Mona Jane Hannemann's Beach Essentials

Mona Jane (MJ) Hannemann: fitness enthusiast, mom, and proud Hydro Flask ambassador. Based in Hawaii, she inspires her followers with an active lifestyle. We caught up with MJ as she shares her favorite beach essentials for an amazing summer!

Mona Jane Hannemann's Beach Essentials

A good ‘ole day at the beach is one of our favorite ways to get outdoors and spend time together as a family. It’s also a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the summer season. You really don’t need much to have a good time at the beach, but there are a few essential items that can make the day much more exciting & enjoyable for everyone.

Here are my family’s top 5 beach items we like to bring no matter where we are in the world!

1. Sun Protection

It's crucial to protect your family's skin from harmful UV rays with sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. A waterproof and sweat-resistant sunscreen with high SPF is ideal so the kids can play for hours in the water. Hats and sunglasses are always a good idea, too! A sturdy beach umbrella provides additional shade and protection, especially for babies and young ones.

And don't forget to reapply sunscreen regularly and seek shade when needed so you can enjoy your time at the beach even longer.

A yellow sunshade is firmly staked into the sand on a beautiful beach. The shade provides a cool and comfortable space with a towel spread out on the sand underneath. A Hydro Flask 32 oz bottle and a Cactus-colored 20L Carry Out Cooler sit on the beach to

2. Quality Beach Bag

A large, versatile beach bag like Hydro Flask's Outdoor Tote(Opens in a new window) is essential for carrying items like towels, sunscreen, and snacks. With multiple compartments, it easily holds your belongings and keeps them safe from sand and water. It also comes in handy containing any wet sandy items in the bag and avoiding extra mess in your car afterward.

A grey and blue Hydro Flask Outdoor Tote stylishly hangs on a woman's shoulder at the beach, showcasing its convenient and fashionable design for carrying essentials during outdoor activities.

3. Insulated Cooler

I’m sure we can all agree that keeping your family well-fed is most important, especially when spending the day in the sun. The Hydro Flask Food Jars(Opens in a new window), Outdoor Tumblers(Opens in a new window), and the 20L Carry Out Cooler(Opens in a new window) are excellent choices for maintaining the freshness and temperature of your food and drinks.

A few family-favorites for us include:

Smoothies bowls
Fresh-cut fruit
Chips & salsa
or even hot mac 'n cheese on colder days.

A mother with long brown hair is sitting on the beach with her blonde toddler on her lap. The child is biting into a chip that he just dipped into a food jar filled with salsa. A cooler and bananas are visible in the foreground, signifying a picnic break

4. Hydration

Staying hydrated at the beach is key for long days in the sun, especially for the little groms. They play hard and need to keep those electrolytes up, plus there is nothing worse than a hot day and a young one crying for water! We love to fill a large Hydro Flask bottle(Opens in a new window) with ice water that stays cold all day; and consider packing an extra bottle with juice or smoothies to pour into a Tumbler, preventing sandy mouths from sharing bottles.

A blonde toddler boy at the beach happily sips from a grey 12L Hydro Flask Outdoor Tumbler, enjoying a refreshing drink during a fun day by the sea.

5. Beach Toys and Games

Keep the kids entertained with some fun beach toys and games. We usually always have our surfboards or a boogie board in case there are waves, otherwise snorkel gear, frisbees, beach balls, and sandcastle building kits are all great options.

With these top 5 beach essentials, your family will be ready for a fantastic day at any beach, whether it's local or a far-off destination. And don't forget to pack your Hydro Flask Food Jar(Opens in a new window) and Outdoor Tumbler(Opens in a new window) to keep snacks fresh and your family fed and hydrated all day long! They’re our family’s game-changers and come with us on every trip.