Beaches are a favorite spot for many people to relax and play. They are long stretches of sandy shores where people can swim, sunbathe, build sandcastles and more. While beaches are often associated with the ocean, they can also occur along rivers and lakes.
Beach sand is unique in that it contains fragments of shells, rocks, glass, and other materials. The sand at different beaches can be a variety of colors and textures–from white to black, red, or pink. The specific sand found at any one beach is unique to that area–it’s almost like a fingerprint. Beaches are full of life from tiny hermit crabs scurrying through the sand to colorful fish swimming in the water.
The shape of the coastline and beach can change dramatically over time. Depending on weather conditions, freak waves, and subsiding floodwaters can substantially alter the location and shape of beaches within hours. Beachfront flora, especially those with deep network root systems, can help stabilize sand dunes by slowing the flow of wind and water.
Many beach ecosystems can be found around the world, and they can include unique marine species that are found nowhere else on Earth. The Sargasso Sea, for example, is famous for its abundance of sargassum seaweed that forms mats across the surface of the water. The sargassum is rich in nutrients that create a feeding ground for shrimp, hermit crabs and other creatures that thrive in this environment.
Besides the natural wildlife, beaches are also home to various kinds of people. Families flock to beaches during the summer to enjoy a day in the sun and surf, and many cities have their own beachfront where locals can gather.
When the tide is low, people can explore a beach’s hidden coves and rock pools where they can see marine life at close range. Some beaches even have water parks where visitors can splash and slide down waterslides.
There are a lot of things that can pollute a beach. Waves wash in sewage and other toxic waste from urban areas, and drainage pipes can carry garbage from inland to the beach. This trash can make some beaches unsafe to enter, and it takes days for the bacteria, toxins and other chemicals to wash out to sea.
As the school year comes to an end and kids begin their summer break, we want them to be ready for a fun and educational trip to the beach! Whether they’re going to a real beach or a virtual one, it’s important that they understand how a beach works and all of the exciting things that happen there. That’s why we created this exciting wiki and fun summer resources that are perfect for children to use in class or at home!