Tips for razor clam digging with kids

What a difference daylight makes. The last time I tried razor clam digging, it was an adventure. (Read: Dark, windy, rainy and we managed to lose our car.)

This time, we had daylight and unseasonably warm weather.

We all ended up with our limit of clams, even my 4-year-old daughter.

I was a bit worried about how she would do, but it turned out my fears were completely unfounded. Hazel enjoyed it so much that hide-and-seek has changed. When she hides now, she is a razor clam and we have to “dig” her up.

If you’re considering going razor clamming, bring your kids. Especially if the weather is decent. You’ll be glad you did.

Kids don’t need a license, but they do need to be actively participating in digging. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a video (below) with tips on keeping legal. (Hint: If your kids are sitting in the car and you’re digging for them? That’s not legal.)

The next razor clam dig opens on Monday and runs through Thursday. Check the WDFW site for details on when digging is open. There are two more digs planned in March, with several digs that are during daylight hours.

If you are going to bring your kids, here are a few things we learned from our trip:

• Put them in waterproof boots.
• Pack a few layers, so you can swap out wet clothes or swap things up based on the weather.
• If you’re worried about sand getting everywhere, put your child in a jacket that allows the sleeves to be rolled up. They’re going to be shoving their hands in sandy holes.
• Bring a small backpack with a few snacks, some water and extra clothes for the kids. Don’t forget to stop for snacks. (The first day, we forgot to stop. The moment we were done and the excitement was over, my daughter had a meltdown that was fixed by a granola bar.)
• It’s easier for kids to carry a mesh bag than a bucket. Make sure you have a bag with small holes or small clams will slip out. (The holes were too big in our bag, and we had to be very careful with it.)
• Remember sunscreen.
• Let your kids help you clean the clams. You might be surprised how much they get into it. It’ll slow down the process, but it’s fun.
• Check out this story for general tips on razor clamming.