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5 Ways to Entertain Children at the Beach

Kids love to interact with parents, and many beach activities are ageless. So get together and make a great and memorable play date. Always have plenty of sunscreens, freshwater, to keep hydrated and bring an umbrella for shade, or rent a Cabana.

Sand Castles and Beach Art

Creativity has no boundaries, so bring anything you have, just make it fun. Most castle-making kits can be found at local Dollar stores or the closest Island gift shops. Leftover lunch containers work also. You may choose to just use your hands and imprint or decorate the sides with sticks or shells. Make teams see who can build the largest, funniest, or most creative. Make sea creatures or their favorite animals. Making starfish, octopus, mermaids, even teddy bears, maybe more enjoyable. There are no wrong ideas. Plan your holiday near a sand sculpting contest. There are several annual ones to visit.

kids playing in sand

Snorkeling

Bring a mask and snorkel, even fins for hours of water fun. Talk about the Sea Life and Marvel about what was intriguing. Make sure everyone has a swim buddy, to keep an eye on each other. Life jackets are recommended for unexpected current changes. Adults do well to lie over noodles to keep afloat, without tiring. Snorkeling over a boogie board may be easier for younger ones.

Boogie Boards, Paddleboards, and Surf Boards

Kids love to ride the waves. On calmer waters, a paddleboard may be a better choice. Most beach vacation towns have affordable boogies boards at the local gift and surf shops. If you are looking to surf or paddleboard, you may consider a local rental company.

We recommend www.FunandMorerentals.com if you are on Anna Maria Island or A to Z rentals in Pinellas County of Sarasota.

Plan Your Next Stay

There is so much to do when you visit Anna Maria Island, and the whole family will love you for booking one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals. Book today!

Frisbee and Catch

people playing Frisbee on beach

Hours can melt away when you are chasing and throwing a Frisbee. Build their coordination, and get great exercise while bonding with the kids. The newer versions look like cloth rings and most can be picked up at the local Dollar Tree or even Publix has great last-minute beach toys. If you like to play catch but don’t coordinate well with the disk, sponge balls are fun and you get that extra splash when you catch one. Refreshing and fun.         

Shelling

The Florida Gulf Coast has a variety of shells to choose from. Bayside beaches have shells in the shallow side that you can find while snorkeling. Bring some water-friendly bags to put them in and make crafts or use them to decorate when you get home. Monogram their bedroom by putting shells on a Letter cutout from your local craft store. Cover a picture frame and fill it with a photo of them on the beach.