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We all have that one beach holiday we remember from childhood, right?
The one where the sand was perfect to build with, the sea glistened enticingly, and the ice cream was the sweetest, most delicious thing you’d ever tasted.
Beach holidays are still the go-to for family holidays, with 48% of those going away opting for one over city breaks or cruises.
That’s a lot of people making summer beach memories.
But sometimes, the beach can be a daunting place. You want to make the most of it, and you don’t want to miss out on anything.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 30 fun things you can do at the beach, for a whole range of different ages, so all you have to worry about is making those memories count.
Want your brand to be a part of their childhood family holidays? Become part of the family with branded holiday merch.
Whether you're keeping comfortably cool or looking to provide some fun in the sun, we have the promotional product for you. From sunglasses, parasols and lightweight clothes, to beach balls, barbecue sets and outdoor games, browse our best of the summer bunch below for a truly sizzling summer at the seaside.
Why do we love the beach so much?
The great British seaside holiday became super popular after the war, in the 1950s and 1960s. It wasn’t the done thing to travel abroad, and thanks to the Holiday Pay Act of 1938, many were able to take their families away for a few nights.
With evening entertainment and holiday camps such as Pontins or Butlins making summer holidays affordable, many would have spent their childhoods and early teenage years at the beach during the summer holidays.
So, whether thanks to nostalgia, the still relatively cost-effective nature of a beach holiday, or the convenience of only being a few hours away from the seaside anywhere in the UK, beach holidays still reign supreme, and we can’t get enough of them.
Source:https://www.theargus.co.uk/
The mental health benefits of the seaside
We don’t just love the beach for the souvenir toe sand. There are also proven mental health benefits from visiting the seaside that make it the ultimate holiday destination.
Nowadays, especially, a lot of us are feeling burnt out, worn out, and disconnected in a world that’s connected 24/7. But at the beach, at the beach that all melts away. There are now activities such as ‘Surf Therapy’ and ‘Beach Yoga’ to help you embrace the calmness of the coast, and spending just 20 minutes by the seaside can improve your mood.
Scientists have also discovered that when we’re in or near bodies of water, a state of mind is triggered called ‘Blue Mind’. This can be characterised by a “mildly meditative state that’s calm, peaceful, with a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment.”
It’s also been shown that the sound of waves can put us into a meditative state, plus the negative ions that are in the salty air at the beach have antidepressant qualities.
Blue is also the most common favourite colour across the globe because of the positive connotations it has to the sea and bright blue skies - for your next rebrand, keep this in mind.
Read more: The Big Blue: Blue Health, Blue Carbon and Products made from Ocean-bound plastics.
Why your brand needs the beach
People love the beach. People love your brand. It makes sense, then, that people would love your brand at the beach.
You don’t have to be in the lifestyle, toy or travel industries to consider adding seaside promotional products to your summer merch campaign.
This is the great thing about merch - it appeals to people, not businesses. A business won’t get excited about a towel with your logo on it. A business won’t squeal with delight at a branded bucket hat. A business won’t feel relieved at finding that suncream with your name on it.
People do.
That photo of Little Timmy wrapped up in one of your towels is still stuck to the fridge, five years later.
Make your merch a part of their beach kit this summer with some seaside essentials, so the next time they need something, they’ll remember you coated in sand, surrounded by laughter.
Beach essentials you don’t want to forget
Going to the beach is fun, but if you forget any of the seaside essentials, it can soon turn into a sandy showdown for the last chocolate biscuit.
1. Sunscreen
Make sure it’s high in SPF and sprayable for easy application on kids.
Our favourites:
4 Piece Sun Care Kit, Eco Suncare SPF30 Stick for Face & Lips, and SPF25 Sun Lotion On A clip 50ml.
2. Sunglasses
We love to protect our eyes when the sun’s feeling extra bright.
Our favourites:
3. Towels
Keep ‘em dry and warm after splashing around in the cold sea.
Our favourites:
Vinga Lounge Chair Towel, Vinga Valmer Lounge Chair Towel, and Zinnia Summer Blanket.
4. Sunhats
Cap? Hat? Bucket? We’ve got all the styles you could ever wish for, keeping your noggin out of the sun.
Our favourites:
Montevideo Natural Straw Hat, Breathable Poly Twill Bucket Hat, and Vinga Baltimore Aware Recycled PET Bucket Hat.
5. Beach bag
Where are you planning on keeping all of these beachy essentials? Not in the pocket of your swim shorts, I hope.
Our favourites:
Menorca Beach Bag With Cord Handle, Polyester (600D) Picnic Rucksack With Extra Bottle Holder, and Dillon Aware RPET Lightweight Foldable Backpack.
6. Water bottle
Channel your inner fishie and keep hydrated.
Our favourites:
Water Bottle With Infuser, Embrace Deluxe RCS Recycled Stainless Steel Tumbler 900ml, and Deluxe Stainless Steel Activity Bottle.
7. Snacks
Because no one wants a hangry Aunt Geraldine.
Our favourites:
Summer Collection – Eco Handle Box - Afternoon Tea, Summer Collection – Eco Maxi Pot - Watermelon Slices, and Gift Boxes – Carry Box - Picnic Edition.
30 fun things to do at the beach
Now, you’ve got the essentials packed. What’re your plans for keeping everyone entertained at the beach? Here are 30 ideas for keeping yourself, your kids, or your friends entertained from dawn until dusk.
Fun things to do with sand
1. Build sandcastles
Don’t forget the magic tap, tap, tap!
2. Bury someone in the sand
Make sure to leave their faces free, please.
3. Create a beach obstacle course
Because what says holiday more than challenging granny to hopscotch?
Read more: 5 easy ways to keep kids entertained with merch this summer
Games to play in the sea
4. Go bodyboarding
Because it’s not just for 12-year-olds.
5. Try surfing
Aka grown-up bodyboarding.
6. Go swimming
Did we even need to put this on the list?
7. Try wave jumping
Honestly, way more exhilarating than you think.
Read more: You 100% need this merch the next time you go to the beach
How to relax at the beach
8. Read a book
The Fluid Book Club is currently reading ‘In the Woods’ by Tana French- very gripping. Highly recommend.
9. Go for a walk
Make sure you keep an eye on the tide times.
10. Snooze
Again, set an alarm for high tide, PLEASE.
11. Try beach yoga
You haven’t lived until you’ve done downward-facing dog on a beach.
How to keep your toddler entertained at the beach
12. Paint some rocks
Will keep them entertained for hours.
13. Play catch
Can be played sitting down.
14. Go on a treasure hunt
Bury things yourself or hope for a very profitable beach.
15. Beach ball blanket bounce
Hold a blanket by the corners and bounce a ball in the middle. Simple.
16. Play tag
Cannot be played sitting down.
Seaside activities for older kids
17. Go rock pooling
There’s nothing better than discovering the hidden world of rock pools as a kid.
18. Fly a kite
Channel your inner Mary Poppins.
19. Have a game of rounders
A school classic, and one that’s superb at the beach.
20. Play with a frisbee
Because they’re not just for dogs.
21. Go crabbing
A delightful activity for animal lovers.
22. Litter picking
Make it a game and see who can pick up the most litter.
Recycled Frisbee - Small, Beach Ball Game Set, and Beach Ball.
Entertaining adults at the beach
23.Bird watching
We won’t admit it, but we all love to bird watch.
24. Make a little fire
If the beach allows, of course, and please be safe and responsible and leave nothing but footprints!
25. Collect seashells and rocks
Shiny things!
26. Collect driftwood
Not so shiny things!
27. Collect sea glass
Extremely shiny things!
Read more: Get your merch summer picnic ready
Food & drink
28. Have a beach picnic
Let me paint a scene: blanket. Strawberries. Sandy toes. Prosecco. What more could you want?
29. Get an ice cream
The perfect sweet treat on a hot beach day.
30. Have a beach BBQ
Make sure the beach you’re on allows it, and if so, time to get those sausages sizzling!
Two Tone Cooler Bag With Cork Detail, Six-Piece Stainless Steel Barbecue Set, and Tartan Picnic Blanket.
Read more: How to host the best BBQ on a budget
Beach memories made with your brand
Become a part of their family holiday season with branded beach merchandise. From towels, sunglasses, hats and more, we’ve got everything you’ll ever need to promote your brand in the summer.
Poseidon just called. He wants to order more branded tridents.
