SeaWeek

There are so many ways to find free fun along our Districts coastline. Here are 50 free activities to celebrate Seaweek (New Zealand’s annual ocean week), offering wildlife encounters, beach explorations, nature trails, citizen science projects, and playful nature activities for all ages. From tamariki to grandparents, classrooms to tourists, there’s something here for everyone to connect with the moana and our marine world!

Seaweek (Kaupapa Moana) is Aotearoa New Zealand’s yearly celebration of the sea – a time when communities come together to appreciate and explore the ocean’s wonders. It usually falls in early March, but the spirit of Seaweek can be embraced anytime. The following sections present 50+ free ways to enjoy our seas and shores, grouped into categories. You’ll find practical ideas, safety tips, and even printable scavenger hunt suggestions to make your explorations fun and educational. Dive in and discover how you, your whānau, or your students can celebrate Seaweek with zero cost and endless curiosity!

50 Free Ways to Explore Our Sea, Wetlands, and Shore

1. Go on Timaru's a coastal track, you could do the whole thing, or do some of the sections over a few visits.
2. Climb to a lookout for ocean views at the Caroline Bay Playground's lighthouse.
3. Spot seals or dolphins from Patiti Point, we once saw a beached whale, and another time an orca!
4. Watch little blue penguins waddle home just after sunset from Marine Parade.
5. Stroll through Ōtipua Wetlands and look for pūkeko or signs of wildlife footprints.
6. Knock on the Blackett Lighthouse door then look out to the sea view, is the tide in or out?
7. See if you can spy migrating eels near stormwater outlet at Waimataitai Beach, the drain tunnels under Ashbury Park and pops up at Timaru Top 10 Holiday Park.
8. Search rock pools at low tide for starfish and crabs at Waimataitai Beach, Dashing Rocks or Waitarakao Lagoon.
9. Collect shells for a temporary beach sculpture, can you identify them? There are usually heaps of pipi and mussels shells.
10. Make a sand castle with a moat, that the sea can feed into, and decorate with what you can find around you like driftwood and shells.
11. Find a stick, and draw a huge spiral starting in the center and working your way outwards.
12. Tip toe beside bird footprints in wet sand
13. Dip a container in a creek and observe water bugs - Saltwater Creek is fantastic for this, make sure you wash your hands after.
14. Visit the South Canterbury Museum to learn about the birds in our area, and then venture out to see if you can identify birds in the wild. We have a colouring in activity to help you learn about our garden birds. wuhootimaru.co.nz/colouring-sheets
15. From the boardwalk at Caroline Bay, explore the man made dunes (without trampling plants), why do you think the wind hasn't blown all of the sand away?
16. Collect greywacke rocks from Patiti Point, take them home, wash them with eco friendly house paint. You can choose to keep your creation or place along a path for someone to find. To make it easy, paint the rock, seal it with some clear varnish. And then draw with sharpie pens. The ink will bind to the varnish underneath. If you spray varnish after it will make the ink bleed. This is easy way to create a lot of rocks quickly with a few friends and minimal mess.
17. Design a beach treasure scavenger hunt for your family or friends.
18. Snap nature photos and share what you find on social media with WuHoo Timaru.
19. Write the name of your favourite marine creature in the sand as big as you can.
20. Map a local beach walk with waypoints and try and find a spot you haven't explored before or for a while.
21. Listen for the call of gulls and crashing waves, do they look the same, or do they have different features? What are the gulls doing.
22. Draw wildlife you see on your walk, it could be exact, or fun, whimsy or contemporary. Try to capture their movements and personality.
23. Sing sea songs with your whānau by the water - nothing like a sea shanty like the whalers probably sang by our shore back in the late 1830s.
24. Race along the shoreline barefoot, feel the difference running over dry and wet sand.
25. Study the patterns that the sea makes in the sand, can you see tiny mountains, valley's tributaries and streams?
26. Log wildlife sightings on iNaturalist or eBird, these are great apps that also help you identify species.
27. Join a free Seaweek beach walk or bioblitz
28. Float driftwood boats in a stream, can you help them find their way to the sea? Is the water clean or stinky, why could that be?
29. Kite-fly at the beach with a homemade kite
30. Craft shell wind chimes or seaweed mobiles
31. Take some shells home, clean them and decorate
32. Play frisbee or beach bowling on the sand
33. Host a beach cleanup challenge with friends
34. Clear the litter out of stormwater drains near your home, this will help all the life in the drain and where it flows out into the sea.
35. Record beach litter with Litter Intelligence
36. Survey a 1m² seashore square for MM2
37. Compare sand temperature in sun and shade
38. Test water clarity in a rock pool
39. Share a story picnic with ocean-themed books
40. Pretend you’re Tangaroa or a moana explorer
41. Pretend there is a taniwha and a hippocamp in the water, are they your friend or foe?
42. Watch the stars during a night beach walk, how does the coast sound different at night, what is the wildlife doing?
43. Visit the coast and see the sun rise, observe the wildlife activities early in the morning.
44. Watch the waves at two different beaches, what is the same and what is different. Can you see what direction the sea is moving sediment along the coast?
45. Start a mini shell or driftwood collection
46. Balance on rocks like a shag drying its wings
47. Create your own beach bingo or spy game
48. Leave kind messages in the sand for others
49. Celebrate Seaweek with a zero-waste picnic
50. Thank the moana by being a kaitiaki (guardian)

From easy 20-minute walks to longer hikes, these nature trails and coastal walks help you connect with the marine environment on foot.

We have made a map with our favourite scenic drive that also includes our favourite locations, if you are not familiar with Timaru, this might be handy to help you find your way. .wuhootimaru.co.nz/timaru-scenic-route Find a WuHoo in Timaru Te Tihi-O-Maru... Got family and friends visiting? Or want to have a look around by car? Here is a route round town that will give you a great overview ot Timaru and it's history...
DOWNLOAD The Timaru Scenic Route here

Best locations: 

Pātītī Point
This is a wild stony beach, if you are lucky you can spy seals and dolphins. Walk along the high tide line and see what creatures may be left at the edge, sacks for shark eggs, sea tulips, seaweek, sponges... if the sea is calm you can venture closer to the lapping waves and hunt for interesting stones on the beach, but be careful this is not an area for swimming, there is a strong undertow and it gets deep quickly. There have been rogue waves so make sure you are close to your children and supervise them at all times. The small stream is a stormwater drain that links the Botanic Gardens ponds and catchment to the sea. I wouldn't recommend playing in this water. In this area is the Coastal Walk walking the lighthouses, you can spy Aigantighe Art Gallery and WuHoo Timaru Art History Signs, pop up to the point and see the whale pot and a huge anchor.

Ōtipua Wetlands & Saltwater Creek
This is on Timaru's Southern fringe. You can get here by parking in Redruth where the rowing club is. Walk inland to the highway and use the bridge to cross the creek. Or you could park at the cemetery and walk to Redruth Park, follow the railway line to a bridge, cross over the creek and walk to the wetlands. We love exploring this area! Here you can find mini beasts in a wetland, watch the birds, this is part of the Coastal Walk, that connects the lighthouses or you can turn inland and Walk/Bike on to Centennial Park. Take an ice cream container, dip it in the Salt Water creek and see what creatures you can catch and release. Have a look at the mud on the shore and see if you can find foot prints and work out what birds they might belong to. Watch the birds, are they solo or in groups, are they resting or feeding, are they all the same age? Think of this area like a giant sponge that helps soak up the stream and filter the water. Sadly the water quality is not great, and so I don't recommend getting in the water. A gravel track loops around the wetland lake and connects to the coastal track, making a wonderful one-hour nature walk. As you walk, see if you can spot the diverse native plants that have been planted by volunteers with support from the council to restore the area – harakeke (flax), kahikatea, toetoe, manuka, te kouka cabbage trees and more. Keep your eyes peeled for pūkeko, swans, ducks, or even a slick tuna (eel) in the waterways. Remember, wetlands are delicate; enjoy the wildness but stay on track and observe the no-dogs rule in core sanctuary areas.

Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon
This is the best place to go at low tide and investigate the creatures in the rock pools - we once found an octopus there! Park up on the hill before the bridge and walk down through to the Wetland. There is way more wildlife here that you would initially assume, sit still look out and see what you can spy. A freezing works was built on the cliff, and there are remnants of preparing for war. Did you know Waitarakao (Washdyke Lagoon) just north of Timaru was once 253 hectares of lagoon. The coastline has been in retreat, the industrial hub is putting pressure on the eco system, and the rail and highways stop the area from naturally moving inland.

Blackett Lighthouse
This has to be one of Timaru's most famous buildings. Its iconic white weatherboard and red door are all over peoples camera rolls and social media. When the kids were young, we would knock on the door in the hope that the lighthouse keeper would be home. Of course it had been a long time since anyone regularly passed through the lighthouses door, but we liked to pretend anyway. By the lighthouse is a stair case that leads you to Waimataitai beach. When I was a kid this area was pretty deep and you could only walk on the rocks. But over my lifetime I have seen the sand get trapped by the port and build out in this area. There is a storm water drain that tunnels under Ashbury Park and re-emerges at Timaru Top 10 Holiday Park. Here eels live and migrate just like they have for thousands of years, except because of coastal changes, erosion, pollution and preditors the population is in s sad state. Back before Europeans arrived here, Maori referred to this area as a eel weir. There was so much harakeke flax here that a early settler Belfield Woollcombe lost his horse here for days! At the lighthouse there is a brass rubbing post - you can print off the Trail on WuHoo. this lighthouse is on the Coastal Track connecting walkers, runners and people on wheels to the wetlands and lighthouses. I love the view across the bay to Port from here.

Caroline Bay
The Bay, is the play to play! Known once as the Rivera of the South, people can find all kinds of free fun on the sand and by the shore. Print off our Caroline Bay Spy 100 Challenge, Find more Aigantighe Art Gallery and WuHoo Art History Signs, There's the Brass Rubbing Trail, historic Alexandra Lifeboat display, and off course the epic playground that opened in 2023 - CPlay. The playground was championed by the community who raised the funds and gave it back to the council to maintain debt free. See if you can find the massive eel that is migrating from Timaru to Tonga, spy their babies, including eggs. Inside the whare (House) is a display explaining the mahika kai / food gathering practices, and a art history sign featuring sea creatures in the area. 

Marine Parade
At the foot of the Port Loop road you can turn onto the Marine Parade. On one side is a working port and the other is Caroline Bay. Go to the yacht club, follow the road around the corner, and turn left. At the T insterection you can go left to see a monument and go fishing. People often see dolphins here. Or you can turn right and spy a mini lighthouse and fish off the pontoon. Again all free fun. People tell me they have seen lots of amazing marine life from here including stingrays.

We can have an incredible wildlife Encounter, and Meet Marine Life Up Close

Every one of these encounters is free, but they’re also priceless learning opportunities. The key is patience and respect for the wildlife. By observing quietly, you not only get great memories – you also help keep these animals safe. As a Māori proverb says: “He kororā, he tohu oranga – the penguin is a sign of life”, meaning healthy penguin populations reflect a healthy ocean. Enjoy these wild moments and remember you’re witnessing the signs of a thriving marine environment.

Little blue penguins (kororā) can be spotted returning to shore at Timaru’s Caroline Bay at dusk – this is a super magical free wildlife encounter for all ages in their natural habitat for free. Remember to observe respectfully and keep a safe distance (use binoculars or camera zoom for a closer look).

Here are some must-try wildlife experiences:

• Watch Little Blue Penguins Waddle Home: If you’re in the right place at the right time, you can witness the world’s smallest penguins coming ashore. For example, Timaru’s Caroline Bay is one of the few places globally where you can see little blue penguins (kororā) in nature at no cost. From September to March, dress warmly and head to the shoreline 30 minutes after sunset to quietly watch these cute locals scurry over the sand to their nests. It’s a real-life nature show that’s “exciting for all ages and completely free”. (Safety note: Use no flash or torches and stay behind any barriers to keep the penguins safe.)

• Spot Dolphins from the Shore: New Zealand is home to marine mammals that you can often see without a boat. Keep an eye out for Hector’s dolphins – the tiny endemic dolphins – which sometimes play just off beaches. In Timaru, people have sighted Hector’s dolphins off Caroline Bay and Patiti Point. Other regions have their own visitors: you might see bottlenose dolphins surfing waves or dusky dolphins leaping further offshore. Take a coastal walk and scan the water; you could be rewarded with dolphins jumping free of charge!

• See Seals and Sea Lions Sunbathing: Many rocky shores and secluded beaches host New Zealand fur seals (kekeno) or even the larger sea lions (rāpoka). These mammals often lounge on rocks or sand, sleeping or cooling off. If you’re near a known seal colony (for example, Kaikōura or parts of Otago) or even around Timaru’s reefs, you might encounter a seal snoozing. Give them space and never feed them, but enjoy watching their clumsy land waddling and graceful swimming. Remember, they are wild – keep at least 20m away and supervise children.

• Look for Whales and Orca: You don’t need to book a tour to glimpse a whale – sometimes they pass by our shores during migrations. Watch the horizon for spouts or distant splashes, especially in spring and summer when species like southern right whales or humpbacks may travel along the coast. If you’re very lucky, you could even spot orca (killer whales) close to shore. In fact, a pod of orca famously swam into Timaru’s Caroline Bay in 2019, delighting onlookers. Check local news or community pages during Seaweek for any recent sightings, or simply keep your binoculars handy during coastal walks. Even a brief sight of a whale’s tail or an orca’s fin is unforgettable.

• Go Bird Watching at the Coast: Our shores are teeming with seabirds and shorebirds. Bring along a pair of binoculars and see how many bird species you can identify. Common sights include red-billed gulls (tarāpunga) and black-backed gulls (karoro) swirling overhead, shags (cormorants) drying their wings on rocks, and maybe even gannets diving for fish further out at sea. Estuaries and wetlands are hotspots for waterbirds – you might find graceful white herons (kōtuku), spoonbills (kōtuku ngutupapa), oyster catchers, or flocks of ducks and swans. For instance, Waitarakao (Washdyke Lagoon) near Timaru is a wildlife refuge home to many wading birds and waterfowl. Make a game of it: how many different bird behaviors can you observe (fishing, flying, calling, nesting)? Birds are most active at dawn and dusk, so those are great times for a coastal birding stroll.

• Investigate Life in Rock Pools: At low tide, the ocean reveals hidden miniature worlds. Tide pools left among the rocks are full of fascinating creatures – starfish (pāura), hermit crabs, anemones, tiny fish, chitons, and shellfish like limpets and barnacles. Head to a rocky shore during low tide and carefully peek into pools of seawater. In Timaru, a “stroll along the coastal track to Dashing Rocks at low tide” lets you “pretend you are on a kai moana hunt” while you explore the exposed reef. See how many different critters you can spot moving in the shallow water. This is hands-on marine biology for kids and adults alike – no aquarium ticket needed! Gently turn over rocks (and always put them back how you found them) to find crabs, or watch how anemones react when a drop of water ripples their tentacles. It’s like snorkeling without getting wet. (Tip: Bring a clear plastic container to scoop up a little pool water and observe the tiny creatures, then release them. As one WuHoo tip suggests, let the water settle in a white dish and look for “worms, water beetles, and even water boatmen” swimming around.)

Beach Explorations: Discover, Play and Learn on the Shore

The beach isn’t just for sunbathing – it’s a giant natural playground and discovery zone! There are countless free ways to explore the sand, surf and shallows. Get ready to feel the sand between your toes and the salty breeze on your face. Here are some ideas for beachside adventures that combine fun and exploration:

Beachcomber’s Treasure Hunt: Turn a simple walk on the beach into a treasure hunt. See what the tide has washed up – pretty shells, smooth pebbles, driftwood, sea glass, or even interesting seaweed. Bring along a bucket or just use your hands to collect a few non-living treasures (empty shells, etc.) that catch your eye. Challenge kids to find one item of every color, or objects that look like each letter of the alphabet. Afterward, you could make a little “beach treasure display” back at home or simply snap photos of your finds and return them to nature. Beachcombing after a storm is especially exciting, as unusual things often wash ashore. Who knows – you might discover something special! (Remember not to take live creatures or large amounts of shells; leave plenty for the ecosystem.)

Shells and Sandcastles: Expand the classic sandcastle activity by incorporating natural materials. First, try building a sandcastle or sand sculpture together – no fancy tools needed, just your hands (and maybe a bucket). Then, go on a shell hunt to decorate your creation. How many different shell shapes can you find to adorn the castle towers? You can also use kelp fronds as bridges or sticks and driftwood as flags. This merges creativity with exploration, as kids will be scanning the beach for shell treasures. New Zealand beaches often have pipi, cockle and mussel shells scattered about. Create a “shell gallery” to compare your finds – notice the colors and patterns. (Pro tip: turn it into a scavenger hunt checklist: e.g. find one spiral shell, one piece of seaweed, something round, something blue, etc.) By engaging with these natural items, children (and grown-ups!) build appreciation for the small wonders of the seashore.

Rock Pool Safari: If you haven’t tried tide-pooling yet, put it on your list! Head to the rocky end of a beach at low tide and explore the rock pools (as mentioned in Wildlife Encounters). This is a more focused “beach exploration” where you gently poke around with your fingers or a small net to see what’s hiding under ledges. Can you find a scuttling crab or a sluggish sea snail? Perhaps a feathery sea anemone waving in the current? Each pool is like a tiny aquarium created by nature. Take your time – crouch down and really look. Kids might pretend they are marine scientists on an expedition, carefully observing and drawing what they see. Many coastal areas in NZ have public rocky shores ideal for this; in Timaru, Dashing Rocks is a great spot, while other regions have their own. Just make sure to go at low tide, wear non-slip shoes, and never turn your back on the ocean (sneaker waves can surprise you). It’s free, fascinating, and you never know what creatures you’ll meet.

Create Beach Art (Ephemeral Art): Let the beach be your canvas. Use natural items like shells, stones, driftwood, seaweed, or even just patterns in the sand to make temporary art on the shore. For example, arrange shells and driftwood into a mandala pattern, or draw giant shapes in the wet sand with a stick. One fun idea from WuHoo: lay out spiral patterns on the beach using driftwood or shells and then walk your spiral like a maze. You can also have kids (or creative adults!) make sand drawings or sculptures – try crafting a sand dolphin or writing a message in large letters. In fact, one item on the Caroline Bay “bucket list” challenge is to “write your name as big as you can in the sand”. Give it a go – it’s oddly satisfying to see your name written by the sea (and watch the waves slowly erase it later). Beach art is all about creativity and impermanence. Take photos of your masterpieces to remember them, since the tide will eventually sweep them clean, leaving a blank canvas for the next visitor.

Explore the Dunes (Carefully): If your beach has sand dunes, take a gentle wander (stick to established paths if there are any, to protect the fragile plants). Dunes are full of life – notice the hardy dune plants like spinifex and pingao holding the sand with their roots. See if you can spot any animal tracks in the sand (perhaps seabird footprints, or lizard tail trails). Dune exploration can be fun for kids who like to roll down sandy hills or play hide and seek behind dune hummocks – just be mindful of not trampling the vegetation. Many NZ beaches have fenced-off dune restoration areas; you can explain to kids how these plants help prevent erosion and why we shouldn’t slide down the tallest dunes. For a free thrill, find a permitted dune slope and do a cardboard slide – bring a piece of cardboard, sit on it and slide down the sand (an eco-friendly alternative to sandboarding). It’s simple fun that gets you laughing and appreciating the terrain. (Always check signage to ensure you’re not in a protected area.)

Low-Tide Beach Walk & Critter Chase: Plan a walk at low tide on a sandy beach and see the shoreline from a different perspective. At low tide, the beach is wider, and you might discover tidal pools or wet sand teeming with sandhoppers (those tiny hopping crustaceans). Kids love chasing the little sandhopper bugs that hop away from their footsteps. You can also look for sand crabs (peek for small holes with pellets of sand around them – a sign crabs or shellfish are below). In some places, you might find pipi or tuatua shellfish beneath the sand – people traditionally “twist” their feet in the wet sand to feel the shellfish. Even if you’re not harvesting them, it’s neat to gently uncover one and observe it (then let it burrow back). Low tide walks also often reveal interesting driftwood and perhaps small creatures stranded in shallow puddles – a great chance to gently rescue a stranded starfish by moving it to water. This kind of exploration teaches kids about tides and has the excitement of finding new things with each receding wave.

Night-Time Beach Stroll: Experience the beach in a whole new light – or rather, darkness. If you have a safe beach and a calm night, try a night-time beach walk (adults should accompany kids, of course). Bring a red-light torch (red cellophane over a flashlight works) to preserve night vision and not disturb wildlife. At night, you might encounter different creatures: sand hoppers are super active, crabs come out of their holes to scavenge, and you could even see bioluminescent plankton glowing in the wet sand or waves if you’re lucky. Walk near the water’s edge and watch for tiny flashes of light in the sand – that could be sea sparkle, a natural light made by microscopic organisms. Listen to the waves and the calls of nocturnal birds. This can be a serene and magical experience. If it’s a clear night, consider bringing a star chart app to identify constellations – stargazing by the sea with the sound of waves in the background is unforgettable. (Be mindful of safety: stick to familiar beaches, don’t go alone, and check tide times so you don’t get cut off.)

Organize a Beach Cleanup (Trash Treasure Hunt): Turn caring for the environment into a fun group activity by doing a beach clean-up. It’s simple: bring gloves and a few bags, and see who can collect the most litter from the beach (unfortunately, you’ll often find plastic bits, bottle caps, fishing lines, etc.). Make it a competition or a team challenge. Not only do you leave the beach nicer than you found it, but you also learn about the types of rubbish that end up in our oceans. As a bonus, you can turn it into citizen science by sorting and recording what you collected – for example, Sustainable Coastlines’ Litter Intelligence program lets you submit data on beach litter. Even without that, removing trash (like picking up that stray plastic bag or tangled rope) is a free activity with a positive impact. The WuHoo team suggests this as a winter boredom buster: “Organise a beach clean up” to have fun and do good. Just be sure to supervise children and handle any sharp objects carefully. When you dispose of the collected rubbish properly or recycle it, you’ll all feel a sense of accomplishment – a different kind of treasure from the beach.

Citizen Science & Conservation: Get Involved and Make a Difference

Seaweek is not just about enjoying the ocean – it’s also about understanding and protecting it. One of the most rewarding ways to celebrate is by becoming a citizen scientist or conservation volunteer. This means you, your friends, or your family can participate in real science and stewardship projects, no PhD required! Here are some free ways to get involved in learning about and caring for our marine environment:

Survey the Seashore with Marine Metre Squared: Become a scientist for a day (or for life!) by joining the Marine Meter Squared (MM2) project. MM2 is an easy nationwide citizen science initiative by the NZ Marine Studies Centre that anyone can do – survey a 1m² patch of local seashore and record what lives there. It’s as simple as going out at low tide with a ruler or tape, marking out a square, and noting all the plants and animals you find in that square. You might count crabs, snails, seaweed types, starfish, etc. Then you upload your data online (free registration) to add to a national database. As MM2 says, it’s a chance to “show others what’s living between the tides on your local shore” and compare with other regions. This project is fantastic for schools or families – it turns a beach trip into a hands-on ecology lesson. Over time, repeated surveys help scientists track changes in biodiversity. How to start: Visit the Marine Metre Squared website and download their free guide and species identification help. During Seaweek, some areas host group MM2 survey events – check if there’s one near you, or do your own. It’s fun, free, and you’ll never look at a rocky shore the same way again.

Participate in a Beach Cleanup and Audit: We mentioned beach clean-ups in Beach Explorations, but here’s how to turn them into a citizen science project. The Litter Intelligence program (by Sustainable Coastlines) invites volunteers to do regular beach clean-ups with a twist: you categorize and count the trash you collect and submit the data. Over time, this shows trends in coastal litter (what kinds are most common, is it getting better or worse?). You can simply do a one-off audit during Seaweek: for example, gather rubbish on your beach for an hour, then sort it – how many plastic bottles? how many straws or fishing lines? – and report it on their website. The data helps inform policy and local initiatives. Even if you don’t formally report, just doing the count is eye-opening and can spark discussions. Perhaps make a classroom project of it: different groups tally different categories of debris. You’ll be contributing to a cleaner coast and learning about the big issue of marine pollution. And of course, any beach cleanup means safer, more beautiful beaches for wildlife and people alike. (Safety tip: Wear gloves, be careful with glass or needles, and supervise kids closely during sorting.)

Log Wildlife Sightings on iNaturalist or eBird: Become a wildlife observer and help build knowledge about species distributions. iNaturalist is a free app/community where you can upload photos of any plant or animal you find, and it will help identify them and log the observation for scientists. Next time you see something cool at the beach – a strange fish washed up, an interesting insect in the dunes, or even a shell you can’t identify – snap a picture and post it. You might discover the name of that sea slug or algae, and your sighting adds to NZ’s biodiversity records. Similarly, eBird (by Cornell University) is a global platform for recording bird sightings. You could spend an hour birdwatching by the estuary or harbor and then submit an eBird checklist of all species seen. Scientists use this data to track bird populations and migration. These activities make your nature walks feel like treasure hunts, and they’re perfect for tech-savvy kids – essentially Pokémon Go, but with real creatures! During Seaweek, there might be special “bioblitz” events where communities try to record as many species as possible in an area – joining one is free and a great learning opportunity. Even outside such events, every observation counts. Over time you might become the local expert on what birds or critters frequent your patch of coast.

Join a Coastal Restoration Day: Many community groups hold volunteer days for planting dunes, restoring coastal bush, or maintaining wetlands. These are often free to join – just show up in old clothes and help out. For example, local conservation trusts might organise a dune planting day where volunteers plant spinifex and pingao to restore sand dunes. Or a regional park might have a tree planting along a coastal river to improve habitat. Check Seaweek event listings or local council websites; Seaweek often inspires extra volunteer activities. It’s a fantastic way to give back to the environment. You’ll meet like-minded people, learn about native plants, and physically help protect the coastline (those seedlings you plant will grow to hold sand and provide bird shelter). If gardening isn’t your thing, how about joining a coastal clean-up paddle (kayakers removing trash from inaccessible coves) or helping DOC with a penguin nest monitoring if such programs exist near you. The key is, there are numerous community-led conservation projects and they always welcome extra hands during Seaweek. Plus, it’s free and comes with the feel-good factor of making a difference.

Carry Out a Simple Experiment: Turn your curiosity into a mini science experiment at the beach. For instance, you could do a water quality test in a rock pool or stream outlet using basic kits (some councils or schools may lend water testing kits for pH, turbidity, etc.). Or try a sand temperature test: does dark sand get hotter than light sand under the sun? Perhaps a biodegradability test: bury a piece of paper vs. a piece of plastic in sand (in a marked spot) and check in a week to see differences (and then remove both). These little experiments cost nothing and can be fun for kids to predict and observe outcomes. If you’re a teacher, Seaweek is a golden opportunity to incorporate ocean-themed science experiments in class – like creating mini oil spills to see how difficult cleanup is, or salinity experiments with evaporation. At home, even making your own sea salt by evaporating seawater is a neat project (collect seawater in a clean bottle, and let it evaporate in a tray over days – see the salt crystals form!). These hands-on activities deepen understanding of marine science topics and require just curiosity and time.

Join a Guided Nature Survey or Event: Keep an eye out for free Seaweek events in your region. Often, organizations host guided snorkel days, rocky shore walks with marine biologists, beach creature talks, or citizen science workshops. For example, there might be a guided snorkeling event at a marine reserve (some places like Goat Island or Taputeranga run public snorkel days with gear provided during Seaweek). Or a local university might host a free touch tank session for kids to meet live starfish and crabs. Libraries sometimes have Seaweek craft or science sessions too. All these events are typically free or gold coin donation. They offer a chance to learn from experts and ask questions. If you have teens interested in marine biology, attending a talk or participating in a bioblitz could spark their passion further. Check the official Seaweek website or Facebook for an event calendar and be sure to register if required. Engaging with these community science events will expand your knowledge and make you feel part of a bigger movement to care for our oceans.

Nature Play and Creativity: Fun & Games with a Seaside Twist

Not every Seaweek activity has to be structured – play is powerful learning too! Nature play encourages curiosity, creativity, and comfort in the outdoors. The beach and ocean provide an awesome backdrop for imaginative fun, DIY games, and artistic expression. Here are some playful ideas to try, all inspired by the sea:

Scavenger Hunts and Beach Bingo: Turn the seashore into an outdoor game board. Create a scavenger hunt for items or sights: for example, list things like “a feather, a crab shell, something heart-shaped, three different shell types, a piece of driftwood, something green.” Give it to the kids (on paper or just verbally) and see how many they can find. Or make a Beach Bingo card (a 3x3 grid with items like “seagull”, “footprints in sand”, “seaweed”, “shell”, etc. in each square) – the first to spot a line wins. WuHoo Timaru has some great printables along these lines, like a 100-item Caroline Bay Spy Hunt and a Botanical Gardens Bingo, showing how creative you can get. You can design your own Seaweek scavenger sheet tailored to your local spot. This keeps kids engaged and observing little details they might otherwise miss. For added excitement, hide a “treasure” (maybe a special painted rock or a treat) somewhere on the beach and use a simple map or set of clues for a treasure hunt adventure. Printable checklists or maps can make it feel official – and those can double as a fun coloring activity later.

Wild Art and Sandcraft: Let your artistic side run wild with nature art on the coast. One idea is to collect some beach treasures (shells, small stones, seaweed) and create a collage or mandala on the sand. Perhaps outline a giant fish shape on the ground and fill it with arranged shells as “scales.” Because it’s ephemeral art, there’s no pressure – it’s okay if a wave washes it away; the joy was in creating it. Another popular activity is sand sculpting beyond the classic castle: try molding a sea creature! Build a turtle from sand, use shells for its shell pattern and seaweed for flippers. Or sculpt a mermaid, a whale, an octopus – whatever captures the imagination. You can even have a family sand sculpture contest. For something different, try sand drawing: take a stick and draw huge pictures or write messages in the sand for an “aerial view” photo (this works best on smooth wet sand at low tide). Kids love seeing their artwork big enough to be seen from afar. It’s all free and allows creative expression in a tactile way. If you want a keepsake, consider making plaster sand casts (you’ll need to bring plaster of paris from home though): press a shape (like a handprint or a shell pattern) in wet sand and pour plaster in to harden – a cool take-home craft from the beach.

Ocean-Themed Storytime and Roleplay: Use the seaside setting as a stage for imaginative play. Younger children might enjoy a story picnic – bring a blanket and read ocean-themed storybooks under the sky (library books about sea creatures or Māori legends of the sea, for example). Afterwards, encourage them to play pretend: maybe they are explorers on a desert island, or mermaids and mermen, or pirates hunting for buried treasure. The beach offers props galore – driftwood can be a pirate’s sword, kelp a mermaid’s tail, an old log a ship’s mast. They can reenact Māui fishing up the North Island or pretend to be Tangaroa, god of the sea, guarding his realm. Dressing up isn’t even necessary, but a cheap pirate hat or mermaid crown from the dress-up box can add to the fun. Teens and adults can get in on storytelling too – perhaps try a round-robin story where each person adds a line inspired by the surroundings (“I was walking along the beach when I found a mysterious bottle…”). On a calm evening, sharing stories or local legends as you sit on the sand can be a bonding experience that costs nothing. Imaginative play like this fosters a personal connection to the marine environment – it stops being an abstract “ocean” and becomes a place of adventures and wonder in their minds.

Sea Music and Beach Instruments: Make some noise with items you find – in a respectful way of course. You can create beach instruments from nature: fill an empty shell with dry sand to make a shaker, knock driftwood sticks together as rhythm sticks, or find two smooth stones to click together. Kids can experiment with the sounds. Even the wind can be an instrument – hold a large conch shell to your ear (hear the “sea”), or whip a piece of seaweed in the air and listen. Have a sing-along by the sea – perhaps traditional kiwi songs or make up a silly “Ocean Blues” tune. If someone in the family plays guitar or ukulele, bring it along for a beach strum (nothing like the acoustics of an open sky and rolling waves for ambience). For a quieter activity, just sit and identify the natural sounds around you: crashing waves, gull calls, distant boat motors, wind through grasses. It’s like an ocean symphony. Encouraging kids to mimic the sounds (can you caw like a gull? swoosh like the waves?) is both fun and builds awareness of the environment’s soundtrack.

Kite Flying and Games on the Sand: A flat beach with a bit of breeze is perfect for classic outdoor games. Flying a kite is a timeless free activity (you can make a simple kite at home with sticks, string, and newspaper if you don’t have one). Running along the sand to get your kite airborne and then feeling it tug as it soars is thrilling. The WuHoo team suggests making your own kite and trying it out. Other active games: bring a frisbee or a beach ball for a casual game of catch, or a kite-like parachute game with a bedsheet if you have a group of kids (toss a beach ball on the sheet and bounce it like waves). You can draw a hopscotch with a stick in the sand, or play beach bowling by setting up targets (like driftwood pieces) and throwing a ball or shell to knock them down. How about an old-fashioned sand race? Mark a start and finish line and do sack races, three-legged races, or an egg-and-spoon race on the sand – falling down just means a soft landing! These games cost nothing and bring a lot of laughs. Plus, doing them by the water adds an extra element of joy – you might end a race with a splash in the waves to cool off.

Painted Rocks and Shell Crafts: Channel some arts-and-crafts energy into marine themes. A popular craze that’s still going strong is painting rocks and hiding them for others to find. Join the fun by painting a few small rocks with ocean motifs – perhaps a fish, a penguin, a wave, or simply the word “Seaweek” with a wave design – and then hide them around a park or along a beach trail. Timaru has a whole community for this (Timaru Rocks), where people “create, hide, and find painted rocks” as a free, family-friendly activity. It’s like a hide-and-seek game that can spread across the community. If you find a painted rock, you can re-hide it in a new spot. This can be done anywhere, not just Timaru – maybe start a Seaweek tradition of painting ocean rocks in your town. Apart from rocks, you can do crafts with shells you’ve collected (only take a few, and ensure they’re empty). Make a wind chime by hanging shells on string, or glue them onto a photo frame for a beachy frame, or paint a happy face on a large scallop shell and leave it on a walking track for someone to discover. Crafting with natural materials is inexpensive and lets you bring a piece of the ocean into your art. If you have access to clay, you could even press shells into clay to make ornaments with imprinted patterns (air-dry clay is relatively cheap or make salt dough at home). These creative endeavors can be done at the beach or later at home as a way to remember your trip.

Tips for Safety and Stewardship

Exploring the ocean and coast is wonderful, but it comes with responsibilities. Keep these safety and eco-friendly tips in mind to ensure your adventures are fun, safe, and kind to the environment:

Know the Conditions: Always check the tide times and weather forecast before heading out. Many activities (like rock pooling or coastal walks) are best done at low tide and can be dangerous at high tide or in heavy swell. Avoid rocky shore exploration on rough sea days. If swimming or snorkeling, only go where it’s safe – ideally at patrolled beaches (swim between the flags) and when conditions are calm. Keep an eye on children near water at all times, even if they’re just wading or playing at the water’s edge.

Sun and Heat Protection: New Zealand’s sun can be very strong. Slather on sunscreen (SPF 30+) at least 20 minutes before outdoor play, and reapply regularly – especially after swimming. Wear a wide-brim hat and UV-protective clothing (rash shirts are great for the beach). Bring plenty of water to drink so no one gets dehydrated, and take breaks in the shade (or create your own with a beach umbrella or tent). On hot days, plan strenuous activities for morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense.

Dress and Gear: Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. For rocky areas or trails, sturdy shoes (old sneakers or reef shoes) will protect your feet from sharp rocks and shells – bare feet are nice on sand but not on barnacles! If you’re exploring mudflats or wetlands, gumboots or water shoes can be helpful. Layer up if it’s windy or cool by the sea; weather can change quickly on the coast. A light windbreaker or fleece may be needed even on a sunny day once that sea breeze kicks in. And always have a dry change of clothes and towel in the car in case anyone gets wet or muddy during the fun.

Wildlife Respect: When encountering animals, remember you are in their home. Observe the wildlife guidelines: stay quiet and keep a respectful distance (at least 10 m from seals/sea lions – they can move fast if disturbed!). Do not feed any wild animals (birds, fish, etc.), as human food can harm them and disrupt natural behaviors. If you’re watching penguins, use the tips from earlier – no flash photography or bright lights, and give them plenty of space on their path. With tide pool creatures, be gentle: wet your hands before touching marine animals, keep them in water if you pick them up (better yet, observe without handling), and always return rocks the way you found them (many little lives depend on those micro-habitats). A good rule is “Take only photos, leave only footprints.” Enjoy animals with your eyes, not your hands, and you’ll keep them and yourself safe.

Leave No Trace: Protect our coast by leaving it as good or better than you found it. That means take all your rubbish with you, even tiny things like bottle caps or food scraps (which can attract pests or pollute). If you packed a picnic, pack out all wrappers, and secure lightweight trash so it doesn’t blow away. It’s great to carry an extra bag to pick up any litter you see – turning it into a mini beach cleanup (every little bit helps!). Stick to paths in dune or bush areas to avoid trampling plants. If you moved things (like logs or rocks) during play, consider moving them back. Basically, treat Tangaroa’s domain with respect. Teach kids why we don’t disturb bird nests, or why breaking corals or removing live shells is a no-no. By modeling care, you nurture young kaitiaki (guardians of the environment).

Observe Local Rules: Different beaches and reserves have different regulations – be aware of them. Common ones include dog bylaws (many beaches prohibit dogs or require leashes during certain wildlife breeding seasons; e.g., no dogs on some beaches Oct–Mar to protect nesting birds or penguins). If you bring your four-legged friend, check signage and always pick up after them. Fire restrictions are crucial – as mentioned, only light fires where specifically allowed. Fishing and gathering: If you plan to gather any kaimoana (seafood) like pipi, mussels, or go fishing off a wharf, make sure you have the necessary permits if needed and adhere to size/limit rules. Some areas are marine reserves where no taking is allowed at all. It’s each person’s responsibility to know the rules – when in doubt, don’t take. Also, respect any “No Entry” or hazard signs; they’re there for good reason (like protecting a fragile bird nesting site or unstable cliff).

Safety in Numbers and Communication: Many of these activities are best done with others – not only is it more fun, it’s safer. When exploring remote beaches or tracks, go as a group or at least two. Let someone know your plans and expected return time, especially if you’re doing a longer hike or snorkel. Carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch if going near water, or at least have it handy on land-based outings for any emergencies (though reception can be spotty in remote areas). A basic first aid kit in the car or daypack is a good idea; treat any cuts from shells or rocks promptly to avoid infection (clean with fresh water). Be mindful of fatigue – little ones may tire or get cold faster at the beach, so keep an eye on each other’s energy levels and mood.

Enjoy and Educate: Finally, encourage a mindset of enjoyment with care. It’s Seaweek – ask questions, be curious, and share knowledge. If you know the Māori names or legends for a place or creature, tell those stories. If a teachable moment pops up (like finding plastic in a fish’s habitat), gently discuss it. But also know when to just have fun – building that sandcastle or flying that kite builds a bond with the ocean that facts and figures alone can’t. The safest and best experiences often come when we’re fully present. So put away that tablet, slather on that sunscreen, and immerse yourself in the coastal world. Taking these safety and stewardship tips to heart ensures that everyone – including the environment – has a great time.