Summer is here, which means it’s prime time to enjoy a trip to the beach! At our independent primary school in Devon, we have plenty of opportunities to embrace everything the beach has to offer and know there’s lots of fun to be had.
Make the most out of your seaside adventure with some of these activities perfect for children and families during the summer holidays.
1. Rock Pooling
Letting your child loose outside with a net is bound to be exciting enough for them, but throw in some creepy crawlies and you’ve got yourself a recipe for success!
UK beaches are dotted with rock pools, giving you the perfect opportunity to educate your child about ecosystems and respecting our planet – there are so many ways to continue learning outside the classroom. Plus, it also encourages patience and forces children to slow down and appreciate nature. Just make sure they let everything go once they’ve seen enough.
2. Building Sandcastles
Although building sand castles seems like a simple option for an activity on the beach, children love making them. They are easy to make and very entertaining for children, especially when trying to create a moat around the sandcastle using the sea water.
Let children unleash their creativity by building sandcastles using buckets, shovels, and other sandcastle-building tools they might find on the beach. They can design elaborate structures and decorate them with seashells; the possibilities are endless!
3. Discovering Shells
Encourage children to explore the shoreline and collect seashells. They can search for unique shells or try to find shells of different shapes, sizes, and colours.
Looking for shells can fill many hours at the seaside. It may be a good idea to find a checklist with a range of different shells to tick off, making it into a game or treasure hunt.
4. Pebble Art
From building towers to creating pebble faces, pebble art is a brilliant activity for children to enjoy at the beach. As your child selects each pebble they want to use they will experience a variety of different textures and colours.
If the beach allows, you could take a few pebbles home to enjoy some pebble art activities throughout the summer holidays, such as decorating them with paint.
5. Beach Sports
There’s nothing like a bit of family competition, and where better to stage your own sports contest than at the beach?
Here’s some inspiration for sports you can try on your next beach day:
- Beach volleyball
- Races and relays
- Obstacle courses
- Cricket or rounders
6. Bodyboarding
Make a splash this summer! While surfing might be too advanced for your little ones, they can still take to the waves and have a go at the next best thing: bodyboarding.
Bodyboarding is the perfect way to ease kids into swimming, surfing, or just to let them have some fun in the sea. Not only do bodyboards offer hours of seaside fun, but with their safety strap and buoyancy, they give kids a safe way to enjoy the waves.
Surf shops across the UK will have a variety of bodyboards available for you to buy or rent for a day. Or, if you’d prefer a cheaper option, bodyboards are also available at most supermarkets during the summer season.
At St Peter’s, we’re proud to offer forest and beach school activities that take learning beyond the classroom, ensuring children can experience the beach all year round!
If you have any queries about preparatory schools and whether it would be the right fit for you and your child, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us today.
