A couple weeks ago we started a new blog series focused on the youngest fans of the OBX – the kiddos.
“OBX for the Kids” is a series of posts centered on the OBX and kids – clever name, right? We’re sharing travel ideas, beach ideas, OBX activities…all with a twist for the little ones.
We have young ones ourselves, so we know what all the parents are up against. How to keep them happy, how to keep them busy…basically, how to keep the whining to a minimum.
Luckily, the beach is a perfect playground to keep the kids busy, so we’re already ahead of the game. But let’s take a look at some fun beach-themed crafts to keep them busy on those rainy days or when it’s time to take a break from fun in the sun.
And a bonus for all of the parental units, these crafts can double as souvenirs, so the Wings tab can stay to a minimum - a fun craft and a daily reminder of the wonderful time they had on their Outer Banks vacation!
Personalized Seashell
Here’s a great way for kids to save their treasures from the beach all in one place! Display the final product on a bookshelf or nightstand in your child’s room.
What you’ll need:
Large shell and several small shells
Sand dollar or starfish
White craft glue
Sponge applicator
Miniature craft stick
Alphabet beads
Sand
How to make it:
Squeeze a generous amount of white glue all over the inside of the large shell. Spread the glue with the sponge applicator.
For the large item, such as a starfish or a sand dollar, add glue to the back of the item then find a spot on the shell where the item will be fairly flush and stick it in place.
Add small shells, pebbles, and anything else you like to the remaining area of the large shell.
Cover the entire contents of the large shell with sand. Leave for a couple of hours to dry.
Pipe a line of glue onto the craft stick and glue the alphabet beads in place, spelling out your name. Let dry.
Gently turn the shell over to dump out the excess sand, lightly tapping the shell. Glue the nameplate to the front of the shell and let dry.
Sand-Filled Bottles
Take a bit of the Outer Banks home with you by making these cool sand-filled bottles.
What you’ll need:
Sand
Newspaper
Wax paper
Colored chalk (as many different colors as you like)
Clear glass or plastic bottles
Stick or pencil
White glue or bottle cap
Cutting board
How to make it:
Cover the work surface with newspaper.
Place a sheet of wax paper on a cutting board.
Place some sand on the wax paper. Roll a piece of colored chalk across the sand until the sand is completely changed to that color.
Carefully lift the wax paper and gently shake the sand to the center of the wax paper. Hold both ends of the paper up to use it as a pour spout to pour the colored sand into the bottle. You can use a funnel if you find it easier.
Use a stick or the eraser end of a pencil to make a few dips in the sand.
Repeat these steps until you have several colors of sand layered in your bottle(s).
If you have a cap for your bottle, be sure to fill it completely with sand and press down firmly on the sand to compact it. Place cap on tight. If you do not have a bottle cap, fill sand to about ½” from the top of the bottle. Compact the sand with a pencil or your finger if it fits in the opening and then fill to the top with glue and let dry.
Tips:
You can use small plastic bottles available at your local craft store or empty jars and bottles that you have on hand.
If using sand from the beach, be sure to sift it with a flour sifter first to remove any bits of debris and rock.
Seashell Critters
Save the shells you find on the beach and make these adorable little seashell critters.
What you’ll need:
Seashells in various types and sizes
Hot glue gun
Wiggle eyes
How to make it:
Arrange shells together to form different animals and creatures.
Have a parent glue them together with hot glue.
Add wiggle eyes to your creatures.
Tips:
It’s best to position the shells first and decide how you want them to go together before gluing.
Put cockle shells together to form oyster like creatures.
For more colorful projects, paint your shells before gluing together.
Summer Journal
Help kids create this simple journal to keep track of the family vacation to the Outer Banks.
What you’ll need:
Journal or other notebook
Foam letters (available as stickers)
Foam shapes (we used flower and sport themes)
Wiggle eyes
Craft jewels
Fabric paint tubes
White craft glue
How to make it:
Open journal and make sure it is right side up.
Glue foam shapes onto journal wherever you like.
Use wiggle eyes, craft jewels, and fabric paint to decorate however your child sees fit. We glued craft jewels onto our purple journal as well as onto the centers of our foam flowers. We used wiggle eyes to give life to the different sports balls.
Tips:
Many foam shapes are available as stickers now, eliminating the need for the glue and making it easier for smaller children to participate.
Foam journals, stickers and shapes are readily available at craft supply stores. You can find them in discount department stores, but selections are not nearly as large.
If you child isn’t sure how he/she would like to decorate their journal, have them lay everything out on the cover first. Encourage them to move items around until they are happy with their design. Keep the items all in place and glue each one down one by one.
Summer Vacation Stationery
Kids will love this project that allows them to personalize their own letters about their Outer Banks vacation.
What you’ll need:
Construction paper, card stock or writing paper
Foam stamps of your choice
Acrylic craft paints
Paintbrush
How to make it:
Lay paper on table.
Choose stamps with which you wish to decorate your stationary.
After choosing your paint colors, paint a foam stamp and press gently but firmly onto the paper. Decorate with stamps around the edges; just be sure to leave yourself enough room to write your letter.
After all paint decorations have dried you can write your letter.
Tips:
Foam stamps are available in a variety of shapes and themes at your local craft supply store.
You can also sign your name by using foam alphabet stamps.
Use paint pens or markers to add details to animals or shapes.
Match your stationery theme to your vacation. For example, if you visited the beach, use sea shells stamps, fish and other sea creatures.
Sand Sculpture
Every sandcastle connoisseur knows the frustration of seeing their masterpiece swept away by the waves. Now you can craft a permanent sand sculpture just by using sand, water and cornstarch.
What you’ll need:
3 cups of sand (“play sand” from the hardware store works if you don’t have “beach sand”)
1 1/2 cups of cornstarch
1 1/2 cups of water
Newspaper
Old cooking pot
Large spoon
How to make it:
Mix the ingredients together in the pot.
With the help of a grownup, cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly.
When it gets thick, take it off of the stove and let cool.
Once it is cool, use the spoon to turn it out on the newspaper.
Now you can make it into any shape you like, let it dry, and keep your creation forever!
Tips:
A quick spray of Pam or other lubricating spray helps the sand pop right out of the sandcastle molds. A hole poked into the top of the sandcastle mold also seemed to help.
To make the sandcastles pop out perfectly, the trick seemed to be packing the sand mixture into the molds tightly and leaving an air space at the open end of the mold and slamming the mold down hard onto the plate….the extra air helps pop the sand right out.
Ocean Bottle
Create your very own ocean waves in a plastic soda bottle and display for all your friends to see.
What you’ll need:
Empty two liter plastic bottle with lid
Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil
Water
funnel
Blue food coloring
Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures
One tsp glitter
White craft glue
Hot glue
How to make it:
Wash and dry two-liter bottle and remove all labels
Fill bottle halfway with tap water
Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix
Add glitter
Add sea creatures
Fill bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil using a funnel
Be sure that rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap.
Use a layer of hot glue around the outer edge of the cap for added protection from leakage
Turn bottle on its side and gently rock the bottle to create a “wave” inside your ocean habitat!
Tips:
Use lightweight starfish, shells and other sea creature toys that can float. Test them first in a bowl or glass of water. Find these at your local craft supply store or discount department store.
Make the ocean any color you choose! Blue is standard of course, but if your child’s room is decorated with red and yellow, go with red food coloring. There’s no rule that says your ocean must be blue.
Small children will be mesmerized by this creation. They can help make this every step. Let them insert the sea creatures, hold the funnel and help add the tap water. In the steps that may be more difficult for little fingers, have them hold the bottle steady for you while you add the glitter.
Seashell Mobile
Make a great souvenir from your Outer Banks vacation with this seashell mobile.
What you’ll need:
Shells or other finds
String
2 pieces of dowel rod, about 1 foot length
Glue
How to make it:
Use string to make dowels into an ‘X’ shape.
Glue shells onto several different lengths of string.
Let dry about a day.
Tie string with shells to dowel rods at all four corners and some between.
Hang somewhere you, your friends, and neighbors can all see it and enjoy it. It will also give you a chance to tell everyone about your adventures in collecting your treasures.
As I’ve mentioned, we’re spreading the Outer Banks Infographic love with a mix of originals and groovy infographics we stumble across while hunting online.
Today I’m sharing one from our hunts. Not original, and not altogether related to the Outer Banks. But it’s a fun infographic, and I think I can tie it into the OBX.
If The Man keeps you from your OBX vacation, you have my permission to walk off without any notice. We all need our time on the beach…away from work.
Posing Nude for Art?
Whoa! We’re getting a bit risque, and I like to keep this PG. Keep moving, nothing to see here. Although, before we move on, one quick question…Are you aware that there is an OBX Nudist Club?! Yep. I’ll let you do your own research, but all you exhibitionists can fly your freak flag on the OBX.
Ever ridden a Segway?
Yep, you can do that on the OBX too! Check out Outer Banks Tours for more info.
Ever saved a life?
I once gave the Heimlich Maneuver to a friend choking on a soft pretzel. She may have just been coughing, but I felt like a hero. Hopefully you never have to check the “saved a life” box on the OBX, but respect the ocean, and keep an eye on the kiddos. Quick action can keep people safe…you’ve probably saved the kids numerous times without even thinking about – a daily occurrence for parents.
Broken an arm or leg?
I’m skipping this one. I don’t want to jinx us. No need for broken bones on the OBX.
Ever seen a therapist?
Yep, everyday when I go to the beach. Mama Nature is the best therapist I know.
Ever been in a car accident?
Like broken bones, no need for car accidents on the OBX. 10 and 2, and pay attention to the road. Let’s all get along.
Dated someone of a different race?
We are an equal opportunity beach vacation. Come one, come all.
Run a marathon?
Me personally? No. And no intention. But the OBX has an awesome marathon each November, and my guess is you may have run in it.
Written a Poem?
I have yet to hone my poem writing skills, but I dig poetry, and the OBX sure has inspired some great poems. Just ask Jordan.
Stood up a Date?
Ouch. Never a good look to stand someone up. Although, if it’s to escape to the Outer Banks, I’ll give you a pass.
This week’s Link Love is chock full of all sorts of good OBX info. Good wild horse news, multiple top 10 lists, breaking news on the beach driving issue, nature, gardens…lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!
Lets get to it!
As I mentioned last week, I like to get the not-so-great news out of the way first so we can focus on the positive.
It’s part of nature, but it’s always sad to see a beached whale. This story doesn’t offer too much detail, but you can get the basic gist; a deceased whale washed up in Nags Head this week. I guess it’s the Circle of Life, but always a bit heartbreaking.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on to some goodies…
The Outer Banks lands on two Top 10 lists this week…
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Coastal Living named the Outer Banks to their list of “Top 10 Romantic Escapes.” Their description is great: “The Outer Banks offers the most elementally “out there” experience of any bridge-accessible U.S. destination. Standing on a thin ribbon of sand, with the mainland out of sight over the western horizon and burly Atlantic Ocean waves thundering in from the east, you truly feel untethered from your everyday world. Such towns as Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills offer plenty of tourist pleasures. But it’s also easy to sneak away and find your own private stretch of beach, with vivid stars overhead, moonlight-silvered surf at your feet, the sea breeze tousling your hair―and magic ready to happen.”
The OBX also made Coastal Livings list of “Top 10 Shelling Beaches.” This one is particular to Ocracoke…But we’e all one big, happy family on the OBX.
How about a little wild horse love?
Check out this cool documentary video about “Alonso,” a Corolla wild horse that is being moved from the Corolla herd to the Ocracoke herd to help improve diversity.
Are you garden lover? History lover? All around lover of the OBX? Have you ever been to the Elizabethan Gardens? No?! It’s a must. So worth the trip. Here’s a great article that gives you a brief history of the Elizabethan Gardens, and as the title says, it “offers far more than greenery.”
The Outer Banks is one of the premier locations for birding. The OBX sits in a prime location that cross the migration paths of a wide variety of birds. This has been a slow year for birding though – I can’t speak from experience, but the article I’ll link to mentions it is probably due to the warm winter weather. However, even with a slow birding season, the OBX offers some rare gems, including a Golden Eagle!
Here’s a pretty interesting idea for all your OBX vacationers that return year after year…
Tired of lugging all of that OBX beach gear in your car year after year? How about a convenient storage “beach box” to keep your goods on the Outer Banks? Brilliant, right? Add that to the list of “why didn’t I think of that.”
Let’s close out with the heated topic of Outer Banks beach driving…but there’s a twist…some breaking news…
I agree that the new beach driving rules are no fun. I love the freedom to drive on the OBX beaches – it’s one of the many aspects that make the Outer Banks so special. However, here are some thoughts to consider…
The rules are similar to those already in place at other seashore parks.
Those fees — and an accompanying requirement to watch an educational video — aren’t unusual.
Tourism figures don’t reflect a downturn in overall visitors to the Outer Banks, despite the recession and a couple of wildfire-plagued summers.
The plan acknowledges the importance of beach driving and fishing to the local economy. Popular areas such as Cape Point, South Point and Bodie Island Spit will have ORV routes that are open at least seasonally.
Special-use permits will be available for commercial fishermen to reach some areas ordinarily closed to vehicles.
Park officials also plan to seek funding for additional ORV access ramps and to consider allowing businesses to offer beach and water shuttles to fishing areas.
It may be six more weeks till Spring in Punxsutawney, PA, but here on the Outer Banks spring has officially arrived.
Daffodils are out, tulips are popping out of the ground, AND the true telltale sign, the first Osprey was spotted this morning.
Migrating as far as South America, or as close as Florida, Ospreys – also known as Sea Hawks or Fish Hawks – are generally associated with the return of Spring.
An iconic symbol of the Outer Banks, the osprey is loved by locals and visitors alike. Almost extinct in the 60’s due to wide spread use of pesticides like DDT, the osprey population has seen healthy growth over the last few decades. As human encroachment on habitat continues to increase, the number of suitable natural nesting sites continue to decline. Without such a nesting site mating pairs will simply not reproduce, hence the construction of numerous man-made nesting platforms throughout the Outer Banks.
Ospreys mate for life and will generally return to the same nesting platform year after year. Their diet is 90% comprised of fish and they are uniquely built for catching them. Their vision is such that they can see through the surface glare of water; they have closable nostrils to keep water out during dives; and they have reversible outer toes and backward facing scales on their talons which act as barbs to hold onto prey.
It is an amazing sight to see an osprey dive, hit the water and come out with a sizable fish. Once airborne – sometimes holding onto the fish with only one talon – their wings fiercely beating to gain altitude, their legs and talons are working to secure and orient the fish for the flight to a suitable spot to dine. It is wonderful display of skill and coordination.
No wonder everyone loves this spectacular bird. And, no wonder one of my favorite days of the entire year is the day I see my first osprey!
Good morning. Here’s your Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Thursday, February 9, 2012.
This video was shot at the Sutton St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills at 8:30 AM.
Pretty day with bright sun, blue skies, and temps in the 50′s, but there is a chilly wind out of the northwest at 10-15 mph. Temps will cool to the 40′s over the weekend, but the sun will stick around. Temps will be back to the 50′s early next week.
Surf is a mess today from the NW wind, but we could see a longboard wave tomorrow. The wind will switch offshore tonight and be real light out of the southwest tomorrow morning. There could be a clean knee to waist wave to start the day tomorrow, and that wave will fade through the day.
OBX fishing is slow. Dog fish and skate at Jennette’s Pier and tuna offshore. Other than that, it’s quiet on the fishing front.
We’re sharing travel ideas, beach ideas, OBX activities…all with a twist for the little ones.
