For our family, a day at the beach is something that we look forward to during summer days living in Texas. When I say a day I mean we spend at least 7 hours in the sand.
A lot of our friends have expressed their aversion for the beach. But the secret is to be prepared when you pack all your beach supplies. Let me show you how to enjoy a day at the beach with plenty of activities for the entire family with items that you already own or can acquire very inexpensive at your local superstore.
Table of Contents
Activities
Birdwatch:
Make sure you get there early enough so the beach is not crowded and you can watch the different kinds of birds hunting for their food and trying to build their nests.
Walk or Jog:
Since Texas summers can be a bit on the hot side, this activity should also be done either early in the morning or later in the day when the sun is not so hot.
Go Fishing:
If fishing is your cup of tea, bring your fishing pole and have a ball at the shore. For this one, please make sure to check your local fishing rules and regulations.
Go Crabbing:
This can be very fun for the kiddos but have an adult supervising the little ones, the crabs are a little feisty.
Bike Rides:
If you live near the coast, bring your bike with you or you can rent one when you get to the beach.
Sand Castle:
Be prepare and bring sand toys and have at it. This can keep the kids and adults alike entertained for a while.
Crab Race:
Try to catch some hermit crabs and race them against each other. This is how you play, make a small circle in the sand and put the crabs in it, then make a bigger circle around it, now the crab that makes out of the big circle wins. The kids will have a kick cheering for their crabs.
Build a Fort:
If you are lucky enough to be at a beach with lots of driftwood washed into shore, you can collect some of them and build a fort using some beach towels.
Fly a Kite:
You can buy in advance or stop by your local superstore and get an inexpensive kite. This one also will be tons of fun. Just make sure to buy the beginners kite if this is your first time flying one.
Bodyboard:
A super fun activity that will please all age groups in your family. Please make sure to watch the not so good swimmer in your party.
Play a Game:
The choices on this one are numerous, like bean bags aka corn hole, bocce ball, volleyball, washers, etc…
Swim Or Float:
Always make sure to watch for the rip current and try to partner up with someone. Also, if possible swim where lifeguards are present.
Read or Listen to Music:
Both of this activities are relaxing while enjoying the salty wind and listening to the waves. Make sure not to annoy other beach goers with loud music.
Collect Seashell:
While you are strolling down the beach you can keep an eye for pretty shells that wash to the shore overnight. You might even be lucky and find a sand dollar.
Picnic:
If you enjoy barbecuing as much as us, you can bring a portable grill and have a feast while at the beach. Just make sure that you can make a fire on your grill where you are.
Pop up tent
Bonus: If you are there long enough, make sure you catch the Sunset. That can be a magnificent experience.
As a second bonus, here is a packing list so you won’t forget what to park for a memorable day at the beach:
- Tent or Umbrella – Tent preferably so you can fit the whole family underneath when people are in need of some shade.
- Beach Chairs
- Beach Towel
- Sunscreen
- Beach Toys
- Bodyboard
- Float
- Fishing Pole and Tackle Box
- Kite
- Games
- Speaker
- Books
- Grill, Charcoal, and lighter
- Water and other Drinks
- Food to Grill and Snacks
- Crab Trap if you are planning on crabbing.
Once you have all that packed, all you need is good attitude and some friends to join you. You can even use this list if you are vacationing somewhere far. Or you can check my Top 10 things to do in Hawaii.
What are yours beach must have essentials and activities? I would love to hear from you. Also, sign up for our email list so you don’t miss out on upcoming posts.
“To Travel Is To Live” – Hans Christian Anderson
All the Best Patricia M.
Wonderful photos! Glad that you spent a pleasant day with your family in the beach.
Thanks, we love the beach and try to make it a fun experience for everyone.
Reading your post make me want to go to the beach badly. Im glad you and your family had fun at the beach!
So many great ideas here! I love the idea of building a fort out of driftwood! How creative and fun for the kids!
They love collecting the wood and feel a sense of accomplishment when it’s done.
Write.
I absolutely love writing (and reading) while on vacay. When you’re so relaxed words rush in… along with great inspiration.
Lovely! I’ve never been to any beaches in Texas, usually we’re just flying through or once took off on a cruise from Galveston. This looks wonderful!
Texas has some great beaches, I’m writing a post about the best ones. Please sign up for our email list so you don’t miss that post.
Thank you for this long list of suggestions. Sand castles, swimming, kite flying and picnic are some I enjoy.
Our family loves to dig up crabs and collect seashells. And sunsets always make great photos!
Sunsets and sunrises are my favorites. I love sitting under an umbrella and watch them have fun.
I want to go crabbing. I plan on going to Charleston and Savanna Georgia next year so Thanks for this list.
It was one of my daughter’s favorite activity that day and I love eating them so it was a win win for us.
We love the beach too. Though I wish we could go crabbing somewhere by us!
I’m sad that our beach days are coming to an end for this year.
Life beside a beach must be terrific. You have all this peace surrounding you.
I wish we lived right by it but can’t complain about 45 minutes drive.
I need to visit the beach in Texas! Looks beautiful!
Erika, I’m writing a post about the best beaches in Texas. You can check back or sign up for our email so you don’t miss that post.
there are indeed a lot of things one can do once in a beach. i love the idea of fishing or crabbing. ihihi.
Yes, and this are just some that we have done that weekend. Are are some activities you do when you go to the beach?
Bike Rides are my favorite ones, be it any beach.
I never miss out on any opportunity.
And it’s such a great exercise also.
I live at the beach so I do many of these free things often. I’m a master floater! And I also like to surf.
I would love to learn how to surf but for now we go with the float and bodyboarding.
my kids love the beach and love it when we take them to our beach house. Personally, on the other hand, I can’t stand the beach because of the sand. IT GETS EVERYWHERE!!!
I did not like the sand either (still don’t) but I love the beach experience so I compromise.
I miss going to the beach. I can’t believe it has been a few years since we last went to a beach. My family is not really a big fan of the beach but it would be fun to visit once in a while
It’s time for you to plan a solo trip to the beach Fae.
Any place has some treasure sights but this one is the best water sight I’ve seen so far. You look beautiful and the time you spend together is for sure memorable.
That’s what we are shooting for, making memories as a family.
I love spending time on the beach, reading a good book and do nothing. The sound of waves and the wind is enough for me. 🙂
Same here Unta, I love just lounging with a great book.
I love a good beach day. It definitely helps to have some activities planned to do while you’re there though. Thanks for all of the great inspo.
You are welcome. Love sharing some of what we do so people can develop the love for the beach.
I love walking the beaches and collecting shells. I could do it for hours.
I love that too and usually I start very early in the morning.
This is a really great list! My kids love going to the beach already. They need to try this stuff with me!
It’s a simple list with free and inexpensive stuff that will give you hours of entertainment
Looks so fun! I love a good beach day, love the sunshine.
The summer sunshine is definitely my favorite.
I have lived on the coast for over 40 years and these are all great ideas. Next time we get the chance we will be doing the crab races. I know everyone will love it.
They are so much fun for the kids and kids at heart
When I go to the beach.. I absolutely love building sand castles, having a picnic, and collecting seashells. I am so sad I didn’t go to the beach this year, but I am definitely going to next year for sure.
There is still time for a quick weekend getaway.
We love going to the beach and usually go once a week when the weather is nice!! We collect pretty rocks and skip rocks too!
I loved skipping rocks when I was a kid, I need to teach my daughter how to do it.
I grew up in Virginia Beach and there are so many things to do for so little money! My family had the best times at the beach!
That is exactly my point with this article, you don’t have to spend a lot of money.
Now I need to plan a trip to the beach to do all these fun things! I miss summer, I need to have more beach days!
We still have some summer days in Texas. We just spent another weekend on the beach this past weekend.
Mentally filing away these ideas for the next time my son and I head to the beach! Bird watching would be especially fun because the little guy is obsessed with animals and planes. A bird is a bit of both!
It sure is, especially if you see one of the big ones like we did. We also have a lot of pelicans that are super cool to watch.
Reading your post make me want to go to the beach badly. Im glad you and your family had fun at the beach!
That is my intention with the post, motivate people to go have some fun at the beach.
I love beaches and you have brought in some amazing ideas of what can be done to enjoy in a beach. Loved reading and thd fun you had with your family.
Thanks Kuntala, I hope I motivate you to visit the beach real soon.
The beach always relaxes me, no matter the mood I’m in.
Anything with that view is definitely worth it. I like watching the sunset as well, is beautiful and relaxing. I’ve never visited Galveston. I’ve heard wonderful things and those pictures say that I need to visit asap lol
I feel very blessed to live so close and being able to visit quite often.
Those are some great and exciting ideas. Looks like you guys had tons of fun during your visit at the beach.
We always have a great time making memories.
Stunning photos and unforgettable experiences with the family. What a trip!
It was a trip to remember for sure
We were at the beach this weekend. The waves got a little strong, but the kids had so much fun building a fort and playing in the sand.
Are you in Texas?
This is great, the kids were enjoying glad you had fun. My family is beach lovers we always have fun – and it makes me think to go to the beach over the weekend. Great family bonding!
It really is, we go as much as we can over the summer.
Thanks a lot to sharing this. i love to go on beach and this is so calming and relaxing moments when i sit there silently and enjoy the waves of water sound. 🙂
It’s a stress reliever for sure
Thanks for sharing some amazing ideas to do on beaches. I usually jog around beach. Will definitely try other activity too
There is so much to do at the beach.
Love a trip to the beach, especially going for a jog if it is a nice day. We always take a picnic and watch the world go by.
It always seems like time goes by so fast.
These are some really great things to do while on a beach!! I always sit lie down and read xD
I love sitting there relaxing and reading a good book.
I love your list! We enjoy going to the beach and we do some of these. I love to relax with a good book.
It’s definitely one of my favorites past time at the beach
Gosh I love the beach. I love searching for shells and rocks or just watching the waves. It can be so calming. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome. Thanks for stoping by.
Honestly, our first priority when visiting the beach is to see the beautiful sunrise and the sunset followed by the fun activities that we are going to do including sand castle making and of course swimming.
If you have kids you should try the crab racing. The kids love it.
My kids adore the beach! Especially building sandcastles. But we’ll be visiting the beach again next year so I’m saving this list for then.
Sandcastle is always a hit on our family too.
Lovely activities to do at the beach. My favorite is to go for long walks. It’s nice to listen to the ocean while exercising.
That is how I start my day when at the beach.
ahhh i don’t want Summer to end!!! I love spending the whole day at the beach, there are a lot to be done, A LOT.
I’m sad that it’s almost over for us.
I love the beach! Just going to sit and listen to the waves relaxes me.
Me too Marcea. That is how I start my day.
Swimming and watching the sunrise and the sunset are the best activities to do when you are at the beach and I think we need to try crab grabbing and flying a kite on our next visit.
I have tried crabbing once and it was so much fun. It makes you feel proud to catch your own dinner.
So many great things to do at the beach, actually, especially if you have kids with you. We love to take the kids to a resort.
The resorts are super fun, but if you are going for an inexpensive day, these activities are perfect.
There is so much to do at the beach! I’m sad I didn’t get there this summer:( My favorite thing to do while there is to just listen to the waves and breathe in the sea breeze!!
That’s why I start my day with a walk on the beach.
My boys are big fans of construction, so we have some dedicated construction toys for beach play. We used to live pretty close to some and would take about 45 minutes to get there, but now we’re easily 6 hours away. Going to have to go for weekend trips now!
That’s too bad. We used to live about 5 hours from the beach before we moved here.
Those were a really fun activities at the beach. My kids would love to try these all.
Your son would love the crab races.
Thank you for the list! We haven’t done building a fort and kite flying yet. I’ll suggest this to the kids. 🙂
My daughter is getting better and better at both.
A day at the beach is one of the best things to do together as a family. These are all good activities to do while there.
Thanks for stoping by Cris.
I love going to the beach at sunset or at night. It’s so peaceful and quiet. Listening to the sound of the waves is so comforting.
We did that one of the visits and saw so many crabs running around on the shore.
it sounds like so much fun, I think it makes me want to visit beach now! I love playing with sand too
We saw some of the best sandcastle in South Padre Island.
Great suggestion! I have a travel planned in a month to a beach destination, these activities would make it more fun.
Hope you have fun on your trip.
These are all fun! I would love to go fishing or bird watching with a friend or alone. It would be so relaxing!
I go for long walks early in the morning before my family wakes up.
I love all of the things that are available at the beach. You can seriously spend an entire day there without any issues.
For sure. Thanks for visiting
Great list of activities. Especially like the bird watching and reading ones.
Thanks for stoping by Susan
Awesome list of fun activities to do at the beach and even better than they are free.
I’m always looking for some inexpensive thing to pass time.
I used to do all of these activities when I was younger – I have so many memories, my favourite being building a fort! Thanks for sharing, it took me back to my childhood 🙂
You are welcome. Thanks for stoping by Kylie
I even didn’t realize that there are so many free activities we can do at the beach! Too bad summer is already over and I need to wait for my trip to the seaside for a year now! Can’t wait for that! 🙂
You can come to Texas, we have another month of good beach weather.
Great post! As much as I love having a day out, I love it more when the activities are (mostly) free!
I know right. it’s always better
my favorite beach activity is riding a banana boat, it’s hyper fun when everyone in the family joins
Banana boat sounds like a lot of fun, I have not done that yet.
Oh my! I would never miss catching the sunset! That’s my favorite beach activity apart from taking a beach stroll. Recently, I tried a sunset cruise- it was EPIC!
Given the chance we always take the sunset cruise.
There are so many things to do at the beach, you really don’t have to spend much money there at all! Great article, thanks for sharing x