Parents' Guide to Life's a Beach

Movie PG 2020 50 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Docu looks at beaches through animal eyes; some sex talk.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

While humans monopolize the beach in summer, winter is when it really comes alive for the animal world. Some birds use beaches as rest stops on their migration, while others stay on for the winter. The documentary spends some time with the creatures that live under the sand; describing how the tides affect the lives of shellfish, worms, and other bottom-dwellers. Then there's the threat of being a pelican's lunch; certain bird beaks are extra good at reaching deep down into the sand.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

The comparison of humans and animals at the beach is a little thin, but this film swiftly jumps from subject to subject, giving a well-rounded view of a beach's ecosystem. Tides, blowing sand, and plant growth all affect the animal life dwelling near the water and nearby dunes, and while the presentation can be dry (literally); there's lots to learn from here. The cinematography is excellent, and footage of all kinds of creatures will be a treat for anyone curious about the seaside beyond fish and chips.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about a trip to the beach. What does that mean to you? To a bird? Have you ever seen anything on the beach that was a mystery to you? How did you figure out what it was?

  • Seals are cute but they are tough, often violent animals. How do you know how to stay safe at the beach?

Movie Details

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