There is definitely something magical about going on a treasure hunt with your kids. Whether you’re geocaching or doing a neighborhood scavenger hunt, finding real-life treasure is a sure way to get kids motivated to go outside and play. Today, we have Eloise, a UK photographer, mom of 3 and self-proclaimed beach lover here, sharing a new kind of treasure hunt. Since she was a child, Eloise has hunted for sea glass on the shore. Finding sea glass with kids is a great way to keep them entertained and focused on a project. Plus, just wait until you see the fun things they make with these tiny bits of green, white and blue sparkly treasures! Keep reading!
I sit here writing this post in my parents little holiday cottage by the seaside. The sun is warm on my back and my kids are happy, their cheeks pink from a morning on the beach. The cold wind whistled through their hair this early spring morning but they didn’t notice. Here they are free – to run and roam, explore and create. Here the troubles of work and school don’t exist. The pace of life is quiet and content.
Since I was a child, I’ve had an affinity for the coast. To this day, it still draws me back constantly. The beach has always been a special place for me. As a child, my father would take me here for long walks. An avid beachcomber, he taught me about shells and the creatures that lived in them. We’d spend hours collecting treasures together.
Finding treasure
One treasure, in particular, was my favorite – sea glass. I was always drawn to the sparkly and colorful finds! I loved the way that what was once an ugly and dangerous piece of litter had been smoothed and perfected by the sea and turned jewel-like. Finding and collecting these tiny treasures became my obsession. I still have bottles of my little sea glass treasures on the kitchen windowsill today. Lots of bottle green and white but sometimes we’d be lucky enough to find a rare blue piece.
Passing down the tradition
My own children have since picked up on this little hobby of mine. My six-year-old especially begs me to hunt for sea glass with him whenever we’re back at the coast. If I’m not careful I can easily find I’ve spent my whole walk looking down and end up with a bit of a stiff neck! But it’s a habit I just can’t break, not wanting to miss a piece! Some days we are super successful and others it’s slim pickings but each piece big or little is always celebrated. Today we found a few pieces of green sea glass.
Make something beautiful
The kids’ Grandad has recently started to polish rocks, along with our beach glass finds. And now their Nana makes beautiful pictures using them, which are hung here in their beach cottage. The shapes create faces, animals, petals, you name it. You can really let the little ones’ imaginations run wild! I also have lovely necklaces made by a jeweler using sea glass, although this is something you can definitely do at home using the right tools!
Next time you’re at the beach, occasionally look down. Sift through the small rocks on the tide line, if only with the tip of your toe. You never know what treasures you’ll find.
About the author
Eloise is a lifestyle family and wedding photographer from Cambridgeshire in the UK. She has three little ones that constantly inspire and drive her. Her absolute favorite place to be is the beach at sunset, with a camera in hand.
Instagram: @eloise_layla_nurse
Website: www.eloiselaylanurse.com