21 Beach Activities For Kids Ideas This Summer

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Are you ready to create unforgettable memories this summer? Look no further than the beach for an incredible adventure that will excite your child’s eyes. With our carefully curated list of beach activities for kids ideas, your little one is in for a celebration like no other. 

From sandcastle building to water balloon tosses, we have various unique and exciting activities that will keep your child entertained from dawn till dusk. 

Get ready to witness their laughter, creativity, and joy as they dive into a world of fun under the sun. Let’s dive in and find the activities to make this summer memorable!

21 Beach Activities For Kids Ideas For A Fun Time Together

Beach Scavenger Hunt

A beach scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to keep kids engaged and entertained. Create a list of items they can find on the beach, such as seashells, sea glass, and driftwood. 

Divide the kids into teams and give them buckets or bags to collect their treasures. The team that finds all the items on the list wins a prize. It’s a fun and educational activity encouraging exploration and observation skills.

Sandcastle Building Competition

sand building with kids

Building sandcastles is a classic beach activity that never gets old. Encourage your kids’ creativity by organizing a sandcastle-building competition. Split them into teams or let them build their castles individually. 

Provide them with shovels, buckets, and other sandcastle-building tools. You can even offer special decorations like seashells, flags, and seaweed. Let their imaginations run wild as they construct their sandy masterpieces.

Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball is a fantastic activity for kids of all ages. Set up a beach volleyball net and divide the kids into teams. This game promotes teamwork, coordination, and physical activity. 

Encourage fair play and sportsmanship while having fun under the sun. You can join the action and make it a friendly competition between the kids and adults.

Seashell Painting

Seashell painting is a creative and calming activity that kids will enjoy. Collect a variety of seashells during your beach visit, and provide washable paints and brushes. Let the kids unleash their artistic talents and paint the seashells in vibrant colors. 

They can create patterns, designs, or even their favorite sea creatures. Once the shells are dry, they can take them home as souvenirs of their beach adventure.

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Beach Ball Relay Races

Organize beach ball relay races to keep the kids active and entertained. Divide them into teams and set up a relay course on the sand. Each team member must carry a beach ball and race to a designated spot before passing it to the next team member. 

The team that completes the relay race first wins. It’s a thrilling activity that promotes teamwork, coordination, and friendly competition.

Sand Art

Let your kids explore their artistic side by creating beautiful sand art. All you need is some colored sand and empty bottles or containers. Provide different colors of sand and let them layer the sand to create unique patterns and designs. 

They can make sand bottles, art bracelets, or even sand-filled jars as keepsakes. It’s a simple yet captivating activity, allowing kids to express creativity. You can check out this comprehensive guide by Wikipedia.

Beach Frisbee Golf

Frisbee golf is an exciting twist on the traditional game of golf. Set up a beach course using buckets, hula hoops, or other targets in the sand. 

Each player throws a frisbee toward the targets, and the goal is to complete the course with the fewest throws. It’s a fun and challenging activity that enhances hand-eye coordination and outdoor fun.

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Shell Jewelry Making

Transform seashells into beautiful jewelry pieces with a shell jewelry-making activity. Collect various sizes and shapes of seashells, strings, beads, and other craft supplies. 

Show the kids how to thread the shells and beads onto the strings to create necklaces, bracelets, or anklets. They can wear their handmade creations and showcase their beach-inspired fashion.

Related: 20 Beach Party Ideas For 10-Year-Old.

Water Balloon Toss

Cool down on a hot summer day with a thrilling water balloon toss. Fill up several water balloons and pair up the kids. Each pair stands a few feet apart and tosses the water balloon to each other. 

After each successful catch, they step back to increase the distance. The last pair with an intact water balloon wins. It’s a refreshing activity that guarantees laughter and splashes of fun.

Beach Yoga

Beach Yoga for kids

Introduce your kids to the benefits of yoga while enjoying the beach ambiance. Beach yoga combines relaxation and gentle exercise. Find a quiet spot on the beach and guide the kids through simple yoga poses and breathing exercises. 

They can stretch, strengthen their bodies, and find inner peace amidst the sounds of waves and the gentle touch of sand beneath their feet.

Limbo by the Shore

Limbo is a classic game that can be played anywhere, including the beach. Set up a limbo stick using a broomstick or a pool noodle. Play lively music and challenge the kids to bend backward and pass under the stick without touching it. 

Gradually lower the stick after each successful round. The kid who can limbo the lowest without touching the stick wins. It’s a game that promotes flexibility, coordination, and laughter.

Related: 31 Beach Party Ideas For 13-Year-Old.

Beachcombing

Take a stroll along the shoreline and enjoy beachcombing with your kids. Search for interesting shells, rocks, and other natural treasures the ocean has washed ashore. 

Encourage the kids to collect their findings and discuss the different shapes, colors, and textures they discover. It’s an educational and relaxing activity that connects kids with the wonders of the beach ecosystem.

Beach Bowling

Bring the excitement of bowling to the beach with a game of beach bowling. Use plastic or empty water bottles as pins and a beach ball as a bowling ball. 

Set up a makeshift bowling alley in the sand and let the kids take turns rolling the ball to knock down the pins. It’s a fun and easy activity that combines bowling skills with a beach twist.

Sand Tic-Tac-Toe

Sand Tic-Tac-Toe with kids

Draw a tic-tac-toe grid on the sand and let the kids play the classic game with a beachy twist. Use seashells or sticks as game pieces and take turns placing them on the grid. 

The first player to get three in a row wins. It’s a simple yet engaging activity that stimulates critical thinking and strategic planning.

Beach Obstacle Course

Create a beach obstacle course to challenge your kids’ agility and coordination. Set up various stations with activities like jumping over beach towels, crawling under a string, and balancing on a log. 

Time the kids as they complete the course and encourage them to improve their speed and technique with each attempt. It’s a high-energy activity that keeps kids active and entertained.

Water Relay Races

Beat the heat with thrilling water relay races on the beach. Set up a relay course with buckets filled with water at certain intervals. Divide the kids into teams, and each team member has to run to the bucket, fill a cup with water, and race back to fill a larger container. 

The team that fills the container first wins. It’s a wet and wild activity that guarantees laughter and friendly competition.

Beachcomber Photography

Encourage your kids to become beachcomber photographers for the day. Provide them with disposable cameras or smartphones (in waterproof cases) and let them capture the beauty of the beach. 

Encourage them to take pictures of seashells, waves, sandcastles, and anything else that catches their eye. It’s a creative activity that allows kids to see the world through the lens and preserve memories of their beach adventures.

Beach Treasure Dig

Hide small treasures like seashells, toys, or coins in a designated beach area. Give the kids small shovels or sand sifters and let them dig for buried treasures. 

They can work individually or in teams to uncover the hidden gems. It’s a thrilling activity that combines the joy of discovery with a sense of adventure.

Related: 5 Best Water Shoes For Rocky Beaches.

Beach Soccer

Beach Soccer activity with kids

Kick off some fun with a game of beach soccer. Set up goals using beach towels or any available markers. Divide the kids into teams and let them play a friendly match. 

Beach soccer improves physical fitness, coordination, and teamwork skills. It’s an exhilarating activity that combines the love of soccer with the excitement of the beach.

Sand Dinosaur Sculptures

Tap into your kids’ love for dinosaurs with a sand dinosaur sculpture activity. Provide them with buckets, shovels, and molds shaped like dinosaur body parts. 

Show them how to create dinosaur sculptures by packing sand into the molds and carefully releasing them. They can build an entire sand dinosaur family and bring the prehistoric creatures to life on the beach.

Water Gun Tag

Water Gun Tag is a thrilling game that guarantees endless fun and laughter. Give each participant a water gun and designate one person as “it.” The “it” person tries to tag the other players by squirting them with water. 

Once tagged, a player becomes “it,” and the game continues. It’s a fantastic way to cool down while enjoying an exciting game of chase on the beach.

Sand and Water Sensory Play

Engage your kids’ senses with sand and water sensory play. Provide buckets, shovels, containers, and various toys for them to explore. They can build sandcastles, dig trenches, create water channels, and experiment with the texture and properties of sand and water. 

It’s an open-ended activity that stimulates the imagination and provides a sensory-rich experience.

FAQs

How do I protect my kids from the sun at the beach?

Wear sunscreen with a high SPF, protective clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your kids from the sun. Encourage them to seek shade during the hottest hours of the day and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Are there any beach activities suitable for toddlers?

Yes, toddlers can enjoy plenty of beach activities. They can build sandcastles, play with beach toys, splash in the water, or engage in simple sensory play with sand and water.

Can I bring my beach toys?

Absolutely! Bringing your beach toys can add extra fun and familiarity for your kids. Consider packing shovels, buckets, frisbees, water guns, and other toys your kids enjoy playing with.

How can I make sure my kids stay safe in the water?

Always supervise your kids in or near the water. Make sure they stay within designated swim areas and teach them basic water safety rules. Providing them with flotation devices appropriate for their age and swimming abilities is also a good idea.

What should I pack for a day at the beach with the kids?

When packing for a day at the beach with kids, essentials include sunscreen, towels, beach umbrellas or tents, extra clothes, snacks, water bottles, beach toys, and first aid supplies.

How can I make our beach trip educational for my kids?

Use the beach to teach your kids about marine life, coastal ecosystems, and the importance of environmental conservation. Explore tide pools, discuss seashells and their origins, and learn about the different species that inhabit the beach and ocean.

Conclusion

A day at the beach offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure for kids. With these 15 beach activities, you’ll have plenty of ideas to make your summer vacation memorable. 

From building sandcastles to playing beach volleyball, there’s something for every child to enjoy. So, pack your beach bag, grab your shades, and embark on an exciting beach adventure with your little ones. 

Let the sun, sand, and sea create lifelong memories for your family.

Have some fun!

Katie, the founder of Abeachz.com

Written & Published By:

Katie created this blog to provide helpful tips and guides about beaches and beachgoer fashion. She shares her wealth of knowledge and offers practical advice and insider recommendations to make every beach trip memorable. From destination suggestions to essential packing tips, ABeachz covers various topics to cater to beach lovers' needs. Katie's expertise extends to fashion, helping readers find the perfect swimwear and beach accessories for any seaside occasion.