Dan's Papers - July 13, 2007 - Fun and Free at the Beach

My best memories from childhood are those where I was either doing something very naughty, like exploring muddy puddles or collecting injured insects and setting up "hospitals" for them in my dollhouse, or wreaking havoc on my parents' nerves by sneaking out of the house with my brothers during an August hurricane, so the prospect of writing about arts and crafts is daunting. I'll skip the Martha Stewart let's paint pumpkins around Halloween bit and get right to the good stuff, the things I think children really enjoy.

First and foremost, more important than any single activity a kid can do, is that you (parent, sibling, whatever) are interested in that project. Sure, feigning interest is necessary (I mean, how thrilling can pipe cleaners and construction paper be at age 30), but try and imagine the excitement pulsing through your tot's mind at the point when he/she first discovers his/her ability to create something!

Naming animals, sea-shells, dolls, you name it is important for little ones. Getting pets is possibly the most wonderful addition to a kid's day (okay, so this won't always be an option), but temporary pets work very well - like say, adopting snails or hermit crabs for the afternoon. Once they've set up a comfortable abode for their sea creature in a large pail, think of fun names with your child. Just be sure to let the critters go after a while. Playing with the earth requires respect, something your child best learn sooner rather than later.

A great, simple activity to do with your child is to build a sand "house," an alternative to the sand castle. A sand house involves dry sand only. Find appropriate sized rocks and sea shells. I prefer clam shells for their multi-purpose functions as bathtubs, couches, beds, and the added bonus of their life-size soap dish possibility. By combing an area with both of your palms, you can create a den, one scoop can be a closet or a bathroom, and 3 or 4 scoops can be a nice, sizeable living room. Ooo the living room! This is the fun part. Beach glass makes a great dining room table. Prop it atop 2 or 3 small, round pebbles for a perfect surface. For stools around the table, white circular or oval stones are a great choice. If your kid is really into the house project, mini-dining room setups are an adorable addition to your sand-villa. Try scallop shells for soup dishes or plates.

Another fun beach activity is dress-up. Luckily there's the sea to wash up with afterward. Seaweed, especially of the long green variety, makes excellent mermaid hair. Large scallop or clamshells roped together with dried seaweed (the shells often have holes appropriate for stringing together) will be a very natural bikini top. For scales you must be a little more inventive; anything from a green beach towel, to assorted seaweeds will do. For the little boys who aren't interested in merman dress up, a pirate outfit is just as feasible as sea-creatures. Beach wood often drifts onto the shore, and makes a great cane or peg leg, just check that it won't splinter to avoid accidents first.

This last activity is eco-friendly, informative, and a visual treat if done correctly. White jellyfish (easiest to find in the bay) have a very mild sting to no sting at all and they have phosphorescent material, which makes for a startling show at night. If you brave the bay at night (it should be fairly dark to maximize the effect) with your child, look for a variety called "moon jellyfish." They have a figure-eight pattern inside them, and they will glow if you gently stir them around with a stick. The benefits of working with natural resources are compelling. For one, creating fun without buying any stuff (there's a lot of consumer stuffout there) teaches your child independence and creativity, two pluses young ones and adults alike will benefit from.

Whatever you decide to do with your child, look for things about the activity which you genuinely enjoy. So go on - enjoy this summer outdoors with your children and let them run rampant with all nature has to offer without wasting a dime.