Whether it feels like it or not, summer is right around the corner, which means that you’re probably in the process of planning a trip to the beach. After all, there are few things better than relaxing on a blanket of warm sand and dozing your troubles away. Of course, beach trips can quickly turn sour and be cut short if your children aren’t entertained, so it’s important that you plan a few fun activities to keep them busy throughout the day. If you’re stuck for ideas, then keep reading for four great ones.

1. Create Beach Art

Building sandcastles is definitely fun, but it’s an activity that will only keep your kids busy for so long. If you want to prevent them from getting bored, then you need to think of something bigger. This is where beach art comes in. All you need to do is get to the beach as early as can and send your kids out hunting for cool and colorful objects to make pictures with. You could also challenge them to create sand sculptures, or get them to draw on rocks and shells.

2. Drive Dune Buggies

If your child is somewhat of a daredevil, then you might want to get them their own dune buggy and bring it with you when you go to the beach. If you’re not sure what dune buggy to buy your child, then you can visit Kids Ride Wild for some advice. A dune buggy will provide them with hours of fun during your day out, and is something they can also ride at off-road tracks closer to home. Many buggies have two seats, so your kids can share this hobby and have fun together.

3. Play Sand Pictionary

If you’re familiar with the game Pictionary, then you can probably guess what sand Pictionary is. All you need to do is pick a card with a word on, like fish or firework, and then draw this picture in the sand where you’re sitting. Your family will have to try and guess what it is that you’re drawing, and when someone guesses correctly, they get a turn. You could also play tic-tac-toe, by drawing the grid, Xs, and Os in the sand, like with Pictionary.

4. Ride Boogie Boards

Boogie boards can be bought from shops all along the beachfront, so pop in a few and get one for each member of your family. They’re relatively cheap but are a lot of fun, and you and your kids can spend hours trying to ride the waves on them. You could even have a competition to see who can balance on their boogie board the longest, by lining up along the end of the water and standing on your boards. To make it extra difficult, you could face away from the waves.

Going to the beach can be a lot of fun, but only if you’ve got fun things to do. Hopefully, your kids will enjoy the activities above, so you don’t have to cut your day out short.