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A family walking on the beach holding hands

Free fun · Seaside

Rock pooling with kids: a beginner’s guide

Crabs, anemones, shrimps and starfish, all waiting in the pools left by the tide. Rock pooling is one of the best free days out there is.

Photo: Jennifer Kalenberg on Unsplash

Scout the Fox

Scout’s tip

Scout’s seashore code

Look gently, put every creature back where you found it, and turn rocks back over the way they were. The pool is their home!

  • Go on a falling tide
  • Wear shoes with grip
  • Wet hands before touching creatures

When to go

Go about an hour or two before low tide, as the water goes out, and keep an eye on the time so you’re not cut off when it comes back in. Tide tables are free online.

What you might find

  • Crabs hiding under rocks and seaweed.
  • Beadlet anemones (red blobs that open like flowers underwater).
  • Shrimps, small fish and periwinkles.
  • Starfish on some coasts.

What to bring

A bucket with seawater for a quick look (then back they go), a net with soft mesh, grippy shoes and a spotter sheet. More in beaches and seaside and beach safety.

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go rock pooling?
Around low tide, starting an hour or two before. Always check tide times so you don’t get cut off.

Where shall we go next?