A day at the beach or a trip to the creek helps your kids build a long-lasting love for water and a close connection to their community. Here are four reasons why visiting the water can change your children’s lives this summer and beyond:
1) It expands their sense of wonder. By spending a few hours in a place that’s fantastically different from their everyday world, kids can gain a sense of discovery that feeds their imagination and broadens their minds. Encourage them to explore by turning your beach trip into a treasure hunt and sending them out in search of seaweed, shells, or driftwood.
2) It inspires creativity. Another imagination-booster, making art from sand, rocks, and shells helps children tap into their creativity and find new means of self-expression. To bring beach fun beyond sand-castle-building, try activities like photography and storytelling.
3) It’s a hands-on science lesson. Roaming the beach or combing through tidepools can give children an invaluable understanding of the ocean ecosystem and all its amazing creatures. Take time out to teach your kids a few cool facts about why they need the ocean to thrive, such as how ocean plants contribute up to 85 percent of the world’s oxygen.
4) It empowers kids to protect their planet. Visiting the beach also lets children get a close look at how pollution affects the ocean and why it’s crucial to care for the environment. Devote a few minutes of your trip to collecting litter and explaining to kids how your everyday activities (such as picking up pet waste) can help protect marine life.
Now that you are inspired to get out to the water, consider these great options in our own San Mateo County: http://www.californiasbestbeaches.com/san_mateo/san_mateo_beaches.html
