Sitting on the beach, day No. 3, and all of the sandcastles have been built, walks taken, snacks eaten…kids are starting to get antsy. Sound familiar? Here are three fun learning games to do while you soak up the rays!

1.) Use seashells for a writing (or storytelling) game! Choose shells, give them names and voila—the traveling seashell is born! As the journey unfolds, make sure to include the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY of the adventure! When you get back to the house, kids can continue the activity by drawing a picture version of their beach tale! (Teaches memory and recall, cognition, comprehension, imagination.)

2.) Sort the shells! By color, shape, size, texture. Count them; arrange them largest to smallest. And, to keep from bringing a million home, choose just a few by your quantifiers, like only the biggest shells or only the white ones, etc. (Teaches math concepts.)

3.) Pretend play! (This is great for grown-up involvement via the beach chair.) Did you know that you are the queen or king of the kingdom, presiding over the ocean from your throne? Your little mermaid princess or ocean warrior or marine wizard needs to solve the problem(s) of your kingdom by locating the enchanted shell, making the special potion or saving the mythical creature. Listen carefully and enjoy! What amazing story unfolds? Film the adventure or take pictures and recreate the story when you get back to your “mainland” home! (Teaches independent play, creativity.)

The ocean provides amazing learning tools! Imagination and salt water are a magical combination!