Hanging out on the beach all day can be fun as long as you carry the right gear. But, without the right gear, it can be anything but "a day at the beach."

Before you pile in the car, think ahead and prepare your items. Big beach totes are perfect for storing and sorting your beach items. So, we'll start our list of essentials with the first thing you need to have before you head out for fun in the sun; a beach bag or tote.

Beach tote - Hauling stuff from the car to the beach is work and without the right tote you'll get irritated quickly. Your beach totes should be water resistant with lots of compartments. Don't spend a lot of money on one or carry a tote that has any real dollar or sentimental value as it will get some rough wear and tear. Buy several and expect them to get cruddy fast.

Sunscreen and sunblock - Use a sunscreen with a very high SPF on your face, neck, ears, scalp, shoulders, and your lips. Babies require special care so buy sun protection lotions that are made specifically for them. Store your selection of sunscreen products in your beach tote throughout the summer, but these products do expire. Refurbishing your sunscreen supply each year is recommended, especially if you store them in a hot area.

Umbrella - You'll want a place to get out of the hot rays of the sun for a bit. You'll also want to provide children with a place to nap or play quietly. Spending the hottest part of the day under an umbrella will keep you refreshed and cool so you can enjoy a long day at the beach. Spending all day in the bright sunshine may sound like heaven, but after a few hours you will welcome a little shady retreat.

Sunglasses - You'll need to protect your eyes with good sunglasses that provide both UVA and UVB protection. Choose inexpensive sunglasses that you can keep in your beach tote, sunglasses you won't feel bad losing, and you will lose them. Wear your sunglasses when you're floating or wading in the water. The water's reflection is intense and can easily burn the delicate skin around your eyes if not protected. Even when you're lying in the sand on your belly, the reflection of the sun off the sand is enough to burn your eyes.

Lots and lots of water - When you are having fun, you forget how fast you can become dehydrated. Drinking lots of water throughout the day solves this problem. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to take a drink. Plan to drink about 16 ounces of water every hour. Taking a break from the sun by sitting under your umbrella for at least ten minutes each hour will help your body keep cool and hydrated, possibly preventing heat stroke in the process.

Cooler - A full day at the beach requires water, yes, but it also requires food. You'll need to replenish your energy throughout the day with fruit, cheese, nuts, and other food to keep you feeling good. Kids, especially, will need energy-boosting foods all day long. Plan ahead to bring nutritious goodies so no one goes hungry.

Beach towels - This one may seem like a no-brainer, but the idea here is that you need more than one beach towel for each person. Beach towels come in handy at the beach for more than just drying off. They make great pillows, blankets, and tables. You'll never be sorry you have a lot of nice thick beach towels with you at the beach.

Watertight bag - Putting your keys, money, drivers license, credit cards, phone, or whatever you happen to have with you in a watertight bag just makes sense. You are going to be playing by water and something is bound to happen sometime. I guarantee you that eventually Junior or Missy will toss a handful of seashells in the beach tote and water will be everywhere. Better safe than sorry.

When you hit the beach for the day, you want to have everything you need handy. A couple beach totes, an umbrella, and a cooler full of refreshing drinks and snacks will get you well on your way to a perfect day at the beach.