Munge Katty
At the beach activity for the early years. 3 to 4 years old kids
Today, the children enjoyed a magical learning experience at the beach as part of our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) outdoor exploration topic. Our activity was designed to nurture their curiosity, physical development, and understanding of the world through sensory and imaginative play.
We began with a gentle walk along the sand, where the children were encouraged to take off their shoes and feel the textures beneath their feet. This simple sensory experience helped build descriptive language as they shared how the warm, grainy sand and cool waves felt. Some children said, “It’s squishy!” or “The water tickles my toes!”
Next, we led a beach treasure hunt. Each child had a small bucket and a picture card showing items to find—shells, pebbles, driftwood, seaweed, and feathers. As they searched, they practised observation, matching, and counting skills. We praised their discoveries, encouraging vocabulary like “smooth,” “bumpy,” and “shiny.”
In our circle time on the beach blankets, we sang seaside-themed songs and read a story about a crab who lost his shell. The children were captivated, and the story prompted a role-play game where they pretended to be sea creatures—crabs scuttling, dolphins leaping, and starfish stretching. This imaginative play supported communication and gross motor skills