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Beach Clean

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A beach clean is a brilliant way for children to learn about environmental responsibility while enjoying the great outdoors. By helping remove litter from the shore, kids contribute to protecting wildlife and keeping our natural spaces beautiful for everyone.

This hands-on activity is a great mix of exercise, teamwork, and learning. It sparks conversations about ocean pollution, recycling, and the small actions we can all take to care for the planet.


Materials Needed

  • Reusable gloves
  • Bin bags or compostable rubbish sacks
  • Hand sanitiser or wipes
  • Optional: litter picker or tongs, separate bag for recyclables

Tools Needed

  • Litter picker or tongs (optional)

Steps

  1. Pick a Spot
    Head to a local beach, shoreline, or coastal path that’s safe and accessible.
  2. Gear Up
    Put on gloves and explain the safety rules: no sharp or suspicious items, always check with an adult before picking something up.
  3. Start Collecting
    Work together to spot and collect litter. Focus on plastic wrappers, bottles, and food packaging.
  4. Sort It
    If possible, separate recyclables from general waste.
  5. Dispose Responsibly
    Use the nearest bins or take your rubbish home to dispose of it properly.

Variations

  • Beach Bingo: Make a game out of it by spotting items from a beach clean checklist (e.g. bottle cap, crisp packet, seaweed).
  • Make It a Challenge: Set a timer or fill a bag and see how quickly you can clean a section of the beach.
  • Art from Rubbish: Use safe, clean finds to make a beach-themed collage or sculpture.
  • Join a Local Group: Team up with a community or charity beach clean event for a bigger impact.

Tried this activity?

We’d love to hear how it went!

Got a clever twist or fun idea to add?

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