Beach Baby Storytime
Pack your hat and sand toys, we’re going to the beach! The board book Splash! by Leslie Patricelli is perfect for exploring the beach and summer fun with babies and caregivers. From waves that crash and runny ice cream, babies will enjoy the book’s rhymes and summery sensory experiences. Pair it with one or more of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and beach-themed fun in your next Baby Storytime.
More Baby Storytime Books About the Beach & Water
Beach Baby Storytime Movement Songs
Here are my favorite beach-themed movement songs for babies. Encourage caregivers to move their own bodies or gently move baby’s hands, arms, etc.
The Waves on the Beach (Tune: Wheels on the Bus)
The waves on the beach go up and down (raise and lower arms or baby)
Up and down, up and down
The waves on the beach go up and down
All day long
The clams on the beach open and shut…(open and shut hands)
The seagulls on the beach go flap, flap, flap…(flap arms)
The fishies at the beach go swim, swim, swim…(hold baby’s palms together and swim them like a fish)
A Big Sea Star
This is a storytime favorite and my 18-month-old’s personal favorite! See Jbrary for the tune and movement ideas.
A big sea star, a big sea star (stretch arms wide)
Little cuddle clam, and a big sea star (hug yourself)
A big sea star, a big sea star
Little cuddle clam, and a big sea star
A puffer fish, a puffer fish (Deep breath, puff cheeks, and blow out)
Little cuddle clam and a big sea star
A puffer fish, a puffer fish
Little cuddle clam and a big sea star
Bubble, Bubble, Pop!
This song works wonderfully with just the movements, or add red, blue, and yellow fish to a flannel board as you sing. See Jbrary for the tune and more movement ideas.
One little red fish swimming in the water (hold palms together and swim hands)
Swimming in the water, swimming in the water
One little red fish swimming in the water
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, POP! (cup hands like holding a ball and make the ball/bubble bigger and bigger then clap!)
Two little blue fish…
Three little yellow fish…
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Row, row, row your boat (gently row babies arms)
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.
Rock, rock, rock your boat…(gently rock baby from side to side)
Baby Shark
I end every baby storytime with this song! Babies LOVE the repetition and hand movements.
Baby Shark doot doot, doot da doot (Make shark mouth “snaps” with index finger and thumb)
Baby Shark doot doot, doot da doot
Brother Shark doot doot, doot da doot (Shark mouth with whole hand)
Brother Shark doot doot, doot da doot
Mama Shark doot doot, doot da doot (Shark mouth with both hands connected at wrist)
Mama Shark doot doot, doot da doot
Daddy Shark doot doot, doot da doot (Shark mouth with whole arms)
Daddy Shark doot doot, doot da doot
Now we swim doot doot, doot da doot (Swim arms)
Now we swim doot doot, doot da doot
From the shark doot doot, doot da doot (Swim arms again or make shark fin on head with hand)
From the shark doot doot, doot da doot
GOCTHYA! (Wrap baby in a big hug)
Beach Baby Playtime
Ending baby storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Simply setting out a set of blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags would do the trick, but here are some beach-themed ideas to enhance your program even more!
Beach Balls Tummy Time or Toss
Inflate 2-3 and set them out. That’s it! Babies love a good ball, and what’s more enjoyable than a brightly colored one they can easily bounce and toss? Let babies carry, kick, toss, and roll them around or do beach ball tummy time by setting baby on the ball and gently rolling them back and forth. You can also encourage caregivers to talk about the ball’s colors, if the ball is bouncing high, low, fast, or slow, etc. Visit Tots Play for more beneficial ways to use beach balls with babies!
Ocean Puppets
Do you have any fish, whale, crab, or shark puppets/stuffies in your storytime collection? Set them out for babies to play, carry, and snuggle. I’ve found the Folkmanis brand puppets to be the most durable and can be purchased through Folkmanis or Amazon.
Water Sensory Mat for Babies
Inflate, add water, and set out for babies to squish with their hands or lie on for tummy time fun. My group has enjoyed this Infinno Mat from Amazon, but squeezing all the water out after each use is tough, so mold will likely grow after a couple of months. I recommend getting one to use for a few weeks in a row, then planning to toss it. Given the $10 price point, it’s not a bad deal, but if you must use your items for more than one season to justify it in your budget, I’d recommend the beach balls instead.
Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for a complete baby storytime overview and more detailed guidance.
