‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Have fun exploring nature and the great outdoors with our list of ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’.
‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do at the beach
Enjoy nature as a family with ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. Here's a selection that you can do by the sea, from paddling or swimming to catching crabs and skimming stones.
- No. 5 Skim a stone
- How many bounces can you get? Flat, smooth stones are the best for skimming, and there are plenty to be found on our beaches. Why not challenge your family and friends to a competition?Skim a stone
- No. 7 Fly a kite
- A windy day near the coast makes perfect kite-flying weather. While you’re flying your kite, keep an eye on the sky for seabirds such as sandwich terns, oystercatchers and black-headed seagulls that swoop and dive above beaches and cliffs.Fly a kite
- No. 8 Spot a fish
- At the edge of the sea you can find an underwater world that’s teeming with wildlife. You might find pollock hiding among the rocks and shallow waters, or gobies, fivebeard rocklings and blennies lurking in a rock pool. Remember to put any fish back quickly once you’ve had a look, and never leave them in a bucket in the sun. Some fish like weever fish and spiny fish can be poisonous too, so do be extra careful.Read top tips for spotting fish
- No. 20 Go paddling
- Enjoy the feeling of the cool water when you go paddling, which is great if you want to take a dip but don't fancy a swim. See if you can spot fish or other creatures as you paddle away on a hot day.Go paddling
- No. 24 Go barefoot
- With soft sand and grassy headlands, the coast is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and go for a wander. You can feel how soft and warm the sand is underfoot.Discover the top places to go barefoot
- No. 29 Explore a cave
- Wonderful wildlife and slimy green weeds – who knows what you’ll discover? If you're heading to the beach this summer, be sure to keep a look-out for any caves in rocky areas near the beach. Lots of places near the coast have caves to explore, but you'll need to watch out for the tides.Find a cave to inspect
- No. 37 Explore the wonders of a rock pool
- Challenge your family to see who can spot the most unusual rock pool creatures. Try to get to the beach for low tide as it’s the best time to look for sea creatures such as sea anemones or hermit crabs – but be careful, they’re delicate.Discover the wonders of the sea
- No. 39 Catch a crab
- To become a champion crabber, you’ll need a net, some bait and a bucket of water. See if you can catch the most commonly found variety – known as the shore crab – or try to spot the more hard-to-find spider crab. Just remember to put anything you catch back where you found it afterwards.Find out how to catch a crab
- No. 42 Go swimming in the sea
- Is there anything more refreshing than the big blue sea? We look after lots of brilliant beaches all around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so you're sure to find somewhere perfect for a splash near you.Go for a swim
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