I am not very fond of cold weather. I like the sun and sand and thoroughly enjoy playing games on the beach with my kids. I think I slipped into a dream state while writing this blog post.
I recall starting off writing something serious about preschool games. Then my
dream state happened and at the end of it, voila, my article was about an
imaginary seaside adventure which included 5 games for preschool kids.
I did contemplate saving it for the summer, but then
decided if the heart willed it written, I had to publish it. So, a dash of
summer in the cold holiday season - ring in the warmth, folks!
Dunk,
dash, drop
Here’s an easy no-cost race to keep a bunch of energetic
kids busy. Hand out plastic cups or glasses to everyone and place several empty
buckets in a row. At the word “Go!” everyone dashes to the sea, fills up their
cups and dashes back to their bucket and empty their cups into it. The first
child to fill the bucket wins this madcap preschool game.
Beach
Golf
Toddlers can play golf too and this preschool game is
proof! Dig a small, a medium-sized and a large hole in the sand and line up the
kids some distance away. Let them take turns rolling a ball towards the holes,
with points awarded for each bullseye. Getting a ball into the small hole
fetches more points. Use a heavier ball like a rubber or a tennis ball that
won’t blow away in the wind.
Numbers
Game
Your beach trip just got more educational with this fun
preschool game. Invite your toddlers to draw circles in the sand and write a
number from 1 to 5 in each. The challenge is to toss stones so they land inside
the circles. Players with the most points win the numbers game!
Shell
Scavenger
This preschool game is no ordinary shell hunt – it’s a
challenge to find the biggest, smallest, prettiest, weirdest, pink, white,
blue, gray or rainbow colored shell you can find, with prizes awarded for each
category. All finds go to a future arts-and-crafts project.
Balloon
Toss
Since the little tykes are going to get drenched anyway,
you might as well go the whole hog and have fun with water balloons. Pair up
the kids and have them stand facing each other. Players must toss a balloon
back and forth without letting it drop or burst. With each successful catch,
partners must move one step away from each other.
Balancing
Act
This simple preschool game is a great way to boost your
child’s motor
skills. Just scoop some dry sand with a spoon, place a small
shell on top and challenge the kids to walk, run or hop from Point A to Point B
without dropping it. The first player to reach Point B with an intact spoon wins
the game.
All in all it was a great beach trip, however imaginary!
