Ideas for Family Activities at the Beach
A family that is going to the beach for vacation has a lot of appealing activities to consider. When it comes to enjoying fun activities by the sea, many parents with young children may think of swimming, collecting seashells and building sandcastles. But, there are many other exciting options for kids and parents who want to enjoy the ocean.
Fishing
Fishing off a pier is one idea for parents who want to spend some quiet time with their children while on vacation. This gives a kid the chance to take in ocean air and explore the horizon for dolphins and other sea creatures. Plus, a parent can show a child how to bait a hook and put the fishing line where it needs to be to attract a fish. Parents and young kids can share a pleasant afternoon of fishing that they will all remember for years to come.
Parasailing
Parasailing is another activity for kids and adults. It is exhilarating to see the ocean from above. There are many businesses that provide a safe, fun parasailing experience. Kids and parents who want a breathtaking view of the ocean would surely enjoy this activity.
Canoeing
A vacation at the beach is all the more exciting when parents and kids go out on the water in a canoe. There are many establishments that rent canoes or rowboats for the day. These businesses also rent life jackets, fishing supplies and other equipment. Kids and parents can enjoy seeing the sights from the water as they spend an hour or two exploring a nearby lake or other body of water.
Sailing
No vacation by the sea is complete without a sailing trip. Parents who have their own sailboat can take their kids out to explore the waves. Or, they can charter a boat as well as an experienced guide for a trip that lasts several hours. Some kids may even want to try fishing from a sailboat. Other kids may prefer to take photos from a sailboat to share with friends back at home. Traveling on the ocean can be an experience that will make family members want to travel back to the beach every year!
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is an activity that is appropriate for kids of all ages. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental, but is also fairly inexpensive to purchase. Kids can go snorkeling with an experienced guide that can show them the different types of fish that live in the area. Snorkeling is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the ecology of the ocean and how different sea creatures depend on one another for survival. Plus, kids get a chance to improve their diving and swimming skills as they go on a snorkeling adventure.
Parents who want to plan a family vacation by the sea are wise to start making plans for accommodations early. Checking out the rates at Honolulu hotels is one example of a step parents can take if they plan to visit Hawaii on their next vacation.
Finally, regardless of the water-related activity, parents can make the experience all the more enjoyable by making arrangements beforehand. Sailboat trips, parasailing adventures and other activities can sometimes be reserved a month or two ahead of time allowing parents to create a fun schedule of things to do.
This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.
These are all great beach activities. I have been to the beach pretty often and I have never done any of these things, I think I need to give them a try. Thank you for sharing this post.
Everything listed is great to do in the summer! I parasailed one time and I was so nervous, but it was a wonderful experience and I would do it again if I had the opportunity. 🙂
Nice post..short & sweet..exactly what i was looking for 🙂 I live in South Florida and though I should know this, sometimes I can’t think of stuff to do with my toddler ..thanks for the ideas! 🙂
These are all great and fun ideas! I’ve never been Snorkeling before and would love to try it!
These are all great ideas. I remember fishing off the pier when I was little and now I take my grandchildren. We crab also. Great post!
Thank you for helping me out with these great ideas to keep the little one’s busy!
these are some great ideas! need to hit a beach this summer!!!
Great ideas, we love to go fishing at the beach 🙂
Wonderful beach activities! I usually just look for beach glass and shells….
thank you for these valuable infos! 🙂
Thanks for the great ideas!
really great ideals ,thanks for sharing
WE LOVE the beach but my kids never want to do anything but make sand castles. would love to try parasailing.
You have some good ideas. When we go to the beach it;s about a two hour drive so we try to make a day of it. I like camping at the beach.
These are great ideas!!!!
These are all great ideas! I’d love to try parasailing!
Great ideas! We will be heading to the beach in a couple of weeks and will be doing several things on your list! We are going to be fishing, kayaking and snorkeling!
These are some great ideas. My family loves going to the beach. Thank you for sharing
All of these are great ideas! I’m for anything that gets kids off the tv/ipad!
These are some really good ideas.
During the summer we try to enjoy it as much as possible. Summers here are hot and short, while winters are brutal and long. We’ll be doing some of these on this list this summer, for sure.
Snorkleing is great for kids
I would love to try para-sailing! I wonder if I could do it anywhere close to where I live!
These are all great ideas. I could try them with my family. Thank you for sharing them.
There is plenty to do at the beach. Last time we went, we camped out and had shuttle service to and from the beach. It was fun.
I love going to the beach. I can’t wait to take our little one! Great ideas!
Swimming fishing go on a sailboat have fun just spend time together
We live down the street from 2 lakes in our “main” house and we have a cottage on a chain of lakes which includes Torch Lake in upper Michigan. So lots of beach and sandbar time. All activities listed are great for older kids and adults, but for smaller kids or if you are not into all the “planning” and specialized equipment … we hunt seashells and petosky stones or any pretty stones.
We have a boat so the kids love to wakeboard and ski and for the not so athletic ones, tubing … yes those need equipment. Also, paddleboarding and stand up paddleboarding (You can rent these sometimes)
I always keep several nerf footballs and frisbees and splash water balls and water balloons and big squirt guns for the kids and adults to play with at the sand bar …
What’s not to love for a day at the beach in the sun 🙂
I really liked all of these ideas, especially the para-sailing!
I like your ideas, so I am going to listen when I go to the beach this next weekend.