As part of Mental Health Awareness week we’ve been looking at picture books which encourage little ones to talk about their feelings and encourage them to be themselves. We’ve also been thinking about the little things that can help us to feel better and perhaps, put the spring back in our steps.
Out of everything, our most favourite pick-me-up for the whole Button house is a trip to the beach. It’s 100% our go-to place come rain or shine and no matter what, we always leave with ‘beach faces’, soothed and topped up with happiness. Here are our 12 feel good things to do at the beach.
Photo by Chris Galbraith on Unsplash
1. Listen to the sound of the ocean
It’s not always easy with littles in tow, but try to snatch a moment to sit and listen to the sound of the ocean and feel yourself let go and relax. Parent tip: this is a brilliant moment to do a bit of mermaid spotting… shhh!! They will swim away if they hear you *wink wink.
2. Breathe in the salty sea air
I’m not sure if it’s an everyone thing, but as soon as we hit the beach there’s always a pause as everyone takes in a deep breath of the salty sea air. It’s so refreshing!
3. Feel the sand under your feet
Wearing crocs or salt sandals doesn’t count! Get your feet naked and into the sand. Apart from being so therapeutic, think how fantastic it is for your skin too.
4. Let the waves tickle your toes
Stand at the water’s edge and let the waves tickle your toes as it rocks in and out. The pull of the sand under your feet feels so good and you can imagine any worries floating off and out to sea.
5. Explore the sandy water pools
Not the rock pools, but rather (if you’re lucky) the pools of sea water left behind by the tide in the sand. Racing waves can be a tad worrisome for some littles, so it’s a great starting point to allow them to enjoy the sea in a more controlled way. Make sure you enjoy the fun too.
6. Collect shells
As you find them, take time to notice the different shapes, colours and textures.
7. Create some beach art
Release the creative in you and make some beach art using shells, stones and other natural elements you might have come across.
8. Build a giant sandcastle
Dig out the buckets and spades to create the biggest sandcastle you can manage! Brownie points if you manage a moat all the way down to the sea.
A very Little Button!
9. Lie back and read a book
If you’re lucky enough to have someone with you to watch over the littles, sit back, relax and unwind with a favourite book.
10. Go for a little coastal walk
Whether it’s a little promenade, or an exhilarating coastal trail, let your body stretch all the way to your fingertips and enjoy some (gentle) exercise.
11. Eat fish and chips on the beachfront
That is all.
12. Watch the sunset
And breathe…
WILD is now out in Spanish!
WILD – Our debut children’s picture book
Dad blogger Ross Good from The Stented Papa is the official storyteller for WILD!
Happy book birthday WILD!
Living in North Devon we have lots of beaches to enjoy. when they are not too full of holiday makers#mischiefandmemories@_karendennis
We did several of these on Friday, and it was delightful as we introduced our 1 year old grandson to the Atlantic Ocean!
I could do with some beach time! Salt air and sand on feet does wonders! #MischiefandMemories
Our most favourite thing is collecting #MischiefAndMemories
All fab ideas. I love the feel of sand and water on my toes x #mischiefandmemories
These are lovely and are making me reeeeeally want to be on a beach right now!! Love the mermaid spotting idea – I do that with fairies when we’re on a woodland walk for a bit of peace haha 🙂 #fortheloveofblog
I really miss the Australian beaches … not that we went very often when we lived there, ha! I’m hoping when we eventually move back that we can get a house much closer to the coast and enjoy it regularly. #mischiefandmemories
I love this! I would love to live closer to the coast. I would be playing on the beach with the kids, eating fish & chips breathing in the sea air xx #MischiefAndMemories
Chips on the beach can rarely be beaten. I love going on a slightly overcast day so you have the whole place to yourself. It blows away the cobwebs too! Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog
Popping back from #ForTheLoveOfBlog xx
Popping back from #mischiefandmemories
I don’t think my comment saved so I doing it again.
When I am on the beach it is just sitting and watching the waves rolling in and out that makes me so very happy #MischiefandMemories
I cannot wait for a nice, relaxing beach holiday – sipping cocktails, gorging on chips and enjoying the sunshine! This post has made me so nostalgic:) #fortheloveofblog
This is precisely why we’re still living in a 2 bedroom flat with 4 kids – it’s right on the seafront & we can do many of these things from our living room! Listening to the waves and watching the sunset is just priceless #mischiefandmemories
The only thing we can’t do on this list is build a sandcastle because we have a pebbly beach – you can’t beat a sandcastle though! Thanks so much for linking up with #fortheloveofblog – hope to see you again next week!
We had so many fun holidays at the beach as kids….alas none of them want to go to beach destinations any more….I don’t get that at all!!!! #Dreamteam
My favourite thing to do at the beach as a child, Annette was to help the donkey man by leading one of the donkeys up and down as children had a ride#dreamteam
These are all wonderful reasons to enjoy the beach. I am highly allergic to going into the ocean because I’m allergic to shellfish. And if the breeze is to high, I can’t even be near the ocean. My family LOVES the beach, and I go to make them happy. It is still a beautiful scene.
#DreamTeam