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Home » Nature Outings » Beaches

Permission to Play for Grown-Ups

Do you know why I love Mother's Day and holidays and vacations? Because I give myself permission to play.  What if you gave yourself permission to play EVERY day?

Natural Graffiti

  • Write "nature notes" to yourself or your loved ones with shells, rocks, sticks. Write in the sand, in the snow, in the mud.
  • Stack rocks to see how they balance.
  • Build sand castles.

Noticing

  • Notice colors, patterns, and dew drops in nature - feel like the world is bigger than you

Find Your Place

  • Mine is the beach. With kids or without - I relax. I find peace. I slow down.
  • I see the reflections and it reminds me to reflect.

 

Start today and make it every day -- whether it's 30 seconds or an hour or the whole day. Let your mind wander and let yourself surrender to moments of play.

More Beaches in OC

  • 2025 Best Beach Restaurants in Orange County (Family Friendly)
  • 6 Best Toddler Beaches with No Waves
  • 7+ Beach Playgrounds Right in the Sand
  • Best Tidepooling and Beaches for Minus Tides (with Tide Table Tools)

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. When I used to search online for family-friendly activities, nothing quite fit my playful outdoor interests or tight budget.

More about me

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