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Summer by the sea is not only fun for kids but also educational, with so many activities on offer – many that are free! Mornings start slowly, sandy feet are unavoidable, and the biggest decision of the day is often which beach to visit. Whether you’re staying in St Ives, Whitby, Tenby or Wells-next-the-Sea, the British coastline makes it surprisingly easy to keep children entertained without loads of pre-planning.
The best seaside holidays aren’t about packed itineraries. They’re about simple, activity filled days – building sandcastles beneath Bamburgh Castle, crabbing from the harbour wall in Padstow, or eating chips on the promenade in Scarborough as the sun disappears below the horizon.
If you’re planning a beach holiday in 2026, here are some of the best ways to keep the kids happy – plus a few tried-and-tested seaside locations to inspire you.
Go Rock Pooling at Low Tide
Kids love rock pooling! It turns an ordinary beach day into an underwater safari.
In places like Woolacombe in North Devon, Porthcurno in Cornwall, or beneath the cliffs at Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset, low tide reveals a different world. Children can peer into pools searching for tiny crabs, darting fish and sea anemones clinging to the rocks.
Timing matters — check local tide tables and head down as the sea retreats. Armed with a bucket (and plenty of patience), kids can spend hours exploring.
On the Pembrokeshire coast near Tenby, sheltered coves make rock pooling especially rewarding. Just remind little explorers to tread carefully and return any creatures to their pools once they’ve had a look.
Sandcastle Building Competitions
There’s something unbeatable about building a sandcastle with your family.
The location can add to the fun. At Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland, you can construct elaborate fortresses while the real castle rises up behind you. On Fistral Beach in Newquay, children can dig moats as surfers ride the waves beyond.
Beaches like Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk and Filey on the Yorkshire coast offer wide, gently shelving sand that’s perfect for younger children. Damp sand closer to the tide line holds its shape best – and if you want to extend the fun, turn it into a family competition.
Tallest tower. Best moat. Most creative design. Biggest ice cream for the winner!
Crabbing in Harbour Towns
Few activities beat the excitement of pulling up a crab from the water.
Harbour towns such as Whitby, Padstow, Tenby, and Wells-next-the-Sea are ideal spots. All you need is a simple crabbing line, bait and a bucket of seawater.
Wrap your bait (bacon, chicken necks or fish heads) around the end of your crabbing line and lower it into the water. Encourage children to wait a few minutes before pulling it up, as bigger crabs take longer to latch on. Lift the line slowly and steadily to avoid losing your catch.
Once you’re finished, release the crabs back where you found them.
Paddleboarding in Sheltered Bays
For slightly older children, paddleboarding can feel like a real adventure.
Sheltered waters around Salcombe in South Devon, Newquay in Cornwall, or the calmer stretches near Studland Bay in Dorset are perfect for beginners. Many coastal towns offer family-friendly lessons and equipment hire, with life-jackets and safety briefings included.
It’s often best to go in the morning before the wind picks up. Even if children spend more time kneeling than standing, the sense of independence is great for their self-confidence.
Try the Newquay Activity Centre to book lessons and equipment.
Cycling by the Sea or Promenade
Many coastal towns now have easy, flat routes ideal for cycling.
The promenade at Scarborough, the seafront path along Bournemouth, or the traffic-free routes near Bridlington in Yorkshire make family rides simple and enjoyable. In North Wales, cycling paths near popular coastal towns like Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay offer sea views the whole way.
Pack a picnic, stop at a family friendly beach along the route, and turn it into a half-day adventure with the kids.
Riding bikes is active without it feeling like a chore – and the kids will burn off plenty of energy along the way, never a bad thing!
Beach Picnics make Lasting Memories
A beach picnic doesn’t need much planning to feel special.
Spread a blanket beneath the cliffs at Durdle Door, sit among the dunes at Holkham Beach on the East coast, or find a quieter stretch near Embleton Bay in Northumberland. Let children help choose the food – simple things always work best.
Early evening is often the best time. Watch the sun go down, crowds start to thin out, and there’s time for a final paddle before heading back.
Add fish and chips from a local favourite — if you’re in Suffolk try Aldeburgh or for Dorset, Lyme Regis is a popular choice – and it becomes one of those relaxed, memory-making days out.
Coastal Treasure Hunts
Turn a beach walk into a mini expedition.
In places like Robin Hood’s Bay or along the beachfront at St Ives, create a list of things to find: a spiral shell, a piece of sea glass or driftwood, a smooth white pebble or a crab claw!
Older children can photograph their discoveries instead of collecting them. Whilst younger kids will no doubt want to keep their discoveries and take them home!
This works especially well along varied beaches like Croyde Bay, where dunes, rock pools and open sand offer a range of surprising objects to discover. If you are thinking of holidaying in the South West, then you may be interested in our coastal activity guide in Devon, a top list of activities for all ages.
Wildlife Spotting (Boat or Shore)
The coast is often full of wildlife if you know where to look.
Boat trips from Seahouses in Northumberland head out towards the Farne Islands, which is home to puffins and seals. Along the Pembrokeshire coast, wildlife excursions can reveal dolphins and seabirds.
If staying near Anstruther in Fife or along the Moray Firth in Scotland, keep an eye out for dolphins from the shore.
Even without a boat trip, simple wildlife spotting along headlands or estuaries can be a lot of fun. Bring binoculars to make it even more interesting for the kids.
Eating an Ice Cream by the Beach
Sometimes the simplest of things becomes the highlight.
An evening stroll along the promenade in Southwold, watching the lights flicker on in Tenby, or walking the harbour at Porthleven with an ice cream in hand – these small moments often stay with children long after the holiday ends.
The beach feels calmer at the end of the day. The sea slows down and temperatures cool as the sun slips away.
The best way to top off a family beach day.
Let the Coast Do the Work for You
What makes summer by the sea so special is its simplicity. Whether you’re exploring the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth Cove, running across the sands at Bamburgh, or paddling in the shallows at Woolacombe, the coastline is one big activity in itself.
Children don’t need elaborate attractions or highly detailed plans. Just give them some space, water, sand and time and watch them go. Some days will be sunny and ideal for water based activities, whilst others might be cool and windy, ideal for exploring or flying kites – there’s another activity!
And by the end of the holiday, when you see the smiles on their flushed cheeks, you’ll know you’ve made the most of summer by the sea.