AI tools are all the rage lately. Everyone is using robots like ChatGPT and AgentGPT to write their emails for them, give them ideas for where to go, even tell them what to buy. So naturally, we want to put it to the test. Will a robot know better than us?
Enter, our new RetailMeNot content series: AI vs. Shopping Editor, where we compare robot product recommendations with that of a human’s (and a shopping pro at that).
For this edition, we head to the beach!
The Shopping Challenge
We asked ChatGPT to tell us “what to pack for a beach day with kids under the age of seven.” Will it be better, worse or even with what our resident mom would pack? Can ChatGPT wear a mom hat and anticipate all of a child’s needs?
What AI Told Us to Pack for Our Beach Day
Sunscreen: Coppertone Kids Pure & Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
An obvious choice that is budget friendly and effective, this sunscreen lotion does the job and has been recommended by pediatricians. It’ll protect kids from sunburn as long as you reapply after a few hours.
Swimwear: Speedo Kids’ Begin to Swim UV Swim Vest
AI told us to pack this to wear and didn’t realize that this is a swim vest, not a swimsuit. Zero out of five stars. While your kids will need to wear a vest if they haven’t learned to swim yet, they’ll also require something underneath. Duh!
Beach Towels: Sand Cloud Kids’ Beach Towel
Not your ordinary beach towel, we are impressed that AI gave us this product recommendation. Spread this out as you would any beach blanket, and you’ll see it work its magic — it’s sand resistant. This find, made of 100% Turkish cotton, is also super-absorbent and dries quickly. Keep in mind, there’s no kids-specific size, but the brand does have fun designs that your little ones will love.
Beach Toys: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set
While this Melissa & Doug set is super cute, it’s simply not what most kids expect out of a beach activity. I don’t know about you, but when mine go to the beach, they’re all about digging holes and making sand castles. This product pick from the robot is not that. Instead, this toy is for the little one who loves to “pretend cook” … at the beach. Where are the pails for creating castle structures and big shovels for scooping up sand?
Beach Umbrella: Sport-Brella Versa-Brella SPF 50+ Adjustable Umbrella
Here’s where things get really confusing. AI told us to buy this umbrella. Good in theory, but this find clamps onto a chair for one person to enjoy. It’s not an umbrella that gets dug into the sand for the whole family to benefit from. Negative points.
Beach Tent: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
We’re going to have to give the robot an A+ for this product suggestion. We love this beach tent, which is a great alternative to the umbrella. So forget about AI’s suggestion above. This innovative beach tent will provide shade for up to four people. And the best part is, it’s lightweight, can fold and requires little effort to install once you’ve reached your resting spot.
Cooler Bag: MIER Large Insulated Cooler Bag
With high ratings and decent reviews, this cooler bag is a great find by the robot. If you want to gauge its size, it can fit up to 20 cans of soda; so it’s roomy enough for a family of four to carry your lunch, snacks and drinks for the day. We like that it’s insulated to keep things cool, and has a couple of smaller outside compartments for non-food items (like for your keys, wallet and more).
Beach Chair: Kelsyus Kids Outdoor Canopy Chair
I hate to break it to you, robot, but kids under age six don’t really sit for very long while at the beach, so suffering through carrying this chair (which is also made for soccer games and camping) will be a wasteful task. Instead, bring an adult-sized beach chair (the kind that’s lower to the ground) that can accommodate both a grown-up or a child for versatility.
Beach Bag: Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag
We appreciate the effort — because yes, you’ll need a bag, but this beach tote is way too small for a family. Perfect for a one-person beach adventure, it’ll house at most a beach towel, sunscreen and some odds and ends. When you’re packing towels for a family of three or more, you’ll run out of room real fast with this find.
What Our Shopping Editor Packed for a Beach Day
Now, it’s my turn! As a mom, I prioritize safety, hydration, sun protection and food — while also making sure my kiddos have plenty of opportunities for play. I also remind myself that convenience is key. I’ve been on enough beach adventures to realize that I have, at times, overpacked and annoyingly lugged around things we didn’t need at all. Maybe seven years of experience as a mom has left me jaded and regretful, or perhaps it gave me wisdom — wisdom that no robot can have.
The Coldest Water Ever: YETI Rambler 18 oz. Bottle
With the help of this Yeti Rambler, your water will stay cold for practically 48 hours even if it’s under the sun. Get the 18 oz. for grown-ups, which will still fit nicely in your car’s cup holder. The 12 oz. bottle will do for the kiddos, but you may have to refill. There’s even a hack to store your ice pops inside to bring to the beach. It’ll stay frozen for hours — I tried it!
Easy-to-Apply Sunscreen: Refillable Roll On Sponge Applicator
Fill this clever sunscreen applicator with your chosen SPF lotion. It makes sunscreen so easy to apply evenly. Plus, you won’t get your hands greasy. I find that lotions tend to last longer than sunscreen sprays, so this has become my go-to.
Beach Towels: Any Will Do
It goes without saying, you’ll need a beach towel to sit on, or wipe water or sand off. While some want a lush, thick towel, I prefer a thinner one that can fit nicely in my beach bag since I don’t have a lot of room in there. This oversized Turkish beach towel wins. It comes in a variety of colors, is super absorbent, but still lightweight.
Wet Wipes for Every Oops Moment: WaterWipes Plastic-Free Original Baby Wipes
Even if your baby days are long gone and you’ve got big kids now who don’t need diapers, there’s always use for water wipes. From messy meals and ice cream to sandy, greasy, sticky hands, beach days call for plenty of hand cleaning. A wet nap will be your saving grace!
Shade That Won’t Take Much to Carry: Shibumi Shade Wind-Powered Beach Canopy
I know this is pricey, but trust that this sun shade is worth the splurge. The Shibumi is not your typical beach umbrella. It covers 150 square feet of shade with UPF of 50+ in sun protection, but folds up nicely into a tiny pouch that’s included. Wind powers it to float above you like magic. Just use four pole anchors to keep it from flying away.
Beach Chairs for Mom and Dad: Tommy Bahama Big Boy 4-Position Folding 13″ High Seat Backpack Beach or Camping Chair
The most important thing to consider when buying a beach chair is how will you carry it? Go with a backpack situation to keep your hands free to carry other things, like your children if need be.
Cooling Accessory: CoolTimeUSA Neck Cooling Tube
I’ve found this cooling product to be very effective. Just freeze overnight, bring it to the beach, and it’ll stay cool all day long. Wear it around your neck or hand it off to your kids when they need some relief.
Beach Toys, of Course: Click N’ Play Beach Toys
It’s not the beach toys that excited us about this product find — which, by the way, accomplished its purpose of sand fun just fine. Rather, it’s the mesh bag that thrills because, when shaken, it can rid its contents of pesky sand before you drop it in your trunk. Thanks to this set, you can leave most, if not all, the sand at the beach.
Snacks, Snacks and More Snacks
I don’t need to tell you which snacks to bring. You get it. Your kids are snack monsters and it won’t be long before they whine to you, “I’m hungry.” Be prepared. Bring extra. And, don’t forget to save something for you and your sanity.
A Wagon to Lug It All: Sekey Collapsible Foldable Wagon
It’s all in the wheels. This is no ordinary wagon. Not only will this heavy-duty find carry everything you need for your beach day — including your kids — it comes equipped with all-terrain beach wheels that’ll help it glide across the sand. It also folds for easy storage.
The Verdict: Who Shopped Better?
Sorry, AI. Us parents have enough to carry (including toddlers) and your list needed streamlining — or an addition of a wagon to lug it all. You also forgot kids are snack monsters. Even if you have lunch plans, they will bug you for snacks every hour on the hour.
While AI did give us some valuable essentials — sunscreen, wet wipes, water shoes, a swim vest, some shade — AI got confused about a couple of things. For one, AI thought a swim vest was swimwear. Secondly, AI recommended both a tent and an umbrella — which is redundant.
We know we’re biased, but the shopping editor (a mom who has gone to the beach plenty with her kids) wins this round. What do you think? Did we miss any essentials on the list that you particularly love?
The post AI vs. Shopping Editor: What to Pack for a Beach Day appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
