All play ideasTide line survey

Tide line survey

Walk the strand line with two bags and sort what the sea brought in from what people left behind.

Age 4 to 6 · Reception to Year 2Age 7 to 9 · Year 3 to Year 4Age 10 to 11 · Year 5 to Year 6OutdoorSunny daySeaside week

The tide line is a free museum, refreshed twice a day, with a serious lesson in it.

What you need

  • Two bags, one for natural finds and one for rubbish
  • Gloves
  • A phone or notebook for a list

How to do it

  1. 1

    Choose a stretch of beach about twenty steps long.

  2. 2

    Walk it slowly, putting shells, seaweed and driftwood in one bag.

  3. 3

    Put any safe litter in the other bag, leaving anything sharp for an adult.

  4. 4

    Sort the natural finds into groups on the sand and count each pile.

  5. 5

    Photograph or draw your favourite find, take the rubbish home and wash your hands.

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