Going to the beach is pretty much the perfect way to spend the summer, right? No matter what age your kids are, there is something they will find to occupy the entire day at the beach.

Did you know that while your kids are playing in the sand and hopping in the waves, they’re learning? A beach trip is so much more than swimming and sunbathing. With some creativity, your day at the beach can be an exciting adventure with a few “teachable moments“.

Seashell Hunting

What kid hasn’t walked along the beach and picked up pretty shells? This is a great time teach them about sorting. They can sort their shells by color, shape, size, or even texture.

Be sure to bring along a bag or basket to carry all of your little one’s finds home. You may have to help them pick out their favorites or you’ll go home with way more than you bargained for.

Once you’re home, you can do something fun with your shells to display them or make a craft.

Rock Collecting

I remember always finding super cool rocks at the beach. I used to love the rocks that were really smooth from the years and years of rolling through the tides.

At the beach, you’ll be able to find a large variety of rocks. The kids can look them up in a book and learn about the rocks that they found. Of course, a rock polisher is fun to clean them up once you’re home.

Metal Detecting

This is something my husband has talked about doing many times. Charlie is really into exploring (what kid isn’t though?) and this is a great way to find some cool treasure.

While the little ones may like the treasure, they probably won’t like the time it takes to find something else. Metal detecting is probably best suited for the older kids.

Making Sand Castles

When heading to the beach, make sure you don’t forget your buckets, molds and shovels to create the ultimate sand castle! The kids (and grown-ups) will love building an elaborate castle with trenches, moats, and towers. This is a great opportunity to talk about symmetry, weight, and just the idea of how things work.

Making Friends

During any of these other activities, your kiddo can invite other children on the beach to play along with them. This is a great way to meet new people from other areas of the state, country, or even world. The idea of sharing our collections or toys is a big deal and an important lesson.

While you’re getting in some last minute summer fun at the beach, your child’s teacher is thinking about the upcoming school year. They’re preparing their lessons, their classroom, and their wallet is already feeling the pain of purchasing the extra school supplies they need.

Do you save Box Tops? We do! It’s such an easy way for us to help our school. Seriously, all I do is clip them off of the products we already buy. You can find Box Tops on anything from your favorite cereals to easy meals.

Right now at Walmart, you receive 4 additional box tops for every 1 you purchase! Box Tops for Education makes it easy to give back to schools on your everyday purchases. Simply look for the Box Tops label when you shop General Mills products at Walmart. Your school will receive $.10 for every box top you clip and send! In addition to the $0.10 per Box Tops, you earn 4 more ($.50!), which really adds up!

To help you prepare for Back to School (and pick up some of your favorite items with Box Tops on them), I’m hosting a giveaway for a $20 Walmart Gift Card!

Do you have any other fun ways you incorporate learning at the beach?