The sun is out, so I’ve rounded up the best beach games for the whole family, including activities that keep energetic tots busy and tricky teens amused.
You can read all of my game guides here.
Also, here are GTQ’s family games.
Family Beach Games for Young Children
I Spy
I Spy is a great game of visuals that kids of all ages can participate in.
The game is best played in small groups, though larger groups can join.
One person starts by saying,, ‘I spy something red’ or any other color, depending on what they have chosen.
Everyone else then needs to guess what that thing is, with the person who guessed correctly earning one point.
The point system can also be based on how many guesses it takes to get an answer right, with the first guess being worth six points, the second being worth five, and so on.
Very young children can participate, though everyone may need to be more patient with the youngest ones as they try to guess what it is someone has spied on.
Simon Says
Simon Says is a great game for all ages, often resulting in hilarious physical requests and the inevitable twist that surprises even the most alert participants.
There is one ‘Simon,’ who is in charge of telling everyone to do certain actions, such as spinning in a circle or patting their head.
The twist is that Simon must say ‘Simon says’ before a command.
Otherwise, participants are not supposed to do that action.
For example, if Simon instructs everyone to ‘touch your nose’ without starting with ‘Simon says,’ then anyone who touches their nose is out.
Beach Water Balloon Toss
Engage in a fun-filled water balloon toss on the beach, providing a refreshing break from the sun.
Stand apart and toss the water balloon to your partner without breaking it.
The standard rules are for teams of two to set up facing each other in a long line.
After each completed pass, the pair takes one step away.
The game continues until only one player is left, and all other balloons have popped in the process.
Beach Karaoke
Set up a beach karaoke session and sing your favorite songs with the sound of the waves as the background music.
Take turns singing and encourage participation from everyone, eventually resulting in some great laughs along the way.
Anyone can join in on karaoke; if you’re playing with a younger crowd, you may just need to be okay with hearing some off-key renditions of Wheels on the Bus.
Sand Tag
Play tag on the sandy shores, adding an extra challenge to one of the most widely played easy beach games.
Players must tag others by touching their shoulders, and the tagged person becomes “it.”
The player deemed “it” would then need to chase everyone else around, attempting to tag someone else.
Tag is a game that has been played by children for millennia, with the simplistic nature of the game being its charm.
Any child can learn the rules, including children as young as two.
If you are looking for something more competitive and organized, older kids love sand tag, too.
Kite Flying
Fly colorful kites high in the sky, harnessing the strong beach winds to send your kite high above the crowd below.
Ensure the safety of other beachgoers, and always fly kites away from crowded areas.
Beach Bowling
Transform the beach into a bowling alley using any large objects, such as buckets and beach toys, as bowling pins or a bowling kit.
The pins are organized in a triangular shape resembling a bowling alley, and if you fill the objects with ocean water, they will hold more steadily to their position in the sand.
Participants will then take turns rolling a beach ball or other bowling ball equivalent so that it knocks down the pins under the same scoring rules as traditional bowling.
Beach bowling is suitable for kids of all ages.
Older children enjoy the challenge, younger children play alongside their older siblings, and the very young get a kick out of knocking pins down.
Beach Limbo
Beach limbo is a fun and flexible game where participants attempt to pass under a lowered pole without touching it.
Lower the pole after each round, and the player who successfully completes the limbo at the shortest height wins.
This game is suitable for families with kids of all ages and adults who enjoy playful beach activities.
Beach limbo is also featured in our list of boat party games.
Seashell Hunting
Seashell hunting is a delightful pastime where participants search for unique seashells and treasures along the shoreline.
The objective of seashell hunting is to search for unique and beautiful shells along the beach.
This activity is ideal for families with young children who can easily explore the shoreline, as well as adults who appreciate beachcombing.
You can easily make this game more competitive for older kids by setting certain goals, such as the first one to find a shell of a certain color or shape.
Seashell hunting can be combined with a beach scavenger hunt, too!
Sandcastle Building
Sandcastle building involves creating intricate sand structures using buckets, shovels, and imagination.
Work as a team to construct the most creative sandcastle within a specified time frame.
This activity can be made into more or less of a beach competition, with judges deciding which castle is the most visually impressive.
There can also be variations in judgment criteria, such as fulfilling specific engineering requirements or trying to replicate a certain landmark or building type.
Family Beach Games for Older Children
Spike Ball
Spike ball has become increasingly popular on beaches over the years. Its compact setup and addictive gameplay make it an easy, quick favorite.
The only equipment needed for a spike ball is a small trampoline and a ball, which is another reason why it is near the top of anyone’s beach games list.
The teams are traditionally two-versus-two, with relatively similar rules to volleyball.
One participant throws the ball at the trampoline, now transitioning the possession to the other team of two.
The other team has up to three hits back and forth before they need to return the ball to the net and transition possession back to the original team, with a similar three-hit setup as volleyball.
A team can earn a point by having the ball bounce multiple times, land on the ground, or hit the rim of the net.
Spike ball is best enjoyed by older children, otherwise, the rules and physical ability would become too complicated for them to grasp.
Football
To start the game, it is best to designate end zones, most easily with beach gear like chairs, large buckets, or beach blankets held down with some featherweights.
One team begins on offense, with a quarterback throwing to several receivers running around the beach, trying to get open so they can catch a throw and run toward the end zone.
At the same time, the defense is trying to disrupt the play by distracting the quarterback or physically deflecting the ball as it is in the air.
Football is best enjoyed by older children, around 8 and older.
Younger kids may still enjoy a game of catch, but they wouldn’t be able to fully participate in an involved game.
You may also like our Football Party Games and NFL Trivia Quiz.
Beach Ball Relay Races
Relay races are a great way to work as teams in a high-octane activity that anyone can participate in.
Establish a certain race track from one ramp to another along the dunes.
A relay race involves multiple racers working as a team. One racer starts and hands off to the next once they reach a designated point.
Any item can be used in the relay, but beach balls make the game especially interesting because they are particularly difficult to hold onto when moving at high speeds.
Beach ball relay races are fun for the entire family. Although they can be played at their full potential with older children, younger children can certainly be included as long as there are more accommodations for them, such as a shorter distance or some assistance from parents.
Sand Tic-Tac-Toe
Play a giant version of tic-tac-toe by drawing a grid in the sand and using shells as markers.
Each player takes turns placing their shells to make three in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Sand tic-tac-toe is perfect for families with young children and older kids who enjoy classic board games and can understand the rules.
Dead or Alive
Dead or Alive is a great game to play in the sand or on the ocean waves.
It combines a game of catch with some friendly competition.
One player is the thrower, who throws the ball up in the air over a group of people competing to be the one who catches it.
As the thrower throws the ball up, they shout a number, representing the amount of points that will be rewarded to whoever catches it.
The term ‘Dead or Alive’ comes from the distinction of whether a player will only get the points if they catch it before it lands on the sand or water (‘Alive’) or if the points will be rewarded to whoever catches it, whether it hits the sand or not (‘Dead’).
Dead or Alive can be incredibly fun, with athletic competition mixed into a traditional game of catch.
The children must be evenly matched age/ability-wise, or feuds can start if one player is more physically equipped to catch the ball.
Either way, young children will most likely not be able to compete with older kids in this fun beach game and may not enjoy the competition among each other to begin with.
Beach Frisbee
Beach frisbee can be played as a relaxing back-and-forth or as a competitive showcase of skill on the sand and in the water.
Stand a certain distance apart and throw the frisbee back and forth, with the goal of catching it without it touching the ground.
Many people enjoy throwing the frisbee back and forth as a relaxing activity, and small children can easily join in by throwing from very short distances.
For older kids looking for something more adventurous and competitive, take turns attempting complicated throws from long distances or over big waves.
Beachcomber Art
Beachcomber art is a game of creativity and imagination.
Participants create art using items discovered along the beach, such as driftwood, seashells, and seaweed.
The game can be treated entirely as a purely creative outlet, with everyone working side-by-side to create art out of different beach materials.
If you want to make the game more competitive, play speed rounds in which participants need to complete a certain work of Beachcomber art in a given time period.
Beach Yoga
Beach yoga involves practicing yoga poses on the sandy shores, benefiting from the calming sounds of the ocean, the beach breeze, and the general vibe of peace and relaxation that comes with a beach town.
Follow a yoga instructor or use guided videos for proper techniques, which are usually available at minimal cost at most beach towns, as long as you are willing to join in for the sessions that usually occur in the early morning.
Any attempt at serious yoga should be done with older kids, as any age younger than that will end with a chaotic variant of yoga that is not nearly as relaxing but still fun!
Beachcomber Scavenger Hunt
Organize a scavenger hunt in which participants search for specific items, such as sea glass, a particular seashell, or even a message in a bottle.
To set up a beachcomber scavenger hunt, one participant must create a list of items to find, and the first team or individual to collect all the items wins.
It doesn’t just have to be specific items!
The scavenger hunt list can include shiny, rough, smooth shapes or colors.
This game encourages exploration and discovery in kids of all ages, although for the game to be productive and go from beginning to end naturally.
For grown-ups, you may want to get ideas with our list of scavenger hunt games for adults.
Beach Charades
Play a beach-themed version of charades, where participants act out words or phrases without speaking.
Divide into teams, and each team takes turns guessing the words or phrases acted out.
Beach charades are best fit for families with kids and teenagers and adults who enjoy interactive and entertaining games.
Younger kids may get a big laugh out of seeing their family members act out the phrases, but they would most likely not be able to participate fully.
Beach Mini Golf
Set up a makeshift mini-golf course on the sand, using beach toys as obstacles and small balls.
Each player tries to get the ball into the holes with the fewest strokes possible, a great challenge for older kids.
Beach Paddle Ball
Play paddle ball with a partner, using a softball and paddles designed for beach use.
The objective of the beach paddle ball is to keep the ball in play without letting it touch the ground.
It is similar to beach volleyball rules, but it involves paddles and is usually not confined to a designated area or court.
The game usually gets active and dynamic, with participants running back and forth across the beach as they try to keep the ball in the air.
Due to the relatively high level of physical activity required for this game, it is best enjoyed by older children.
Younger children could still enjoy the game just as much; the physical exertion may just need to be adjusted so that they can compete.
Family Beach Games for Teenagers
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball is a dynamic sport played on sandy shores; you will need a net and some space in the sand.
Divide into two teams.
The objective is to get the ball over the net without touching the ground or with any team member touching it twice in a row.
Younger children can participate in this activity, although you may need to be much more flexible with the rules and give them the chance to hold the ball and throw it occasionally.
Beach Reading Club
Reading a good book on the beach is a classic past of all beachgoers, so organizing this hobby into a collective group makes sense.
Create a family beach reading club where everyone brings their favorite beach reads to discuss and exchange.
Allocate specific reading times and gather to share thoughts and reflections.
To add to the beach theme, participants can meet on the beach at the designated time to discuss what they’ve read.
Beach Bocce Ball
Play bocce ball on the sand by rolling a smaller ball (the “pallino”) and trying to get your team’s larger balls closest to it.
Bocce ball is one of the best family beach games and has been around for thousands of years, and for good reason.
It is simple to learn and just challenging enough to make it addicting for all who join in.
Bocce ball is ideal for families with older kids and adults who enjoy strategic and skill-based games and would most likely not be fully comprehended by children under seven.
Try next: Beach Games for Adults.
Final Thoughts
We hope these family beach games add laughter and bonding to your next sandy escapade.
Did you love our lineup or have your own game-changing suggestions? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below.
