Physical exercises designed to mimic and reinforce essential beach safety skills.

1. Stay calm

This activity builds muscle memory for the most important water safety skill: signalling for help without panicking.

2. The sun safe challenge

This challenge teaches children the order of sun protection and ensures they know how to put on their gear properly before they hit the sand.

3. Wavy bodies

Using their bodies to become the waves helps children physically understand the different forces of the ocean.

1. Stay calm

Copy of Activity Book.pdf (19)

Materials needed

  • A blanket, towel, or yoga mat (to represent the water).
  • A whistle or a bell (optional, for the lifesaver to signal the start).

Instructions

  • Lay the blanket on the floor. Have your child sit or lie in the centre of the ‘water’.
  • Tell your child, ‘You feel a bit tired or the water feels too strong. What do we do?’
  • Practice the sequence together. - Big breath: Take a deep, visible breath to settle the lungs. - Stay calm: Keep arms down by the side or tread water (move feet) gently. - Hand high: Extend one arm straight up into the air with a closed fist or an open palm.
  • Call out ‘Signal!’ and see how quickly and calmly they can perform the three steps.

2. The sun safe challenge

Copy of Activity Book.pdf (18)

Materials needed

  • For each player: A long-sleeved rashie (or loose shirt), a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and an empty sunscreen bottle.
  • A start line and a finish line (use cushions or tape).

Instructions

  • Place the beach gear at the finish line. The children start at the opposite end of the room.
  • On ‘Go!’, children run to their safety items.
  • To win the challenge, they must: - Put on the shirt (buttons or zips done up). - Put on the hat (ensuring it covers the ears/neck). - Slide on the sunglasses. - Mimic dotting sunscreen on their nose and cheeks with the empty bottle.
  • Parents or carers act as the safety officer, checking that hats aren't backwards and shirts aren't inside out!

3. Wavy bodies

Copy of Activity Book.pdf (20)

Materials needed

  • An open space (backyard or lounge room).
  • A few beach props (a plastic bucket, a ball, or a toy).

Instructions

  • The Surging Wave. Have your child stand at one end of the room. They must run forward quickly, grab a toy, and run backward just as fast without turning around. This mimics how a surging wave grabs things and pulls them deep.
  • The Dumping Wave. Have your child jump as high as they can and land heavy on their hands and knees (on a soft surface). Explain that this wave has a lot of power that hits the bottom hard.
  • The Spilling Wave. Have the child spin slowly in circles with their arms out, making a ‘shhh’ sound like bubbles. Explain that this wave is gentle and spills its energy softly.