We recently launched our series of Discovery Den Activity Packs! Each pack is aimed at ages 8 to 12 and follows one of three habitats – Woodland, Coastal or Freshwater. The packs are full of activities to help you discover these habitats and their wildlife. Whether you are a parent, teacher or group leader, there are lots of activities to get stuck into! In this blog, we’ll be taking a look at some of the activities from the Coastal Activity Pack.

When we think of white sandy beaches, blue waters, and exciting wildlife like dolphins, sharks and turtles, we are often dreaming a holiday abroad – but the Scottish coast has all of this to offer and more!

Did you know that our coastline here in Scotland includes around 800 islands and stretches to about 11,800km. If all its curves and creases were straightened out, our coastline would stretch from Scotland all the way to Australia!

Here are just some of the fin-tastic activities you can do by the sea. If you can’t get to the coast, don’t worry, there are still plenty of activities you can try at home!

1. Go on a shoreline scavenger hunt

The coast is full of treasure, with lots of natural objects scattered around. Head for a walk along the beach and see what you can find! Remember to take your time and look closely.

Visit our Discovery Den to download and print our spotter sheet to take it with you. Bring a pencil to tick off as many things as you can find!

Here are some things you might spot:

• Keep your eyes peeled for an egg case or ‘mermaid’s purse’ – a pouch protecting a developing skate, shark or ray embryo! Pictured here is a dogfish egg case. You can also find out more about mermaid’s purses on our YouTube channel here.

• You’re likely to find some shells, but do you know what kind they are? There are lots of different types, from whelk to mussel to oyster shells. Photographed here are whelk shells which are conical with a rounded spire – the empty ones are often used as homes by hermit crabs!

• You may spot a pile of worm-like mounds on the beach – these are signs of lugworms. These wriggly piles of sand (called ‘casts’) are formed by lugworms swallowing sand and then pooing it out!

2. Search for beach birds

As you walk along the coast, have a go at birdwatching. It is a great mindfulness activity and a good way to start learning about the fascinating lives of birds.

Sea and shore birds can be seen throughout the year, but the best time of year to spot them is in spring and summer, as many of them migrate to Scotland to breed.

Head to our Discovery Den to download and print some bird spotter sheets to take with you. Bring a pencil to tick off the species you spot! As you watch the birds, can you observe different behaviours, such as searching for prey, watching out for predators, or socialising?

Binoculars are a great birdwatching tool. Why not try making your own as a fun and easy activity. You can find out how to make them on our Discovery Den.

For the ultimate bird watching day out, you could visit our Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre which offers panoramic views of the Basin’s tidal mudflats and is a wildlife hot spot. From waders to kingfishers and ospreys, there is lots you can spot from the Centre’s scopes. Plus, a range of children’s activities are always available in the centre to add to a fun day out!

3. Try making a sound map

Let’s make a sound map! Head outside, sit down and listen to what you can hear…

Sound maps encourage us to slow down and tune in with the place we are in. They are a great mindfulness activity, offering a moment of pause. Plus, you can let your creativity run wild with them!

If you can’t get to the coast, you can sit and make a sound map in any outdoor space. You could even sit indoors with the windows open. They are really easy to make, just like this one below.

Head over to our Discovery Den to find out more about how to make your own sound map.

4. Head out on a beach clean

Litter in our seas can cause harm to lots of wildlife, from tiny plankton to giant whales. Adding a litter pick to your trip to the beach is a great way to help create a clean coastal environment. Plus, it can be a fun task that gives us that ‘job well done’ feeling’!

All you need is some strong bin bags, gloves and some sturdy shoes.

If you can’t get to the beach, don’t worry. Litter picking by your local green space still makes a difference for our seas – 80% of the litter on our beaches has come from inland!

5. Go on a rockpool ramble

Pop on some sturdy shoes, grab a bucket and clear jar, and head out to explore some rockpools!

Plants and animals that live in rock pools are both fascinating and hardy, surviving a constantly changing environment. Look closely and you can find a variety of underwater creatures…

Keep your eyes peeled for some red squidgy blobs on the rocks – they might be beadlet anemones. These creatures use their tentacles to sting passing fish and shrimp for their next meal!

Head over to our Discovery Den to download our rock pooling spotter sheet, as well as some top safety tips.

Fancy seeing even more underwater life up close? Check out our award-winning snorkel trails to experience wonder beneath the waves! We have selected sites on coasts around the country that showcase the amazing diversity of Scotland’s seas. You can find leaflets for each trail and some snorkel safety advice on our Snorkel Trails page.

Can’t get to the coast? Here are a couple of indoor activities you could try…

6. Make a plastic bottle basking shark
Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world and the largest fish we have in Scottish waters, reaching up to 12 metres long. But don’t worry, they are gentle giants! They feed by filtering the water for really small animals called zooplankton – which is why they swim around with their mouths wide open!

Head over to our Discovery Den to find out how to make your own magnificent basking shark with an old plastic bottle and some coloured paper.

7. Become a coastal creature

Have a go at becoming a coastal creature using our mask templates, which you can download on our Discovery Den. You could become a crab, who might be scuttling along the beach, an otter, fishing for food by the coast, or a seal, sunbathing on tidal flats or rocks.

All you need is the printed mask template (ideally on white card), some colouring pens/pencils, string and scissors!

You can dive into more fun activities by visiting our Discovery Den. You can download our new Coastal Activity Pack too!

We would love to see you taking part in the activities. You can share your photos with us by using #DiscoverLearnPlay.

Don’t forget to sign up to our Educators’ mailing list to be first to hear about new resources as and when they go live!

 

– Rachel Faichnie, Engagement Officer