1. Practicing in a swimming pool is a great way for kids to develop their snorkeling skills. Have some races with full gear on, then toss some pennies so they can practice submerging and clearing the snorkel as they retrieve the coins.

2. Pick up a set of fish field-guide cards designed for underwater use (they're available at many dive shops) and a disposable underwater camera. Give your kids a few cards and send them on a fish scavenger hunt (they'll just try to photograph the fish, not collect them, of course). My kids love searching for Hawaii's famous humuhumunukunukuapua'a, a type of triggerfish, just so they can try to pronounce it!

3. Even if there aren't many fish to see, your kids can still have a blast with a snorkel. Bury some beach toys and have a treasure hunt, or sit on the bottom in water just a few feet deep, with snorkels protruding into the air, and have a leisurely underwater tea party.