If you’re taking your kids to the beach, you’re sure to have a great day, especially if there’s plenty for them to do. They’ll love digging in the sand and splashing in the sea, but they may need some fresh ideas at some point to keep them happily occupied. Here are eight free or low-cost activities for you to set up for them – and preferably join in. Plan ahead and take along any items you may need.
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Sand-building
Children love building sandcastles but often tire before they’ve got very far. But with your helping hand and a few ideas, they will be spurred to carry on. Suggest they decorate their castle, carve a doorway and carve out a moat. Finished? OK – now they can turn it into a spiral run for a ball or dig a tunnel through it.
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Sand art
Help your kids draw and write in the sand using fingers or sticks. Etch funny faces or stick-men. Who can write their name or initials in the sand? Your older children might like to try a whole sentence, such as a mystery message for a stranger to find. Take turns lying down and letting the others mark out your outline. Who can remember which is which?
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Sea-life search
Help your children search for interesting flora and fauna. A net or bucket would be handy for scooping, but you could make do with a plastic box or bag. Look out for pretty shells, stones with fossil markings, and any wildlife around, such as crabs or mussels. After inspection, return live creatures to their homes.
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Running about
If your beach is firm and sandy, it’ll be perfect for sports and athletics. Encourage the kids to burn off energy with ball games, running races, or gymnastic competitions. See who can do the best handstand or the silliest walk. Set obstacle races involving rocks, pools, or deckchairs. Chase the waves out and race them back in.
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Music-making
Gather in the shade for a singsong. Nursery rhymes or any family favorite will serve the purpose, especially ones related to water, boats, or fish. Perhaps the kids could teach you a song they’ve learned at school. Clap the rhythm or tap pebbles together for percussion. If you’ve brought any musical instrument along for the occasion, protect it from dampness, heat, and scratches.
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Rock-scrambling
Rocks are good fun for scrambling over but can be sharp or slippery, so your kids will need appropriate footwear, such as trainers or plastic sandals. It’s important to accompany younger children to ensure their safety and keep a close eye on older ones, too. If your beach has sand dunes, you can all go for a slide, ensuring a fun and safe experience for everyone.
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Playing Beach Café
Help your children set up a make-believe café on the sand or rocks. They’ll enjoy collecting items to serve, such as pebbles for pretend cookies and buckets of seawater for coffee. They might like to bake some sand pies or seaweed sausages, too. Anything else on the menu?
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Storytime
If your children are hot or tired, entice them into the shade with a read-aloud story or a restful game like “I Spy.” You may have to shift your belongings to a shadier area, but keeping everyone fresh and comfortable will be worth the effort.
With simple activities and tactics like these, you can keep your kids smiling all holiday. It may mean cutting corners off your well-deserved rest, but it’ll be worth it for the bliss of family harmony!
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