Prepare for a trip to the beach or imagine what it would be like to go there by creating a themed arts and crafts project. Preschoolers can draw pictures of the beach, paint a group mural or even use sand as an exciting new medium. Kids can draw a beach landscape onto cardboard with a pencil, including basic elements such as the ocean and the sand. Cover the cardboard with a clear drying school glue by painting across the paper with a thick brush. Sprinkle sand on top for a textured seascape.
Introduce your beach theme with a fun-filled beach towel day. Send a letter home inviting children to bring in their favorite beach towel. Have a "show and share" in which each child can tell one thing about their towel. Set up a faux beach near the sand or water table and ask the kids to sit on their towels when they play. Use the towels as blankets during nap time or instead of carpet squares in the circle area. Another option is to create your own art beach towels. Use large pieces of poster board that are at least 11 by 14 inches in size to decorate as a towel. Give the children glue, glitter and tempera paints to add a special sparkle to their mock towels.
Going to the beach may be a fun summer time activity, but it can also be dangerous. Before preschoolers go on a vacation or field trip to the shore, it is best to try a few safety oriented activities. Engage the children in a lively discussion, focusing on staying close to an adult and not venturing into the ocean alone. Avoid scaring the children, instead concentrate on rules to follow. Have the children make a beach safety journal that features drawings of safe ways to spend the day near the ocean. Add in photos or pictures of the beach cut from magazines.
Set up a "beachy" dramatic play experience for your preschoolers. Move the furniture out of the way and create a beach center in the room. Help the kids to dress up in sunglasses, beach hats and other ocean related items. Set out seashells, toy sea creatures and other ocean themed items for the children to play with during their indoor beach excursion. Before starting the dramatic play part of the activity, ask the children to discuss what they would need to take to the beach and why things to include may be sunscreen, a towel, a swimsuit or special water shoes.