15 exciting activities to do at the beach
The sun, the sand, the waves – the beach is the perfect place for a day of fun and adventure. So gather your friends, pack your sunscreen, and put on your flip flops, as here are 15 beach activities guaranteed to make your summer unforgettable.
1. Sandcastle building competition
Unleash your inner architect and get creative in the sand. Whether you’re crafting a simple tower or an elaborate fortress, sandcastle building is a timeless beach activity. Make it even more fun by hosting a friendly competition to see who can create the most impressive structure.
2. Beach bingo
Turn your day at the beach into an exciting scavenger hunt with Beach Bingo. Use our bingo cards with items you might find at the beach, such as seashells, seaweed or even seagulls. The first person to spot all the items in a row wins a prize!
3. Beach-combing portraits
Combine art and nature with beach-combing portraits. Collect a variety of beach treasures such as shells, sea glass, and driftwood, and use them to create unique and beautiful portraits in the sand. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone’s creative juices flowing.
4. Follow a treasure map
Channel your inner pirate and embark on a treasure hunt. Create a treasure map and hide small prizes around the beach. Give clues and directions to lead the way. It’s an adventurous activity that’s sure to be a hit with everyone.
5. Beach bowling
Set up a game of beach bowling using a beach ball and empty water bottles as pins. You could also use sandcastles and a football. The sandy surface adds a fun twist to the traditional game, making it a bit more challenging and a lot more hilarious.
6. Beachball volleyball
What’s a day at the beach without a game of volleyball? Use a beach ball to keep it light and fun. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone moving and enjoying the sun while engaging in some friendly competition.
7. Rounders
Bring a bat and ball to the beach and set up a game of rounders. It’s a great way to enjoy a classic team sport with a sandy twist. The game is easy to learn and perfect for all ages.
8. Make a beach toy library
Encourage sharing and community spirit by setting up a beach toy library. Gather a collection of toys, such as buckets, spades and beach toys, then have a weatherproof box to store them in. Make a sign to invite others to borrow and enjoy them. Always have landowner permission.
9. Beach mini golf
Create your own mini golf course in the sand using buckets, shells, seaweed and other beach finds as obstacles. Use a small ball and a makeshift club to navigate through the course. It’s a fun and challenging way to enjoy a classic game in a new setting.
10. Frisbee fun
A beach day isn’t complete without a game of frisbee. The open space and soft sand make it the perfect place to toss around a frisbee. You can even set up targets or play a game of ultimate frisbee for added excitement.
11. Rock-pooling adventures
Explore the rock pools and discover the fascinating marine life that resides there. From tiny crabs to colourful sea anemones, there’s so much to see and learn. It’s an educational and adventurous activity that will captivate everyone’s curiosity.
12. Fly a kite
Take advantage of the coastal breezes and fly a kite. It’s a relaxing and mesmerising activity that’s fun for all ages. Watching your kite soar high in the sky is a truly magical experience. Why not make your own kite?
13. Musical towels
Put a beach twist on musical chairs with musical towels. Spread out towels in a circle on some flat, stable sand and play some fun tunes. When the music stops, everyone must find a towel to stand on. Remove one towel each round until there’s a winner. It’s a lively and entertaining game.
14. Beach clean
It’s a rewarding activity that helps keep our beaches beautiful and safe for everyone. Use gloves, litter pickers and bin bags to collect litter from the beach. Always dispose of the rubbish properly, tell everyone what not to touch (such as broken glass), and wash your hands afterwards. Try our litter picking activity to find out more.
15. Go fossil hunting
Be inspired by Mary Anning and embark on a fossil hunting expedition to see what ancient treasures you can uncover. Look for interesting rocks and shells that might contain fossils. It’s a thrilling activity that combines science and adventure.
Safety tips
All activities in Scouts must be safely managed. It’s important to choose an appropriate, accessible outdoor area. You may need to think about avoiding steps, being close to public transport, or steep gradients or including frequent breaks. You must have permission to use the location.
You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. You should use our safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Always manage groups and activities carefully when near water. The guidance on activities near water will help you to keep your group safe.
Always check the weather forecast, tide times and sunset before running the activity.
You should inform parents and carers of any change in venue, days or times, and have a suitable drop off/collection point. You could use our activity information forms, and always make sure everyone knows what people should bring and wear.
Find out more about running active games safely and making them accessible.