Vacationing is fun; however, beach vacation meal planning for several families can be overwhelming and exhausting. Nothing can be worse than spending a ton of money on groceries that take up too much space in your car and showing up to the beach house with other families that bought the same items as you.
Do you really need three different bottles of ketchup for a one week stay? Perhaps with toddlers, but really not.
This shopping list will simplify the packing process and make your trip preparation less stressful. I’ve also included a blank meal planning list for you to create your own list.
Beach Vacation Meal Planning for Multi-Family Travel
When we traveled to a beach house in Florida with two other families that also have toddlers meal planning was crucial. Talk about a house full of hungry people!
One of my friends who is more organized than myself started the master list which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other misc. items. We factored in that we would most likely go out to eat a few times depending on our kids’ moods and our wallets. We decided to divide items equally between our families via email since we all live in different cities.
Please note that we did not go for all healthy options because we were on vacation and diets went out of the window!
Double click on image to download printables
Easy meals for a week at the beach
With this beach vacation meal plan you can make these simple meals:
- Tacos or Taco Salad
- Hamburgers
- Breakfast
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Steak with Baked Potatoes and Veggies
- Sandwiches
- Hot Dogs
- Brats
- Snacks
We went for simple recipes as it can be challenging to cook extensive recipes with four young children in the beach house.
As organized as we were, we did find out after a week-long vacation with hungry husbands and children that we could’ve brought more of these items below. Thankfully there were a few stores that we could shop at to stock up on supplies.
Bring more of these Beach vacation items
- Paper Plates & Paper towels
- Sunblock (seriously – you can never have enough)
- Ice (our fridge ice maker was not working and it helps to have at the beach for your cooler).
- Grilling utensils
- Charcoal (if your beach house does not have a gas grill). Call ahead to find out.
Have you traveled with multiple families before?
Do you struggle to meal plan? Let me know your go-to meals for multi-family travel that please everyone!
Pin Beach Vacation Meal Planning Printable for Later Reference
Jaelan says
Meal planning for vacation is a great idea. I’m sure once we have kiddos it will be mandatory.
Michelle Hancock says
Thank you! We decided to do it to save time and money. It does time some time up front, but it’w well worth it. We still went out to eat a few times when we didn’t want to cook and clean dishes! Thanks for commenting!
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
I have got to get better at meal planning! Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Michelle Hancock says
Thanks for popping in!! I’ll check it out! Thanks
Barbara says
Great info. Thank you!!!!!
Michelle Hancock says
Thank you! Hope you have a fun beach trip planned!
Olga says
Thanks for the list! This year we are trying something new, Theme nights! Each family is taking a turn. Greek night is ours so Greek chicken always a hit and easy to marinade and roast/grill add oven roasted potatoes or couscous and a cucumber tomato salad and voila! Don’t forget the pita bread!
Michelle Hancock says
That sounds amazing and delicious! Love the idea of theme nights. Enjoy your trip and thanks for stopping by!