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You are here: Home / Virgin Islands / St John / Essential Packing List for Families Visiting the US Virgin Islands

Essential Packing List for Families Visiting the US Virgin Islands

06.09.24 | Josselyn | No Comments

Living in the Virgin Islands with two young kids, here is my essential “must have” list that we carry for our adventures in paradise. And make sure you check out the extra local tid-bits at the bottom!

Note: it’s important to know that shopping in St Thomas can be challenging. We have pharmacies, the last standing Kmart, and grocery stores. However, chances are you won’t find all you need in one spot OR, it’s very expensive. Even as a local, I find it more affordable and easier to ship in items than search around the island. Make your trip easier and more enjoyable by bringing these essentials in your suitcase.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products or services I personally use or believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for supporting my blog!

**Reef Safe Sunscreen

reef safe sunscreen virgin islands

The Virgin Islands are close to the equator, which means the sun is HOT! The last thing you want to do is start your vacation off with a sunburn. Sun protection is so important and a running theme in my must-have list. It’s also important to remember when enjoying our stunning beaches, it’s essential to protect the vibrant marine ecosystems. Using reef-safe sunscreen helps safeguard the coral reefs, which are home to a diverse array of marine life. Traditional sunscreens can contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that harm coral and contribute to reef bleaching. By opting for mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreens, you’ll help preserve the beauty of the islands for future generations to enjoy.

**SPF Sunshirt (rash guard)

sun shirt virgin islands

If you plan on being in the sun for an extended period of time, consider wearing a rash guard. These are great for the beach or a boat to cut down on sun exposure, and you don’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen. Rash guards are definitely recommended for the kids.

**Sun hat

sun hat adults and kids

Are you sensing a theme? Protection from the sun! These hats are great as you can roll them up for easy packing in the suitcase! And if you’re kids are anything like mine, they never want to keep a sun hat on, but they don’t mind this one!

**Water Bottle

In the tropics, it’s so important to stay hydrated. This leak proof, lightweight water bottle is perfect to throw in your bag whether you’re shopping downtown, headed to the beach, or going for a hike in St John. Even my young kids have no problem carrying these water bottles around. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly choice that helps protect the beautiful environment of the islands. **Travel tip – Start a collection of stickers from the places you visit and use them to decorate your water bottle! It’s a creative, budget-friendly way to hold onto memories, avoid overspending on souvenirs, and keep your suitcase free of clutter you’ll likely never use again.

**Cooler Bag –

beach tips virgin islands pack your own snacks

Bring your own food to the beach! Especially with kids, having snacks ready to go is a game-changer. Food can get pricey, especially in touristy spots, so bringing your own is always a great idea.

**Extra local tid-bits**

Travel-sized bottle of vinegar – Jellyfish stings aren’t super common, but they do happen. Keeping a little bottle of apple cider vinegar in your bag can be a lifesaver. (Never use fresh water if stung by a jellyfish—vinegar first!)

jellyfish sting spray bottles

Water shoes – If you’re going on a boat trip or visiting one of the rocky beaches, water shoes will be your best friend. They protect your feet and make wading more comfortable.

Bug Spray – As the sun sets, mosquitoes and no-see-ums tend to come out, particularly near the beach. This bug spray is our go-to.

reusable diapers virgin islands

Swim diapers – to be honest, we didn’t use swim diapers for our kids. The only time it was required was at resort swimming pools. We used these easy snap reusable diapers for those times.

Did we forget anything or have questions? Let me know in the comments!

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#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum 
Hello everyone!
In this video, we are talking about our family curriculum picks for Kindergarten and First Grade for our first year of homeschooling! We are going on some fun adventures and I’m so excited to share them with you! 

*Blossom and Root Great Space Adventure - https://www.blossomandroot.com/level-0

* Build Your Library Level 0 - https://buildyourlibrary.com/purchase-level-0-curriculum/

* Homeschool Languages Spanish Level 1 - https://www.homeschoollanguages.com/product-page/spanish-print-at-home-curriculum?srsltid=AfmBOoru3SPc-SX-ma5QfE1RLQfUFfDui2FfPnyUolmjvhYUkZPIBeIe



*****Videos Mentioned***** 
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This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
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#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum
Hey everyone!
I'm so excited to finally share our kindergarten and first grade individual subject picks for the 2025-2026 school year! 

*What curriculum are YOU using this year? Let me know in the comments!*

Materials mentioned: 

* Carson Dellosa Prekindergarten Workbook – https://a.co/d/0iTyooH  

* Kindergarten Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/gVqOADF  
* First Grade Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/c9SF0oC  

* Crayola Glitter & Pearl Crayon Set – https://a.co/d/0yoBwi0  

* Engineer Academy – https://a.co/d/2vwaYXT  

* Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code (A, B & C) – https://a.co/d/8qAMnj8  
* Explode the Code Set 1–4 – https://a.co/d/9zI1kpE  

* Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - https://a.co/d/577iEB9

HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS:
* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM  
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9  
* Slate Chalkboard – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/slate-chalkboard/01t4V000007a2ayQAA  
* Little Chalk Bits – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/little-chalk-bits/01t4V000007a2cZQAQ  
* Blackboard with Double Lines – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/blackboard-with-double-lines/01t4V000007a2bgQAA  


---

💛 This is my brand-new channel and I’m SO EXCITED to share our homeschool journey with you!  
👉 Don’t forget to **like, comment, and subscribe** so you don’t miss anything.  

---

💻 CONNECT WITH ME:

📧 EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com  
🌐 BLOG → https://www.thetravelingesprit.com  

---

**DISCLAIMER:**  
This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool. Thanks for supporting my channel!  

**FTC Notice:** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  
**COPPA Disclaimer:** This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Individual Curriculum Picks for Kindergarten & First Grade | First Time Homeschoolers
#thegoodandthebeautiful  #homeschoolcurriculum #kindergartencurriculum 
Hello everyone! 
In this video, I’m talking about why The Good and the Beautiful Kinder Prep and Level K language arts isn't a great fit for our first year of homeschooling. 

*www.goodandbeautiful.com*

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
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I see all the shiny, beautiful homeschool videos on YouTube and wonder… what if my homeschool journey is just a hot mess?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about homeschooling too, you’re not alone. 

Chime in below — what’s your biggest homeschooling fear right now?

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Hey everyone! Welcome back! 👋
In today’s video, I’m breaking down the exact steps (using ChatGPT,  Curriculum websites, Facebook, and YouTube) I took to choose our homeschool curriculum for the 2025–2026 school year.

📌 My ChatGPT Prompt (feel free to copy and tweak!):
“I would like to create a homeschooling pod for kindergarten and first graders. There will be individual subjects like math and language arts and group subjects like social studies and science. It can be religious but I do not want to teach religious content. I would like to focus on human kindness and emotional intelligence at this age instead. We will incorporate cooking, gardening, and we also have chickens and a yard for the kids to play in. It can have online components, but it will not be an online curriculum. We can pay for the curriculum. Please incorporate math, language arts, social studies, art, science. We have visual learners as well as kinesthetic learners.”

📄 Helpful Curriculum Resource
Rainbow Resource Curriculum Planning Guide:
👉 https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf
https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo8HUuIcr68FuzIYR5XTx59NOVLNQdKA9kWaGOZx8ao_d76OkM7

📝 More Info on My Blog
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👉 https://thetravelingesprit.com/choosing-our-first-homeschool-curriculum-tools-for-new-homeschoolers/
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Hit subscribe and come hang out! And if you’re a fellow homeschooler, say hi in the comments — I’d love to connect.
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Hello everyone!
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* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9
* My Printing Book – https://amzn.to/3RHTyy6

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Handwriting Without Tears KickStart Kindergarten, Letters & Numbers for Me, & My Printing Book
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