Toddlers love playing on the beach as there’s so much to do, from building sandcastles, exploring rock pools to having their first paddle in the sea. In this month’s Mother&Baby we’ve got so many fun activities for your toddler to do at the seaside, so why not head to one of our top ten toddler-friendly beaches this summer to try them out!
Weymouth, Dorset
Give your little one the perfect seaside experience with donkey rides, trampolines and a traditional Punch and Judy show. Weymouth has three miles of golden, fine sand and child-friendly, shallow waters, so is great for paddling and building sandcastles.
Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton, Norfolk
Explore the many rock pools teeming with sea life at Hunstanton or head to Old Hunstanton where your toddler can have hours of fun playing hide and seek in the sand dunes.
Skegness, Lincolnshire
This spacious, wide sandy beach is made for playing beach games with your toddler, such as croquet, boules or mini football. He can also meet the brightly coloured fish in the aquarium or learn how orphaned seals are cared for before being released back into the sea at the Natureland Seal Sanctuary.
Barricane Beach, Woolacombe, North Devon
Take your little explorer beach combing on this beautiful stretch of golden sand that’s famous for its exotic shells, which have travelled from as far afield as the Carribean. There are also plenty of rock pools to explore…who knows what treasures you’ll find!
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Try building a mini Bamburgh sandcastle on the beach with your toddler based on the real thing, which overlooks this beautiful sandy bay. On a clear day, you might even be able to see puffins and grey seals on the Farne Islands.
North Berwick Milsey Bay, Scotland
Toddlers can sail their little boats and safely paddle in the small boat pond on this beach, which holds sea water when the tide is out, then explore the rock pools together.
Bournemouth, Dorset
Bournemouth has some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK, making it ideal for toddlers to paddle and play. All children are given colour-coded wristbands, which correspond to the zone you’re sitting in and include your contact number.
Filey, North Yorkshire
Encourage your little artist to tap into his creative side in Filey. The beach is strewn with smooth, flat, white pebbles, which are ideal for creating seaside-themed chalk drawings.
Porthcurno, Cornwall
With gorgeous fine soft white sand, turquoise sea and high cliffs on both sides, this sheltered beach is good for families. It has a stream that flows down one side, which is great for toddlers to safely paddle about in.
