Curious Parents Parenting Resources

summer fun

Create Great Memories with these Beach Activities

New Jersey is well known for its beaches. Whether you’re in Cape May or Avalon, going to the shore is a common trip for many New Jersey and Pennsylvania natives. To keep every trip interesting, here are a few creative activities that the whole family can do while enjoying the sun and sand.

ACTIVITIES

Treasure Hunt

For many children, it’s hard to see so much sand and not think about what type of buried treasure might be out there. With a bit of planning, parents can turn that thought into an exciting adventure for kids. Try posting a few interesting clues near landmarks along the beach; perhaps a note on the lifeguard tower, giving a clue to walk 20 paces to the left. Or you could draw up a treasure map, leading to the secret location of a prize. Let your children dig through the sand and find the hidden prizes. For the treasure, a bag of chocolate coins would give the exciting hunt a nice payoff!

Sand Sculpture

Instead of trying to build the tradition sandcastle, why not create something a bit more interesting. The cool thing about sand sculptures is that they can be anything you want them to be. A sculpture of a turtle, car, or mermaid can be fun and also allows for your family’s creativity to shine.

Here are a few tips for making a great sand sculpture:

1. Have a spray bottle of water handy. This way you can keep the sand from drying out too fast and crumbling.

2. Make use of seashells to decorate your design. The beaches are littered with shells with amazing designs that can add color and style to your creation.

3. Be patient. Sculpting takes concentration and planning so don’t be frustrated if it takes longer than you think it will.

ARTS & CRAFTS AT THE BEACH

Part of making a family vacation memorable is finding souvenirs that are distinct to that vacation. Nothing reminds you of the beach like sand and seashells. FamilyFun.com offers these great ideas to creating unique and creative crafts that will stay with your family for years to come:

Sea Shell Paintings

Craft Materials: Seashells (chalkier, white shells work best)

Jar of freshwater • Watercolor or acrylic paints and brushes

1. Rinse a few shells with freshwater and let them dry in the sun.

2. Paint pictures on the inside of each shell, being careful to let each color dry before adding the next for a crisp picture, or letting the colors blend for an abstract splash of color.

3. Set finished shells out in the sun until dry.

Make a Foot Cast

Craft Materials: 4-inch lengths of string, optional

Freshwater • Small bucket • Plaster of Paris

1. Choose a site to cast your molds—the moist, hard-packed sand near the water’s edge works best.

2. Firmly press both feet into the sand. The prints should be about 1/2 inch to 2 inches deep. (If your child can’t press down that hard, he can use his finger to dig down into the print, following its shape.)

3. Mix up the plaster, according to the directions on the package, so that it has a thick, creamy consistency. Pour the wet plaster gently into the footprints.

4. To make hangers, tie a knot about a half-inch in from each end of the pieces of string. As the plaster begins to harden, push the knotted ends into the plaster and let dry.

5. After 20 to 25 minutes, gently dig the footprints out of the molds and brush away any excess sand. Set sole-side up in the sun for about an hour to let harden.

Sand Mosaics

Craft Materials: Shoebox or other shallow box lid

Scissors • White glue • Sand and assorted shells

Black or other dark-colored construction paper

Depending on where you live, beach sand comes in a variety of hues—tan, pink, gold, even black or white. Your child can use whatever shades she finds at the beach for this gluing project—a sort of natural version of glitter designs (except, unlike glitter, your supply of sand is practically inexhaustible).

Cut a sheet of construction paper so that it fits inside the box lid—this will be your child’s portable canvas. To make a picture, she can draw with the tip of the glue bottle, and then sprinkle on loose sand. Once the sand is dry, shake off the excess by gently tapping the side of the lid. For added detail, she can glue on shells, pebbles, sea glass or any other not-too-aromatic finds.