Post Category - Play & PartyPlay & Party - Post Category - OutdoorOutdoor
Mamas, now that Summer is making an exit and temperatures are starting to fall (or is that just wishful thinking), we can get back to using Dubai’s gorgeous beaches as our playground. From suncream to swimwear, beach toys to shades, we’ve rounded up our top picks for hitting the sand – because getting it right guarantees a stress free stint at the shore. Life’s a beach mamas – so pack up your kit and enjoy!
The most important item in your beach bag? Sunscreen for you and your gang. We all have our favourite brands and you can pick up a tube or bottle at any supermarket or pharmacy – but these are the products we love to use from sunup to sundown.
Sunscreen & After sun
Herbline Essentials’ Sun Screen SPF 40 AED 109
Sunshine is good for us (in small doses) but only with the protection of sunscreen. Avoid slathering on any old stuff and stay SPF savvy with this award-winning all natural Ayurvedic sun screen by Herbline Essentials (a UAE homegrown brand) which combines organic ingredients that are safe for mamas and bubs alike.
www.herbline-essentials.com
Mustela After Sun Hydrating Spray AED 55
Mama, don’t worry if you or the littlies bagged slightly too much sun… there’s after sun to the rescue! This one will hydrate and comfort parched or irritated skin – suitable for sensitive skin types and full of yummy ingredients including moisturizing avocado oil.
www.mustelausa.com/shop/our-products/
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids AED 42
Perfect for the Beach or Pool – this sunscreen sticks to wet skin. Kids jumping in and out of water will still be protected from those strong Middle Eastern UV rays.
www.neutrogena.com/product
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream AED 128
If you’re going to be under the sun’s rays for a few hours, whether it be tanning or running after the kids on the beach, you might need a heavy-duty screen to protect that pretty, youthful face mama (and keep those wrinkles at bay!). This one is versatile enough to wear under make up and hold under water.
www.shiseido.com/ultimate-sun-protection-cream
Hair care
Neals Yard Remedies Invigorating Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner AED 95 each
The kids may have had fun throwing seaweed at a sunbathing mama – but you’ll probably prefer to soak up some of those marine minerals with Neals Yard Seaweed Shampoo and Conditioner – deeply nourishing and containing rosemary and essential oils of lemon and lavender to eliminate salty frizz and leave hair soft and smooth.
www.nealsyardremedies.ae/products
You’ve slopped on the sunscreen (Aussie mamas you know what we’re talking about), now time to slip on a hat and cover up those beach bods with fun and stylish swim and beachwear.
Swimwear and Shoes
Babes in the Shade Candy Striped Tankini and Brief AED 125
Designed in Australia (of course), this range of sun protection clothing for children is gorgeous, stylish and colorful plus protective (UPF 50+) and resistant to chlorine and seawater. Pair with a matching hat for beach beautiful babes.
www.sandypants.com/
Coega Pool & Beach Shoes AED 63
Protect little tootsies from hot sand or sharp shells with lightweight sock like beach shoes in a variety of patterns and colours – easy to carry, wear and wash.
www.sanddollardubai.com/
Handmade by Nunavute Jade Sunhat – Bees Fabric – Ages 0-2 AED 90
The sun has got his hat on so make sure your little ones do too with this adorable little handmade number complete in a super cute buzzy bee fabric. We’re brimming with love for this piece of headgear for our minis.
www.littlemajlis.com/item
Leakproof swimsuit nappy kit AED 249
At last, a reusable swim nappy that actually works – 100% efficient and comfy, the Hamac swimsuit perfectly fits babies until 3 years old and contains a disposable microfiber pad that’s easy to change (and much more eco-friendly than throwing the entire thing), keeping baby bottoms happy and mama free from leak-induced embarrassment!
www.thebabyboutique.com/
Melissa Odabash Menorca Ruched Halterneck Swimsuit AED 960
We love this super elegant 0ne piece designed by the queen of swimwear to flatter and enhance your curves. So even if you haven’t had time to get into shape for beach season or lose that post-baby tum – this halterneck swimsuit will come to your rescue!
www.netaporter.com
Platypus Swimwear AED 90
An iconic Aussie brand which not only looks fab but is UV 50+ Protective. Mix & Match Swimwear, Girl’s and Boy’s Rash Guards, Kids’ bathing suits and Sun Protective Swimwear, including matching Beachwear and Rash Shirts, Sun Shirts, Swim Shirts and UV Shirts – these guys do it all in teeny to toddler sizes.
www.babysouk.com/
Star Blu Boys Picasso Camel Shorts AED 208
Get the big boys and little men in your life matching threads with Star Blu’s swim shorts (all prints come in mini sizes). Made from a quick-dry fabric they’ll feel as great as they look. We love the Picasso Camel Shorts featuring contrast white stitching and white embroidered camel.
Pssst…prices are in GBP but this is very much a Dubai based company so don’t fret about shipping mamas!
www.starblu.com
Sunglasses and goggles
Babiators Submariners Swim Goggles AED 150
Submariners are built for underwater adventure and exploration. With comfortable fit, easy adjustment, and no-leak design, your child will be one happy water baby!
www.babysouk.com
Beaba little pilot sunglasses AED 165
Available in blue or white, these grown up looking shades have been shrunken down to fit little faces – plus they offer 100 percent protection against UVA and UVB rays.
www.justkidding-me.com/
Heidi Klein Wide Brim Hat AED 770
Perfect for covering less-than-perfect hair while shading your face and looking chic, a wide brimmed straw hat is perhaps the one mama beach accessory we should all invest in.
www.boutique1.com/
Ray Ban Aviator full color AED 680
As we all know, Aviator’s are a one of a kind classic. But mix this classic shape with some fun coloured lenses and you’ll look like you’re ready to rock out on a day at beach – hello stylish mama!
www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses
Sensi Studio: Classic toquilla straw Panama hat AED 447
Mama, who doesn’t love a splash of colour? Brighten up any outfit or swimsuit at the beach with this yellow woven straw hat. Will look fab on the beach but also with any outfit whilst protecting your head from the sun.
www.netaporter.com
Time to settle in for a couple of hours – make you and the fam comfy with accessories designed to dry, shade, chill and make beach adventures as stress free as possible.
Towels
Cuddledry UV50+ Poncho – AED 185
Did you know, certain types of angelfish can reflect 100% of the sun’s harmful rays? And so can your tot with a Cuddledry SPF50+ poncho towel! These soft brushed cotton ponchos have under arm poppers to help keep them in place – perfect for post swimming play or snoozing. We kind of wish we were still young enough to snuggle into something cosy like this.
www.babysouk.com/
INC Tigress Beach Towel AED 118
Even with children, we are still young and hip (or so we like to think…). Show off your wild side with this funky tiger-print beach towel, made out of super soft turkish cotton. Definitely something different than the normal stripy towel.
www1.macys.com/shop/
Land’s Ends Kid’s Lobster Shaped Beach Towel AED 40
Mamas, don’t we all wish we could pull this off without being judged? How cute is this shaped creative towel, making the beach experience all the more exciting for kiddos. As if we don’t already have to drag them home from the sand and sea. You can even personalize it with their names! Pst… it’s on sale now, deffo a grab!
www.landsend.com/products/
Turkish Towel in Turquoise by 2birds AED 130
This pretty alternative to the traditional towel is ideal for use on the beach, as a sarong or even as a picnic rug, play mat or tablecloth. Hand loomed from 100% cotton they become softer with every wash – the kiddos love being wrapped up in them after a swim – the turquoise colour perfectly matches the sparkling sea.
Shade, Chairs and Coolers
Beach Chair AED 110
Enjoy the sea breeze from the comfort of a beach chair – perfect for lazing the days away with a book or a mag (or is that just how we’d like to be spending our time on the beach if the littlies let us?!) Folds away flat – very easy to carry and mega comfortable – we can almost guarantee that you’ll be on the sand and the kids will be in the chair mamas!
www.adventurehq.ae/products/
Lifeproof Tpu Case For Apple Iphone 5 (white And Gray) AED 470
Taking your phone to the beach for a few snaps is par for the course so make sure yours is protected from wet hands or an accidental dip with a water/dirt/shock/snow (ok we don’t expect the latter but you may as well be prepared) proof case and make sure that the elements don’t keep you from instagraming piccies of your precious darlings.
www.uae.souq.com/ae-en/
Medela cooler bag AED 230
We know that breastfeeding on the beach isn’t always the most comfortable thing to do – and with all the conflicting advice about transporting breastmilk, sometimes it’s just easier to stay at home and get on with it. Well, thanks to Medela, breastfeeding mamas can now keep expressed milk cool and safe and on the go in a small and convenient bag with internal cooling element. Hooray!
www.bumblebee-me.com/
Shade Shack Instant Pop Up Family Beach Tent and Sun Shelter AED 184
Remove any sort of stress associated with tent poles and opt for a pop up version – sets up in seconds and won’t go flying down the beach umbrella style with every gust of wind. Perfect for napping (if your tots are still into that or if you can sneak away for a few zzz’s yourself).
www.amazon.com/
The Lakeland Cool Bag AED 199
Keep your drinks cold and your snacks chilled in a cool bag that means business (its insulating material has been developed by those guys at NASA – and they know a thing or two). Washable and lightweight it will keep food fresh all day, even in direct sunlight plus it’s washable so any little spills don’t matter at all.
Going on an outing can be a mission mamas – and even a day at the beach can require as much packing and planning as a week-long vacation (we don’t want to scare you but get it wrong and face the consequences). Make sure you’ve got the right bag to schlep all that stuff around in – roomy and washable – these are the magic words!
Beach Bags
My Beach Bag From Omasi AED 180
This bag is big and striped and handmade in the UAE – what’s not to love?! Perfect for carting outdoor gear around and looking good in the process.
www.littlemajlis.com/
New Look Clear Beach Bag with Printed Removable Pouch AED 120
We like this bag. It’s fun, it’s reasonably priced and it’s practical – yes this one ticks all the boxes. Made from transparent fabric with a removable inner pouch in a fun tropical print and an internal zip top compartment you can make sure that the suncream stays away from your mobile phone and wet swim suits are safely stored.
www.asos.com/new-look/
The ankle biters will want to do anything but lounge in the sun – so be prepared with toys to keep them happy and busy (it’ll make your life easier too mamas).
Toys
ELC baby bucket set approx AED 60
Fancy toys aside, buckets and spades guarantee fun for any kids who love to dig, scoop, collect and build – no beach kit is complete without them.
www.elc.com/
Intex Froggy Fun Set AED 20
They’re desperate to see those fish you keep pointing out so get them a froggy mask and snorkel – super cute and designed for comfort – they’ll love discovering the underwater world.
www.mumzworld.com/en/
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Sand Brick Maker and Trowel Set AED 18
Competitive dad will love this one. Sandcastles will take on a whole new dimension with a brick maker – let the little ones scoop, pack and press the sand – yours is guaranteed to be the best structure on the beach.
www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Sunny-Patch-Trowel/
Seedling Earth Ball AED 17
Have a ball with a scaled down version of our world – perfect for a little geography lesson in between throwing about.
www.sa.alexandalexa.com/
Speedo Sea Squad Mini Kick Board AED 52
Help your budding swimmers build confidence in the water with Speedo’s Sea Squad kick board. Ergonomically shaped, it features multiple grip points to help improve hand positioning and overall swim technique – but serious stuff aside, it’s great for skimming mini waves and floating about safely.
www.sa.alexandalexa.com/
Sports Ogo Disks 12 inch Mini AED 79
Floatable, portable, flexible and durable this disk will provide hours of adaptable, active entertainment. Bounce any ball about, for summer fun try it in the pool with water balloons. The possibilities are endless for indoor or outdoor entertainment that everyone will enjoy!
www.sandypants.com/shop/
Mamas get your beach kit planned out right and you’ll have the most perfect family day ever – sun, sand, sea and a big dollop of sandy smiles.
