Best beach games!
We’re kicking off June with a beach theme - what better to talk about when we have so many incredible beaches on our doorstep! Aside from the obligatory sandcastle building and paddling there are many other fun, creative and FREE beach activities that the kids will love. They might even give you a bit of time to relax too…
1. Coastal Clues
Create a list of items you might find by the sea—a seagull, a kite, a sandcastle, a seashell, etc. Your kids can locate all the items to complete the scavenger hunt and get a reward. (Some ice cream, perhaps?)
2. Seascape Scrapbook
Have your child collect shells, driftwood, stones, and sea glass. Once they’ve amassed a trove of supplies, they can use their finds to create a “picture” in the sand.
3. Blanket Bounce
This might be one of the best beach games involving your towel! Ask two kids to hold a towel stretched taut and challenge them to bounce a beach ball in the air, catching it with the towel. See how long they can keep it going.
4. Sand Darts
Draw circles and numbers in the sand to set up a darts-like game. Each circle can correspond to point value (for example, the bigger circle can be 5 points, a medium circle can be 10 points, and the smallest circle can be 15 points). Toss shells, stones, or small toys into the circles to rack up points.
5. Beach Bowling
You’ll need six plastic bottles for this fun beach game for kids. Fill them partly with sand and set them up in a pyramid shape (three on the bottom, two in the middle, and one on the top). Take turns rolling a tennis ball to knock them over—just like makeshift bowling. Remember to recycle the bottles once you’ve finished!
6. Sand Games
Your children can play hopscotch, tic-tac-toe, and hangman in the sand. All they need is a drawing utensil (like a stick) and some imagination! Some beach finds, like sticks and seashells, can elevate the games even more.
7. DIY Sundial
Create a sundial using driftwood and rocks. Every hour, get your kid to place a pile of rocks at the tip of your stick's shadow. As the day passes, the shadow will move in a circle—just like the hands of a clock!
8. Musical Towels
This activity gives a beach-y twist to musical chairs. Simply set up towels in a circle (with one fewer towel than the number of players), turn on some music, and have your kids walk over them. Once the music stops, they must lay down on the nearest towel. The player without a towel is eliminated. Remove a towel after each round until you’ve got one player left standing.
9. Beach Relay
Ready, set, go! For this beach relay race, have your kids fill cups with water, then empty them into bigger buckets placed several feet away. The first one to fill their bucket to the top wins the race!
10. Painted Rocks
Looking for artistic things to do at the beach? This project lets your kids get crafty, and it doubles as a random act of kindness. Bring some art supplies—like markers or paint—and decorate smooth rocks that you find on the shore (you can also bring rocks from home). Hide them for other beachgoers to find at a future time.
11. Sand People
Move over, sandcastles! Take a cue from Frosty and encourage your kids to create sand people, complete with seashell eyes and stick arms. They can also recreate your family members as a sandy self-portrait.
12. Clean Up
It’s important to teach kids about community service—and picking up trash on the beach is a great way to do it! Take a walk along the shore, armed with gloves and trash bags, to gather garbage as a family. You can even do this beach activity if the weather’s a little chilly; just bundle up with a sweatshirt and close-toed shoes.
13. Aqua-Scope
Create an aquatic viewer from a yogurt container. Cut out the bottom with a craft knife and have kids decorate their scope with coloured duct tape. Punch holes on the sides of the lip for a string handle and use a piece of plastic wrap and a wide rubber band to cover the open end. Take it to the shallow water or a tide pool; your kids will love looking at the undersea world.
Beach games are incredibly fun and entertaining but can also be an important way to build essential skills. They can also create long-lasting memories and create lifelong bonds. Make sure you take everything you need to the beach including sunscreen and plenty of water!
Got more ideas or just want to share your favourite local beach and tips? Get in touch or drop a comment on our Facebook page!
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