One of the best activities for seniors is going to the beach since the sun, sea, and sand can have many energizing and rejuvenating effects on the aging human body. You may think that mainly the younger generation can have fun at the beach. However, that’s not true!
There are many different beach ball games and other summer activities that seniors can enjoy. Regular trips to the beach will also have many positive effects, such as reducing depression, and feelings of loneliness, improving physical conditioning, increasing the quality of life, etc. s
We will now take a closer look at some specific beach ball games and activities seniors can engage in. So, time to get out of your beach chair and have some fun!
Pickleball
A game of pickleball is certainly quite enjoyable on the beach; all you’ll need to play is a pickleball set. This set should include a couple of whiffle-type balls, two paddles, and a net.
Note that you don’t need a net to play this game. It’s basically a tennis-style game where you hit the whiffle ball back and forth while trying to score on your opponent. The balls are light at only 10 ounces, making them perfect for use on the beach since they won’t cause any damage if they mistakenly hit another beach-goer.
Beach Volleyball
Another excellent game to play at the beach is volleyball. It is a fantastic game to play when a group of seniors can be separated into two teams with two persons per team.
The volleyball used for beach volleyball is a lot lighter than the traditional volleyball used for indoor games. This makes the game a lot easier for seniors.
To play this game, each team has to shoot the ball over the net to the next team while trying to get the ball to hit the sand instead of being received and relayed back by the opposing team. This is a very fun, exciting, and active game that people of all ages enjoy, including seniors.
TidalBall
One particularly popular beach ball game is tidalball. To play this game, you’ll need a tidalball set with 6 tidalballs of two different colors, two koozies, and a sand scoop. Players then use the scoop to make holes in the sand along with trenches.
Then, players will have to try and get the balls into the holes while avoiding the trenches. The entire point of this game is to have fun, and it is a very relaxed game that promotes social interaction and enjoyment as opposed to a lot of competition.
Bucketball
This is the beach version of beer pong. However, alcohol isn’t a requirement!
You’ll need 12 buckets where 6 of the buckets are one particular color, and the other 6 are another color. You’ll also need two bucketball hybrid balls. These balls are constructed to handle the winds at the beach easily.
To play, there need to be two teams made up of one or two players. Then, you’ll need to stack each set of colored buckets together with a spacing of 15 to 25 feet apart from the other team’s buckets. The players will stand behind their buckets and then attempt to throw their balls into one of their opponent’s buckets.
Once a ball lands in a bucket, that bucket must be removed from the stack. Each team is allowed to rerack its buckets only once. Once one team successfully eliminates all of the other team’s buckets, they win!
Beach Bocce
This is another beach game that has become increasingly popular over the years.
To play this game, you’ll need to get a bocce ball set which includes four red balls and four blue balls, a measuring rope, and a white pallino along with a carrying case. You’ll need a space of about 27 feet to play this game, making the beach a great spot.
There are two teams, each team is assigned a set of balls of the same color. The entire point of this game is for each team to throw their balls as close as possible to the pallino or the small white ball. Points are scored when an opponent throws their ball closer to the pallino than his adversary. Whichever team gets 13 points first automatically wins.
RELATED: Beach Ball Exercises for Older Adults
SpikeBall
Next, another very enjoyable and popular beach ball game is Spikeball. You’ll need a standing net, ball, and a carrying case.
This game is somewhat similar to volleyball, however, instead of spiking the ball over the net, you’ll be spiking the ball onto the net so that it bounces off of it. The point is to attempt to spike the ball, making it very hard or impossible for your opponent to spike it back to you.
Beach Activities For Seniors
In addition to enjoying the beach ball games listed above, seniors can enjoy many other beach activities. We’ll now take a closer look at some other fun activities that you can engage in.
Water Sports
Many seniors think that they are too old to get started in water sports. However, that is not true!
There are many types of water sports that you can try such as waterskiing, kayaking, surfing, skimboarding, riding jet skis, etc. Most beaches have instructors that teach beginners how to get started in these sports, and many of them also cater to seniors. Even certain instructors can work with people with certain medical issues, disabilities, etc.
Once you’re interested in trying out new water sports, there is always a way to get started and enjoy new experiences safely.
Fishing
If you’re not a fan of simply lounging on the beach or playing games, then you may want to consider going fishing. Many beaches have certain areas designated for fishing, or you can even charter a boat to take you on an ocean fishing excursion or deep-sea fishing.
This is actually a very fun and low-impact activity for seniors who love being at sea and catching fresh fish! Many companies offer discounts for seniors and even different experiences and activities for persons with mobility issues.
RELATED: Best Beach Games for Seniors
Explore The Boardwalk
Many beaches have a boardwalk with numerous restaurants, shopping areas, etc. If this is more along your line of interest, throw on your favorite beachwear cover-up, and check out the boardwalk before you head home.
Many beach boardwalks allow you to ride your favorite beach cruiser bike so it’s also a greay way to get some leisurely exercise!
You can even pick up the latest beach styles, refreshments, or bait to go fishing.
Beach Safety
When visiting the beach, it is very important to take certain safety precautions as an older adult to ensure you’re well protected. First, you need to ensure that your skin is adequately protected against the sun, which means wearing strong sunscreen and clothing that is comfortable and covers your body.
Your sandals and shoes should also be very comfortable and well-fitting so that you don’t accidentally fall. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, as well as a hat to help protect your head from the sun and heat.
In addition to these items, you should always walk with refreshments and a lot of water, healthy snacks, and any medication you need to use. You must manage your hydration and blood sugar levels while at the beach to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time.
Also, don’t forget to walk with your camera so that you can document your lovely day at the seaside!
