Six Fun Beach Activities for Kids!

Image source: @ThePropertyDrop

With the weather getting warmer (famous last words!) a trip to the beach is always a perfect way to spend a summers day. It’s not only a great way of getting fresh air, but there are so many activities you can do with the little ones with no or very little equipment. We’ve put together a few of our favourite beach activities!

These activities are suitable for ages 3 and up, and children should always be supervised at the beach. If you are spending time outside don’t forget to apply SPF, with a minimum of SPF 30: UVA and UVB rays can still be dangerous, even on cloudy days! And don’t forget to reapply every two hours, or after getting wet. Take plenty of water with you to stay hydrated, and stay in the shade if needs be! Most importantly don't forget your sunhat

Image via @LuziaPimpinella

1. Beach Bingo 

On your way to the beach, make a list with the kids of things you might see at the beach, such as sand, a seagull or a bucket and spade! Once you’re there, see if you can check off each of your items on the list! This can be as simple or complicated as you make it: you can experiment with things beginning with a certain letter, or maybe get more abstract with it: look for things a mermaid could make an outfit from! 

Image via @HelenaBradbury

2. Writing in the sand 

Writing in the sand is such a fun way of practicing writing and fine motor skills; and can also act as a great sensory activity. 

You could also write large letters in the sand and play a game where you call out words, and you run to the letter that the word begins with!

Image via @O__Yes__O

3. Seashell and pebble collecting  

If I had a penny for every “special pebble” I tried to bring home from the beach as a child… well I’d probably have less than a pound, but even so! Exploring the beach to find the most interesting pebbles and shells can be a fun and relaxing activity that helps little ones engage with their environment! 

Remember: it's best not to take pebbles home with you, and it's good to teach children that pebbles are on the beach to protect the land from the sea! 

Image via @TheLayoverLife

4. Pebble and Seashell Land Art

Once you’ve collected all your seashells and pebbles, arrange them in the sand to create a large artwork. This can be shapes, patterns or even things you might find on the beach like sandcastles or fish! 

Image via @IzaCapturesColour featuring the
Adventurer Bucket Hat in Multi

5. Noughts and crosses 

Another fun activity that can be created in the sand is a noughts and crosses, or a tic tac toe board! Create a large 3x3 square board by drawing in the sand with your finger or a stick: you can also use different shells and pebbles as your game pieces, or simply draw the noughts and crosses in! 

6.Rock Tower Building 

If you’re on a beach with lots of rocks and pebbles, collecting different sized rocks is a great way to aid fine and gross motor skills. You can then have a competition to see who can make the highest tower, experimenting with what happens when you try to balance different sized rocks on top of one another! 

As with collecting rocks and pebbles, it's best to leave everything as you found it once you leave, and dismantle any rock towers you've built!

The Cub Hat with Neck Flap: Lilac 

Check out our summer hats for a perfect accompaniment to a sunny day at the beach: the Cub Hat comes with neck flaps to protect little ones on summer days, and have UPF 50+ protection! 

What are your favourite beach activities? Tag us on social media and show us how you're having fun in the sun this summer in your LHW hat!

Author Emma Watson founder of Little Hotdog Watson

Little Hotdog Watson is a kidswear brand with a difference. We make kids hats unlike any other by combining style + innovation. Our sun hats offer triple protection from UV, Mosquitoes and Overheating, while our winter hats are water resistant, reflective and extra cosy. Take a look at our hats here.