What could be better for family day outs than the beach? You can do it all. It can be used to do sports, relax, swim, or build stuff. Depending on your location, you can also get in the car. But, you don’t have to just go to the beach for fun. Children and teens can easily get bored when they travel with you. This can lead to a change in the mood and make it difficult for them to enjoy the trip. However, this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
This post will show you five great activities that your whole family can enjoy at the beach. There is something for everyone, even troubled teens and toddlers. While you may need to adjust the activities to suit your destination, we can assure you that they are all safe and fun!
1. Create something
You have plenty of seaweed, rocks, and wet sand at the beach. So why not let your imagination run wild and create something! A sandcastle is the best option for families. It’s not as easy as just filling a bucket with sand and then getting to work.
To start, build a base of wet sand. Next, dig until you find water. Now comes the fun part. You can make your castle look as large and impressive as you like by decorating it with shells or building turrets. It is important not to build too close to the ocean as it could be washed away by the tide. Take lots of photos!
Sandcastle been done before? Too simple? You could try to make a raft if you have lots of driftwood or sticky seaweed. It’s best to only get on it when you are in shallow water and there is no current. You don’t want to get soaked. You can make an inukshuk (stone tower) if you are on a sandy beach. Although the tallest tower is nearly 40 feet tall, if you can manage ten stones, you will have done a great job.
2. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
You’re sure to find stand-up paddle boarders at any beach with flat water. You’ll be able to learn SUP faster and have a better time. It’s great for the whole family to learn it together. You can also be sure that your children are safe, regardless of whether you’re taking lessons.
There are many beaches that rent SUPs, but an iSUP, which is the best option for beginners, is available. The iSUP can be folded up and put in a backpack. It takes up less space than a hardboard. You don’t have to paddle on your board, no matter what type. You can also use your board for yoga, fishing, or SUP surfing, which is a different way to surf. For more information about paddle boarding, visit GILI Sports.
You don’t want to try SUP? You can try other water sports (age and location dependent). Parasailing, surfing and banana boat riding are just a few of the options.
3. Sport
It doesn’t matter if you are going to the ocean to enjoy the beach sports. There are many things you can do with your small area of sand if you don’t have anyone around. If you have a lot of people on your beach trip, it might be worth making a rounder or a soccer pitch to pit the family against one another. It’s great to have a bit of competition, but keep it fun and friendly.
Some beaches will even already have the facilities. There may even be nets for volleyball. You just need to bring a ball, and you’ll see how long the rally can go on. If you get too hot or sweaty, there is no better way to cool down than to run to the ocean. Make sure you have a towel handy so that you can dry off in the car.
Check out these Water Shoes for Kids:
4. Treasure Hunt
You can go treasure hunting at the beach in one of two ways. You might need to prepare the first one by making cards that include a list of items you can find at the beach. You could choose to use the obvious categories of shells and rocks or you could go with something more open-ended, such as something blue or something red. This is especially useful for younger children. You could ask teenagers to help younger siblings or cousins.
Rock pooling, while not a treasure hunt is a great way for marine life to interact with you at the beach. You can find rock pools that are home to small fish, crabs, plants and other marine life. A book could be purchased that shows children what kind of life they can expect at the beach. You can give animals a closer look with a net or a bucket and teach children how to respect the natural world.
5. Relax!
Last but not the least, take some time to relax on the beach. Although all of these activities will tire you, it’s not what everyone needs from the beach. Take a stroll and feel the sand between your toes, take a picnic you have prepared at home, or visit a cafe or restaurant that offers a great view. It is important to spend time with your family, so beach trips should be enjoyed and cherished by all.
Don’t stress out about keeping everyone happy by making plans. Going to the beach is as much about getting away from real life stress as it is about playing games and sports. We hope you enjoy your trip!
