Playing beach games with your children and spending quality time together plays an essential role in creating a positive bond and boosts their self-esteem and self-worth. So, if you're curious about what fun activities people do at the beach, in that case, this article will take you through Decathlon’s top 18 picks for the best beach games for kids to help you build lifelong memories without worrying about anything else.

List Of The Best Beach Games For Kids: Time To Ditch The Devices

If you want to strengthen your relationship with your children, travelling with them is one of the best ways to do so, and the beach certainly makes a great choice. Lying comfortably at the beach and soaking in the summer sun can be a wonderful and rejuvenating experience. 

Moreover, making sandcastles, running barefoot in the sand, filling a pail with water, etc., communicates to children that they have the complete attention of their parents and are the centre of their universe.

However, even kids who were enthusiastic at the first glimpse of the gleaming white sand, turquoise blue waters and the peaceful ambience may become bored. So, consider playing beach games for youth to keep your children entertained and use your vacation as an opportunity to bond.

Here's a quick rundown of the 18 best beach games we are sure you and your kids will enjoy. Most of them don't require much preparation or props and will hopefully help you kick start conversations with your kiddo.

  • Beach Frisbee Golf
  • Water Bucket Relay
  • Beach Ball Race
  • Picasso In The Sand
  • Mini Golf
  • Beach Bowling
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Squirt Ball 
  • Waboba Ball
  • Bocce Ball
  • Spikeball
  • Beach Scavenger Hunt
  • Beach Ball Hot Potato
  • Tug Of War Beach Style
  • Sand Darts
  • Squap
  • Musical Towels
  • Parachute Games

5 Ideas For Beach Games For Kids To Have Fun

There are countless fun ways to help kids develop an appreciation for nature and beach games for kids are an excellent way to do so while spending a wholesome vacation. Here are the best beach games for youth you can play with your little one.

1. Beach Frisbee Golf

One of the best beach party games, Beach Frisbee Golf is a fun alternative to regular beach frisbee.

How To Play:

Set up multiple targets using a picnic basket, an umbrella, or a towel. Give your child the frisbee and tell them to throw it as close to the target as possible.

Skills Developed:

  • Throwing

2. Water Bucket Relay

Most children love relay races and the Water Bucket Relay at the beach is a fun substitute for the standard egg and spoon race.

How To Play:

Give each child a plastic cup, spoon, or huge shell, and have them sprint to the water to fill it, then empty it into a bucket.

Skills Developed:

  • Balance
  • Agility

3. Beach Ball Race

One of the best beach games for boys, Beach Ball Race is perfect for large groups of kids or children & their parents.

How To Play:

Set up a starting and finishing line, giving each player one beach ball. The players must sit on top of the beach ball, balancing their bodies, and reach the finish line when the whistle blows. To balance the ball, the participants can only use their legs. Holding it in their hands disqualifies them.

Skills Developed:

  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Gross and fine motor skills
  • Spatial awareness
  • Grasping skills
  • Muscle development
  • Throwing
  • Catching and kicking

4. Picasso In The Sand

Picasso In The Sand is a great choice if you are looking for some easy beach activities for younger kids.

How To Play:

Draw a picture, a word, or letters in the sand with a stick, hands, shovels, or pebbles.

Skills Developed:

  • Problem-solving
  • Sharing
  • Communicating
  • Fine motor skills
  • Grasping
  • Hand & eye coordination

5. Mini-Golf

A miniature version of the standard Golf game, Mini Golf makes one of the best beach games for youth aged 7 and above.

How To Play:

Carry a plastic set of clubs and balls with you to the beach, or make do with what you have. To practise your child's short game, set up a few targets to aim towards or dig holes in the sand.

Skills Developed:

  • Striking
  • Coordination

6 Fun Beach Games To Play With A Ball For Kids

The beach begins to call as soon as the weather warms up. And nothing makes a trip to the beach more enjoyable than some nice beach party games. If your bub loves to play with balls, here are some of the best beach games for boys and girls they can play.

1. Beach Bowling

Beach Bowling is one of the most commonly chosen beach games for boys and girls by parents as it doesn’t require any specific equipment but is super fun to play.

How To Play:

Use toy or dollar shop plastic pins and balls, or partially filled plastic water bottles for stability. Toss a ball at them and see who can get a strike or a spare. Play for enjoyment or to keep score.

Skills Developed:

  • Throwing

2. Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball is one of the most common beach party games that most people enjoy! It’s a game you simply cannot skip at the beach.

How To Play:

Form two teams, set up the net, and have the players hurl the ball over the net. The other team's players must hit the ball in return to keep it from falling to the ground. The hitting team receives a point and the chance to serve when the receiving team leaves a volley. Play up to 21 points, and the team that wins two of the three rounds of total points wins the match.

Skills Developed:

  • Volleying
  • Throwing

3. Squirt Ball 

Squirt Ball is another one of the best beach games for boys but you'll need to plan for this game since it requires carrying some squirt guns to the beach.

How To Play:

Make two teams and draw finishing lines in the sand to designate the boundaries for each team. Give each group four beach balls and squirt guns, and instruct the kids to use the squirt guns to spray the beach balls and propel them towards the goal line. When the squirt guns run out, players must sprint to the water's edge to refill them. This could be part of the challenge, or you can pause the game to get refills before restarting. The first player to get the ball past the goal line wins the game.

Skills Developed:

  • Running
  • Hand/eye coordination

4. Waboba Ball

Waboba Ball is one of the most exciting beach games for kids and provides competitive fun for the entire family.

How To Play:

The best way for kids to have fun with a Waboba Ball is to play catch with their buddies by bouncing it off the water. While most balls sink when they strike the water, this elastic ball flattens out like a pancake, increases lift and then rockets upward.

Skills Developed:

  • Throwing
  • Catching
  • Motor skills
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Reaction time

5. Bocce Ball

Who said the Bocce Ball is only made for courts? Try it in the sand and experience the fun.

How To Play:

A target called "jack" is thrown on the sand, and the participants must aim their weighted balls towards it. A bocce ball is not required; the game can be played using pebbles. The player receives a point for moving the jack, and the game continues for another 20 points. The game is won by whoever scores it first.

Skills Developed:

  • Throwing

6. Spikeball

For those who hate getting lazy at the beach or are looking for some of the most interactive beach party games, Spikeball is sure to bring out the competitive side in anyone.

How To Play:

In this game that combines four squares and volleyball, two teams of two members each compete. Each team takes three turns to bounce the ball off the net and return it to the other team. If your team fails to return the ball to the net after three touches, the other team is awarded a point.

Skills Developed:

  • Hand/eye coordination
  • Spatial awareness
  • Motor skills

Decathlon’s Top Picks for Beach Games 

From sandcastle building to paddleboarding, relaxing or reading a book, beach fun comes in various shapes and sizes. However, if you want to add some competition to your kids' time at the beach or simply want to keep them occupied, action-packed beach games for boys and girls are sure to amuse them.

Here are our top picks for the best beach swimming games and activities you can try with your children.

Best Overall Beach Game For Kids – Beach Scavenger Hunt

A good old beach treasure hunt is always fun, and the beach is the ideal site for true scavengers. This is one of those fun beach activities that encourage your children to explore the shore and appreciate their time outdoors.

Skills Developed:

  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Observation and exploration

Best Beach Games To Play In Team – 

When they play together or with their parents, kids can learn to mingle with others and develop interpersonal and communication skills. They also learn to broaden their horizons and become acclimated to diversity. Hence, if you are looking for the best beach games to play in teams, here are our top recommendations.

1. Beach Ball Hot Potato

Beach ball hot potato is a fun twist to the standard hot potato and can be played by kids 6 years and above.

How To Play:

Divide the children into two groups, each standing across from the other. You can either participate or offer to play music. The players must continue to throw the ball at each other while the music is playing. As the game continues, the ball must be passed swiftly. The volunteer can turn off the music at any time, and whoever keeps the ball the longest is eliminated. Continue to play until just one player is left.

Skills Developed:

  • Gross motor skills
  • Speed
  • Agility
  • Eye-hand coordination

2. Tug Of War Beach Style

Tug of War is a must-have for children's parties and family gatherings, and the beach is the perfect place for it. And the most significant part is that there will be no nasty injuries when everyone collapses onto the sand at the end.

How To Play:

Make two teams and ask the players to begin tugging the rope as hard as they can when the referee gives the signal. If you don't have a rope on hand, a couple of beach towels can be tied together.

Skills Developed:

  • Gross motor skills
  • Muscle strength
  • Proximal stability
  • Orientation and mobility

Best Sand Game For The Beach –  Sand Darts

Sand Darts is one of the best beach activities for little aimers.

How To Play:

Draw a dartboard in the sand and throw out a handful of pebbles or shells to use as darts.

Skills Developed:

  • Strategic thinking
  • Balance
  • Concentration
  • Social skills
  • Motor skills
  • Eye-hand coordination

Best Beach Game For Two – Squap

Squap is one of the best games if you want to spice up your bub's game of throw and catch.

How To Play:

For some true beach action, grab a Squap set and head to the sand or shallow water. Catch the ball as if it were a baseball mitt and immediately throw it back at the opposite player, challenging them to heroic dives and trick catches.

Skills Developed:

  • Motor skills
  • Focus and memory
  • Muscle development
  • Creativity
  • Imagination

Best Beach Party Game For Girls – Musical Towels

Musical Towels are similar to musical chairs, but instead of chairs, towels are put out on the sand.

Skills Developed:

  • Listening skills
  • Social skills
  • Concentration/Focus
  • Gross motor skills

Best Beach Game For Adults And Kids To Play Together - Parachute Games

If you are looking for some easy yet highly funny beach party games that adults and kids can play together, it's time to play the parachute game.

How To Play:

Grab a huge beach towel and a beach ball, and see how high the ball can bounce by holding the ends and sides of the towel and the ball in the centre.

Skills Developed:

  • Lifting and lowering
  • Motor control of hands and arms

What Fun Activities People Do At The Beach: Exploring Other Choices

If you can’t stop but wonder what fun activities people do at the beach apart from the games mentioned above, here are some more options for you to explore.

1. Sandcastle Building

Sandcastle Building is one of the best beach activities you and your family can do at the beach with just a few digging and carving tools. If your child is more interested in building their ultimate castle, they can work on it throughout the day with you. 

Or, you can also play other beach games in between the castle making process. Furthermore, building a sandcastle is perfect if you want to engage your child in a collaborative activity that boosts their imagination and creativity rather than instilling a competitive spirit in them.

2. Build A Tunnel Town

Digging is a favourite pastime of children and most of them find digging in the sand at the beach to be super enjoyable! Don't know how to build a tunnel town? Well, work on a sloping beach and design it in such a way that a ball can run from the entrance and emerge somewhere.

3. Kite Flying

With our hectic lifestyles, it's important to take a break now and then and heading out & flying a kite is an excellent way to do it. There's something about it that gives a very relaxing, peaceful feeling thereby helping you feel relaxed and more mindful.

4. Water Fight

Take a sneaky portable water gun to the beach with your beach bag to engage in water fights and get the most out of your beach experience. Also, pack a couple of water balloons to fill with seawater and drop on your group's unsuspecting sunbathers.

5. Bubble Blowing

Whether it's for good photographs or simply to adore the beauty nearby, bubble blowing has a unique feel at the beach.

Your Child’s Summer Vacation Is Incomplete Without Playing Beach Games!

The sea is a true healer for children's health, as well as a welcome reprieve from their hectic school schedules. The fine beach sand between their toes, the sun kissing their shoulders, the sound of waves smashing on the shore, and dipping in crystal blue waters – this is without a doubt one of the most soothing, exhilarating, and fun-filled experiences on the planet.

While most parents want to spend their summer vacation building sandcastles and making memories with their children, the truth is that the beach isn't only for fun in the sun. With their unique healing properties, beaches help boost a child's overall health and make them feel happier.

  • Saltwater and its minerals can help cure sores, bruises, and infections if your child is suffering from any.
  • If your child is fond of swimming, the water can also help cleanse their nasal passageways and relieve stuffy nose by removing extra mucus from their nose.
  • There's also vitamin D at the beach for your child - also known as the sunshine vitamin which can help in strengthening of bones and the promotion of cardiovascular health.
  • Magnesium in the beach water also helps your kiddo relax and feel better.
  • The beach provides you and your family with the best vitamins and health supplements available.
  • Furthermore, simply burying your child's feet in the sand will activate their play system and their exposure to a new scenery takes their brain into seeking and exploring mode.
  • Most importantly, beach activities help a child's cognitive, motor, and social skills while also encouraging their imagination and creativity.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Fun Activities People Do At The Beach

If you still have some questions about what fun activities people do at the beach and how you can decide the best beach games for youth, here are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the same.

What games can kids play on the beach?

There are many beach swimming games and activities that your little one can play in the glittering sand:

What are beach sports?

Beach sports simply refer to beach games people can play together to commemorate the start of the glorious summer season, make new memories and build strong relationships with their families and friends.

How can I have fun at the beach alone?

If you are at the beach alone and wondering what fun activities people do at the beach, you can consider playing the following games:

  • Sandcastle Building
  • Building a Tunnel Town
  • Kite Flying
  • Bubble Blowing

What activities are done at the beach?

If you are wondering what fun activities people do at the beach, here are some beach games for youth for you to consider:

  • Water Bucket Relay
  • Picasso In The Sand
  • Squirt Ball 
  • Waboba Ball
  • Bocce Ball
  • Spikeball
  • Beach Ball Hot Potato
  • Hunnyball
  • Tic Tac Toe
  • Squap
  • Jazzminton
  • Water Balloon Toss
  • Hula Hoop Relay Race

The Bottom Line

Life just seems better when we're at the beach, right? So if you want your bub to be less cranky, take them away for a getaway to the beach. After all, it is nature’s own serene playground where children can run, swim, socialise and most importantly, have a good time.

Moreover, it is important for kids to experience the world beyond the confines of their rooms - especially the screens. Hence, going to the beach will encourage your little youngster to appreciate the outdoors and feel more connected to nature. Furthermore, the sound of waves changes their brainwave patterns, making them feel more relaxed and peaceful, and therefore happier.

If you were wondering what fun activities people do at the beach, we hope we helped you find the best options to spend some uninterrupted time with your bub. Also, you can effortlessly educate your children to respect and care for nature without doing much by playing these beach games and allowing them to breathe in the fresh air, play in the sand, and pick up rocks and twigs.

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