A fun, family-friendly list of things to do at the beach.
My family and I love spending time at the beach. It’s one giant playground with all kinds of fun things to do and easy ways to discover nature right at your fingertips. Plus, whether you’re checking out a new-to-you spot or revisiting an old favorite, no two adventures are ever quite the same.
There are plenty of fun things to do at the beach – most of which don’t require much more than your imagination and a willingness to get a little wet and sandy. A plastic bucket and a shovel can come in handy, too, but they’re certainly not required.
1. Kick, jump, stomp and splash in the water.
2. When the water recedes from the shore, chase it. Then turn around and run back when the waves return.
3. Grab a fistful of really, really wet sand and build a drip castle.
4. Lie down and make sand angels.
5. Fill a bucket with water. Then empty it. Add sand if you like. Repeat as desired.
6. Make a warm-weather version of a snowman: a sandman!
7. Write words in the sand with a stick.
8. Use a stick, finger or shovel to carve out rivers in the sand. Then fill them with water. Where will the water flow? What happens if you put something in the river?
9. Find a few pebbles and see who can throw a rock the farthest out into the water or create the biggest splash.
10. Make footprints in the sand.
11. Investigate what’s living in the tide pools.
12. Play with seaweed. Sweep the sand with it, shape it into something or just run it through your fingers.
13. Track animal footprints in the sand. Who do they belong to? Where do they lead?
14. Dig a hole in the sand and fill it up with water. Or get inside!
15. Fill a bucket with water and sand at the shore, then see what ocean treasures you’ve uncovered. Be sure to return all living creatures to the water when you’re done.
16. Make a friend into a sand mermaid by covering their legs with a sand tail.
17. Do some bird watching. Look up, out along the waves and right along the water’s edge.
18. Watch the sun set.
19. Climb up and slide down sand dunes.
20. Have a picnic.
21. Fly a kite.
22. Bury your feet (or more) in the sand.
23. Explore a sea cave.
24. Go fishing.
25. Hunt for seashells, sea glass and other beach treasures.
26. Design your own sand sculpture
27. Clean up trash (okay, this one might not be so fun but it presents a great opportunity to talk with kids about an important environmental issue.
28. Draw a hopscotch grid with a stick in the sand and play hopscotch.
29. Lie back on your towel and look for shapes in the clouds.
30. Make a self portrait in the sand, from shells and seaweed.
31. Body surf the waves.
32. Build a sand boat to sit in
33. Have a bucket filling race – using a small cup or bottle to fill each bucket.
34. Walk along a jetty.
35. Try digging to China!
How does your family love to spend your time at the beach? If you’re looking for even more ways to connect, check out this list of 14 ideas for dating your family.
Debi Huang is a Los Angeles, CA-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. She writes about connecting kids and families with nature in the backyard and beyond.
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