Summer is here and that means it’s time to pack up the car and head to the shore. Bright sun, cool ocean breezes, and a day full of opportunities for fun make going to the ocean or lake the best way to spend a summer day. You can make your family’s day at the beach even better with these special beach activities that are easy to organize, inexpensive, and sure to create a memorable experience for everyone.
Walking along the seashore has long been a wonderful way to let the cares of the day melt away, but it won’t keep the kids happy for long. At the same time, ditching schedules and tasks for a day of beach activities is a wonderful way to recharge your mental, spiritual, and physical batteries. Somehow, there is a certain magic in finding that unique shell or seeing a kite fly over the waves that helps us regain our perspective and zest for life.
Flying kites: a return to childhood
Spending some time flying a kite, feeling it tug and tug as it dances in the wind, is one of the best beach activities, at any age. All it takes is a kite, some string, and the willingness to recapture some of that youthful exuberance we all once took for granted. Imagine family and friends standing side by side along the shoreline, arms outstretched, exchanging stories, feeling the pull of the wind as its brightly colored kites flutter from the sky. Now that’s a photo opportunity, if ever there was one!
sandcastle building contest
Children are instinctively drawn to digging in the sand. As adults, we tend to avoid it, knowing full well how sand gets into everything. Instead of missing out on this rite of summer, your family can create teams of young and old and have a sand castle building contest. You’ll be glad you did when you hear the whoops of joy as the waves crash into the moats and the precarious flags of seaweed wave tentatively over the transitory towers. It costs nothing and, well, sand gets into everything anyway.
Treasure hunt
Scavenger hunts are a wonderful way to focus any outing. Create a little friendly competition to see who can find the most interesting driftwood, colorful ocean glass, fascinating rocks, or funniest looking seashell. You can create a theme for your scavenger hunt by having teams search for something in each color of the rainbow, a specific shape, or bring something with a story to tell about it.
get sporty
The deep sand makes it forgiving and challenging when it comes to traditional sports like Frisbee, volleyball, and badminton. The equipment can often be found in your own garage and is something everyone can enjoy playing or looking at during their day on the coast.
musical beach chairs
While lounge chairs are made for relaxing, watching your loved ones compete in a heated game of Musical Beach Chairs can make everyone laugh out loud. Legs sag, chairs tilt, and everyone ends up shaking and laughing out loud. All you need are the chairs you already have with you and some music. You may also want to have a camera ready for this beach activity!
A healthy picnic and plenty of clean water round out an affordable and enjoyable day at the shore. Some inexpensive sports equipment, some sun loungers, and some long line kites can come together to create a memorable day that everyone can enjoy. Just make sure to pack the sunscreen!
