30 of the Best Beach Games to Play This Summer

Are you packing up for a beach trip with your family? Prepare yourself with some crazy beach games for families filled with laughter and fun. There is nothing like beach games in summer, where you get to share laughter, bond, and thousands of memories. 

Family beach games are some of the most precious and simple things we all experience at least once in our lifetime. Let us make those moments count and fill them with memories with our best beach games for adults, including families, friends, siblings, and many more.

I have curated a list of the most fun beach games you can play anytime you hit the beach!

Best Beach Games To Play With Families

Find a perfect beach game for your loved ones and enjoy a memorable and fascinating escape with your extended family and friends. Find your favorite beach games from the list of games for the beach below.

Name	Number of Players Allowed
1. Paddle Ball	2 players
2. Beach Volleyball	4-12 players
3. Beach Soccer	6 or more players (teams)
4. Frisbee	2-10
5. Tug of War	6 or more players (teams)
6. Sandcastle Contest	2 or more players(usually groups)
7. Seashell Hunt	1 or more players (solo or teams)
8. Limbo	3 or more players
9. Beach Relay Race	2 or more players (teams)
10. Water Balloon Toss	2 or more players (paired)
11. Beach Bowling	2-4 Players
12. Capture the Flag	Four or more players (two teams)
13. Sand Sculpting	1 or more players (solo or groups)
14. Beach Frisbee Golf	2 or more players
15. Kite Flying	1 or more players
16. Scavenger Hunt	3 or more players (teams or solo)
17. Sand Skiing	1-2 (individually)
18. Beach Obstacle Course	2+ (groups or solo)
19. Tug Boat Racing	1-2 players
20. Beach Tug-of-War	6 or more players
21. Floating Ring Toss	2-6
22. Snorkel and Seek	1 or more players
23. Beach Bingo	2 or more players
24. Sand Treasure Dig	2 or more players
25. Water Pong	2 or more players
26. Beach Dodgeball	6 or more players
27. Beach Trampoline Fun	1 or more players
28. Splash Tag	3 or more players
29. Surfing	1 or more players
30. Bodyboarding	1 or more players

1. Seashell Hunt 

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This is one of the most exciting and fun beach games for families with many members. Seashells are available in large quantities scattered around the beach ground. Finding seashells is among the most exciting and fun activities for kids and adults.

You can also award different points for different types of shells based on their shape, size, and colors. Any number of players in this game can participate. The minimum number of players must be two so that you can decide the winner at the end. 

Fun part of this beach game:

1. Collect the largest seashell on the beach with points based on shape, size, and color.
2. A fun activity for kids in the families and keep them engaged
3. There are no Restrictions on the number of participants in this beach game.
4. The objective of this beach game is to observe who can find the largest seashell or the most number of seashells on the beach. 

 Read More: Fun Ice Breaker Games & Activities!

2. Kite Flying

Flying a kite on the beach can be one of the most incredible experiences on a summer day at the beach. You can enjoy flying kites after deep diving in the ocean, running on the beach, and getting warmed up again. Kite flying can be a memorable experience on a windy day.

Get your whole family to make their own kites, and you can learn how to make a kite from the YouTube platform. Make your kite and see whose kite goes the highest in the sky. Get some attractive snapshots of your favorite ones while flying a colorful kite. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Race in the winds with your family, friends, and colleagues.
• This is one of the best beach games for adults and kids, suitable for all ages. 
• Aim for the highest flight on a windy beach day.
• In this activity-based game, you can make your own kite to fly in the sky.
• No Restrictions on the number of participants in this beach game.

3. Treasure Hunt

Indulge your kids in the family in a treasure hunt where they have to track down a list of items you give to them. Provide them with hints for finding the items on the beach that you have hidden somewhere in different places. 

Treasure hunt beach games can be one of the best gaming options for children and adults who are more inclined to solve mysteries for fun.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Find hidden treasures by solving clues and riddles
• This beach game can be played in multiple teams.
• Hints are in the form of things kept near the item, such as shells, colors of shells, types, feathers, longitude, latitude of the location, and more.

4. Water Bucket Relay

It is a fun activity at the beach where you have to split your family into two teams of mixed strength every team member can have an individual bucket or a common bucket which they need to fill using spoons, seashells, or any convenient tool suitable for collecting water in the bucket. 

The bucket of water must be empty at the start of the game. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Suitable for players of all ages.
• It is one of the beach games for adults, which can be played in teams and solo.
• The main objective is to fill the bucket before the other team.
• Splashes of water and excitement on a sunny day.

5. Frisbee

This game is everyone’s favorite, especially on the beach. All you need is a frisbee to start the game. A beach with so much open space provides sufficient area to play these frisbee games for the beach. Make sure while purchasing a frisbee, the weight is balanced so that the frisbee floats on the water rather than sinking in it. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Jump and catch a flying frisbee
• The game of frisbee is more of an exercise suitable for all age groups in the family.
• The objective of this game is to throw the frisbee, and players on the opposite side must catch the frisbee. 
• Best game for beaches, play with your friends and families.

6. Volleyball

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Volleyball and beach have a very old connection together, especially on a sunny day a game of volleyball can relax your soul. You and the kids can enjoy the best beach games with balls on a beautiful sunny day at the beach.

You can distribute the team based on adults versus kids to make the game more exciting. Volleyball being vacant from inside supports buoyant force and does not sink in the ocean water, hence safer to play on the beach. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Play with six players at a time in each team.
• Make glides in the sand and save throws.
• The more the people are, the merrier it is for the game. 
• It includes teamwork and strategy-building.
• Suitable for all ages.

7. Sand Angels 

Sand Angels is one of the most engaging and best beach games, especially for kids, as it is an activity-based game filled with colorful interaction between things kept aside on the beach and the sand itself.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Create beautiful angels and blossom your creativity.
• Make yourself a sand angel by laying on the beach and making a starfish motion to create your beautiful angel.
• You can use various materials, such as pebbles and shells on the beach, to decorate your sand angels.
• Best beach game for kids

8. Soccer

Many of us have played soccer at one time or another, but playing it on a beach will account for a very thrilling and fun experiment. Soccer is one of the best beach games with balls where the complete family can participate easily. 

Make the goal area quickly with a stick placed nearby on the beach, you can also make a goal with buckets, towels, markers can be used to mark the goal area.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Ten players can play at a time in a soccer game with five members in each team.
• It is also known as sand football, beach football, beasal, and more.
• Work as a team to win the game together.

9. Rock Painting 

Source: Ioan Turcanu /shutterstock

Pack your color paints and brushes and enjoy this summer beach game. If you are not willing to go to the water to swim on this sunny day on the beach, you can do this fun activity instead. Plan some themes in your head and start drawing. 

You can participate with your kids and choose rocks of different sizes and textures. You can even arrange the rocks in a pattern to make a meaningful painting. Try painting a sunset image, ocean, or beach image in your paintings.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Best beach game for people who love arts and paintings
• Take out your creativity and bring it out on the canvas. 
• Chilling day on the beach with beautiful designs and artwork.
• Paint on different types of rock, look for the one which is smooth.

10. Dig a Hole 

Source: Jose V Diaz /shutterstock

Digging a hole on the beach can be a very fun activity to carry on with your family on a bright, sunny day. You can teach kids how to make their own pool with sand. Show them a demonstration of how it is done, and make sure you keep the hole at a distance from the wave so that it does not frequently fill up again and again.

Divide into teams, and the first team to dig the deepest hole will be the winner. Finally, you can take a photo of everyone standing in the hole. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Make the deepest hole and store it in your memory.
• Suitable for players of all ages.
• Make the game more interesting by giving them some small dig materials and making it even more challenging.
• Use small digging materials to dig the hole and make your personal pool.

11. Tug of War

Use a towel to play tug of war, or you can also bring some rope from your home in advance to plan this game on the beach. Divide into two teams and make sure everyone has an equal number of people, with people of strength equally divided on both sides. 

Make a marker on the sand with a sharp tool such as a bucket or needles. Divide the game into multiple rounds, and the team winning more rounds wins!  

Fun part of this beach game:

• Collect all your strength and win the game together.
• One of the most popular signature games on the beach.
• This is one of the most beloved games for the beach with no age restrictions.
• At least 2 players to start, and any number of players can participate at a time.

12. Cricket 

Cricket is one of the best beach games for adults on a bright, sunny day. When you have a large family or you are at the beach with friends or colleagues, you can plan a game of cricket. Keep all the required materials to play a game of cricket, such as bat, ball, keepers, and other kit materials for the game.

You will need a lot of energy as cricket is a game of patience where there is much to do. A lot of catches, balling, batting, and fielding. Choose cloudy weather for this game to make it more and less exhausting.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Playing your favorite game on the beach and watching how it turns for you.
• Best for family trips and gateways.
• Play together with your family and friends and participate in fielding, bowling, and batting as a team.
• Ensure there is not much crowd on the day of cricket, as it might create trouble for you. 

13. Tidal Ball

Tidal ball is one of the most fun games for the beach. You have to make a hole in the sand, create multiple holes in the sand, and then walk ten to fifteen steps away from the hole. Divide into multiple teams and try to throw a ball in the trench. Make sure the ball lands on the opponent’s trench. A ball successfully in the hole counts for one point.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Make perfect shots in the trench and win!
• No hard and fast rules! Customize rules as per your needs and conditions.
• You can customize the rules as per your choice in the game to make it more fun and entertaining. 
• Experience the thrills of perfect shots and quick reflexes.
• Try to take the ball in a trench, which counts to 3 points. The team that scores 21 points in the game wins.

14. Bottle Bash

Bottle Bash is a popular beach game, and this game can be played with multiple players with bottles, freebies, or balls. Players take turns by throwing dice at their opponent’s bottle, and if you successfully knock the bottle with the discs. You will get points for knocking bottles successfully in the game.

Keep space between the bottles; you can keep them at 20, 30, or 40 feet apart. You can take the required materials for this beach game, such as flying discs, bottles, and something that can be used to make a pole.

Fun part of this beach game:

• The best activity game on the beach is to collect and dispose of bottles at their right place in the bin.
• This game is a combination of accuracy, reflexes, and coordination.
• It will strengthen your bonds with your family, friends, and colleagues. 
• Practice and improve your aiming game with the bottle bash game.
• Make a high score and challenge your friends to beat your high score.
• You can use other scrap materials on the beach to shoot, you must throw all litters after the game gets over.

15. Spike ball

This is one of the most hyped beach games with balls that require a beach trampoline net and a bouncy ball. Pack your requirements when you are about to go to a beach day. You will need two teams standing opposite each other and play turns to spike the ball off the net.

The opposing team must hit the ball back within three or minimum touches in the game, similar to a volleyball game.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Spike game is a popular game in beach towns on the East Coast of the United States.
• It can be played with two teams and two players in each team.
• The game of spikeball is suitable for everyone in the family. You can also make multiple teams to play this game. 
• This game does not require much space, so it is ideal for the beach.
• This beach game is also known as Roundnet, inspired by the game of Volleyball.

16. Paddle Ball

A paddle ball is an engaging game played with two paddles and a small ball. Players must hit back and forth in the game and try to keep it from touching the ground. The lightweight paddles and bouncy ball make this game beach-friendly, as it does not require much space.

Fun part of this beach game:

• It is a perfect warming-up game that you can play for casual fun and to test your abilities.
• It is an excellent game played with pairs or smaller groups of 3 to 5 people. 
• The objective of this game is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible by hitting it back and forth between players. 
• Best for all ages, solo players, and casual play.

Try this fishbowl game is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for parties, family gatherings, or casual hangouts with friends.

17. Sandcastle Building Contest 

This is one of the most soothing and friendly games to play on the beach. Participants compete to build the sandcastles within a defined set duration of time. Provide each player or team with tools like buckets, shovels, and molds, which can be used to craft sandcastles in the game.

To make this game more interesting, you can also define a timer in the game. It encourages creativity and teamwork in the game. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• This game encourages teamwork and creativity at its best.
• Decide the winner based on various factors of the sandcastle, such as its type, size, and creativity used in the castle.
• Suitable and fun for all age players, including kids, families, friends, and more.
• It can be played with two or more players at a time.

18. Water Balloon Toss 

Source: Sirle Kabanen /shutterstock

Planning a beach family vacation, well then you will need a lot of balloons to make your beach day even more interesting. This fun little game enhances your skill, and you have to catch and throw balloons filled with water without bursting them off.

Fun part of this beach game:

• This game is perfect for a hot beach day, adding fresh entertainment and refreshments.
• It can be a competitive or casual game based on the game settings.
• Water balloon toss can be played with 2 or more players.
• The pair that lasts the longest without popping their balloons wins the game. 
• Gameplay can be modified based on activities suited to age.

19. Beach Relay Race 

This is a team-running beach game where you have to divide players into teams and set up multiple checkpoints on the beach. You can encourage teamwork and add variety to the game with the help of collaboration and communication in this game. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Run and jump your heart out to win on the beach and set memories.
• There is no limit to the maximum number of players in the game.
• You can include activities at each checkpoint where players have to fill water, run with balls, or shift to one leg while running. Anyone on the beach can participate. 

20. Capture the Flag

This is a classic team game where players must capture the flags of the opposite teams while protecting their own flags. For this game, you can either make multiple flags on your own, which is also a fun little activity, or you can buy custom-made flags.

Divide the beach area into two territories and place a flag in each territory. Players will try to sneak into the other team’s arena to grab the flag and return without being tapped or touched.

Fun part of this beach game:

• This beach game is filled with exciting activities and gameplay.
• Make your own flag and save it from opponents.
• Snatch flags from opponent teams to win.
• It encourages teamwork and physical-mental level coordination.
• It can be played in two teams with four or more players.

21. Beach Obstacle Training 

Train your muscles, mind, and body with this obstacle-based beach game filled with physical challenges and events where you must compete with multiple players in a race environment. This is one of the best beach games for adults as well as kids.

Create fun, challenging obstacles with cones, beach towels, ropes, buckets or sand, seashells, and rocks.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Increase your fitness with this fun activity on the beach, which involves training your body and mind.
• You can include activities in this game, like crawling, jumping over buckets, and running in a zig-zag pattern.
• Use a timer in the game, and the participant who completes the game in the shortest time wins. 
• It can be played solo or in teams.
• It is best suited for fitness freaks, climbers, trekkers, or anyone who enjoys taking challenges head on.

22. Beach Tennis

Pack your tennis while going on a beach day with your friends and families. Mark a court area on the sand with a net or rope based on the availability. Use a lightweight ball for tennis in the game. Make sure the weather is not too windy.

Players take turns serving the ball over the net, and the receiving player must return the ball before it touches the sand.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Points in the game are scored if the ball lands on the opposite side or if they fail to return it.
• Your main objective is to hit the ball over the net and land it in the opponent’s court.
• Good activity to improve reflexes and hand-eye coordination.
• It can be played in a single format or doubles.

23. Bucket Ball

Keep some buckets and balls with you on your beach trip. When you reach the beach, arrange six large buckets in a triangular formation on either side. You can use a beach ball as the pong and throw the ball into the opposing team’s bucket. If you do it successfully, you will gain one additional point. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• If a ball lands in a bucket, then the bucket is removed from the formation.
• This game can be played with a large group of players, making it one of the best beach games for adults.
• The team that eliminates all the other team’s buckets first wins the game.
• Best suited for families and casual games with friends and colleagues.

24. Sand Skiing 

Source: Studio MDF /shutterstock

This is a fun little activity, specially made for frequent beach visitors. If you are planning to spend this summer on the beach, then you must be familiar with sand skiing. You must create tracks in the sand and use your feet to display a skiing motion. This game is straightforward.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Experience a thrilling and unique experience skiing on sand.
• Players stand at the starting line, slide their feet, and start skiing on the sand.
• You can either compete against each other in this game or set a timer to decide the winner.
• The player with the fastest time or the first to reach the finishing line wins. 
• A totally new way and thrilling experience on the beach and a great outdoor alternative.

25. Fish, Fisherman and Shark

This fun game can be played anywhere, whether it is in your backyard or on a beach. You do not need any material to play this game. However, the beach environment fills the game with a realistic environment and experience. A player with the most number of fish catches wins the game.

Fun part of this beach game:

• The fisherman must catch the fish without being tagged by the shark.
• When all the fish get caught by the fisherman, they win.
• This game is suitable for three or more players where you have to choose people for three roles i,e. Fish, shark, and fisherman.
• All fish must try to escape from the hands of fishermen to save their lives! 

26. Beach Scavenger Game

The beach scavenger game is one of the best beach games for families, where you can contribute to keeping the beach clean and learn and discover new items. Divide players into teams or they can also play solo. Provide each team or player with a list of buckets or beach bags for collecting items from the beach.

Fun part of this beach game:

• You, as an organizer, will prepare a list of items that can be found on the beach, such as seashells, rocks, trash or driftwood, and more. 
• Find all the items on the list before other participants to win the game.
• Make the game more exciting by hiding exciting stuff in the sand.

27. Cornhole Game

This game is also known as the Bean carrying Bag Toss game, where two cornhole boards are kept 27 feet apart on the sand. If you land the bag on the board, you will get one point, and a bag through the hole will get you 3 points. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• Make sure to keep the items in advance before moving ahead to the beach.
• The game continues until one player in the game reaches 21 points.
• Your main objective is to throw the bean bags onto the board or pass them through the hole. 
• The boards must have a hole near the top and the bean bags for tossing.

28. Beach Ring Toss 

The beach ring toss game is played with stakes and rings kept at different distances. You have to use plastic or rope rings to toss them over. Players take turns throwing rings at the stakes, and the points are awarded based on the difficulty of the target.

Fun part of this beach game:

• Your main objective is to score points by tossing rings onto the stakes.
• The farther the stakes are, the more points you can add to your total points. 
• The player with the most points wins the game after a defined number of rounds. 

29. Dodgeball on the beach

You can play this game on a beach on a cloudy day. All you need is an air-filled ball. Divide players into two teams and use a soft beach ball to throw at players in the game. The game begins when a player throws a ball at a player in each team, and the player then tries to throw the ball at the opponents and eliminate them.

Fun Part of this beach game

• You must prevent yourself from getting hit by other players.
• You can eliminate players on the opposite team by hitting them with the ball.
• The last team with players remaining in the game arena wins the game.

30. Human Knots 

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Play this exciting game on the beach with a group of people standing in a circle. Everyone has to hold hands with two people across from them, creating a knot in the game.  You do not have to use your hands; players must maintain a circle throughout the game. 

Fun part of this beach game:

• The main objective of the game is to untie the knot without using hands in the game.
• This game encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in players.
• The goal is to turn the human knot into a circle again and unite it.

Also Read: Fun House Party Games for Adults

FAQs

What game is played on the beach?

There are many fun activities and beach games for families that you can enjoy with your friends, colleagues, and family on the beach this summer. Some of the popular beach games for adults and kids are given below.

• Kite Flying
• Volleyball
• Frisbee
• Sand Angels
• Human knots
• Beach Scavenger Hunt
• Sand Skiing
• Bucket Ball
• Cornhole game
• Paddle Ball

What are the best beach activities?

There are many beach activities you can enjoy with your friends and families, such as tug of war, digging a hole, rock painting, capturing the flag, beach relay race, bucket ball, water balloon toss, and plenty more you can choose from.

What fun activities do people do at the beach?

People can choose among many activities on the beach, such as playing soccer ball, volleyball, water bucket relay, treasure hunt, kite flying, seashell hunt, cricket, rock painting, and plenty of other activities. These activities are well suited for a warm summer day at the beach. 

How do you play tidal-ball?

The tidal ball is a trending beach game that is at the same time challenging and fun. Find a perfect spot to set the court for the tidal game. Find a flat area on the beach ground and make a small hole at the end of the trench to score extra points. Dig two trenches about 10-15 feet apart; these will be your goals.

The goal is to toss the ball into the opposite team’s trench and score a hole to earn points. The team with the most points at the end of the game becomes the winner!

What to play with on the beach?

You can use different materials to play on the beach, such as paintbrush, pool noodles, tic tac toe, buckets, balls, nets, colors, and more. Think of an activity and collect materials before you head for the beach. 

What is the ball game played in the sand?

There are many ball games that can be played in the sand, such as soccer ball, volleyball, cricket, paddle ball, spike ball, and many more. 

What is the game where you throw balls in sand?

The game where you throw balls in the sand is called Bocce ball or Tidal ball. This is one of the most popular beach games for adults. Players take turns throwing as large balls as possible to a smaller target ball in the bocce ball. Meanwhile, in a tidal ball, players have to land their ball in the opposite team hole or trenchers to earn points. 

What is a game you can play with a ball?

There are many favorite games for the beach you can play with a ball, such as beach volleyball, paddle ball, beach soccer, beach dodgeball, and more. These games encourage teamwork, strategy, and physical activity, especially in younger kids. 

How can I make the beach more fun?

You can make beach games more fun by introducing your own rules, strategies, and gameplay of the game. You can bring games for the beach from various categories and participate in each, such as water activities, creative activities, ball games, treasure hunts, relaxation, nighttime fun, and many more.

What fun activities do people do on the beach?

People participate in a large variety of beach games suitable for adults and kids. There are many sports and games, water adventures, relaxation, creative fun, art, social activities, exploration, treasure hunt, and more.