25 Things to Do at the Beach when it’s Too Cold to Swim

These 25 things to do at the beach when it’s too cold to swim can save your beach trip and turn it into a fun-filled adventure. Traveling during the off-season can save a lot of money but sometimes you take a gamble with the weather. There’s still plenty to do at the beach in Winter when its cold. Don’t blow your affordable family vacation budget on expensive activities. This list will help save your trip and your budget as they are great cheap family vacation activities.

Spring break in Myrtle Beach could be beautiful and sunny or it could be a little cold and windy. Swimming in the northeast can also include chili water. We experienced this during our first visit to New Hampshire and boy was it shocking. Whether you are planning a beach trip knowing it will be too cold to swim or you are hit with unexpected weather, these activities can keep you having fun even without swimming in the ocean.

1. Build a Sand Castle or other Sand Sculpture

You can comb through the internet for inspiration and types for building the best sand castles. create a theme. or even build a fort you can sit in. Playing in the sand is fun for all ages including us adults.

2. Foam airplanes is our favorite thing to do at the beach when it’s too cold to swim

There are affordable foam airplanes are one of our favorite cheap travel toys. Kids can spend hours playing with them as they can fly straight or do loop de loops.

Things to Do at the Beach when it’s Too Cold to Swim

3. Use a metal detector to find buried treasure.

My kids love searching for buried treasure. After watching some beachgoers search for treasure our kids asked if they could have a metal detector. In case they aren’t successful, it’s fun to bring some items to bury

4. Go for a Bike Ride near the beach if it’s too cold to swim

Bring your bikes and explore some of the bike trails around the area. We have enjoyed Bike Rides in Cape Cod, Maine, and some other areas we have traveled to. It’s the perfect activity to do when the weather is a little cooler (and not so much when it’s very hot). If there’s a boardwalk you can often ride your bikes there as well. Consider bringing skateboards, roller skates, or blades as another option.

5. Fly a Kite is a great thing to do at the beach if it’s too cold to swim

The beach is the best place to fly a kite and so much fun. see how high you can get it to go just be careful to fly your kite away from other beachgoers.

6. Wear a wetsuit or shorty and jump in.

Wetsuits and shortys used to be very expensive. I spend $85 ordering one from England when my son was a toddler because his lips were always blue even when the weather was hot. Prices have significantly dropped and you can find wetsuits for $50 or less. They make a world of a difference and even if the water isn’t freezing they help keep the kids in it longer. Whether at the beach or pool they are wonderful for northeast cooler ocean weather or Florida winters when the sun isn’t as hot as you hoped.

Check out these affordable options:

7. Enjoy a hot cocoa bar on the deck of your beach house

Enjoy a hot cocoa bar or one of these other wonderful Cheap Travel Treats. Your kids will have fun making or sampling different things.

8. Have a fire on the beach and roast s’mores

Check local beach regulations and see if you can have a fire on the beach. This unique location or a “campfire” is sure to be exciting. If you can’t have a fire on the beach maybe you can enjoy one at your beach rental or hotel. We often bring smores kits with us when staying at hotels that often have outdoor fireplaces or pits.

9. Play with balls

There are so many sports options you can play at the beach. Football, soccer, dodgeball, kickball, volleyball, or pitch and catch are just a few.

10. Get chased by waves

My kids love being chased by waves. You can play don’t let the water touch you or you can try to jump over them as they break on the sandy shore.

11. Collect and paint shells and/or rocks

Pack a simple watercolor set or even markers and enjoy creating your own masterpieces. Painting shells is a lot of fun. You can also make seashell jewelry windchimes or Christmas ornament. Grab this water color set perfect for painting shells.

12. Dig for sand crabs or sand clams

Digging for sand crabs is my kid’s favorite beach activity when we are in the northeast. I don’t know if it’s the only place but it’s the only place we have found them and the kids love to catch them and of course, release them too).

13. Play card or board games

My grandmother loved Yahtzee and Backgammon and we always had them in our beach bag. We usually can’t keep the kids still long enough but during cooler weather, it’s perfect for a break. Grab this kids card games multipack and make them your travel games.

14. Go for a walk and explore

Taking a walk on the beach can be peaceful and fun. You can look for shells and cool rocks, sharks’ teeth, and other fossils. sometimes there are shops nearby or even ruins and other things to explore. You can also look at wildlife on your walks.

15. Look for dolphins and other sea life

Where ever you go there’s always nature around us. Look for dolphins or other sea life. Sometimes we even encourage the kids by offering a reward for whoever finds things first.

16. Watch seagulls and other birds

We enjoy watching seagulls and other birds. Sometimes they are stealing food as a beachgoer is trying to enjoy a meal. sometimes they are running from the waves. We have watched babies run around the sand and even had one bold enough to come right up to our beach blanket looking for food.

17. Swim in a Hot tub or Heated Pool

Swimming in a pool especially one that overlooks the ocean can be a lot of fun. If you booked a hotel with a pool or haven’t quite planned your trip yet, it might be a good idea to book accommodations with a heated pool if you are traveling during off-season times when the weather could be really hot or possibly cool. Bring some pool floats to extend the length of time the kids are entertained.

18. Skim Boarding

Skimboarding is a great activity when it’s too cold to get in the water. The boards are more expensive than boogie boards tend to be for a bit older kids.

19. Play Miniature Golf

Miniature Golf is a popular beach activity at any time. When the weather isn’t great it can be busier but if you are traveling during the off-season when crowds are typically lower anyway it probably won’t be too crowded. It’s a fun affordable activity.

20. Go Parasailing

Parasailing is a fun family activity at the beach and maybe worth the splurge if the water is just too cold to get in. It’s often worth the splurge even when the weather is nice.

21. Play Disc Gulf

Some local parks and resorts offer disc gulf. It can be a little challenging at first just to understand how it works but overall it’s a fun family activity that can often be free or inexpensive. . You can purchase a disc golf starter set on Amazon.

22. Get on the water instead of in the water

inflatable paddle board

Bring your kayaks, paddleboards or rent a boat. If it’s too cold to get in the water you can always get on the water for some fun. e love bringing our inflatable kayaks and paddle board when we travel. While we won’t take them in the ocean there are often calmer places to kayak near the ocean. You can also bring some pools floats such as these:

23. Go Fishing, Clamming, Scalloping or Crabbing

My kids love fishing. If you bring your own equipment it can be more affordable but make sure you follow local laws and get any permits you may need. You can also charter a fishing trip. Large group trips are more affordable but private tours may be easier to manage the time and go back sooner if the kids need to. You may also be able to rent equipment to fish from the beach or pier. Resorts like Baker’s Cay in Key Largo include fishing poles and bate as part of their complimentary resort activities.

24. Check out the aquarium or local museum

If you have the ASTC Museum Reciprocity pass, check to see if there are any nearby museums on the list. You may be surprised to find one as there are hundreds located around the world. If not, there’s often an aquarium located near popular beach destinations that can be a fun experience.

25. Go for a Hike

There’s often more to a beach town than just the beach. Check out local hiking trails that may offer nice views or fun rock scrambles. You may even get to spot local wildlife. If you have a National Parks pass check to see if there’s a National Park, Forest, or monument near buy. Since there are hundreds there is a good chance there’s one nearby and could be a fun learning activity.

My Favorite off-season resort is the Hyatt Chesapeake.

If you are looking for another option for an off season resort, theHyatt Chesapeake is a great resort to visit any time of year. It is not on the Ocean but on a river that still looks like you at the ocean, especially when relaxing in the infinity pool. It has a very small sand beach but loads of available activities. In the spring when the outdoor pools open they are hearted and Maryland tends to get warmer weather sooner than much of the Northeast. The bay is great for water sports but not really for swimming anyway. There’s a nice bike trail there if you bring your bikes or you can rent them on site. The resort includes complimentary miniature golf, disco gulf and has a fire pit where you can roast smores. Just bring your own or purchase onsite (although that is the pricier option.). Rates are very reasonable during the off-season when you factor in all the activities that are included.d.