4 Family Activities For A Weekend By The Beach

A beach getaway can offer the perfect respite from routine, allowing individuals to soak up the sunshine with their toes in the sand. Those travelling with families, however, will know that this pursuit of tranquillity isn’t always an easy task, with children being more activated by exciting activities than relaxation. Thankfully, there are a number of family activities that can keep everyone happy.

Metal Detecting

Partly inspired by social media trends but not without credit to television shows like The Detectorists, metal detecting is making its way toward mainstream popularity. This is a great opportunity for families who want to enjoy the beach together because it is an affordable, safe, and fun outdoor activity that can take place even when the water isn’t as warm as everyone would like.

Metal detecting requires little in the way of equipment, aside from the detectors themselves, which have become more customer-friendly with the advance of technology. Families should also bring along a digging tool, such as a trowel, and a container to store their finds. 

The activity can be made into a friendly competition or become a shared hunt for treasure. There is also a real chance that something spectacular can be found, so be sure to bring a camera to document the excitement!

Rockpooling

Much like metal detecting, rock pooling is a fun way to keep entire families entertained with an activity of curiosity. This time, however, participants are peering into a different world, one filled with molluscs, crustaceans, and even fish. It can be a great way to not only keep everyone entertained but also to learn about the local landscape, with rock pools detailing the wildlife distinct to particular areas.

Be sure to plan your activity in advance, setting out during low tide so that a greater surface area is exposed, revealing pools further out. Bring along a bucket of seawater too, since any creatures found won’t like being added to a bucket of non-salty water.

Paddleboarding

Unlike surfing, which is reliant on specific environmental conditions, paddleboarding offers a way for families to embark on the water all year round. Referred to as stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, this activity has become widely celebrated for its accessibility with adults and children able to get started easily and soon find themselves having fun on the water.

Families will need to choose the right board to ensure that each individual is comfortable on the water. Some paddleboards even accommodate multiple people, meaning that younger children can ride along with their parents too.

Volleyball

Travelling with a family can mean having the right number of people for a team sport. Volleyball is a classic beach favourite, making great use of soft sand, enabling individuals to throw themselves (literally!) into the activity.

Only a ball and net are needed to begin, as well as a patch of space large enough for everyone to run around, with a little leeway for a far-flung ball so as not to disturb other beach-goers. Often, however, those groups nearby might also want to join in, making volleyball a great way to meet and play with others.