
Sand Hopscotchīring the popular hopping game to the beach! Using a stick or rock, draw a grid on the sand and use rocks or shells for markers. Skills developed: running, hand/eye coordination 11. Run to the water’s edge to refill squirt guns if water runs out or to begin the game again. Each child has to squirt their ball with all of their might to get it across another line down the beach. Give each child a beach ball and squirt gun or spray bottle and have them stand across a line drawn in the sand. Kids can work together or compete against each other in this fun game. Required: a skipping rope and strong muscles
A game like war of beach how to#
Hand the ends of the rope to each team and show them how to pull. Make sure the middle of the rope is right over a line drawn in the sand. Divide the kids (and adults) into two teams. Using a skipping rope or towels tied together, stand at the water’s edge. Required: a ball (some beaches have nets set up) Try to count the number of times you can get the ball back and forth.

For the smaller set, a beach ball and a towel are great substitutes. Beach Volleyballĭepending on the ages of the kids playing, a real volleyball and net can be set up. Remember to let the smaller kids line up closer to the pins. The best part about beach bowling is that you don’t have to rent shoes that have been worn a few hundred times. Line up empty bottles or bring your own dollar store plastic pins and balls. Skills developed: balance, falling, and tumbling 7. Required: an item to use as a bar and music (optional)

If you can play music without disturbing other vacationers, pick a selection of fun beach tunes. After each child has succeeded at a certain height of the bar, lower it again and again. With two people holding the ends of a pool noodle, jump rope, or boat oar, have each child take a turn trying to go under the “bar” with their backs facing the sand. Bring it to the 21st century with a fun beach version. The limbo dance originated in Trinidad in the 1800s. Required: a store-bought or home-made kite Kites can be purchased in toy stores, dollar stores, or made by kids before the beach visit. Even if there isn’t a lot of wind, kids can run with kites and have a great time watching them fly behind them. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a child who doesn’t love to fly a kite. Required: a bucket and carrying tool for each child Kids love the challenge of trying to keep the water from spilling before they get it into their bucket. Give each child a plastic cup, spoon, or large shell and have them run to the water, fill their carrying implement, and race to empty it in a bucket. Kids love relay races, and at the beach the old egg and spoon race can be replaced with a water bucket relay. Make sure smaller kids are allowed to stand closer to the target than the bigger ones to keep frustration levels to a minimum. Take turns trying to throw your frisbee as close to the target as you can. Set up targets using items you brought to the beach (could be a picnic blanket, an umbrella, a towel, or you could even dig a hole in the sand to aim at). Substitute a plain old game of frisbee with frisbee golf. Skills developed: striking, coordination 3. Set up a few targets to aim for or dig holes in the sand to practice your child’s short game. Pick up a plastic set of clubs and balls at your local dollar store or improvise with what you have on hand at the beach. Let your child bring out their inner Phil Mickelson and spend a day at the sandy links. LEARN MORE Playing helps kids be more successful at school 2. Skills developed: lifting and lowering objects Required: shovels and varying levels of attention span Please remember to fill in any holes you dig in the sand when you’re done playing for the safety of other people using the beach. Get your kids to see how deep of a hole they can dig and when they’ve dug as far as they can, see if an adult can fit in the hole or see how long it takes to fill the hole with water.

Nothing beats good-old digging in the sand. The following activities are fun and also help kids develop their basic movement skills. If sailing is part of your itinerary, make sure to bring spare boat batteries in case you need them while at sea.īut having a list of engaging ideas in your back pocket might mean the difference between them wanting to pack it in after only an hour at the beach and not being able to drag them home after several.
A game like war of beach free#
Of course, sand and water are a combination that invite free play and will trigger most kids’ imaginations to create fabulous, undirected games and activities. And that list represents only a smattering of the gorgeous beaches this country has to offer.īeach holidays can be wonderful family getaways if you’re prepared.

While beaches may not come to mind as Canadian tourist destinations, Canada is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, several of the most notable of which you can find in our list to the right.
