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Step 1
Pick a beach where the waves are generally more mellow. Surf varies from day to day, so if you're on vacation, you'll notice that some days the waves are calmer than others.
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Step 2
On the days when the surf is too violent to venture too far in, play in the breaking waves by the shore. Teach them to jump over the incoming small waves, and sit in the water as it creeps up and slides away. This will get them used to the feeling of the ocean, and it's push and pull rhythm.
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Step 3
On days when the surf is mild and you're feeling brave, take your kids out into the water. Go slowly and let the kids get used to the feeling of the waves. If you can hold one child while holding the hand of another child, this is the best way to take in young kids two at a time. When a wave is coming at you, show the kids how you can bob over the top of the wave, or hold your breath and duck under the wave, coming out on the other side.
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Step 4
Teach the kids that if they go out past the waves, they can float and swim just like in a pool. Make sure they know to keep their eyes on the beach blankets or umbrella on shore, since the current will pull them down the beach. Teach them to check often, and swim back so they're parallel with the beach blankets and they won't get lost. Teach them to float on their backs if they get tired, and explain that if they ever got pulled far out into the ocean, this is a way to save energy while waiting for a rescue in an emergency.
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Step 5
Heading back into shore, show them how to body surf on the waves as they're coming in. The scariest part of the ocean is when you're past the waves, but right at the spot where they break. Show the kids how to time their exit from the ocean so they can ride the waves, and run in once they are past the breaking point. Always show them where the safest distance is that they can go into the water without an adult.
