If you’ve read Seaside and Seashells: Sara’s Trip to the Jersey Shore, you already know how magical a simple beach vacation can be. From spotting dolphins and collecting seashells to building sandcastles and digging up hidden treasures, the book brings to life the joy of childhood and summer fun.
While not everyone can get to the shore this season, that doesn’t mean your kids have to miss out. Inspired by the sand castle book, this guide offers a way to recreate that seaside adventure right at home. Whether you’re in the middle of a city or stuck indoors during a rainy day, you can capture the spirit of Sara’s beach day using simple setups and storytelling.
Here’s how you can bring the Jersey Shore experience to your living room, backyard, or classroom.
Set the Scene: A Jersey Shore Vibe at Home
Start by transforming your space into a seaside setting. The sand castle book highlights summer adventure, sunny seashores, and family vacations—so the goal is to create an environment that reflects those themes.
Lay out beach towels or a blanket in your living room. Use a sound machine or a streaming playlist to play soft wave and seagull sounds. If you have a small sandbox, bring it out. You can even set up a kiddie pool if you’re doing this in the backyard.
Add some beach toys like buckets, shovels, and plastic seashells. These simple props help children immerse themselves in the world of Sara’s adventure, just as described in the book.
Plan a Seashell Treasure Hunt
One of the most memorable parts of Sara’s story is discovering special seashells during her time at the Jersey Shore. Recreate this experience by hiding “treasures” around the house or backyard.
You can use plastic seashells, small toys, or even hand-drawn treasure maps. This activity reflects the spirit of the sand castle book, which celebrates the excitement of uncovering hidden treasures and unexpected joy during family outings.
Encourage kids to imagine they’re following Sara’s footsteps, looking for something special. You can even tie it into reading time, pausing between pages to send them on their next “seashell mission.”
Build Sandcastles—Without the Beach
No beach adventure is complete without building a sandcastle. While Sara’s vacation in the book includes building sandcastles under the sun, you can bring this part of the story to life at home in a few easy ways.
If you have kinetic sand, a sensory table, or a sandbox, great. Let kids mold and shape their own castles just like Sara did. If not, use flour and oil to make a homemade sand substitute, or even stack building blocks and call it a “castle challenge.”
This hands-on activity ties directly into the playful, creative themes of the sand castle book and gives kids a tactile way to connect with the story.
Watch for Dolphins—Imaginative Play at Its Best
In the book, Sara enjoys swimming and even spotting dolphins along the way. Bring this into your at-home beach day through imaginative play.
Draw dolphin shapes on paper, cut them out, and “hide” them in the room for a dolphin spotting game. You can also play a video of dolphins swimming as part of your beach atmosphere.
The idea here is to echo the wonder and excitement described in the sand castle book when Sara stumbles upon nature’s little surprises.
Story Time with a Purpose
Throughout Seaside and Seashells, the focus is on discovery, fun, and making lasting memories. So reading the book isn’t just entertainment—it’s part of the adventure.
Sit down for a read-aloud session and let the story guide your day. After each section, encourage discussion. Ask questions like: What would you do if you found a treasure like Sara did? What’s your favorite beach memory?
This keeps the kids engaged while connecting real-life play with the story’s themes.
Create a Memory Jar
One of the strongest takeaways from the book is the idea that memories can last forever. The sand castle book emphasizes the joy of family trips and the surprises that come with them.
Help kids capture their own version of this by making a memory jar. Let them write down or draw their favorite part of the day—whether it was finding seashells, building a castle, or “swimming” with dolphins—and drop it in a jar or box.
It’s a simple way to echo the heartwarming feel of Sara’s story and encourage kids to value the small joys of shared time and creativity.
Why This Works
Everything in this guide is grounded in the tone and message of Seaside and Seashells: Sara’s Trip to the Jersey Shore. The book isn’t just about a beach—it’s about the imagination, surprise, and delight that come from simple family adventures.
By using this story as your base, you’re not just keeping kids entertained—you’re helping them create memories, just like Sara did. And you’re showing them that adventure doesn’t require a suitcase or a long drive. It just takes a little creativity and the right story to get started.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to create meaningful, playful experiences at home, Seaside and Seashells is the perfect starting point. This sand castle book celebrates the magic of simple joys, and it’s easy to bring those moments to life wherever you are.
Ready to make your next at-home adventure unforgettable? Visit the official website to learn more about Seaside and Seashells: Sara’s Trip to the Jersey Shore, meet the author, and grab your copy today. Let Sara’s world inspire your own.