As the school year draws to a close, your students are likely counting down the days until summer vacation! And what better way to kick off the summer season than with a beach day at school?! An end of the year beach party is the perfect opportunity for students to have some “fun in the sun” while reviewing previously taught math and literacy skills. Celebrate the end of the year countdown with these unforgettable beach day activities!

Beach Day Escape Room

Keeping your students engaged at the end of the year can be a difficult task! I always wanted to make the end of the year exciting and memorable, but I also wanted our last weeks to be learning-filled.

To keep my students learning up until the very end, I started a ten day balloon pop end of the year countdown.

One of the balloons was filled with the words “Beach Day.”

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On Beach Day, the students would have to help solve “The Case of the Beach Bandit!“

First, I set the stage with a note from a beach goer:

I had a beach day,

Scheduled and planned.

But first I need you,

To lend a hand!

The beach bag is gone.

Where did it go?

Who could have it,

I do not know!

Complete each challenge,

And when you’re done,

Eliminate the suspects.

One by one!

Talk about instant engagement!

They could not wait to complete the challenges, eliminate suspects and discover who had stolen the missing beach bag!

But first, they had to create their case files!

Just like a real detective, these case files would hold all of their completed beach day activities and suspect elimination sheet.

Beach Day Centers Set Up

To set up the math and literacy centers, I placed the challenges inside manila envelopes. This made it a little more authentic, but you could also fill tubs/baskets with each activity

You could also use these beach day activities as regular math and literacy centers without the mystery component.

After the students completed each challenge, they received a clue from the guilty suspect.

Based on this clue, they would eliminate a suspect.

Once all of the challenges were completed, they were left with one remaining (and, dare I say, guilty) suspect!

Beach Day Activities for Literacy

Use these beach themed activities for your literacy centers!

To solve the “Clam Challenge,” the students will tap and map sounds in CVC words.

As they complete the “Bucket Challenge,” they will sort pictures by beginning bl and br blends.

At the “Sunglasses Challenge,” they will create a pair of sunglasses by matching the pictures that rhyme.

These “Sandy Sentences” are perfect for a pocket chart center.

Beach Day Activities for Math

Here’s a quick look at the beach day activities for math!

The students will work on numbers 11-20 in base ten, as they complete the “Place Value Pails” activity.

To solve the “Sea Shell Challenge,” they will find the missing addend of each number bond.

Then, they will find the difference by removing the correct number of beach balls.

To practice nonstandard measurement, they will measure the length of each surfboard.

Beach Day Escape

Grab The Case of the Beach Bandit, including all eight math and literacy centers, here!

Similar to “The Case of the Beach Bandit,” this digital beach day escape room also includes eight math and literacy challenges. After the students complete each challenge, they will move further along the path.

A hidden suspect will be uncovered and eliminated after each challenge. Once all eight beach day activities have been completed, they will have eliminated all but one suspect!

More End of the Year Theme Days

Your students might also enjoy these Ice Cream Day activities!

Don’t forget to check out our Bubble Day!

Read about our Marshmallow Day here!

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