Even though the summer is almost over, planning activities for those last days on the coast is always a good idea. Thereby, you probably have already run out of imagination and equipment to entertain your little one. No worries, we made a list of the 7 most fun kids’ games to play on the beach!
But, before we explain the games, let’s see exactly why beach time is healthy for your kid!
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Healthy Benefits of Playing on the Beach
Spending time outside in the sun is always a good idea. Of course, this is allowed only when your kid has proper and needed protection from the sun.
When that side is covered, your kid can take advantage of the beach in many aspects and have a lot of fun while imprinting their health.
Here are the top 10 benefits of playing on the beach:
- Being in the sunlight is beneficial for gaining Vitamin D.
- Going barefoot can help kids with the healthy and proper development of their feet.
- Activities on the beach can be beneficial for kids’ feet and their overall health.
- Ocean/sea can have a calming effect on babies and little kids.
- Beach activities and playing are important for developing tactile skills, improving balance and strength, encouraging motor skills, and teaching kids about physics.
- Outdoor play in the fresh air can be beneficial to their bodies, especially when combined with mineral-rich seawater.
- When on the beach, kids forget about their phones. They have numerous different things to do, like playing with other kids in the sand, in the sea, flying a kite, throwing a frisbee, etc.
- This automatically means that a beach is a great place for learning social skills.
- Screaming, running, throwing, swimming, everything is allowed at the beach. There is no better place for kids to explore!
- Kids are pretty safe on the beach. Besides easy parental supervision, a lifeguard is always on the clock.
There are a lot of benefits of playing on the beach. Since we established that, we can move on to our top 10 fun kids’ games to play on the beach. Let’s check them!
#1 Beach ball hot potato
Equipment:
- A beach ball
- Music to play via smartphone, iPad, or another device.
How to play?
This game can be played in two or larger groups. However, it can last much longer and be much more interesting in the company of more players. Make two groups of kids, each one representing their team, standing across from each other. One of the players will be the one in charge to play the music. Other players, that are standing in a circle, need to toss the ball to each other while the music is playing. The aim is to throw the ball as fast as they can without dropping it. However, the music can stop at any time and whoever holds the ball at that point gets eliminated. Continue to play the game until there is only one remaining player.
What is this game good for? Great for developing throwing and catching skills. Also good for developing better concentration and motor skills.
#2 Beach Limbo
Equipment:
- An object used as a bar
- Music but this is optional
How to play?
Limbo is a very popular fun game that is often played at parties. This time, we do not need a party, we can make it a beach version. The game requires at least 3 players, two holding the bar and one trying to go under the bar. The aim is to pass the bar with kids back facing the sand without falling on their backs or their knees. Then kids can take turns and switch positions. Each time the kid successfully passes, lower the bar again and again. The game can be even more interesting when there is music.
What is this game good for? An excellent game and therefore an exercise for stretching and increasing children’s elasticity.
#3 Beach River
Equipment:
- Few beach bucket
- Beach shovels
How to play?
There is no competition in this game. Give your kids beach buckets and shovels. Let them dig long trenches on the sand close to the sea/ocean. Take the buckets with water and fill the trenches, making a flowing stream of water. This will look like a river which can be straight or the ones with curves. This is up to the kids to decide. It is also possible for kids to make a sand dam to hold back water and then release it all at once. To make the river course more interesting, make them or make together pieces of paper boats or driftwood.
What is this game good for? Even though there is no competition whatsoever or winning in any sense, this game is very interesting and creative. Kids can let their imaginations run wild and make different variations. They can add some rocks inside the river, seaweed, or even catch some fish and let them swim!
#4 Beach Volleyball
Equipment:
- A ball
How to play? You probably already know this game since it is one of the most popular outdoor games for kids but adults as well. However, depending on the kid’s age you can do some variations. If kids are a bit older, you can even find a net near the beach. If not, you can tie some rope from one parasol to another and make the fake net. For smaller kids, a net is not necessary. You can form a circle together and play around. Also if there are only two kids, they can play by standing one across from the other. To make the game more interesting, count the number of times you hit the ball without dropping it.
What is this game good for? Very old but never runs out of style game. It’s very simple, kids usually love them and it’s great for fostering volleying and throwing skills.
#5 Beach Relay
Equipment:
- Beach buckets
- Beach cups or bottles
How to play? This game can be played in two or larger groups. Each kid should have a bucket and a beach cup or a bottle. Make a line with the buckets on the sand. On the count of three, each kid will take their beach cups or bottles and run into the sea/ocean to fill them with water. After collecting water, they will run back and pour it into their buckets. The race winner is the first kid to fill the bucket. To spice things up a little bit, you can set up some ground rules. For example, kids can only use one hand to hold the cups and fill the water, the hand they are holding the cup has to be their non-dominant hand, and so on.
What is this game good for? This game can get a little competitive which is good for kids to learn about it healthily. It has very simple rules making it one of the favorite kids’ games to play on the beach. Kids practice running, being dexterous and nimble, and also exercise thein non-dominant side of the body.
#6 Sand Hopscotch
Equipment:
- None
How to play? We guess that carrying all that things to entertain your kid on the beach can be a bit tiring. Luckily, there are fun beach games without equipment for kids and one of them is sand hopscotch. Instead of using chalk, take a rock or stick, make a grid and then use rocks or shells as markers. The hoping and jumping can start! We recommend not to do it in flip-flops since they are pretty insecure summer footwear. Instead, let your kid play with their bare feet. If the sand is too hot, they can use some swimming socks instead.
What is this game good for? A great game for increasing kids’ coordination of movements, harmonizing their motions, and letting them explore different textures underneath their feet.
#7 Bubble Blowing
Equipment:
- Some bubble juice and blowers
How to play? There is no better place to make and chase some bubbles than on the coast side. In this case, if your kid spills the juice, no worries, the ocean is right there to rinse it off. A dollar store is a good place to buy bubble blowers and bubble juice in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, you can try to make your bubble juice by simply mixing some dish soap and water and adding a dash of sugar if you prefer.
What is this game good for? While blowing and catching the bubbles, kids run, jump, and coordinate their motor skills. The equipment is very minimal yet little ones can play for hours since it’s one of the most entertaining kids’ games to play on the beach, including flying a kite.
