Bring The Beach Home This 4th Of July – Frugal Fun Friday
July 3rd, 2009If going to the beach, river, or lake is out of the question for you this 4th of July, how about bringing the beach or shoreline home instead? Having a safe, fun, and inexpensive way to splash around in the water and get out of the sun and heat of the day is essential for a child’s summertime and 4th of July fun.
I usually start with a plastic swimming pool, but any big, shallow container that will hold water is great. Gather some materials to form the body of water you wish to mimic. If it’s a river bed or lakeside retreat, perhaps a few nice round pebbles would look authentic and pleasing to your children. Gather some soft grasses and ferns to form the “shoreline” and even some nice, smooth logs for turtles to climb up and sun themselves. Perhaps even a garden hose gently trickling a bit of water would give your river a nice “babbling brook” appeal. Toss in some plastic turtles and fish and your retreat is ready. Maybe some playtime fishing poles would be fun, too.
If you want an ocean beach, start with some fine, clean sand. I have good luck finding clean sand at my local landscaping store. You don’t want to use any sand that is used in construction as it usually has additives and is dirty and may contain hazardous materials. Some toy stores and hobby stores also have clean sand for projects, but always read the labels. Once you have clean sand, cover the bottom of your container. Then place some smooth shells down and a few pieces of driftwood if you have it. Maybe some plastic sea creatures like dolphins and whales would be fun. Set up a little beach umbrella alongside and a chair or two, fill your “ocean” with water, and your beach vacation awaits you.
Always keep in mind the age of your children to avoid choking hazards. If your child is still at the stage where he or she puts things in their mouth, then small rocks and pebbles should be replaced with one big rock to sit on.
Be sure to pull up a Mom sized chair to join in the fun, and to be watchful. When the adventure starts to lose its attraction, bring out the bubbles! This could really turn into a whole day at the beach!
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!



