Fun Beach Ideas for Preschoolers
Going to the beach with small children can mean more time spent entertaining the kids on the beach than in the water. We’re sharing some ways to keep everyone having the best beach day.
Play in the Sand
- Bring toy cars and build roads and hills for the cars. Bonus points for using construction trucks to build your roads.
- Buckets, shovels, and molds are great ways for small children to build sandcastles.
- Incorporate water into your sand play by pouring it in holes, trenches, or on mounds and noticing how the sand changes when its wet.
Explore the Beach
- Collect seashells together and try to find different shapes, sizes, and colors.
- Walk along the edge of the tide and notice when it splashes your feet. Splash in the surf, keeping a close eye that they don’t venture too far.
- Try to spot the local wildlife, including birds, crabs, and maybe even dolphins. If you have tidepools, spend time investigating the small creatures that call it home.
- Give your child an age-appropriate camera and encourage them to take photos of things they find interesting. Review the photos together and ask questions to learn what they see in the images.
Play Games
- Bring a ball and play catch, volleyball, or a new game of your own creation.
- Go beach fishing with a toy fishing rod. Pretend you are catching fish of all kinds, including completely imaginary species.
- Make an obstacle course using natural materials, like driftwood, shells, and rocks.
- Fly kites and see how high they can go or how long someone can keep them in the air.
Relax Together
- Picnic on the beach with their favorite snacks. Don’t forget the beach blanket.
- Do some beach yoga in the sand together, mimicking the movements of crabs and other beach creatures.
- Find a shady spot and read a few good books together as you listen to the waves.
- Enjoy the sunrise or sunset together.
BONUS:
Beach Treasure Hunt
Play the Beach Quest and explore all the small and big things you can find at the beach.
