Gather materials needed before doing the beach-umbrella art project such as a colorful beach umbrella, various colors of construction paper, glue, sand and scissors. Look at the beach umbrella for inspiration and discuss how the umbrella is sectioned into colorful areas.
Have children cut pieces out of colorful construction paper to create their own paper beach umbrella. Glue the sections onto a blue piece of paper to create a colorful beach umbrella. Paint the bottom of the paper with glue and sprinkle sand over the paper.
Position the beach umbrella in a place where everyone can see it. Use white drawing paper and markers to draw a picture of the beach umbrella. Encourage kids to draw themselves relaxing in the shade of the beach umbrella. Where is their beach umbrella? Who else is enjoying its shade? Have children write a couple sentences about their beach umbrella.
Roll out store-bought sugar-cookie dough onto a floured work surface. Help children use a knife to cut out the shape of a beach umbrella. Bake the beach-umbrella cookies until they are just browned. Decorate the cookies with colorful frosting. Eat the beach-umbrella cookies while sitting under the beach umbrella.
Take the beach umbrella to the beach or favorite place to enjoy a swim. Position the beach umbrella in an open area and make sure it is secure in the sand. Have children use the shadow of the beach umbrella as base for playing tag. Whoever is "it" can't tag the other children while they are in the shade of the beach umbrella. Continue playing beach-umbrella tag until everyone has had a chance being "it."