Beach blankets are a summertime essential: They’re more spacious, packable, and versatile than beach towels, offering a huge surface area for you to make the most of your sun-soaked plans. They’re handy to have around for all of your outdoor activities too, providing an extra layer while camping or an easy-to-clean, waterproof picnic surface.    The best beach blankets are large enough to fit a few friends (no more trying to squish people onto your towel when they invariably forget theirs!), and are portable enough to tote around for spontaneous beach days. They’re also super easy to clean and store, taking up less room than bulky towels.  Whether you’re looking for…