone guesses the object then they will choose the new object for the next round.
As long as you are enjoying the time with your family it really doesn't matter what game you are playing.
Another activity to do to keep up the spirit of Christmas is baking with your family. Nothing is more delicious than some Christmas goodies.
Christmas cookies are shaped like Christmas figures. Get the whole family involved in creating and decorating some Christmas cookies. Have fun with the shapes and decorating, really go all out and even vote on the best decorated cookie! The winner, gets their pick of the cookies to eat!
Since social distancing is still here, a great way to connect with all your close ones is to create a Christmas card and send it to them. Get all the family members involved in creating and writing different Christmas cards. Give your kids some pens, paint, paper, and let them do their thing. They will absolutely enjoy this.
In the end, the most important thing about the holidays is to enjoy the moments. More family activities together this will also make your holidays a memorable experience. Christmas magic is pretty contagious, so if they see you feeling it, they will too!
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The beachmate is your best beach accessory! It is so easy to carry with one comfortable shoulder strap, leaving Dad hands free for the kids. A large bucket with sturdy sides (which makes it super easy to find anything you’re looking for!) is the base of the tote, and there are 4 buckets that nest within that. These are the BEST sand buckets ever!! We used nylon for the handles, so comfortable, and more importantly won’t rip off and leave you with crying kids. But even better, when the kids are done using them, flip them over so dad can set his cold beer in the designated cup holder - his perfect reward! And where is he storing his cold beer while hard at work playing with the kids? In the perfectly sized cooler that expertly fits in the Beachmate - pack up all the essential snacks and drinks for your beach day for the whole family! And of course the final tools attached to the Beachmate are our two industrial strength shovels. These are hands down the strongest shovels ever made for the beach!! Dad will easily dig out any size hole in no time, giving the kids something to entertain themselves with, and he might finally get a moment to sit back and relax on his trip to the beach. Novel thought :) Side note - these shovels double as a bottle opener so there’s one thing less to pack from the house
Here are some other great ideas for little gifts to show Dad how much we appreciate him!
Let’s hope there’s great weather for Dad’s BBQ on Sunday!
We found a few delicious dinner ideas to shorten prep time, that are easy on the grill so that Dad can spend more of his time spending time with those he loves on his day!
An easy and popular salad that can be put together in less than 5 minutes is the classic Iceberg Wedge - Just grab a couple heads of lettuce from the market, cut them into whatever size of wedges, cook some bacon, chop up some cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle some blue cheese crumbles and there is some color for the table!
And of course a classic Lobster Bake is always appropriate for a fun father's day celebration. GO AHEAD TREAT YOURSELF DAD!
A fun dessert you can put in your smaller Beachmate buckets are called “Mud” or “Sand” Dessert:
Lastly, some fun games to play with Dad on Sunday, whether at the beach or the backyard include: (any of these can be found at Local Toy/Sport stores!)
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Indian Wells is a gorgeous public beach located right down the street from the heart of Amagansett Square. It is known to be a very family oriented beach, and is a perfect place to warm up your Beachmate gear for the sunny months ahead. It is usually open around 10:30 am to 10 PM at night, so you can start the day off here with your cup of coffee and end it with a beach bonfire with the whole family! It is known to be a “popular but not too overcrowded beach”. It has waves a perfect size for beginner surfers, as well as boogie boarders. Everyone hates a surf rash, so also be sure to check out our adorable kids surf shirts to protect their bellies from the boards!
Some key tips for making a bonfire at night with the crew to avoid a ticket from Beach Patrol!
Amagansett Town/ MNTK HWY Pit Stops
Amagansett is a cute quaint town, minutes from the beach, that offers a lot of local businesses and restaurants, especially in Amagansett Square. There are a couple key spots you should definitely stop at on your way to the beach or even if you’re just passing through on your way to Montauk!
Be sure to check out:
Montauk - THE END
Montauk is considered to be and ideal surfer destination in the Hamptons. It is located at the very end of Long Island, hence its nickname “THE END”. Specifically, Ditch Plains is known to be one of the most popular surf sites/ beaches on the East Coast. It hosts surf competitions, as well as serves as an amazing public beach. It’s a perfect destination to bring the family to hang out there for a day, if you want to do a day trip from a different part of the Hamptons. A good tip to remember if going to Ditch Plains, is that they reserve the close parking spots for locals who pay a parking permit - AKA the surfers! So, remember to pack your Beachmate, (as it's so easy and convenient to carry all your beach necessities in one) incase parking is hard to find, as you and the kids may have to walk a bit to get to this beautiful site! If your family members like to surf and don't enjoy going home in their wet trunks, pack our wet dry bags! These are the perfect size and material so you can throw your damp suit into it right after you change, and won’t have to worry about lugging around a damp suit on the way home.
Lastly, if you’re looking to end the perfect beach day in Montauk, check out some places such as the Surf Lodge or Navy Beach for an early evening cocktail! The Surf Lodge has a prime location on the bay side that overlooks the beautiful sunset as well as amazing live music! Navy beach is also a perfect spot on an inlet in Montauk that also faces the sunset that has incredible appetizers and cocktails if you’re not looking for a huge dinner!
We get it – most rash guards get stuck on their heads when trying to put them on. Then they are too tight, itch like crazy and roll up on their bellies. Because we have 4 kids and have been through this fight too many times to count, we were very considerate when designing our version. Beachmate swim shirts are a bit roomier in the neck and sides, offer a good amount of stretch (but miraculously don’t stretch out at all, kind of amazing actually!) and longer to combat all of the typical kid complaints.
Another huge upside you get from choosing the Beachmate “shovel” shirt is that we made our rash guards from 80% polyester and 20% spandex with UPF 50 protection. The fabric is thick, but extremely comfortable, almost soft even, and dries quickly. This level of protection is better than most sunscreens offer, and it lasts all day. Take the sunscreen battle (well at least for their upper bodies) off the table and make your life a little easier.
Photo by Alena Potapchuk-Golubovich
But the most important thing we thought about though were the safety concerns we all have when we are at the beach. We know it can be hard to keep an eye on your kids when the beach gets crowded. With so many distractions, and kids are fast when they see something they like, it’s important to feel comfortable that they are safe. We made sure to use bright, neon colors so that your kids will stand out, rather than blend in, against the water. Whether they are playing in the sand next to you, wander down the beach or are jumping in the surf, you will be able to spot them in a second. Beachmate shirts are available in vibrant orange, pink, and yellow, in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve options. Conveniently, these are machine washable, and hang dry.
With the right amount of safety, comfort and protection, throw your child in our swim shirt and you both will be happier, we promise.
Since we didn’t make a full body suit (yet, haha) here are a few of our favorite sunscreen suggestions:
Best Face Sunscreen
One of our absolute favorite sunscreens this summer is Mineral Sport SPF 50 Organic Sunscreen Stick Coola. This organic SPF 50 stick not only will protect your skin from harmful rays, but also works to enrich your skin with antioxidants, without the greasy feel. Swipe this on your face, lips, ears, the backs of hands, and other target sports while the swim shirts cover the rest. This-on-the-go sunscreen with zero white residue and non-nano Zinc Oxide is a perfect addition to throw into your Beachmate this summer. Hello sunshine, goodbye wrinkles!
Best Kids Sunscreen
This mineral-based sunscreen is designed for active kids and beach activity! The sweat resistant formula stays water resistant for 80 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about constantly lathering the kids up. The best part, the Smart Bottle Technology will turn blue in the presence of harmful UV rays, as a reminder to cover up! The deeper the shade of blue, the higher the UV rays. This 30+ SPF bottle offers both UVA and UVB protection, and is paraben free, BPA-free, fragrance free, and oxybenzone free. We love this brand because it is dermatologist recommended for over 20 years, so we trust it to protect our kids.
]]>Chicken Club Wraps
Anything you can enjoy with one hand is ideal beach food! Plus, they are less mess, compact for travel, but still full of all those yummy goodies rolled up on the inside!
Ingredients
Directions
Zoodle Salad with Grilled Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
This spaghetti zucchini makes a great base for a packable salad, a fresh and healthy addition to your beach picnic. Tip: Try swapping out the mozzarella for feta, another yummy option!
Ingredients
For the dressing:
For the salad:
Directions
Mini Sandwich Kabobs
We love this recipe because it doesn’t require lots of prep or ingredients, and any combo will help switch up the boring old PB&J they’re used to! Whether packed for the beach or school in the Fall, kids will love the fun new design!
Ingredients
Directions
Melon and Prosciutto Skewers
This fresh and colorful side adds a savory & sweet combination that will be an instant hit. Only minutes to prepare with three easy ingredients!
Ingredients
Directions
Hasselback Tomato Caprese
Guaranteed delicious combo for your picnic in the sun! Prepare in under ten minutes - what's not to love with some mozzarella and fresh juicy tomatoes. And if you love carbs like we do, grab a fresh baguette on the side.
Ingredients
Directions
Açaí Mojito Refresher
A perfect picnic involves a sunny afternoon on the beach with good friends, great food and, of course, amazing drinks. While you could always opt for a few beers, or a bottle of rosé, we at Beachmate wanted to offer you an option to step up your picnic game with something a little more unique. Stay cool this summer with an Açaí Mojito!
Tip: Make a batch separately for the kids of Virgin Açaí Mojitos by just not adding the VeeV Açaí Spirit!
Ingredients
Directions
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches
There’s always room for dessert!! Finish off your beautiful picnic with these minty ice cream sandwiches, wowing your family. And who doesn’t love the smell of fresh spearmint?!?
Ingredients
Directions
Strawberry Loaf Bread
This delectable strawberry bread is packed with fresh strawberries so fast and easy to make and can be made with whatever fresh or frozen fruits you may have lying around. Enjoy slathered in butter and fresh out of the oven for breakfast with your coffee, or pack it along in your Beachmate cooler for a sweet finish to your picnic.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350°. Grease 2 (9" x 5" x 2¾") loaf pans with butter and dust with flour; set aside. Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, oil, and eggs. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Stir in strawberries and pour batter into prepared pans. If using jam, spoon 1/4 cup over each loaf and using a knife, swirl jam into batter.
3. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaves comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool for 30 mins before slicing and serving.
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Today, we’re here to let you know how to get the most of your Turkish Towel, with some of our favorite ways to use it!
6 Terry Cloth Towels vs. 6 Turkish Towels
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BBQ Ideas
APPETIZER RECIPE: CHIPS & CHEESE DIP!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
4TH OF JULY FIRE CRACKER DOGS
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
FRUIT SPARKLERS
Healthy Snack for the Kids!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Drink Ideas
BOOZY SNOW CONES
An adult drink to make you feel like a kid again!
Yields: ½ cup of each syrup, enough for 12 snow cones
Cook time: 12 minutes, plus time to cool
INGREDIENTS
For red syrup
For blue syrup
DIRECTIONS
RED WHITE AND BLUE SANGRIA
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
4th OF JULY MILKSHAKES
A kid-friendly drink!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Dessert Ideas
FIREWORKS SUGAR COOKIE CAKE
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
CHEESECAKE STUFFED STRAWBERRIES
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
And of course, don’t forget to use our American Flag Turkish Towel as a table topper or flag this 4th of July!
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Check out all of our favorite beach mate products and summer favorites below:
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1. Sports practices!
Fall means the start of many new athletic seasons. Whether your kiddo is into football, soccer, swimming, track and field, hockey, dance, gymnastics, baseball, or golf, the Beachmate system will save your arms and keep you nice and organized when on the way to practice! The wide, comfy strap of the tote will keep you from being weighed down, the cooler in the bottom will hold cold water or Gatorade bottles, snacks, or ice packs in case of emergency, and buckets are durable enough to handle tough treatment, including storage of miscellaneous sports apparel and equipment and keeping track of whistles, watches, bows, and other small objects.
Whether it’s your kiddo using the customizable bag to tote their own gear, or YOU using it to bring yours to the sideline, rest assured that the Beachmate will keep sports seasons simple for the whole family!
Our Beachmate hats are perfect for fall sports as well, featuring open sides that allow for sweaty heads to breathe while still keeping sun from your little athlete’s eyes. Beachmate caps come in all sizes, perfect for players and spectators alike!
2. Goooooo (insert team name here)...
No matter which team you’re rooting for, Beachmate ups the ante and BRINGS IT when it comes to the tailgate game! Tailgating for your favorite team will be a breeze with the Beachmate unit, packing the perfect balance of functionality and style and keeping all of your musts close at hand, whether they are icy cold beverages, your keys (we can’t be the only one who has lost ours at a game, right???), or bags of chips or cookies.
Customize yours and you’ll never lose it - you can add either your name or a monogram - and don’t forget that you can flip the buckets over to use as drink holders and tables while relaxing in your folding chair. Best yet, we also make your all-time favorite game… Cornhole! Our portable, lightweight game fits into a convenient carrying bag that will create hours of fun for you and your friends!
And of course, 3. Mom or Dad of the Year Carpool Bonanza
It can’t possibly just be our kids who are starving IMMEDIATELY after school, right? Something about learning, recess, and being around other energetic friends burns energy faster than Bikram yoga and a cycle class combined! No worries; with Beachmate nestled in the back of the minivan, you will officially be everyone’s favorite carpool parent! Pack trail mix, granola bars, fresh fruit, and chips in the buckets and pop frozen juice boxes in the cooler below for tasty popsicley treats that will make you the stars of the school pick-up line. Pro tip: reserve one bucket to use as a trash receptacle and slip a bag of wipes in one of the roomy side pouches - you won’t regret it!
While fall is a time of year that has us both cheering and crazy hectic busy all at once with back to school, new activities, and growing, tired kiddos, you can truly make the most of it the best way WE know how… by building your Beachmate into the equation!
Curious how we use the Beachmate in the spring and the summer? Check out our past blogs. Let us know what you think over on social media, and tune in soon… we have so many more fun ideas to share!
Pro tip: Arrive early (before it starts to warm up) to snag some free street parking and some sand real estate with your Turkish towels - this will allow you to get the best spots before the crowd starts to wander in, and will save you the $15 parking fee!
Zuma Beach
The Deets:
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Local Community: Malibu
Tea & Coffee:
Eats:
Entertainment:
Dare to Bare
Classic & Comfy
Beachin' It
Free Spirit Summer
Coastal Chic
Two-piece style boards have got us wishing that summer was year-round... but why can't it be? These bikinis would look adorable on the dunes in the summer, or in the sauna in the winter! More of a one-piece gal? All of you one piecers out there - hop on back to our other swimsuit style blog to see some of our favorite summer combos!
Loving our swimsuit style boards? What would you like to see next? Hop over to our Instagram feed and let us know what you think!
There's nothing like hitting the beach feeling like your style game is 100%. Whether you're a mom or a millennial, we've planned out some gorgeous, ready-to-shop style boards to help you identify and master the swimwear game this summer season. We've done the work in pairing the pieces... you'll be the one making waves in the sun!
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Catch the eye of your fellow sunbathers with this super on-trend swimsuit that will leave its mark... and by mark, we mean that summer will live on with its adorable cutout tan line! Pairing this suit with a pair of lace-up gladiators and a wide brim hat is the obvious choice, but the suit has street cred too, when you add a chambray off-shoulder dress!
Shop this look: Suit | Accessory Bag | Dress | Shoes | Lips | Hat | Sunnies
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Sizzle in the sun in this gorgeous deep V-neck suit with lace edging, paired artfully with Beachmate's camouflage hat and a leather bag. Summer style at its hottest!
Shop this look: Suit | Hat | Shorts | Watch | Sunnies | Backpack | Sandals
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What says summer essentials more than an adorable scalloped edge one piece and a Beachmate tote bag to boot? Keep it all simple and cool whether you're solo at the beach or there with your family!
Shop this look: Suit | Beachmate | Romper | Shoes | Lipstick | Phone Case | Sunnies | Hat | Earrings | Shoulder Bag
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Floral is sooooo right now (well, for us, it's ALWAYS in!) and this suit pairs this classic print with a touch of drama. Balancing out the fun feel of this suit, we've added our top accessories and a pair of Birks for style that says glam or casual depending on present company!
Shop this look: Suit | Bag | Towel | Sunnies | Bracelet | Cutoffs | Birks
So, let us know - are you loving these adorable one-piece style boards? There's nothing more we love than fueling your imagination, so hop over to our Instagram feed and let us know what you think!
More of a bikini gal? All of you two piecers out there - keep an eye out for our next post on the best bikini style to capture the rays in this summer!
One of the best things for us about owning Beachmate is knowing that you can truly use our product anywhere… so with that in mind, we’re excited to launch our newest blog series, Beachmate Beach Features, where we’ll take you through the pros and cons of beaches around the U.S and introduce you to the surrounding towns. And so, without further ado… introducing Ponto!
South Ponto Beach
The Deets:
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Local Community: Leucadia
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Thank you so much for taking the time to let us interview you, Jeff! It’s been a pleasure! And, while we’re at it, we are super excited to share just one more little tidbit in the innovation process:
As Jeff mentioned, invention and design at Beachmate are truly a team effort, and this summer is going to be extra swell with the newest addition to the Beachmate family. Without further ado, we’re proud to introduce our newest shovel design, coming standard on our summer line! From the beginning, Beachmate shovels have always been made with durability and simplicity in mind, but we're upping the ante with our newer “big sibling” shovel, made right here in the USA! This new model was created specifically to accommodate deeper holes and damper sand (and hey, it's even strong enough for dirt, grass or scooping rocks!), making it easy for older siblings and parents to join in on the fun with the littles. Your littles will feel so strong when they have the digging power of this new design at their disposal, paired with an amazing lightweight nature. With our new shovel, building sandcastles will be a breeze for everyone, reinventing family time at the beach! Seas the day with your family! It's shaping up to be a summer of perfect beach days! Check out our newest video to see it in action:
What a Father’s Day and summer it will be!
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas… but there’s something to be said for bringing your items home at the end of the trip, too! When it comes to organization, there’s nothing like a Beachmate for keeping track of all of the little things you don’t want to lose! The cooler in the bottom of our unique can hold beverages, chocolates… whatever you’re looking to bring along with you as you travel the strip by limo! Store your personal items by room in the orange buckets, and each room grabs the appropriate bucket at the end of the night… voila! Fun add-on? Use the shovels as a sturdy handle for your sassy or scandalous signs for sticking out of the sunroof. Go big or go home, right?
If places afar are calling your name but you have simpler tastes, the Beachmate is ideal for travel needs en route! Throw almonds, pretzels, iced tea, squashed pennies from each stop along the way, wipes or a brush for recovering from a windows-down jam sesh, extra flip flops… whatever it is that keeps you smiling and makes travel simple. Our lightweight accessory bags are perfect for holding the little trinkets, and they are lightweight and roll up to fit in a pocket if need be! Then, toss them in the Beachmate buckets to keep them neat as well! Not only that... it’s the perfect container for all of the things you might need to have for a day out and about at your destination (sunnies, big hats, and sparklers, right?).
One of the best parts about Beachmate is that you can make it extra special to the beautiful bride by customizing the embroidery on it! If you have a nickname for the couple, that’s always an adorable inscription (Bennifer or Kimye anyone?), or go classic and choose “Mrs. ____” or “The ____ Family.” No matter what you select, you know that the extra step will mean a lot in reminding your bride that you love her and support her in her new marriage.
Best of all, no matter what adventure you choose to take your Beachmate bride on, she’ll have a gorgeous gift to keep after the fact, freshly inscribed with her new married name and a weekend full of memories… and ready to take on romantic picnics and to bring joy to her future family! Cheers to the bride and groom and to everyone off to enjoy a fun upcoming bachelorette/stag-ette!
The weather is just starting to warm up and, while the beach is calling, you may not be quite brave enough to heed her calls just yet! That said, there’s no reason your Beachmate can’t accompany you on your many spring adventures! In fact, it’s the BEST option for all of your many needs, even when the weather is still shaking off those dreary gray days! From Easter to family picnics to romantic date nights, we’ve got you covered… read on for our top three springtime uses for the Beachmate all-in-one stacking travel system!
1. The perfect Easter baskets for egg hunts!
Not only does the Beachmate make an adorable and bright seasonal basket for holding special treats on Easter morning (I mean, Peeps just POP against that gorgeous orange and blue!), but the buckets are durable enough to handle tough treatment by energetic toddlers and kiddos eager to find all of the best egg-hiding spots!
We love filling our buckets (pun totally intended) with lots of fun things when Easter rolls around! From coloring books and art supplies, to stuffed animals, to sunglasses and sweet treats, we love pampering our littles through small individualized gifts that will make each one smile! Pro tip: Use crinkle paper or shredded gift filler as grass when packing your bucket - it’ll cushion your gifts and add a hue of contrasting color… and will also help keep costs down on the Easter basket inclusions!
Once gifts have been squealed over and pored through, there’s nothing better than using the buckets to collect eggs. Sneak ‘em out to the yard in the Beachmate bag (you can pre-pack any hardboiled eggs in our soft cooler beforehand) and then hide, hide, hide, knowing that when you say go, those orange handled buckets will help you keep an eye out for your little seekers!
2. April showers bring May flowers...
When it comes to container gardening, there’s nothing like a Beachmate bucket to hold your favorite spring blooms! They’re durable, steady, reusable, and designed to handle the rigor of being outdoors. They’re also a great way to get your little ones involved in planting for spring… if you’re the teach-by-doing type, they can stick their hands in the mud and sprinkle seeds to their hearts’ content! On the other hand, if you’re the type who likes to enjoy a margarita while you dig alone, we’re over here giving you a thumbs up, too.
You can also plant mini herb gardens in your Beachmate buckets, but our absolute favorites are bright spring blooms that can just come inside, bucket at all, when it’s time to add color and vibrancy to the tablescape for a special family event or function!
And then there’s our favorite use, 3. Picnic Packing
If you’re still snuggling in a sweater, but trying to take advantage of the peeking sunshine, pack up your Beachmate, and head on out to find a patch of grass! We must admit, these are a few of our favorite picnic ideas for spring:
Planning a romantic date? Beachmate’s cooler is the perfect size for all of the items needed to make an amazing charcuterie tray, and the buckets will hold both adult beverages AND the ice without making a mess at all! Toss your blanket over the top, and you’ve got yourself a hot date… and since it’s all in one bag, you still have a hand free to hold.
Heading off on a playdate at the park? Pop in your favorite snacks and beverages (LaCroix, popcorn, and cheese wheels, anyone?), tote activities like a fun bug-collecting kit or sidewalk chalk in the buckets, and claim a corner of the park while the kiddos entertain one another digging in the sandbox!
Taking the whole family on an outing? Fill up the cooler with water and sandwiches, grab a few big paintbrushes to throw in there, and create an excavation adventure by finding whatever fun treasures have made it through the cold winter months… each kiddo gets a bucket and a paintbrush!
No matter what you love to do, Beachmate is the perfect accompaniment for celebrating your weekends as we approach our much anticipated summer months! So, what’s your favorite way to use Beachmate in the spring?