by Patricia Lakin, illustrated by Scott Nash
Sam, Pam, Will and Jill are hot and sweaty. It’s the perfect day for the beach. Once they’ve put on their swimsuits and packed a picnic lunch, they’re off! Nothing is as easy as it seems with Sam, Pam, Will and Jill, though. Will they actually make it to the beach?
WATCH and LISTEN to Patricia Lakin read her book Beach Day! for KidLitTV:
Action Rhyme: Sand Castle
Sand castle on the beach,
I built you big and strong (raise arms high)
A wave washed in upon the sand. (swing arm from one side of your body to the other)
Whoosh! You were gone! (swing hands down, then up)
Action Song: This is the Way We Play at the Beach (tune: Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush)
This is the way we play at the beach, (dance around, or jump up and down)
Play at the beach, play at the beach.
This is the way we play at the beach,
On a hot and sunny day.
Additional verses:
This is the way we dig in the sand… (digging motions)
This is the way we splash in the surf… (splashing motions)
This is the way we lie in the sun… (lay down and shield your eyes)
(ask your child for suggestions for other things to do and sing them!)
Baby Lap Bounce: The Waves on the Beach (tune: The Wheels on the Bus)
The waves at the beach go up and down, (bounce baby gently and smoothly up and down)
Up and down, up and down.
The waves at the beach go up and down,
All through the day.
Additional verses:
The sun at the beach goes shine, shine, shine… (gently open and close baby’s hands)
The crabs at the beach go pinch, pinch, pinch… (gently make pinching motions with baby’s hands)
The jellyfish at the beach go wibble, wobble, wibble….. (rock baby gently and smoothly side to side)
The seals at the beach go arf, arf, arf… (gently clap baby’s hands and bark like a seal)
The children at the beach have fun, fun, fun… (bounce baby gently up and down)
Tip: This baby bounce can be easily adapted for older children as an Action Rhyme. Just have the child stand and make the movements. For example, have them jump up and down, open and close their hands, making pinching motions with their hands, etc.)
Action Song: Cold Water Pokey (or Beach Hokey Pokey or Pool Hokey Pokey)
You dip your toe in,
You dip your toe out.
You dip your toe in,
And you jump and scream and shout! (shout: It’s so cold!)
You do the Cold Water Pokey (or “Beach Hokey Pokey,” or “Pool Hokey Pokey”)
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about! (clap! clap!)
Then do as many body parts as you want (examples: hand, elbow, knee, hip, head, whole self). Adjust the song for older children who can differentiate left from right by doing “left foot,” “right foot,” etc.