What’s the most fun thing to do in the summer? For many kids, it’s visiting the beach to build sandcastles, swim in the ocean, and relax while cooling off. Watching cartoons about the beach can get kids excited about upcoming summer fun year-round.
These beach-themed cartoons go beyond just showing children how much fun they can have under the sun. They also learn valuable lessons about environmental impact, teamwork, and friendship. Children receive mini-lessons on how ocean tides work, the habitats of sea creatures, and how they can help preserve these creatures’ homes while having fun at the beach. Many episodes encourage and spark creativity and critical thinking, showing kids that everyday beach visits can transform into unforgettable adventures.
I’ve included recommended age ranges for each show along with the streaming services where they’re currently available in the United States. Streaming availability and age recommendations in this guide reflect platforms commonly used by families in the United States. International availability may vary by region due to licensing.
Pete At The Beach (Season 1, Episode 3) From Pete The Cat
Pete is on a family vacation, excited to go surfing. He sees the strong waves as they arrive and isn’t comfortable going in right away. Pete’s big brother, Bob, gives him advice on how to handle his fear and become one with the waves. Eventually, Pete builds the courage to go into the ocean to surf after overcoming his fear and building his self-confidence.
What “Pete A The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Surfing takes patience and skill. Beginners shouldn’t go out too far in the ocean to catch the smallest waves as they learn to surf. Trying a new activity is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. However, encouragement from loved ones and maintaining perseverance will help you succeed.
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Sandcastles Made Of Sand (Season 1, Episode 9) From Pete The Cat
Pete and his friends are having a fun beach day. Sally Squirrel takes her time building a tall, elaborate sandcastle. As the tide comes in on the beach, Sally gets concerned that the water will soon destroy her sandcastle. The friend group bands together to dig a ditch in front of the sandcastle for the incoming water to flow into, amongst other ideas to keep the ocean at bay. Pete’s mom suggests that Sally could always make a new one if the tide damages it, but the young squirrel stays silent. This shows how attached she is to her masterpiece and how much she wants to preserve it during the beach trip.
What “Sandcastles Made Of Sand” Teach Kids About The Beach: Tides always change, so a sandcastle might get damaged depending on where you build it on the beach. How the friend group brainstorms and collaborates to keep the sandcastle intact teaches teamwork. Cooperation and working together make a difference. Also, creativity doesn’t die if a temporary masterpiece washes away. The piece can be remade into an even better work of art.
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Lawn Gnome Beach Party Of Terror (Season 1, Episode 2) From Phineas & Ferb
Phineas and Ferb coordinate a beach party bash in their backyard to cool off during the hottest day of that summer. What starts as them playing in the backyard sandbox turns into order truck loads of sand to transform their backyard into a real beach. Characters surf, dance, and sing “Backyard Beach” with ocean creatures in the backyard. A dolphin uses its water spout to dispense drinks. A crab carries Candace away after a coconut hits her head. She originally wanted to call her mother to tell her what Phineas and Ferb did to turn the backyard into a beach. However, she decides against it because she’s having a fun time dancing with Jeremy.
Meanwhile, Perry transforms into Agent P and discovers that Dr. Doofenshmirtz is attempting to steal all lawn gnomes across the Tri-State Area. The evil villain is trying to quell a childhood trauma of when he was forced to pose as a garden gnome. His invention to steal the gnomes malfunctions just in time, as Agent P rushes back home to return to being Perry. Simultaneously, Phineas and Ferb dismantle the beach in the nick of time before Mom arrives home from the spa.
What “Lawn Gnome Beach Party Of Terror” Teaches Kids About The Beach: The beach is a place of shared fun, encouraging active play with surfing and playing in the ocean. Visiting the beach, whether a real one or a backyard one, offers opportunities for imaginative play, including playing in the sand, listening to music, and playing games. Lifeguards watching swimmers and the various contests in the episode demonstrate that attending a beach is a collective community engagement. Cleanup is important at the end of a beach day: pick up sand toys, break down beach furniture, and leave the area the way you found it.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
Blue Goes To The Beach (Season 1, Episode 8) From Blue’s Clues
Blue and Steve are preparing to visit the beach with all their friends. They ask young viewers to pick out appropriate beachwear. While getting ready, Blue and Steve do a fun game of sink or float with Mr. Salt or Mrs. Pepper. Blue takes everyone on a skidoo to help sea creatures get back to their playground by matching their shapes to those seen in the coral reef.
What “Blue Goes To The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: A fun beach day starts with practicing sun and water safety. Children grasp the importance of wearing a bathing suit and sunscreen while enjoying time in the water. The sink-or-float game teaches early science concepts as students learn about the density of objects. Kids also learn shape recognition and caring for sea creatures in the coral reef segment of the episode.
Streaming On: Paramount Plus
Suggested Age Range: 2-5 years
Blue’s Beach Bonanza (Season 2, Episode 15) From Blue’s Clues & You
“Blue’s Beach Bonanza” is the remake of the original beach-themed Blue’s Clues episode in the aforementioned section. Blue, Josh, and the gang bring the beach to their backyard. They enjoy different experiences on their pretend beach while playing a sink-or-float game. They discover how some animals camouflage themselves to protect themselves from predators. Josh and Blue also swim underwater, enhancing the true beach experience.
What “Blue’s Beach Bonanza” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Children experience hands-on exploration with the sink-or-float game, which they can try off-screen after watching the episode. The camouflage segment teaches little ones how animals protect themselves to survive in the ocean and avoid predators. As Blue and Josh swim underwater, kids engage in imaginative play to learn how they can move and explore underwater safely.
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Suggested Age Range: 2-5 years
Beach Bash Begins (Season 2, Episode 1) From Barbie Mysteries
Brooklyn and Malibu start summer jobs at Beach Bash alongside their friends. However, their summer plans are thwarted when thefts start occurring throughout the local festival. They are also hosts of their true-crime hit podcast, and decide to investigate these issues for their next episode. The girls hear rumors about haunted sea caves while William Warlock is pulling off magic tricks that seem beyond a normal magician’s abilities. Malibu believes most in the paranormal out of the friend pair. She and Brooklyn go to a fortune teller who foresees their upcoming futures in this spectacle. What will they uncover as they dive deeper into this beach-themed mystery?
What “Beach Bash Begins” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Children learn that the beach is more than fun in the sun and playing in the sand. The girls working at the Beach Bash show it takes a community to contribute and cooperate in keeping a beach pristine and events around it running smoothly. Youth engage in critical thinking and problem-solving as they watch the girls solve the mystery by questioning assumptions and searching for clues. They learn to debunk imagination with true logic to learn more about the beach, even through the fun mystery storyline.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 7-12 years
Beached (Season 8, Episode 3) From Madagascar: A Little Wild
Gloria prepares for a surfing contest while Marty institutes a beach clean-up day to earn a Junior Ranger Badge. She attends a beginner’s surfing class while Alex and Melman continue helping Marty clean up the beach. Marty tells Auggie the shark to come to the Sharkarama event because others of his species would be there. However, this was a ploy so Marty could clean up the beach without more trash accumulating too quickly from the humans. When Auggie gets tangled in netting and trash in the ocean, the humans return to the beach to help Gloria rescue him. In the end, Gloria gets to have fun surfing, and the humans help clean up the beach while thinking of ways to decrease trash during their visits.
What “Beached” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Cartoons about the beach, like this one, teach environmental responsibility through the beach clean-up and setting the shark free. Preserving the beach’s natural beauty involves collaborative community action. Beachgoers should always pick up their trash rather than throw it into the ocean or leave it behind for the wind to take away into animals’ natural habitats. Engaging in fun activities like surfing and swimming can also coexist with mindfulness about caring for the surrounding beach area during your visit.
Streaming On: Hulu
Suggested Age Range: 5-8 years
Rosie’s Seashell Museum (Season 1, Episode 4b) From Rosie’s Rules
Rosie and the rest of the Fuentes family visit the local beach. Her sister, Crystal, finds an awesome purple seashell she really wants. As Rosie continues adding to her seashell collection, she keeps thinking of a way to persuade Crystal to trade the purple seashell to her. Eventually, after many failed attempts at finding services for trade, Rosie asks Crystal to finish her sand mermaid in return for the “shiny purple seashell”. Crystal agrees to the trade, and Rosie is happy to finish her seashell museum.
What “Rosie’s Seashell Museum” Teaches Kids About The Beach: It’s awesome to visit the beach and create something fun in the sand. There’s more that can be created besides sandcastles, depending on a child’s imagination. Children can also enjoy taking home a natural souvenir from the beach’s environment. Kids also learn that cooperative negotiation can encourage someone to trade what they want for what you have. Each individual must agree to the terms and conditions of the trade so that it is mutually beneficial for both parties.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Beach Day (Season 1, Episode 12) From Ni Hao Kai-Lan
Kai-Lan, Ye-Ye, Tolee, and Hoho embark on a fun beach adventure. Kai-Lan enjoys the gentle winds as she flies a kite. Ye-Ye pitches an umbrella in the sand to relax in the shade. Hoho plays in the sand and finds a cool-looking seashell. Then everyone enjoys building their own sandcastles. Tolee encounters unfortunate luck as he attempts to build three sandcastles, only for the rising tide to wash each one away. Tolee is so angry that he destroys Kai-Lan’s castle and leaves the beach in a fury. The characters collaborate to discuss how Tolee might have reacted when he got angry, modeling healthy coping mechanisms rather than resorting to physical destruction.
What “Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: This episode of Ni Hao Kai-Lan teaches children that visiting the beach is a place to wind down and relax in nature while also engaging in environmental exploration. Kids learn how the wind and tides shape waves, and how sand can be manipulated into delightful artistic creations. There’s also an element of emotional learning with how to control frustration and anger when something doesn’t go as planned. This lesson reinforces the importance of staying patient while repairing mistakes and maintaining communication with those around you to help work through strong feelings.
Streaming On: Fandango At Home, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
The Beach (Season 1, Episode 26) From Bluey
“Beeeeeeach!” Bluey, Bingo, and Bandit all take turns chanting at the beginning of the episode as Chilli takes her time walking alone behind them. Bandit and his daughters start playing in the sand as Chilli walks along the beach by herself. Bluey finds a seashell she wants to show her mum. Dad says he’d watch Bluey walk across the beach to find Chilli. The 7-year-old blue Heeler braves a cheeky seagull and other obstacles to reach her mum. Bluey is happy when she reaches her mum. Chilli congratulates her daughter for her resilience and bravery in coming all that way to meet her.
What “The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: In this episode of Bluey, children learn that beaches are for adventure and personal growth. They can use their imagination to make themselves into mermaids or build awesome sand structures. Children can also reach milestones at different stages of their personal development. Building self-confidence and bravery as they explore new discoveries at the beach helps them learn independence and resilience. Spending time in nature while enjoying time with family members strengthens bonds.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 4-8 years
Mad At The Beach (Season 2, Episode 22) From Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Daniel and Miss Elaina visit the beach and build a sandcastle. They celebrate their victory, only for a wave to knock over their creation. The friends are enraged, witnessing their hard work immediately washed away unexpectedly. Dad Tiger comes to his son and Miss Elaina to help them calm down and find positive ways to handle their anger. He also expresses his frustration to the children, wishing that they hadn’t gone to the ocean without his permission.
What “Mad At The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Unexpected events can happen for kids and adults, even at a fun place like the beach. Implementing safety guidelines and strategies for managing strong emotions can help you handle unexpected events while still having fun. Children should follow their caregiver’s direction to stay safe while playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean. Kids can have fun with these activities and do their best to manage their emotions through positive avenues like taking deep breaths and taking moments alone to reset their minds.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 2-5 years
Turtle Beach (Season 1, Episode 23) From Hero Elementary
Mr. Sparks and the crew are happy to witness baby sea turtles hatching at the local beach. However, they’re stunned to find the beach trashed, making it difficult for the baby turtles to travel to the ocean. The heroes gather clues to discover how the trash reached the beach while creating a clear path to the water for the baby sea turtles. Cleaning up the beach also prevents other wildlife from being harmed by waste.
What “Turtle Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Children should be aware of the environmental impact so they know why it’s important to clean up their trash wherever they are in nature. Beaches are shared habitats between animals living in the ecosystem and its human visitors. Wildlife preservationists can pick up litter and spread knowledge to others about the environmental impact of dirty beaches to minimize litter in the area. A beach is not only a place to have fun but also a place to learn how to care for the environment.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Beach Night (Season 2, Episode 9a) From Vampirina
Wolfie is excited as he wakes up Vampirina. She soon realizes that today is the Hauntley family beach day with their neighbors, the Peeplesons. The long road trip occurs because the Hauntleys left their special sunscreen at home. Hence, the trip is delayed because the family keeps circling rather than going directly to the beach. The Peeplesons are annoyed because the sun has set, which is ideal for a perfect beach day. Vampirina explains that there is so much more fun to be had during a beach night, like enjoying a bonfire in between surfing and playing in the water.
What “Beach Night” Teaches Kids About The Beach: This episode of Vampirina teaches kids that beach excursions can be enjoyed day or night. Daytime beach trips are great for sunbathing, while nighttime visits are awesome for bonfires. Parents should check their local beach rules to see if night access is allowed. If not, maybe a family can stay on a beach until the end of the day to watch the sunset before leaving. Joy can also be found in unexpected moments as plans change. People can still experience fun even if expectations don’t go perfectly.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Fang Ten! (Season 3, Episode 11a) From Vampirina
A heatwave is taking over Pennsylvania. Vampirina and the rest of the Hauntley family take a trip to Screechy Beach in Transylvania to beat the heat. Boris attempts to surf, but he wipes out, and Oxana has to save him. Narcisa and Cosmina try to encourage Vampirina to try surfing. Oxana is elated to start teaching Vampirina how to do it. Vampirina struggles to learn to surf under Oxana’s tutelage. She gets very excited when she finally catches her first wave.
What “Fang Ten!” Teaches Kids About The Beach: A beach day can come with so many fun, immersive lessons. Children can learn new ways to swim, surf, or build a sandcastle. It could take many attempts before doing a great job at the beach activity you want to excel in. However, individuals learn a new skill at their own pace.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Surf’s Down (Season 1, Episode 26a) From Nella The Princess Knight
Nella is having fun with her friends as they learn to surf and engage in other seaside activities. Their activities are interrupted when a giant comes, attempting to take all the ocean water in the kingdom for himself. Princess Nella uses kindness and bravery to fend off the giant, doing so in a strong yet assertive way to keep everyone safe. Some cartoons about the beach interweave fantasy-like creatures into their plots to make them more interesting for viewers.
What “Surf’s Down” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Unexpected challenges can happen during a beach trip. Staying calm, resilient, and optimistic can help the beach day go swimmingly even through the challenges. Protecting shared natural resources is essential for preserving a beach’s natural beauty. Sharing beach space and resources promotes community building.
Streaming On: Amazon Prime and Apple TV
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Royally Awesome Beach Day (Season 1, Episode 12a) From Nella The Princess Knight
Castlehaven is hosting a beach day, and Nella and her friends are elated to attend. Sea dragon sightings are threatening the potential awesomeness of the beach day. Their presence will scare everyone away and cease the festivities. Nella thinks empathetically, realizing that the sea dragons also call the beach home. Hence, she helps the dragons feel welcome so they can share the space with the rest of the human attendees.
What “Royally Awesome Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: A beach’s animals and human visitors should cohabitate together. Individuals should respect sea creatures in their natural habitats during their beach visit. Inclusion and understanding of local creatures are important traits for a successful visit to a local beach. This can be a place of adventure and discovery, while respecting wildlife and celebrating cooperation with other visitors and the animals already living there.
Streaming On: Apple TV and Amazon Prime
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Lava Lake Beach (Season 3, Episode 10b) From Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil
Star and her friends, Kelly, Marco, and Tom, are excited to witness the Soulrise at Lava Lake Beach. Souls come out of the Lake of Fire and soar into the night’s sky at midnight during this annual event. Star and Tom restarted their relationship in this episode. The foursome is roasting marshmallows while a couple of demons from the Underworld want them to leave their beach spot. They engage in a volleyball game to see who keeps the spot. During everything, Kelly breaks up with her boyfriend, while Marco starts questioning his friendship with Star Butterfly. At the end of the episode, it turns midnight as the Soulrise starts, also marking the beginning of Marco’s birthday.
What “Lava Lake Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Visiting a beach is great for shared experiences and celebrations, even as challenges arise along the way. Fun sports games can be played for fun or to compete for a specific beach spot. However, there is enough space for everyone at the beach, which should be on a first-come first-serve basis rather than hosting sports games to fight over a specific area. Social and personal issues can come up during a fun event, but it’s how they are handled positively that matters.
Streaming On: Disney+ and Hulu
Suggested Age Range: 8-14 years
The Beach (Season 3, Episode 5) From Avatar: The Last Airbender
Fire Lord Ozai sends Zuko, his sister, Azula, his girlfriend, Mai, and their friend, Ty Lee to a vacation on Ember Island. It’s mainly against their will, as they are so used to life at the Fire Nation palace. Their cooped-up lifestyle does not help them much as they try to act like normal Fire Nation teenagers. Ty Lee draws a lot of attention from teen boys, while Zuko has a run-in with one of them who thinks he is after Mai. Azula gets too excited during a volleyball game, scaring off the other participants. Eventually, they all have a bonfire together on the beach while each opening up about their personal struggles. In the end, they crash a teen boy’s party and cause havoc before returning to their vacation house.
What “The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Going to the beach opens opportunities for fun with others in the community while making social connections. However, it’s also a vital place for peaceful reflection and looking inward to learn more about oneself. The peaceful waves and relaxing atmosphere can help you unplug and realize what you need to work on about yourself. Forcing yourself on a beach vacation could be what you need to unwind and reset after a challenging few months.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 8-14 years
Totally Awesome Beach Day (Season 1, Episode 3a) From Iron Man And His Awesome Friends
Iron Man, the Hulk, and the rest of his friends are relaxing on the beach. Ultron attempts to ruin the fun time by trying to kick them out to build his villain headquarters. Ultron and his cronies try to take the pier’s wooden pillars to use for his headquarters, but the team suits up to bring justice. In the end, they enjoy their beach day.
What “Totally Awesome Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: The beach is for everyone to enjoy, whether playing or relaxing. It’s not for someone to take over for their selfish purposes. The episode builds children’s consideration and kindness, encouraging them to be mindful of others in public spaces so everyone can have fun at the beach. Kids also learn the importance of protecting and standing up for the beach when wrongful acts occur to preserve the environment and its local wildlife.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Pochacco’s Beach Day (Season 11, Episode 10) From Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures
Pochacco shovels everyone’s driveways in the town plaza. He expresses frustration to My Melody that his new skiing equipment hasn’t arrived yet. My Melody discusses plans with Hello Kitty and Kuromi for a fun day just for Pochacco, in appreciation for all the hard work he does to help his friends. They host a winter-themed beach day, enjoying good food and playing volleyball in the sand. Pochacco enjoys parachuting over the ocean and then lying on hammocks with My Melody at sunset.
What “Pochacco’s Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: While beach days are most popular in the summer, there can be fun, different experiences when you go to the beach in other seasons. You can listen to the peaceful waves even with snow on the ground. Spring beachgoers can relax without the large summer crowds. A beach’s surrounding environment should be embraced and appreciated in all conditions, not just during the optimal season.
Streaming On: YouTube
Suggested Age Range: 3-7 years
Happy Napgus, Pompompurin! (Season 3, Episode 4) From Hello Kitty And Friends Supercute Adventures
Hello Kitty and friends are enjoying a beach day. Pompompurin shows up and announces he wants to spend Napgus with his friends, which is an international napping holiday. He is attempting to break his nap record. Chococat sets a vibrating countdown timer, Hello Kitty makes a sleepy tea for Pompompurin, and all his friends help him stay asleep while sleepwalking on the beach. In between helping their napping comrade, the friend group enjoys volleyball, sunbathing, and boating. Pompompurin breaks his nap record and wakes up to find all his friends sleeping.
What “Happy Napgus, Pompompurin!” Teaches Kids About The Beach: The beach can be a place for self-care and rest, going beyond the usual high-energy play themes in these settings. Beaches can be places of calm, with the sound of the ocean waves, the sun warming your body, and the soft sand against your skin. Even a relaxing time enjoyed with friends is better than doing it alone.
Streaming On: YouTube
Suggested Age Range: 3-7 years
Bomba On The Beach (Season 1, Episode 39b) From Alma’s Way
Alma is preparing for a fun beach dance with her extended family in Puerto Rico. A Bomba skirt in an unmarked package comes up in front of Alma’s bisabuela when it falls off Rafa’s scooter. Meanwhile, Alma’s brother and father enter a sandcastle building. Alma, her cousin, and her uncle go to Prima Carla, who made the skirt, to ask who it was for. She says it is Titi Anna, and they take it to her house. Her husband says Anna ordered it for someone. They discover the skirt was for bisabuela all along. The entire family ends up enjoying Bomba on the beach.
What “Bomba On The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: A beach trip can be a way to celebrate family, culture, and tradition. They can be venues for cultural expression and community gatherings, as well as the usual hotspots for sunbathing and swimming. Young generations learn about their culture and honor their elders while enjoying a delightful beach trip. It’s a relaxing place for fun, learning, and promoting cultural pride in a tropical setting.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Beach Blanket Bozos (Season 8, Episode 16) From The Fairly OddParents
Timmy wants adventure during a family trip to Hawaii, so he wishes from Cosmo and Wanda that his parents become surfing aficionados. What he thought would be a dynamic experience turned into a chaotic disaster when subsequent wishes led his parents to try to outdo one another while surfing. His parents continually compete to see who is the best surfer ever, causing Timmy to regret his wish as beachgoers get caught in the middle of the chaotic tirade. He finds a way to undo the wish for his parents to return to normal.
What “Beach Blanket Bozos” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Attending the beach should be all in good fun without trying to outdo each other. It doesn’t matter who is the best surfer or the best sandcastle builder. The beach is a place to have fun with family and friends in a genuine, organic way. If there are surfing or sandcastle building contests, everyone should be a good sport and not let the desire to win overtake them.
Streaming On: Netflix and Paramount+
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
Beach Bummed (Season 4, Episode 24) From The Fairly OddParents
Timmy has to deal with Francis bullying him during a beach trip. Francis kicks sand into Timmy’s and Trixie’s faces after destroying Timmy’s large sandcastle. He drags Trixie away as a “prize” for winning the impression game. Timmy wishes he were buff and strong enough to stand up to Francis. Cosmo and Wanda approve of his wish. Timmy asserts his dominance by kicking sand in Francis’s face. Trixie is smitten with the buff Timmy, but he breaks her back as they hug. Francis comes with a dump truck, and more shenanigans ensue. Eventually, Timmy wishes to go back to normal and relax on the beach as himself.
What “Beach Bummed” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Going to the beach should be for fun and relaxation, not for showing off and bullying. Negative actions can ruin an otherwise enjoyable beach day. There’s also the lesson of self-acceptance. Embrace your own skin and don’t feel jealous of people who are physically different. Life is more enjoyable while relaxing at the beach if you focus more on the moment than what you don’t have.
Streaming On: Netflix and Paramount+
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
Iris On The Beach (Season 2, Episode 22b) From Alice’s Wonderland Bakery
Iris moves to live at Dodo Beach away from her original home in the Flower Garden. She has fun feeling the sand, swimming in the ocean, dancing with friends, and trying new drinks. When she has trouble going to sleep on a hammock at the beach, Iris starts wishing for her comfy bed in the Flower Garden with mulch and a quiet environment. She beats herself up for making a mistake, but Alice assures Iris that it is all a part of finding one’s way in life.
What “Iris On The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Beaches offer opportunities to explore new sensations, such as the soft sand, calm waters, and relaxation in a tropical environment. It can be so fun that you may sometimes feel you don’t want to leave, even while being homesick. Visiting a beach is a fun vacation escape, but it can be just as exciting to return home to normalcy. The balance between fun in the sun and a routine-filled lifestyle keeps the excitement fresh.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Pete The Polar Bear (Season 2, Episode 5) From Gabby’s Dollhouse
Gabby and Pandy meet Pete the polar bear, whose dream is to have a beach day. They are happy to take him around the beach to enjoy all the fun-in-the-sun activities. Pete is in his snow clothes, and CatRat tells them about the beach rule: only appropriate wear is allowed. Pandy, Pillow Cat, and Gabby help Pete get beach-ready with trunks and a button-up Hawaiian shirt at Pillow Cat’s Dress-Up Shack. They enjoy hot dogs, swimming, and playing in the sand. In the end, the friends take a picture, and Baby Box helps them make a decorative frame with seashells as a souvenir for Pete to remember his first beach day.
What “Pete The Polar Bear” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Going to the beach can open up individuals to new experiences. For those who have never been to one, they can enjoy swimming, building sandcastles, and tasting delicious summer foods. Newcomers can also have fun looking for seashells, discovering sea creatures, and exploring the beach’s surroundings. New discoveries are exciting when visiting a beach, and all you have to do is stay vigilant and open-minded during the experience.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 3-7 years
Dune Patrol (Season 2, Episode 2) From Nature Cat
Nature Cat and his friends enjoy the sand and warm weather at the beach. They all start playing catch when Nature Cat politely declines catching some waves in the ocean. A bird warns the friend group not to climb directly up the sand dunes when their ball lands on one of them. The creatures break out into a song to tell Nature Cat and the crew why sand dunes are important to their habitat. They all decide to designate themselves as members of a Dune Patrol to protect themselves.
What “Dune Patrol” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Kids learn why it’s important to protect and preserve sand dunes during their beach visits. They are critical for protecting beaches and wildlife, acting as natural barriers during storms, erosion, and strong winds. Youth learn how to follow posted rules at beaches and how to respect natural habitats while having fun with their planned activities. Being a great beach visitor goes beyond having fun and following the rules; one must also be a good steward of the nature around them.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 4-8 years
Lights Out For Sea Turtles (Season 2, Episode 5) From Nature Cat
Nature Cat and his friends are camping out on the beach one night. They meet Celia, who says she laid her eggs in the sand. Squeeks is excited to witness baby turtles during their campout. The crew falls asleep while waiting for Celia’s turtle eggs to hatch, but they realize that they hatched and travel to the local neighborhood rather than the ocean. Daisy calls friends in the neighborhood to have everyone turn off their lights so they can find the missing baby sea turtles. They find them all and guide them back to the ocean, where they can live and thrive.
What “Lights Out For Sea Turtles” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Nesting habitats on beaches should be recognized and protected to protect local beach wildlife. Environmental awareness, especially during nighttime beach visits, can help sea turtles and other wildlife about to be born get to the ocean safely. Reducing artificial lights is important for protecting local wildlife during nesting season. Beach visits should be about more than enjoying the sand and ocean; they should also be about learning and preserving wildlife.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 4-8 years
Hawaii Pug-Oh (Season 1, Episode 1a) From Puppy Dog Pals
Bob has to leave for work and expresses his desire to go to Hawaii to feel the sand. Bingo and Rolly are moved by his confession and take a trip to Hawaii to bring back sand and make Bob’s wish come true. The puppy brothers have fun playing in the sand while gathering it for Bob, even chasing a little crab along the way. Bingo and Rolly surf in a contest for surfing dogs and use their skateboarding skills to succeed. They are awarded first place for their perfect form and fun tricks. When the puppies bring the sand home, and Bob comes, he loves how it feels against his toes.
What “Hawaii Pug-Oh” Teaches Kids About The Beach”: You could visit a beach for one particular reason and have different fun experiences beyond what you imagined. There are many ways to explore the beach and have fun doing so. Digging in the sand, watching animals, and witnessing or participating in friendly competitions can make the beach-going experience more exciting. Keep an open mind when visiting a beach you went to before or even a new one, because you never know what could happen when you go.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Surf’s Up, Pups! (Season 5, Episode 6a) From Puppy Dog Pals
The Puppy Dog Pals help a fellow human friend named Grace, who needs a surfboard to take a surfing lesson. They visit Hawaii and frequent local shops to find a surfboard for her. Finding a surfboard isn’t as easy as they had hoped, but they have fun along the way exploring island life, surf culture, and enjoying the beach. In the end, Grace gets a surfboard, and she gets to participate in her contest.
What “Surf’s Up, Pups!” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Children can learn to respect local cultures, especially when visiting a beach on an island they have never been to before. Beaches are especially fun for trying new activities like surfing. Preparation and safety are of utmost importance, so make sure you have the right gear for the activities you want to do. Usually, local shops will have what you may have forgotten at home, but it’s best to prepare ahead of time for fewer hiccups during the trip.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Space Beach (Season 2, Episode 30) From We Baby Bears
Aunt Cassi, known to be extremely grumpy, joins space beach adventures. This is one of the particularly unique cartoons about the beach, set in a different, fun setting than the usual one animators and writers choose. The bear crew, Box, and Dippy have fun playing in the sand by building castles. When the small one falls, they enlist the help of nearby little alien contractors. They help the bears to construct a sand condo in return for delicious treats. Ice Bear wanders into the ocean, claiming that it is calling him.
What “Space Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: What you can create on the beach can go as far as your imagination and artistic and structural abilities. Working together with friends, or even new helpers willing to assist the cause, can turn a simple idea into a bigger creation. Creativity and collaboration, among other things, make the beach a great place for safe, interactive exploration of nature. Individuals with the same fervor for bringing ideas to life will be your best friends through this process.
Streaming On: HBO Max and Sling TV
Suggested Age Range: 6-9 years
The Lifeguard (Season 5, Episode 45) From Alvinnn!!! And The Chipmunks
Alvin and Eleanor are in lifeguard training. Theodore wants to become a lifeguard, too, but he doesn’t pass the necessary physical tests. Despite this, Theodore saves the day at the beach anyway. Alvin is showing off in front of Eleanor and does not notice a beachgoer in distress. Theodore jumps into action, remembering all the safety guidelines and protocols to bring this visitor to safety. Sometimes it’s not about one’s physical mobility. An individual’s knowledge and quick thinking can save someone.
What “The Lifeguard” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Practicing safety is important for a fun beach day. Use the buddy system when going out into the ocean. Don’t go any further beyond waist-length water depth, and watch the tides and rip currents. Sometimes staying closer to land is the safest bet for a more fun experience that won’t end in a horrid panic from unexpected occurrences in the ocean.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
The Tide Is High (Season 2, Episode 17b) From Ready Jet Go!
Jet and his friends go to the beach for a fun surfing day. High tides are greatest for catching the most awesome waves. They notice small sea creatures at low tide and are more careful then. The kids ultimately notice that the beach looks farther away and that more sand is present when they return to it. Jet and the crew investigate why this is occurring and uncover how the ocean rises and falls with tides.
What “The Tide Is High” Teaches Kids About The Beach: High tides occur when the Sun and Moon initiate a gravitational pull to make the Earth’s water rise as they create bulges on opposite sides of the planet. These scientific concepts are great learning moments for kids to take with them on beach trips, so they can observe real-life tides in action. Environmental awareness enhances the fun and knowledge collection during beach trips.
Streaming On: PBS Kids
Suggested Age Range: 5-8 years
Sandman Won’t Share! (Season 2, Episode 4) Spidey And His Amazing Friends
Sandman wants to prove he is the best sandcastle builder ever. This makes him selfish, preventing Spidey and his friends from having a fun day at the beach. The team takes a break from the beach fun to suit up and stop Sandman in his tracks. They all return to their beach activities once they have brought justice to their community.
What “Sandman Won’t Share!” Teaches Kids About The Beach: The beach is for everyone to share and enjoy. People can pick a small area to set up to relax or play in the sand. There’s enough room for everyone to have a good time during their beach visit. Hence, everyone should be considerate of one another’s personal space so all visitors can have a good time.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Pump Up The Panda (Season 4, Episode 10) From Littlest Pet Shop
Blythe shows everyone her new line of summer beachwear for pets. The pets and Blythe go to Seal Beach Bay to show off this new summer line. Leonardo Pardo kickstarts public relations efforts to help Blythe get her new pet beachwear on the market. Penny Ling seeks help from a lobster named Snappy Clawster to achieve her fitness goals. Meanwhile, Sunil and Vinnie try to see who could build the best sandcastle. This endeavor ends in mayhem when they keep destroying each other’s sandcastles as they try adding more to the structures.
What “Pump Up The Panda” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Visiting a beach lends many opportunities for self-expression. Wearing a new bathing suit that makes you feel good or building a sandcastle with your creativity are two great examples. Any beach competitions should stay friendly and respectful without jealousy taking over when someone possibly performs better than you. Good sportsmanship makes for a better beach day than letting those negative emotions set in.
Streaming On: Tubi and PLEX
Suggested Age Range: 5-8 years
The Mystery Of The Missing Milk (Season 5, Episode 1) From The Creature Cases
Elephant seal families are enjoying a fun beach day with their babies. They eventually call Sam and Kit at CLADE HQ to complain about their babies’ milk bottles going missing. Noticing a criminal pattern, the heroes put their beach day on hold and suit up to discover the thief behind these missing milk bottles. They recovered the missing milk from Huey the elephant seal, who wanted more of it after being weaned from his mother. He slips on the bottles and falls into the ocean. Sam and Kit save Huey from predators because he cannot swim.
What “The Mystery Of the Missing Milk” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Children learn how beaches are shared habitats with animals of all ages, especially babies who need more care and protection. If anyone ever sees an animal in distress on the beach, they should gather a team of able-bodied people to help it. Kindness to others, including animals in nature, goes a long way in making the world a better place.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 6-9 years
Redbird’s Bogus Beach Day (Season 1, Episode 9) From Batwheels
Redbird is excited for his anticipated drive through the beach with Bam and Batman. The Joker ruins these plans by causing shenanigans with his prank van. Redbird is annoyed that his plans didn’t go as he’d hoped, but he feels much better after saving Batman from a tough situation during his interaction with the Joker. Despite the drive through the beach being hindered, Redbird has fun through the unexpected and eventually gets what he wants once they ward off the Joker.
What “Redbird’s Bogus Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Everyone should look out for one another, no matter where they are, including the beach. Collaboration and cooperation is best during a beach trip to get the most out of the experience while remaining vigilant during unexpected occurrences. A drive to the beach and its lovely surroundings can be just as enjoyable as swimming in the ocean or playing in the sand.
Streaming On: HBO Max
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Crabs In A Bucket (Season 3, Episode 2) From Spirit Rangers
The Spirit Rangers encounter three crabs who are trying to build a sandcastle together that represents all of them. When they endure disagreements, one crab knocks down another one’s sandcastle-in-progress. The cabs realize through guided meditation from the Spirit Rangers that they all have the same mission. Hence, they work together rather than against each other.
What “Crabs In A Bucket” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Fun activities on the beach go smoother when everyone is working together. Communicating to build a sandcastle or buddying up while swimming are prime examples of cooperating to have the best beach day. Patience and understanding make group activities at the beach more enjoyable.
Streaming On: Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 5-8 years
Beach Party Mummy (Season 2, Episode 1) From The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron
Jimmy Neutron takes his friends on a fun trip to an Egyptian beach to see mummies buried in a crypt. They have fun relaxing in the sand and surfing. Carl surfs alone while Cindy and Jimmy surf on the same board, and Libby and Sheen share a surfboard. Chaos ensues when one of Jimmy’s inventions makes the mummies come to life, and the friend group starts getting chased.
What “Beach Party Mummy” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Some beach locations could hold hidden secrets that are best not explored. Obey posted beach rules for safe, fun experiences with less of the unexpected. Implementing teamwork and cooperation helps everyone stay calm when unexpected events happen on the beach. Being aware of one’s surroundings promotes a good time during a tropical getaway.
Streaming On: Paramount+
Suggested Age Range: 7-11 years
Shark Objects (Season 2, Episode 8a) From Big City Greens
The Greens are at the beach for a family fun day. Cricket is attempting to prank beachgoers by using a shark fin he found to cause a shark scare. Bill is against the idea, while Nancy encourages it for a more fun experience. However, she reluctantly agrees to be responsible. Nancy gets in “beach jail” after a pretzel incident with a seagull. Cricket persuades Nancy to give him back the shark fi,n and he stages a fake shark attack. Chaos ensues, and everyone comes out of the incident safe and unscathed so they can return to a relaxing beach day.
What “Shark Objects” Teaches Kids About The Beach: It is best to be vigilant for real shark attacks to implement beach safety measures. Staging a fake attack from a sea animal causes unnecessary mayhem, where people can get hurt when it’s actually a time of peace. Always tell the truth so beachgoers and lifeguards can respond appropriately to real dangers.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
Wiggle Waggle Worries (Season 1, Episode 12a) From Carl The Collector
Sheldon asks Carl to come play a beach sport. Carl approves even though he doesn’t like sports. The game involves hitting a beach ball with their tails, and Carl gets nervous because of his self-consciousness about his tail. He attempts to leave the sport multiple times, claiming he’s collecting fun beach items, such as seashells. His friends realize what’s going on and help Carl to feel less self-conscious about his tail. He realizes he can spin the ball with his tail as he hits it to pass to another friend.
What “Wiggle Waggle Worries” Teaches Kids About The Beach: It is normal to be self-conscious during certain beach activities. Whether you think you look weird in a bathing suit or can’t perform a beach sport the best, this shouldn’t be your focus. Remember to be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin during these fun activities.
Streaming On: PBS Kids and Netflix
Suggested Age Range: 4-7 years
Beach Day (Season 1, Episode 30a) From Kiff
Barry joins the Chatterlys on a fun day at Bannister Beach. However, not everything goes as planned. Martin asks to be buried in the sand to seek attention. He gets trapped under a chair, and crabs eventually harass him. Kiff tries guarding her road-trip fries only for a seagull to cheekily steal them when she isn’t looking. Beryl sees her old volleyball rival, Dennis, and gets neck deep in a heated match. Kiff chases the seagull to try to get her fries back, only to get dragged across the beach, which causes the volleyball net to unravel. Dennis claims victory in the volleyball match through all that chaos. Kiff reframes her mindset and believes these funny mishaps will turn into fun memories.
What “Beach Day” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Unexpected happenings during a beach day can be frustrating at first. However, depending on the level of unexpectedness, they can become funny memories. Stay aware of local wildlife, tides, and other factors in your surroundings to safeguard your food and beach gear. Cover food and place it in a storage bag to reduce the chance of seagulls trying to grab it.
Streaming On: Disney+
Suggested Age Range: 6-11 years
The Sandcastle From Milo
Some cartoons about the beach are exclusively found on YouTube from niche creators. I included these last three cartoons about a curious, explorative 6-year-old bunny named Milo. He gains inspiration from watching two children building a sand castle on the beach. He asks his father for approval to help him build one of their own. The 6-year-old rabbit becomes discouraged when the castle keeps crumbling every time he makes progress. Hence, he feels like he will lose the contest he entered. The other kids join in to create a sand castle together, only for a high tide to topple it over. Milo learns that making new friends is better than winning a competition.
What “Milo Goes To The Beach” Teaches Kids About The Beach: High tides can destroy even the best sand creations you took so much time and effort to make, whether alone or with a group. The best bet is to build the creation farther from the ocean at the start of construction, so it can stay on the beach for longer. Anything that washes away during high tides can always be remade. Try to snap a picture of the creation for memory keeping before the tides come in.
Streaming On: YouTube (KidsFlix)
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Seashells And Sea Creatures From Milo
Milo and his friends explore for seashells, pebbles, and crabs during low tide under their teacher’s careful watch. The boys are on the lookout for crabs, while the girls primarily search for seashells and pebbles. The lifeguard teaches the kids water safety and tells them where he recently saw a crab to aid their beach exploration. Milo catches the crab in a net and then releases it back into the ocean. The teacher cautions everyone to move back to the beach as the tide rises. The kids go swimming when the lifeguard puts up the green flag.
What “Seashells And Sea Creatures” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Many beaches have a flag system to promote safety. Red means no swimming is allowed, while yellow means swimming may be dangerous due to high winds or stormy conditions. A green flag means it is safe to swim. Kids also learn the importance of sticking with an adult and maintaining a buddy system when exploring the beach with friends.
Streaming On: YouTube (Kids Flix)
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
Milo Goes To The Beach From Milo
Milo’s parents teach their little one about sun safety. Mom gives him sunglasses and lathers him with sunscreen. His father tries to find his floaties for swimming, but the parents realize the equipment wasn’t packed. Milo gets sidetracked chasing a kite in the sky and gets separated from his parents. When they reunite, his father informs him how important it is to communicate where he is going when he wants to embark on an adventure. During the separation, his parents found the water wings, placed them on him, and they all got to swim in the ocean as a family.
What “The Sand Castle” Teaches Kids About The Beach: Trips to the beach are more fun when little ones follow safety rules. Youth should stay close to caregivers in the event of a water-based emergency. Listening to caregivers and using swimming equipment correctly can make for a more interactive, less stressful beach trip. Families can stay connected and worry-free with tight-knit communication and sticking together.
Streaming On: YouTube (Kids Flix)
Suggested Age Range: 3-6 years
With multiple kiddos at home, I’ve used these cartoons about the beach to get them excited about our time in the sun and to educate them in various ways. Hopefully you’ll find a few animated episodes that also resonate with and teach your own children about the fun they can have at the beach.
