10 Genius Summer Hacks Every Parent Should Steal

Between the sunscreen tantrum, the leaking swim diaper and the sand that has somehow ended up in your car's cupholder, summer parenting can start to feel like a full-contact sport. And yet, every year, millions of parents head back out to the beach, the pool, and the backyard sprinkler, determined to make some memories anyway.

Fortunately, along the way, many of these brave parents have figured out some genuinely brilliant shortcuts, and they've been generous enough to shout them from the rooftops (err, from their social media feeds). We combed through the internet's best parent-tested summer hacks and rounded up our faves. Consider this your permission to work a little smarter (and sweat a little less) this summer.

Hack #1: Layer a regular diaper over the swim diaper for easy transitions.

Swim diapers are great at containing a mess in the water, but they're notorious for leaking pee the second your child is back on dry land (they're designed to let liquid pass through, not hold it in). Instead of doing a full diaper change on a sandy towel, try this: Before you leave the pool or beach, simply add a regular diaper right over the wet swim diaper. It buys you a dry, leak-free ride home without a struggle-filled changing session in the parking lot. Just remember the reverse doesn't work—never swap in a regular diaper before your child gets in the water, since regular diapers absorb water, swell up, and stop doing their job.

Hack #2: Use a makeup brush to apply sunscreen to your baby's face.

If sunscreen time turns into a wriggling, squinting standoff, hand yourself a soft, fluffy makeup brush instead of relying on your fingers. Dab sunscreen onto the bristles and gently brush it over your child's face, avoiding their eyes. It distributes the product more evenly than fingers do, and most toddlers find the light, tickly sensation a lot more tolerable than a hand smearing lotion across their cheeks. One important note: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping babies under 6 months old out of direct sun entirely rather than relying on sunscreen, and using only a minimal amount of mineral sunscreen on small exposed areas, like the face, if shade isn't available. Check out our sunscreen tips for babies and kids for the full rundown.

Hack #3: Use cornstarch-based baby powder to brush off sandy feet.

Water and sand are a sticky combination, and no one wants to track half the beach into the car. The fix: Sprinkle a little baby powder onto damp, sandy feet (and hands) and rub gently. The powder absorbs the moisture, and the sand practically falls right off. Just be sure to reach for a cornstarch-based powder rather than a talc-based one, since talc has raised safety concerns over the years and isn't recommended for use on babies. Keep the bottle in the car so it's always within reach for the walk back.

Hack #4: Corral sandy toys in a mesh laundry bag.

A mesh laundry bag—the cheap, collapsible kind from the dollar store—might be the single most-loved beach hack among parents online. Toss all the shovels, buckets, and molds inside, give it a good shake on your way out, and the sand falls right through the holes instead of coming home with you. It also doubles as an easy rinsing tool: Dunk the whole bag in the water, swish it around, and everything inside gets a quick clean.

Hack #5: Freeze juice boxes and grapes to double as ice packs.

Skip the bag of ice that turns into a soggy mess by lunchtime. The night before a beach or pool day, toss a few juice boxes (or a bag of grapes) into the freezer. Packed into your cooler, they keep everything else cold, and by snack time, they've thawed just enough to be an ice-cold treat.

Hack #6: Pack frozen, damp washcloths for instant cooldowns.

Wet a few washcloths, seal them in a zip-top bag, and pop them in the freezer before you head out. By the time your toddler is overheated and cranky mid-afternoon, you'll have a cool (not ice-cold) cloth ready to wipe down their face, neck, and hands. It's also handy for cleaning up sticky popsicle fingers without a trip to the bathroom.

Hack #7: Create a sand-free zone with a fitted sheet.

Lay a fitted sheet elastic-side down on the sand, then anchor each corner with something heavy, like a cooler, a beach bag, or a stack of books. The raised edges create a shallow bowl that keeps sand from creeping in, giving you a cleaner surface for diaper changes, snack time, or setting your little one down for some tummy time.

Hack #8: Clip a battery-powered fan to the stroller or beach tent.

A sea breeze is never guaranteed, and standing fans aren't exactly beach-friendly. A small, battery-powered clip fan solves both problems: Attach it to the stroller canopy, the beach tent frame, or the edge of the diaper bag for a steady stream of air right where your little one needs it most.

Hack #9: Check car seat buckles and straps before you strap your baby in.

This one isn't just a convenience hack, it's a genuine safety must. Metal buckles and dark harness straps can heat up fast in a sun-baked car, hot enough to burn delicate skin in seconds. Before buckling your baby, run your own hand over the buckle, straps, and any exposed plastic. If they're too hot for you, they're too hot for your child. Parking in the shade and covering the car seat with a light-colored towel when you're not using the car both help keep things cooler in the first place.

Hack #10: Pack a mini rinse station.

Before you pack up, fill a large bucket, plastic bag, or collapsible bin with water and set it near your beach spot. Dunking sandy hands, feet, or toys before you head to the car cuts down on the mess considerably, and it means less sand tracked through the house later. Another option: Keep a gallon of water and your bin or bag in the car to do the rinse right before hitting the road.

The Bottom Line

Summer with a baby or toddler in tow will never be entirely mess-free (or stress-free), but a few small, smart adjustments can make the good moments easier to come by. Try one or two of these hacks on your next outing, and don't be surprised if you end up passing them along to another overwhelmed parent at the beach.

More Summer Parenting Tips:

• How to Keep Kids Safe at the Beach
• Summer Activities Almost as Fun as Camp
• Essential Water Safety Rules
• How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.