Beach Day
Beach season is in full swing! Many
families are off to the beach this time of year for their summer vacation.
Getting your kids to play outdoors is easier at the beach because of the
natural curiosity brought by the unknown waters and critters in the sand. While
your kids are outdoors exploring, getting them to really play with nature is
the ultimate goal. Nature serves as a natural spark for the imagination. When
children are able to manipulate their surroundings creativity ignites and opens
many doors to learning opportunities. The learning opportunities can start with
coordination and balance, but can lead to problem solving, and early
engineering skills. There are many activities to do with your kids at the beach,
check out these ideas for playing with nature while at the beach!
Sand and water are the most abundant
natural materials found in this salty environment and the uses are endless.
Building sand castles are always a great way to ignite your imagination. When
children create something from a manipulative source such as sand it teaches
them every day lessons. These lessons include balance and how water makes the
sand heavier and not as stable. Another is erosion and how over time the sand
starts to slide because it is not a stable foundation.
While you are sculpting your
sand castle you may want to get creative with the shells too! By gathering
rocks, shells, sticks and seaweed debris you can create people to live in your
kingdom. Making connections with nature on an imaginative level helps keep the
“magic” of nature alive. This magic is what encourages empathy in young ones
toward our ever-changing environment. Click on the links below the photos to get more
inspiration from other families!
