Beach Bummin': Loose Parts

This week, I've been posting some of the adventures our family had while at the beach. Some of the little kids had hours of fun with "loose parts" in the tidal pools. ("Loose parts" are usually defined as easily moved materials used in play, often real and found items from nature and the surroundings.) Our kids were initially using shells and rocks, but in our craft kit I found a baggie of police figures that I had stashed away, so I shared them with the kids to use in their play.  

There was a whole scenario, played out over a couple of days. I'm not sure what exactly was the background story, but in any case, the kids were fully engaged for several hours at a time, making imaginary scenes and acting out their story.

Look for more highlights of our Beach Blast coming soon under the tag, Beach Bummin'.

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to leave a little "comment love"---I'd love for you to share your thoughts!

Beach Bummin': Water Play

While we were at the beach, there was lots to do in the water. The kids were jumping waves, body surfing, riding waves in inner tubes and boogie boarding. 


Even the youngest in our family (Anna Claire, not quite 2 years) had fun. She started on land, climbing in and out of the tube. It would take her forever to climb over, and as soon as she was in, she'd begin to climb back out again.

She soon discovered that riding the waves in the tube was just as much fun as climbing in and out!

Most of the younger kids enjoyed being pulled or pushed through the waves by the adults. 

The big kids loved the tube, too! 

Splashing in the waves was great fun, and a fantastic sensory experience for the little ones. I especially enjoyed holding Anna Claire's hand as the surf rushed back out to sea. Her little face was a mixture of expressions as the sand filtered out from underneath her feet.  Jumping the waves is a time honored tradition in our family. It's pretty cool to stand in the waves and hold our children's hands, just like our parents did with us.

Body surfing and boogie boarding were popular activities every day. It was great exercise and a whole lot of fun!

The kids seemed to form pods out in the ocean while waiting for waves. There is a line from the Patrick Swayze movie "Point Break" that kept running through my head: "Look at 'em. They look like some sort of tribe."  And from where I was sitting on the beach, they did look like a tribe! 

Look for more highlights of our Beach Blast coming soon under the tag, Beach Bummin'.

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to leave a little "comment love"---I'd love for you to share your thoughts!

Beach Bummin': Sand Play

We've spent the last week at the beach. It's the time I look forward to all year with my parents, my siblings and their spouses and children (14 adults and 13 children) all in one house. There is always plenty for the kids to do, without having to "entertain" them.  


I love this t-shirt that my nephew wore! It pretty much sums up how we lived and played at the beach.

The kids explored and dug holes in the sand. 

This giant hole became a bunker later, when there was danger of enemy invasion! 

They buried themselves and the uncles. Even the youngest got into the act!

There was a lot of digging and beach mud play.

There was also time for chilling and relaxing in the tidal pools. 

The older kids also spent some time writing in the sand. These are my two favorites!

There was way too much fun to put into one blog post. More highlights of our Beach Blast coming soon!