Family Time: Planning a trip to the beach

(WPRI) -- It's summertime in the Ocean State and that can mean only one thing- the beach!

Packing up your car and spending a day in the sand can seem overwhelming, so local Mom Blogger and mother of four boys Audrey McClelland joined the Rhode Show to give us some helpful hints on making a trip to the beach easier.

For parents of young children, McClelland suggests bringing a small kiddie pool to the beach. That may seem strange, but it's a great idea for keeping the little ones close. Still lets them cool off in a beach atmosphere, and allows for a much less stressful day for parents.

There are a number of simple tips for making a beach trip easier using typical household items. One suggestion McClelland had was to store books and other items in Zip-lock bags. A simple idea, but your stuff will always stay dry!

McClelland also recommends to always bring along shampoo, conditioner and soap so you and your kids can truly get clean when rinsing off in the beach's showers.

For more parenting tips, check out McClelland's website at momgenerations.com !