Family beach clean guide for Bristol Channel weekends – How to make it fun for kids and parents

Spark a love for the ocean!

Does your little one dream of shimmering tails and underwater treasure? Combine that love of mermaid magic with protecting our local coastline! Families in Bristol and Bath are perfectly placed to enjoy the Bristol Channel’s wide beaches while teaching children that ocean guardianship can be fun.

In 2024, British households threw away 1.7 billion pieces of plastic packaging each week. Across the world, around 11 million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans every year . These aren’t just statistics; they point to an urgent mission we can tackle together, one beach clean at a time.

Think of this guide as your invitation to an enchanting day on the sand: mermaid vibes, family bonding and a cleaner Bristol Channel.

Plan your mermaid beach adventure - Choose your spot

• Sand Bay (near Weston‑super‑Mare) – Wide sands, easy parking and dog‑friendly zones make this a great beach for families. At low tide you’ll find plenty of shells and seaweed for little oceanologists to explore.

• Clevedon Beach & Marine Lake – Clevedon’s pebble beach and restored marine lake offer a sheltered place for a clean‑up and a picnic; finish the day with ice cream on the pier.

• Portishead’s Battery Point – A shorter stretch perfect for little legs. Explore rock pools at low tide and collect litter along the footpath.

Check tides and weather It’s safest to clean at low tide when there’s more beach to explore. Pack sun hats, reef‑safe sunscreen and rain jackets just in case.

Gather your kit The Bristol Waste Company lends out litter‑picking kits containing

picking sticks, high‑visibility vests, bags and hoop. You can book a kit online and collect it from the Days Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre; kits are usually ready 48 hours after your request with collections available Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Book a kit here .

Alternatively, invest in child‑sized picking sticks and gardening gloves so the whole family can join in. Pack reusable water bottles and a packed lunch to avoid creating waste on the day. Make it magical Turn the clean‑up into a mermaid treasure hunt.

Give each child a reusable basket to collect colourful “treasures” (plastic fragments, bottle tops, rope).

Offer a small eco‑prize (packet of wildflower seeds or bamboo toothbrush) for the most unusual find.

Encourage storytelling: maybe Hannah Pearl left clues in the sand for your family to discover.

• Guide your clean‑up. Teach safe picking Show children how to use the litter pickers and remind them never to touch sharp objects or unknown waste. Keep hand sanitiser handy and wash hands before eating.

• Bring two bags: one for recyclables (plastic bottles, cans) and one for general waste. Discuss why some items can be recycled and others can’t. Use it as a lesson in responsible consumption.

• Take photos and track progress: Use the Marine Conservation Society’s **Beachwatch app** to record the litter you find. This data helps scientists identify pollution sources and lobby for change. Encourage kids to snap before‑and‑after photos and share their story on social media.

• Celebrate and dispose responsibly: After your clean‑up, take a moment to thank your children for being ocean heroes. Dispose of litter in bins at the beach or take it home; if you’ve borrowed a kit, return it to Bristol Waste Company within the agreed timeframe.

Eco swaps for ocean‑friendly family fun

1. Reusable picnic gear instead of disposables - Pack bamboo utensils, stainless steel straws and reusable plates. UK households throw away about 100 billion pieces of plastic annually this swap cuts your contribution.

2. Beach toys made from recycled materials - Look for buckets and spades crafted from recycled fishing nets or plant‑based plastics.

3. Refillable sunscreen – Choose reef‑safe sunscreen in refillable tins to protect both your family and marine life. --- ##

Local Bristol/Bath resources :

• Clean Up Bristol Harbour – A monthly volunteer event cleaning floating debris in the harbour. Family‑friendly and a great way to meet like‑minded locals.

• Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean – Each September (19–28 September 2025 volunteers across the UK, including Bristol Channel beaches, gather to clean and record litter data. Sign up online to join an organised local clean.

• Zero Green (Southville)– Bristol’s first zero‑waste shop offers bulk snacks and drinks; perfect for pre‑clean picnic prep

Parent prep checklist

• Check tide tables and weather forecast.

• Book or gather a litter‑picking kit; ensure child‑sized tools and gloves.

• Pack reusable water bottles, snacks in tins, picnic blanket and hats.

• Bring two bags for separating recyclables and waste.

• Charge your phone for photos and data recording.

• Brief children on safety: no sharp objects, wash hands before eating.

• Plan a fun reward (ice cream stop or a mermaid storybook) for after the clean.

FAQs

How do I find an organised beach clean near Bristol/Bath?

Check the Marine Conservation Society’s website for upcoming beach cleans and sign up for the Great British Beach Clean 19–28 September 2025)

Local Facebook groups such as Clean Up Bristol Harbour also share events.

Is beach cleaning safe for young children?

Yes, with supervision. Use child‑sized litter‑picking sticks and gloves, avoid hazardous waste and teach children not to pick up sharp or unknown objects. Always wash hands before eating.

What should we do with the litter we collect?

Separate recyclables and general waste into different bags. Dispose of them in bins near the beach or at home. If you’ve borrowed a kit, return it promptly to the Bristol Waste Company