Our free educational toolkit is packed with everything you need to give your class a deep insight into our coastline.
The beach is your classroom!
Our free educational toolkit is packed with everything you need to give your class a deep insight into our coastline. You’ll find a detailed introduction document which highlights practical and safety information for your visit; and includes some background information on Thanet and the suggested beaches you visit.
There are suggestions for activities and accompanying resources, with each activity tailored to either KS1 or KS2, or both and linked to different subjects in the curriculum. There are accompanying audio files which explore some of the unique stories of our coastline and key messages about sea safety.
Introduction to the Learning Resources
To make the most of your visit, and ensure beach safety, please do read these as they contain important information about making us aware of your trip. This introduction also includes a list of other useful contacts in the local area.
We recommend using the bays above because of their facilities for groups, but activities can be adapted to suit other bays.
Below, you'll find each separate activity, and the resources required.
A chance to take a hands on approach to learning about Rock Pool habitats and what kind of creatures can be found.
Children each take part in a physical food chain/web, acting as plankton, plants, shrimps, fish and other marine life to learn how living things are connected.
See what natural flotsam you can find on the beach and take part in a marine memory game to see how many findings you can remember.
A quick guide to sand art- both modern and inspired by history. Children can learn about simple sand figure drawing or more complex designs using flotsam and jetsam washed up on the beach.
Children will learn about JMW Turner who loved Thanet and its beautiful skies and his unique painting methods, with an opportunity to try this for themselves.
Children can learn about the history and popularity of seaside postcards, along with an understanding of the unique writing style often used- 'Postcardese.' They can make their own unique seaside postcard.
Children can learn about the technical requirements necessary to build and fly a kite, by making their own based on the design used by children in India to celebrate the Hindu Festival 'Makar Sankrati.'
Listen to 5 specially recorded audio stories, told by expert storytellers covering a range of myths and local legends; including those about notorious Thanet smugglers. The fascinating stories will provide inspiration for children to write their own stories.
Investigating seaside holidays from Victorian times to the present day- a chance to learn about bathing machines and early forms of swimwear worn to the beach.
Learn about coastal erosion in Thanet.
Thanet’s chalk is full of marine fossils including sea urchins and echinoids. Learn more about these and different types of rock.
Children will be able to identify ships and boats on the English Channel and Thames Estuary- The sea off Thanet's coast is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world!
Below are short audio interviews with Thanet experts linked with the Resources
John Ray - Press Officer, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Vanessa Ray - Voluntary Education Presenter, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Jennifer Scott - Schools Officer, Turner Contemporary
Fiona White - Marine Officer, Kent Wildlife Trust
Tony Child - Thanet Coast Project Officer
Laura Welton - Guardians of the Deep Project Officer
Francesca Sayer-Doyle - Visitor Centre Assistant
