Beach fun!

Having just returned from a wonderful family beach vacation, I've gathered some great tips through trial and error. Try them out to streamline your next beach getaway!

• Buy locally caught seafood and cook it at home. We were able to feed 6 adults and 6 kids a seafood dinner for just $35! (ahi tuna and shrimp) The average price of a seafood dinner for one at a restaurant: $25.00. We were novices at cooking tuna, so we researched the internet for info- simply put, it was the best tuna any of us had ever eaten!
• Use Chinese take-out containers for a dinner on the beach. Toss when you're through!
• Have extra shampoo and soap for outdoor showers. Keep towels stocked there too.
• To avoid dried-out hair, comb a leave-in conditioner through and braid.
• Use a beach towel for a fun table runner.
• If you are renting a house, look for a house that is well-stocked with toys, chairs, and bikes. This will prevent you from having to pack them or worse, buy them when you're there.
• Freeze fruit for a beach-side snack.
• Aerosol sunscreen is convenient, but doesn't last nearly as long as lotion. Try applying the lotion before you leave for the beach and using the spray at the beach for re-application. The spray will last longer and there's no messy lotion to deal with on the beach.
• Bring plenty of your own groceries and avoid going to the store on the weekends when lines are long.
• Ask the locals to share where the best places to buy seafood or produce are. This can wind up saving you a pile!
• During yard-sale season, look for kids t-shirts or souvenirs from your future destination. Set them aside and give them to your kids when you arrive. You won't have to pay way too much money for those little memento's. 
• Use window shades, or shower curtains for beach blankets