Low Tide Celebration Children’s Activities

This year, the Low Tide Celebration is focusing on children, both on the beach and off. So bring the whole family to Point Robinson on Saturday June 14th between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.  A group of paddlers organized by Snohomish leader Mike Evans will arrive in a traditional canoe, the Blue Heron, after pulling from Des Moines. All those ashore will enjoy joining with Shane Jewel and the Free Range Folk Choir in singing a traditional song of welcome.

As the sea recedes incredible organisms will slowly reveal themselves. Curious explorers can direct their questions to any of the Vashon Beach Naturalists and other volunteers on site for the day. Learn how a sea star can survive with seemingly no eyes, or how it eats its dinner- this is one creature who would definitely not be praised on its table manners. Discover an animal with an iron-toothed tongue who, just like us, sleeps in the same spot every night. Or, ever heard your child say, ‘I’m gonna puke my guts out? You can meet the animal who actually does this and learn why (another one not to invite over for dinner)! Almost everything we encounter on our beaches  is harmless. There are two exceptions likely to be encountered. The color in their name warns you to STOP! (and just observe). These are the red  octopus (with a nasty bite) and the red rock crab (with bone-crushing pinchers). Octopuses have a neurotoxin in their saliva which causes a necrotic wound that swells and heals with difficulty.

Besides exploring the beach, there are a number of other activities. Older children will enjoy  discovering how much life can be found in a single spot by participating in a Hoop Investigation. There will be new illustrated guides to Pt. Robinson beach life to help them.  Or, get above it all, with a tour of Point Robinson Lighthouse by Captain Joe, the Head Keeper of Point Robinson Lighthouse. There is a special area of the beach dedicated to making sand castles, with some materials provided to aid in their creation.

 Crafts will be available from the Blue Heron Canoe booth as well as spontaneous story telling! Jessica Dewire will be serving up delicious grub when your snacks run out! At other booths young children will find a number of simple and quick activities to engage in. These are designed to offer children something fun, educational and entertaining to do while their adult companions learn new information. Children will enjoy discovery bottles in which they search out a list items inside- like hide and seek in a bottle; or coloring pages and word searches; felt boards, sensory boxes.