There’s another great post on the site thanks to Kara from ChelseaMamma for our #31daysofactivities event for you to have a fun outdoor activity. Find out how to hold a beach Olympics with the kids.
The weather is finally starting to look-up and now the days are longer, you can spend much more time outside with the kids. We were challenged by KiddyCharts to tell them about our favourite activity, and living by the sea here in Dorset, it just had to be the beach Olympics!
Beach Olympics is the perfect way get family and friends active, without having to break the bank. These fun and exciting games can be played on a variety of different type of beach, with a simple adaptation.
If you’re planning a vacation or looking for new ways to make your visit to the beach memorable, be sure to try out these beach Olympics games with your family and friends.
For more beach Olympics games ideas or to share your own experiences, please contact us—we’d love to hear from you!
Introduction to the event
There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a beach Olympics to bring families and friends together for a day of laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable moments. This event is all about team spirit, encouraging everyone, no matter their age, to join in the fun and try their hand at a variety of beach games. Whether you’re building sandcastles, racing to the finish line, or cheering on your team, the beach Olympics is the perfect way to create lasting memories under the sun. With activities that can be tailored for all ages and interests, it’s an ideal summer event for families, friends, or any group looking to enjoy the beach and celebrate togetherness. So gather your loved ones, pick your teams, and get ready for a day filled with fun, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Planning and preparation
A successful beach Olympics starts with a little planning and preparation. First, choose a beach that offers plenty of space for your games and easy access to facilities like restrooms and shade. Next, decide which beach games and activities you want to include, we have some ideas below, or there is frisbee golf, volleyball, and relay races which are always crowd-pleasers and can be adapted for different ages and group sizes. Make a checklist of any equipment you’ll need, such as frisbees, beach balls, cones, or buckets. Don’t forget to consider the weather; pack sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water, and have a backup plan in case the weather takes a turn. It’s also a good idea to set up a meeting spot and review the schedule with all participants, so everyone knows where to be and when. With a little organization, your beach Olympics will be a memorable event that everyone will look forward to year after year.
Building team spirit
One of the best things about the beach Olympics is how it brings people together and builds team spirit. Whether you’re competing in two teams or mixing it up with new friends, these games are designed to encourage communication, leadership, and creativity. Working together to complete challenges, cheering each other on, and celebrating every victory, big or small, helps strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. The friendly competition inspires everyone to do their best while supporting their teammates, making the event as much about connection and fun as it is about winning. No matter who takes home the title of winning team, everyone leaves with a sense of accomplishment and a heart full of memories. The beach Olympics is a wonderful way to celebrate teamwork, friendship, and the joy of playing together in the sun.
Sandcastle contest
A sandy beach is the ideal setting for this competition. Each team are provided with a bucket and spade and challenged to be as creative as possible and comb the beach for “treasure” to adorn their castle. Each team will score marks based on the creativity and presentation of their sandcastle.
Water bucket relay
Kids love relay races, and at the beach the water bucket relay is great fun. Give each child a plastic cup, spoon, bucket or large shell and have them run to the water, fill their carrying implement, and race to empty it in a large bucket, or fill up a hole in the sand that was dug earlier. The first team to fill their bucket or hole wins the relay.
Beach hurdles
Mark out your course and get the kids creating mounds of sand to leap over. One the course is built………get ready, get set, go………who will be the winner? If anyone happens to fall, the soft sand will cushion them.
Squirt ball
Kids can work together or compete against each other in this fun game. Give each child a beach ball and squirt gun or spray bottle and have them stand across a line drawn in the sand. Each child has to hit the beach ball with the stream of water to move it across another line down the beach. Run to the water’s edge to refill squirt guns if water runs out or to begin the game again.
Sand hopscotch
No equipment needed for this one – use a stick, rock or your finger and draw a grid on the sand and use rocks or shells for markers. If your beach is rocky, find a chalk rock and draw your grid on the floor.
Bocce ball
Bocce ball is so simple for all ages to learn and to play. A “jack” or target is thrown on the sand. Players then throw their rocks / stones or shells to see who can get closest to the target.
You can also pull together your own creative rules or use whatever objects you have on hand to play, making the game even more fun and flexible.
Rock stacks
For those who live on a shingle or rocky beach. Building stone stacks is great fun – who can build the tallest or most stable?
Beach treasure hunt
This one can be played anytime of the year and is most fun after a storm, when extra treasure’s are washed up on the beach.
Give each child a list (can be a written list or a list with pictures) and a bucket in which they can collect their treasures. Have the kids hunt for shells, rocks, feathers, crabs, something round, something blue, etc.
Create beach art
They have found their treasure, now challenge them to be as creative as possible and create their own sea themed picture.
How low can you go?
Who doesn’t like to dig a massive hole in the sand? Get your kids to see how deep they can dig a hole and when they’ve dug as far as they can, see if an adult can fit in the hole or see how long it takes to fill the hole with water.
Frisbee golf
This one is for a quiet beach and not in the middle of summer. Frisbee golf is also fun for others to watch, making it a great group activity. Set up targets using items you brought to the beach and take turns trying to throw your frisbee as close to the target as you can.
Tip: Use duct tape to secure pool noodles or other items together to create creative targets or obstacles for your frisbee golf game.
Beach inflatables race
We all know that beach inflatables can be dangerous in the sea and people often get caught out by an off-shore wind. However, use them on the beach, sit astride them and race around a track you have created.
Did you like this beach Olympics with the kids post? We have even more fun ideas, check them out.
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See you back soon,
Helen
