Beach Activities For Kids
There's something magical about a day at the beach, whether you're at a nearby lake or a sun-soaked tropical shore. Kids often love the usual beach fun: building sandcastles, catching waves, enjoying a beach bonfire, and savoring ice cream under the sun. However, adding a twist to the typical beach day can be even more exciting. To help you mix things up, we've put together a list of 17 enjoyable activities to try with kids at the beach.
To enjoy these beach activities and games, you'll only need a few basic supplies—many of which you might already have in your beach bag. Don’t forget to pack snacks, plenty of fluids, and sunscreen (a physical sunscreen with SPF 30+ is best, and remember to reapply it regularly).
Give these beach games and activities a try, whether your child is 2 or 12 years old, for a fun-filled day in the sun. Your family will create beach memories that last a lifetime!
1. Beach Sand Games
Let your kids enjoy classic games like hopscotch, tic-tac-toe, and hangman right in the sand. They’ll just need a stick or similar tool to draw the games and a bit of imagination. Beach treasures like sticks and seashells can add a fun twist to these games!
2. Beach Relay Race
Get ready for a thrilling beach relay race! Have your kids fill cups with water and pour them into larger buckets placed several feet away. The first child to fill their bucket to the top wins the race!
To make the game even more challenging and fun, introduce obstacles along the path to the bucket. For example, kids can jump over towels, weave through hula hoops, or navigate around beach toys. The added hurdles will make the race more exciting and keep everyone engaged!
3. Towel Bounce
Turn your towel into a fun beach game! Have two kids hold a towel stretched tight and try to keep a beach ball in the air by bouncing it with the towel. See how long they can keep the ball from touching the sand.
4. Sand Skee Ball
Create a Skee Ball-inspired game by drawing circles with different point values in the sand (e.g., 5 points for the largest circle, 10 points for the medium one, and 15 points for the smallest). Kids can toss shells, stones, or small toys into the circles to score points.
5. Beach Bowling
For this playful beach game, use six plastic bottles filled with a bit of sand. Arrange them in a pyramid (three on the bottom, two in the middle, and one on top). Take turns rolling a tennis ball to knock them over, just like bowling. Don’t forget to recycle the bottles when you’re done!
6. Beach Nature Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of beach-related items to find—like a seagull, a kite, a sandcastle, or a lifeguard. Have your kids search for these items to complete the scavenger hunt and earn a reward. (How about some ice cream?)
7. Make Your Own Sundial
Craft a sundial using driftwood and rocks. Position a stick upright and have your child place a pile of rocks at the end of the stick’s shadow each hour. As the day goes by, the shadow will move in a circle, mimicking a clock's hands!
8. Play Musical Towels
Add a beachy twist to musical chairs with this game. Lay out towels in a circle (one fewer than the number of players), play some music, and have the kids walk around the towels. When the music stops, they must quickly lie down on the nearest towel. The player without a towel is out. Remove one towel each round until only one player remains.
9. Beach Treasure Scrapbook
Encourage your child to gather shells, driftwood, stones, and sea glass. After collecting their treasures, they can use these items to create a unique "picture" in the sand.
10. Beach Rock Painting
For a creative beach activity, let your kids get artistic with painted rocks! Bring along art supplies like markers or paint, and let them decorate smooth rocks they find on the shore (or bring some from home). Once the rocks are beautifully painted, hide them around the beach for other visitors to discover. It’s a fun project that also spreads a bit of joy to future beachgoers!
11. Create Sand People
Forget sandcastles—try making sand people instead! Inspired by Frosty the Snowman, have your kids sculpt sand figures with seashells for eyes, sticks for arms, and other beach finds to add details. They can even create sandy versions of family members for a fun and personalized beach portrait!
12. Seaside Exploration
Enjoy a stroll along the shore and explore the beach environment. Stop to observe aquatic life, tide pools, and interesting vegetation you come across. This walk provides a fantastic chance for a mini marine biology lesson, and you can research any fascinating finds together when you get home.
13. Beach Clean-Up Fun
Teaching kids about community service is essential, and cleaning up the beach is a perfect way to start. Equip your family with gloves and trash bags, and take a walk along the shore to collect litter. Even if the weather is a bit chilly, you can still participate—just bundle up with a sweatshirt and wear close-toed shoes. It’s a meaningful activity that benefits the environment and fosters a sense of responsibility.
14. Beach Exploration with Aqua-Scope
Make an aquatic viewer with a simple yogurt container! Start by cutting out the bottom of the container with a craft knife. Let your kids decorate the container with colorful duct tape. Next, punch holes in the sides of the lip and attach a string handle. Cover the open end with plastic wrap secured by a wide rubber band. Take the Aqua-Scope to shallow water or a tide pool, and watch as your kids enjoy exploring the underwater world through their homemade viewer.
15. Build a Drip Castle
Add a creative twist to the classic sandcastle with a drip castle! Mix half sand and half water in a bucket, then pour the wet sand through a plastic funnel to form a unique beach structure. If you don’t have a funnel, you can easily make one by cutting the bottom off an empty two-liter bottle. This fun activity lets kids build interesting and abstract sand creations with ease.
16. Beach Kite Flying
The beach offers the perfect setting for kite flying with its open skies and steady seaside breezes. It’s an ideal place for kids to learn how to fly a kite and enjoy the colorful spectacle against the backdrop of the ocean.
17. Seaside Reading
If your kids need a break from the salt and sand, let them relax on their towels while you read an engaging book to them. Choose a story that’s age-appropriate and ideally set near the sea for an extra touch of beach ambiance! This cozy activity can also be enjoyed while munching on lunch or snacks.
Conclusion
A beach day offers endless possibilities for fun and creativity, especially for kids. By integrating a variety of exciting activities into your beach outing, you can transform a typical day in the sun into a memorable adventure. From scavenger hunts and sand games to creative projects like painted rocks and drip castles, these activities cater to different interests and ages, ensuring that every child finds something enjoyable to do.
Making these beach games engaging and educational, such as the Exploration Walk or Beach Clean-Up, not only entertains kids but also provides valuable life lessons. Involving them in environmental stewardship through activities like beach clean-ups fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to nature. Meanwhile, creative projects like the Aqua-Scope or Building Sand People encourage imagination and hands-on learning.
Whether you’re looking for structured games like Beach Relay Races or relaxed activities such as Beach Read, there’s something to suit every family’s beach day needs. Packing essential supplies, staying hydrated, and protecting everyone with sunscreen ensures that the fun continues safely. Embrace these ideas to create cherished family memories and make the most of your time by the sea.
For a unique twist on beach fun, consider booking a beach bonfire with It's Lit PCB in Florida. They offer the perfect setting to enjoy an evening by the water, complete with a cozy bonfire and stunning beach views. Make your next beach outing unforgettable with their exceptional services—contact It's Lit PCB today and light up your beach experience!
