Heading to the beach with kids is always an exciting adventure, filled with sandcastle building, splashing in the waves, and, of course, playing fun-filled beach ball games!
Beach balls are versatile and lightweight toys that can entertain children of all ages for hours on end.
Whether it’s a family vacation, a beach party, or a day out by the shore, beach ball games are sure to keep the little ones engaged and active.
We’ve compiled a list of thrilling beach ball games for kids that will create lasting memories and endless laughter under the sun.
So grab your sunscreen, pack those beach bags, and get ready for a summer of beach ball fun!
Beach Ball Relay Race:
Divide the kids into two teams and set up a relay race course on the beach. Each team member must hold the beach ball between their knees as they run to a designated point and back. Once they return, they pass the ball to the next team member in line. The first team to complete the relay race with all members successfully carrying the ball wins! This game not only encourages teamwork and coordination but also adds an extra challenge as the kids try to keep the beach ball from dropping while running through the sandy terrain.
Beach Ball Balloon Volleyball:
Create a makeshift volleyball court in the sand using a rope or towels to mark the boundaries. Instead of using a regular volleyball, use a beach ball as the “balloon” for a fun and less intense game of beach ball volleyball. The kids will love the thrill of batting the ball back and forth over the net, and the larger size of the beach ball makes it easier for younger children to participate. This activity promotes hand-eye coordination, cooperation, and friendly competition in a lighthearted and enjoyable manner.
Beach Ball Water Bucket Challenge:
For this refreshing game, set up a series of large water buckets or containers in a row on the beach, and assign each bucket a point value. Place the beach ball at the starting point, and have the kids take turns rolling or bouncing the ball towards the buckets. The goal is to land the ball in the buckets and score as many points as possible. To add some extra excitement, fill the buckets with varying levels of water to make the ball’s trajectory unpredictable. The kids will have a blast as they strategize their throws and celebrate each successful shot!
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Beach Ball Target Toss:
Incorporate some target practice fun with a beach ball target toss game. Draw or set up large circles with different point values in the sand, each representing a target. The kids take turns standing at a designated distance and attempting to throw the beach ball into the target circles. The higher the point value of the circle, the more challenging it is to land the ball in it. This activity improves hand-eye coordination, and concentration, and provides a chance for friendly competition among young beach-goers.
Beach Ball Freeze Dance:
Combine the joy of dancing with the excitement of beach ball play in this energetic game. Have the kids gather in a circle on the sand, with one child designated as the DJ in charge of the music. When the music starts playing, the kids dance around the circle while keeping the beach ball bouncing from one person to the next. When the music suddenly stops, the child holding the beach ball freezes until the music starts again. The last player remaining in the game is the winner and gets to be the DJ for the next round. This activity promotes active movement, coordination, and spontaneous bursts of laughter as the kids freeze in hilarious positions.
Beach Ball Bowling:
Transform the sandy beach into a bowling alley by setting up a series of empty plastic bottles in a triangular formation. Each bottle represents a pin, and the kids take turns rolling the beach ball toward the pins, attempting to knock down as many as possible. To add a twist, assign different point values to the pins based on their arrangement. This beach ball bowling game provides a fantastic opportunity for friendly competition and enhances the kids’ aiming skills and accuracy.
Beach Ball Limbo:
Get the kids moving and grooving with a beach ball limbo contest! Using a beach ball as the limbo stick, have two adults hold the ball at each end and lower it gradually as the children take turns limboing underneath. Make it more challenging by requiring the participants to lean backward as they pass under the ball. Any child who touches the ball or falls is out, and the last one remaining in limbo wins. It’s a fantastic way to combine beach ball fun with a classic party game that promotes flexibility and balance.
Related: 20 Easy 2nd Grade Classroom Ideas
Beach Ball Soccer:
Create a soccer field in the sand using towels or markers for boundaries, and let the kids engage in a friendly game of beach ball soccer. The objective is to score goals by kicking the beach ball into the opposing team’s net. Since the ball moves slower on sand compared to grass, it allows the kids to improve their ball control skills and strategize their plays. Beach ball soccer fosters teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition, making it a fantastic group activity for kids of all ages.
Beach Ball Water Balloon Toss:
Add a splash of excitement to a traditional water balloon toss by using a beach ball instead! Pair up the kids and have them stand facing each other a short distance apart. They must toss the beach ball back and forth, taking a step back after each successful catch. Once the ball drops or is not caught, the partners are out. The last remaining pair with the farthest distance between them wins! This variation of the water balloon toss keeps the kids cool and engaged as they strive to outlast their friends.
Beach Ball Alphabet Game:
Combine beach fun with a learning activity by playing the beach ball alphabet game. Using a permanent marker, write different letters of the alphabet all over the beach ball. The kids stand in a circle and toss the ball to one another while calling out the letter under their right thumb when they catch it. They can also try to name words that start with the letter they catch. This game encourages letter recognition, and vocabulary building, and enhances the kids’ memory skills as they recall letters and corresponding words.
Beach Ball Water Relay:
Stay cool and competitive with a thrilling beach ball water relay. Divide the kids into two teams and set up two buckets filled with water at a distance from the starting line. Each team member takes turns carrying the beach ball overhead as they race to the water bucket, dip the ball in, and run back to their team to pass it on. The first team to transfer the beach ball down the line and back, without using their hands, wins! This game is a fantastic way to beat the heat while promoting teamwork and coordination.
Beach Ball Simon Says:
Put a beachy twist on the classic Simon Says game by using a beach ball as the prop. Choose one child to be “Simon” and have them stand in front of the others, holding the beach ball. Simon gives commands like “Simon says bounce the ball three times,” or “Simon says pass the ball to the person on your left.” The players must follow the instructions only when Simon says “Simon says” before the command. If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says,” and a player follows it, they are out. The last player remaining becomes the next Simon. This game enhances listening skills and adds a fun element to the traditional Simon Says.
Beach Ball Sand Art:
Let the kids’ creativity shine with beach ball sand art! Provide each child with a deflated beach ball, some glue, and an assortment of colored sand. The kids can apply the glue to sections of the beach ball and sprinkle different colored sand onto it, creating vibrant patterns and designs. Once they finish, let the glue dry, then carefully inflate the beach balls for a fantastic and personalized beach ball art display. This activity promotes artistic expression and gives the kids a unique keepsake from their beach day.
Beach Ball Alphabet Relay:
Combine learning and physical activity with the beach ball alphabet relay. Divide the kids into two teams and set up cones or markers in a zigzag pattern on the beach. Each team gets a beach ball with the alphabet written randomly on it. When the race begins, the first player from each team must carry the beach ball while hopping from one cone to another, calling out the letter they land on. The next player in line continues from the last letter called. The team that completes the alphabet relay first wins, and the kids get to practice their letters while having fun!
Beach Ball Scavenger Hunt:
Organize an exciting beach ball scavenger hunt to keep the kids engaged and exploring. Before heading to the beach, hide small prizes, toys, or treats inside deflated beach balls, then partially bury them in the sand. Divide the kids into teams and give each team a list of clues or riddles to decipher that lead them to the buried beach balls. The teams must work together to find the hidden treasures. This activity encourages problem-solving, and teamwork, and makes for an enjoyable adventure at the beach.
Beach Ball Roll and Spell:
Combine spelling practice with beach ball fun in this educational game. Write different letters of the alphabet all over the beach ball. Have the kids sit in a circle and roll the beach ball to one another. When a child catches the ball, they must think of a word that starts with the letter under their right thumb and spell it aloud. They can challenge themselves to come up with new words each time they catch the ball. This activity enhances spelling skills and vocabulary while keeping the kids entertained.
Beach Ball Dribble Race:
Test the kids’ dribbling skills with a beach ball dribble race. Set up a marked course on the sand, and each child gets their own beach ball. The objective is to dribble the beach ball through the course, navigate around cones or other markers, and reach the finish line as fast as possible. To add an extra element of fun, encourage the kids to dribble the ball using different body parts like feet, knees, or elbows. This activity promotes coordination, balance, and friendly competition among the little athletes.
Beach Ball Memory Game:
Challenge the kids’ memory with a beach ball memory game. Draw or stick pictures of various objects, animals, or beach-themed items on the beach ball. The kids sit in a circle, and one child starts by naming one of the pictures they see on the ball. The next player must repeat the first item and add another one. The game continues, with each child reciting the list of items in the correct order. This game is a delightful way to improve memory skills and concentration while enjoying the beach breeze.
Beach Ball Splash Tag:
Cool off with a refreshing game of beach ball splash tag. Select one child to be “It,” and they must hold the beach ball while trying to tag the other players by splashing them with water from the ball. The tagged player becomes the new “It.” The game continues with lots of laughter and splashing as the kids run around, trying to avoid getting tagged. This water-filled version of the tag guarantees loads of fun and a chance to beat the heat on hot summer days.
Beach Ball Hot Potato:
Put a beachy twist on the classic Hot Potato game with a beach ball. Have the kids sit in a circle and start passing the beach ball around while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the beach ball is out for that round. Keep playing until only one child remains, and they become the winner. The game can be even more enjoyable if played in shallow water to add a splash of excitement. Beach Ball Hot Potato improves hand-eye coordination and provides heaps of laughter and anticipation.
