Fun with Kids on a Beach: Become Amateur Naturalists

I live in Michigan. Yes, the Great Lake State. When I was growing up, it was every kid's goal to swim in each one of the great lakes. Unfortunately, I never made it to Lake Ontario. But I did spend a lot... I mean A LOT of time on beaches; as a kid and as a parent.

Summer spent at the beach doesn't have to be about sand sticking in body cracks or oily sunscreen or sticky bug spray. There are many activities one can do on a beach other than building a sandcastle or picking up shells. This summer turn yourself and your kids into amateur Naturalists.

In Michigan, there are more than 10,000 miles of beaches along the Great Lakes, but all beaches are rich in treasures. If you do plan on visiting the beaches of the Great Lakes I recomend purchasing the book, "What's on the Beach - A Great Lakes Treasure Hunt" by Mary Blocksma. It's a fun book to take to the beach.

In this article I'll refer mostly to fresh water lakes. However, there are many other beaches to be found. Fresh water or sea, busy like in Chicago or quiet like in Minnesota; stony, grassy or sandy shores; don't forget to visit a marsh that's full of wildlife.

When you stand on a beach there are many things to look at but pick up a handful of sand. Nine out of ten grains of sand are made of quartz. Look at them with a magnifying glass and they look like little glass cubes. Black sand is made of magnetite; for fun try collecting black sand with a magnet!

Take a moment and study the birds. Point them out to the children. Most birds along beaches are gulls and terns. Gulls are a large bird that is usually walking along the water line picking at bugs and dead fish. Terns are smaller with black caps that soar gracefully over the water then suddenly plunge in after a fish.

Kids will spot ducks right away. There are two different kinds of ducks they'll see. Diving ducks such as Mergansers and Buffleheads eat fish and will dive after them. Puddle ducks such as the Mallard turn upside down in the water to eat plants. Children laugh at the little duck tails sticking out of the water. In the evening, you might even be rewarded by a visit from a swan or a loon.

Boys will naturally seek out reptiles and amphibians. Toads prefer dry land and you won't get warts if you pick one up; just be careful that you don't hurt the toad's thin skin. Frogs like water so look for bullfrogs perched on logs or lily pads. Of course you may see a snake in Michigan it won't be dangerous, our rattlesnake is too shy for beaches. Painted turtles have colorful shells and enjoy sunning themselves on logs. Snapping turtles have a long spiky tail and a hooked upper jaw that can give a dangerous bite.

After picking up shells, take a few moments to sort and study them. You may possibly have a few clam or mussel shells, snails, a claw or crayfish bodies. Look for feathers from water birds and brightly colored glass that has been worn smooth by the waves and sand. Check out the stones for fossils such as a Petoskey stone, chain coral or honeycomb coral. For pretty stones, rub them with a bit of hand lotion and the deeper color will last for a long time.

Take a couple books for identifying animal tracks and flowers to the beach. Remember that it is best to not pick wildflowers; many of them are protected species. But certainly enjoy their fragrance! Look for butterflies such as the Swallowtails, a large flier with pointed bottom wings. Dragonflies can be easy to catch to study the lovely colors. Just be careful and watch for biting flies, bees, and mosquitoes.

Explore a beach and take some time to really look at things. Enjoy the beautiful world we have and need to protect. Have fun with kids on a beach and become a kid yourself!