The Best Beach Activities, 18 Ideas for Hours of Fun In The Sun

Beach games are a great way to have fun with family and friends in the summertime. Whether you’re looking for something to entertain the kids or something a bit more interesting for adults, there are tons of awesome beach activities out there that can provide hours of entertainment. So whether you’re a seasoned beachgoer or planning your first seaside adventure, this article will provide you with a wealth of ideas to elevate your beach escapades. See our extensive list of games to play at the beach from kids beach activities to games for the whole family.

How Do You Make The Beach Fun For Kids?

Kids love being outdoors, and when it comes to beach games, they can be particularly exciting. From classic beach favorites like Frisbee and sandcastle building to some of the more inventive options like “Shark Attack” and “Sink the Boat”, there are plenty of fun activities for little ones at the beach. Here is a list of some of the best beach games for kids.

Checkers

Playing checkers at the beach is a delightful way to add a touch of classic fun to your beach day. There are cloth checker boards you can buy that are very portable and perfect to use around water and sand.

Tic Tac Toe

The sandy beach is the perfect playground for a thrilling game of tic tac toe. With its soft and fine grains, the sand offers an ideal canvas for drawing the iconic grid. Children can effortlessly create and erase the game board using their nimble fingers or a simple stick. As they press into the sand, the natural texture adds a delightful tactile sensation, amplifying the joy of each move as they leave behind their mark on the smooth surface.

Crab Soccer

To play crab soccer, kids start by getting down on their hands and feet, facing upwards with their stomachs towards the sky. With their palms and feet supporting their weight.

The rules of crab soccer are similar to regular soccer. Players pass the ball using their feet, trying to maneuver it towards the opponent’s goal and score points. However, due to the crab like position, the movements are unique and often comical, adding an extra layer of fun and laughter to the game.

Sandcastle Building Contest

Sandcastles are always popular with kids and they don’t require any specialized equipment either! To build a sandcastle, simply gather buckets, shovels, molds and any other items you might need before breaking off into groups or competing individually as sandcastle builders extraordinaire!

Shark Attack

This game involves one person being designated as the shark while everyone else starts at one end of the beach running away from them. As people pass by the shark they must try to tag them before getting to safety at the other end of the beach!

Fun Beach Activities For Adults

Adults can enjoy their time at the beach just as much as kids do – especially if they choose their game wisely! Beach volleyball has been around forever but there are plenty more options these days that take advantage of all kinds of technology and creativity. Here are some awesome adult friendly choices that will keep everyone entertained.

Bucket Ball / Beach Pong

Bucket Ball is one of those beach activities most adults already know! It combines elements of accuracy, strategy, and friendly competition. It is played with two teams, each aiming to toss balls into buckets placed in a triangle. The objective is to successfully land the balls in each of opposing team’s buckets. Players take turns throwing the balls, employing skillful techniques and adjusting their aim to score points.

Spikeball

Spikeball is a fast paced and dynamic game that has gained popularity as an exciting beach activity. It involves two teams of two players each, competing to bounce a small ball off a net and prevent their opponents from returning it. The objective is to hit the ball onto the net in such a way that it becomes challenging for the opposing team to control and return it within three hits.

Glow in The Dark Volleyball

If regular volleyball isn’t challenging enough, why not give glow in dark volleyball a shot? Balls lit up with LED lights make this version more visually stunning than ever before – just be sure to bring along flashlights too so you don’t lose track of where it goes!

Tidalball

Of all beach activities, this one is taking the coast by storm! Tidalball is a bocce / corn hole alternative that can be played anywhere on hard-packed sand. Scoop a hole and U-shaped trench for each team 10 paces apart. A ball tossed or rolled into the hole is worth 3 points, and a ball tossed or rolled into the trench is worth 1. Scoring is just like cornhole. If you score 3 points and your opponent scores 1, you get a total of 2 points for the round. Keep going until one team hits 21.

Discover Hidden Gems with Beach Metal Detecting

Take your metal detector down to your favorite spot on the sand and search away! You never know what old coins, jewelry or artifacts you might uncover if you put in enough effort – plus it’s also great exercise too!

Beach Activities for Families

The beach offers the perfect setting for families to connect and spend quality time together. Engaging in beach activities allows parents and children to bond, communicate, and create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. Here are a few more beach games you can enjoy as a family.

Frisbee

This classic game is easy enough for even young kids to play. All you need is a frisbee and some basic throwing skills. There are multiple versions that can be played such as ultimate frisbee, freestyle and double disc court.

• Ultimate Frisbee – This came combines elements of football, soccer, and basketball. It is played with two teams aiming to score points by catching the disc in the opponent’s end zone. Players must pass the disc to teammates without running while defending against the other team’s attempts to intercept.
• Freestyle Frisbee – This version showcases artistic and acrobatic moves with the disc. Players perform tricks, spins, and creative throws.
• Double Disc Court – Double disc court involves two teams competing to score points by throwing and catching two discs within a specified court. The objective is to catch the discs in the opponent’s court while preventing them from doing the same in yours.
• Guts Frisbee – In this is a fast paced version of the game, two teams face each other and take turns throwing the frisbee at high speed towards the opposing team. The objective is for the receiving team to catch and hold onto the disc without it hitting the ground. If a catch is not made, or if the disc is caught but not held, the opposing team scores a point.

Kite Flying

The beach offers an ideal setting for kite flying, thanks to its expansive sandy shores and gentle ocean breeze. It is also the perfect family beach activity. Launching and maneuvering a kite requires teamwork and coordination. Parents and children can work together, taking turns holding the string and guiding the kite’s movements.

The endless fun doesn’t stop with the thrilling dives and loops, there are a myriad of designs that add an extra element of fun to the experience. Choose from traditional diamond shaped kites with vibrant patterns, whimsical animal shaped kites, or even intricate stunt kites that allow for impressive aerial tricks. Let your imagination soar with kites adorned with colorful tails, streamers, or even LED lights for mesmerizing night flights. There’s a kite design to match every family member’s personality and preference.

Four Square

Playing four square at the beach is a fun and exciting way to enjoy a day in the sun. Not only does it provide hours of entertainment, but it also allows for some physical activity as well.

The classic game four square requires four players and one large square with 4 smaller boxes within drawn in the sand. Each player stands on opposite corners of the box and takes turns bouncing a ball off their own side into another player’s side. The goal is to force them to hit it back before it bounces twice on their side. If they fail to hit it back, they are eliminated from the game. The last person standing wins!

For an added challenge, try adding different rules such as no hitting with hands or bouncing off two sides instead of one; this will require players to think quickly and act strategically. With every round of play comes new opportunities for creativity and excitement!

Cornhole

Sometimes known as bean bag toss or tailgate toss, it is also becoming an increasingly popular beach activity. The game requires two platforms with holes in each end and eight bags filled with corn or plastic pellets.

• Place the two cornhole boards facing each other, with a distance of 27 feet between the front edges.
• Each board should be positioned with the hole facing towards the opponent’s board.
• Make sure there is enough space behind each board for players to stand and throw the bags.
• The objective of the game is to score points by throwing the bags into the hole or landing them on the board.
• When a bag goes through the hole, it’s worth three points. If a bag lands on the board and remains there, it’s worth one point.
• Teams take turns throwing their bags until all eight bags have been thrown.
• The team scoring the most points in the previous round gets to throw first in the next round.
• Players must throw from behind the front edge of their own board, and they can choose to throw from either side of the board.
• If both teams have bags on the board, points cancel each other out. For example, if one team has two bags on the board (worth 1 point each) and the other team has one bag in the hole (worth 3 points), the team with the bag in the hole scores 3 – 1 = 2 points for that round.
• The game continues until one team reaches or exceeds a predetermined score, usually 21 or 25 points.

Relaxing Things to do at the Beach

Participating in calming beach activities can be soothing and relaxing. The beach possesses an exceptional ability to captivate our senses and create a tranquil setting that encourages relaxation and revitalization. Whether it’s lounging on a comfortable beach chair, feeling the gentle warmth of the sun on your skin, and listening to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore, or taking a leisurely stroll along the sandy coastline, each activity contributes to a profound sense of tranquility.

Beachcombing for Sea Shells & Glass

Beachcombing is a wonderfully relaxing activity that offers many benefits. As you search for treasures, the gentle sound of the waves, the sensation of soft sand beneath your feet, and the salty breeze create a serene environment.

When beachcombing, you enter a state of mindful exploration. As you stroll along the shoreline, you become fully present, focusing on the treasures that nature has left behind. This mindful mindset promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and encourages a sense of calm.

Beach Yoga or Meditation

Doing yoga on the beach in the early morning hours is an invigorating and rejuvenating experience that combines the benefits of both yoga and the natural surroundings. As the sun begins to rise, casting a soft golden glow over the horizon, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the rhythmic sounds of crashing waves and the gentle caress of a salty breeze. The tranquil atmosphere creates an ideal environment for finding inner peace and tranquility.

The environment heightens your sensory perception, allowing you to be fully present in the moment. This heightened awareness enables you to deepen your breath, focus your mind, and experience a profound sense of mindfulness.

Escape with a Book

Reading at the beach is a blissful and relaxing escape. When you open a book at the beach, you enter a world of imagination and escape from the demands of everyday life. It’s a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, immerse yourself in captivating stories, and let your mind wander to far off places or intriguing narratives.

Reading at the beach offers uninterrupted time with your book. Without constant notifications or distractions, you can fully immerse yourself in the story and connect with the characters.

Watch the Sun Rise or Set

Watching the sunrise or sunset is a truly magical experience that can captivate your heart and soul. Connect with the natural world in a profound way and think about the beauty and wonder that exists beyond our daily routines. It’s a moment of stillness amidst the chaos of life.

There is also a symbolism in both beach activities. The sunrise represents new beginnings, fresh starts, and the promise of a brand-new day. It’s a symbol of hope, optimism, and the opportunity to seize each moment. On the other hand, sunsets signify the completion of a day, offering a chance for reflection, gratitude, and closure. Both offer time for contemplation and self-reflection.

In summary, the beach is an expansive playground that holds infinite potential. It presents numerous activities catering to individuals of all ages and diverse interests. Whether you gravitate towards team sports, serene moments of unwinding, or thrilling games and escapades, the beach has it all. From the awe inspiring beauty of beach sunsets to the thrill of riding ocean waves, there is something for everyone to enjoy.