Planning a beach vacation with kids — or with any family member who burns easily — means sun protection is not an afterthought. It is the foundation of the whole trip.

Getting sunburned on day one is a sure way to spend the rest of your vacation in the shade. Here is the packing list that keeps everyone protected and in the water as long as they want.

The Sun Protection Essentials

Swim Hats (One Per Person)

The scalp is the hardest area to protect and the one that ruins the most beach days. A UPF 50+ swim hat covers it completely — no sunscreen needed on the scalp, no hat flying off in the waves, no burning.

Nammu swim hats come in sizes from XS for toddlers (age 2+) through XL for adults. Pack one per person. For kids, the Classic Print is a perennial favourite. For snorkeling adults, the EX UV Pro with Ear Flap adds ear and neck protection.

UPF Swim Shirts

One UPF swim shirt per person eliminates the need to cover shoulders, back, and arms with sunscreen every time someone gets out of the water. For families that spend hours in the ocean, this is the single biggest time-saver on the list.

UV Sun Wrap

A Nammu UV sun wrap is one of the most versatile items in a beach bag. Use it as a beach cover-up, a lightweight shawl for the journey home, extra shoulder coverage on the boat, or a quick change of look from water to lunch. Lightweight, quick-drying, and takes up almost no space.

Mineral Sunscreen

Bring a mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) for faces, hands, and any exposed skin not covered by UPF clothing. Fragrance-free formulas are gentler on children. Many popular beach destinations are introducing chemical sunscreen restrictions — mineral formulas work everywhere.

Polarized Sunglasses (Adults and Older Kids)

UV protection for eyes is as important as skin protection. Polarized lenses reduce glare off the water and block UV. Make sure children’s sunglasses are rated UV400.

Beach Comfort Essentials

• Pop-up shade tent: Worth every penny for families with young children or anyone who needs a break from direct sun.
• UPF beach umbrella: Standard beach umbrellas offer limited UV protection. Look for ones rated UPF 50+.
• Cooling towels: Wet and wear for immediate relief on hot days.
• Reusable water bottles: Dehydration amplifies heat exhaustion risk.

Packing Strategy

Everything listed in the sun protection section above rolls up and compresses to almost nothing. Swim hats, swim shirts, and a sun wrap combined weigh less than a single bottle of sunscreen and take up less space than a beach towel.

Pack the sun protection first. Everything else fits around it.

A Note on Bundles

If you are outfitting the whole family, the Nammu bundle packs offer a 15% saving on multiple hats — exactly what you need when everyone needs a hat.

Shop Nammu family sun protection →