These Beach Bear Dirt Cups are the ultimate beach theme snack for preschool parties and summer celebrations — creamy white chocolate pudding layered with crushed golden Oreos to look just like the ocean and sandy shore, topped with little teddy grahams soaking up the “sun.” They’re no-bake, kid-approved, and almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Picture this: it’s the middle of summer, the kids are restless, and you need a snack that’s going to make them actually shriek with excitement. That’s exactly how these Beach Bear Dirt Cups were born in my kitchen — and honestly, they’ve been my go-to beach treats for kids ever since. Fair warning: you will be asked to make these again immediately after the first batch disappears.
Table of Contents
What Makes These Beach Bear Dirt Cups So Great
These little cups are basically a party in a plastic cup. You’ve got silky, ocean-blue white chocolate pudding layered under golden Oreo “sand,” tiny teddy graham bears lounging in gummy life saver floaties, and a sunshine on a stick poking out the top.
They’re adorable, they’re easy, and they require zero baking — which means you can have them ready in under 20 minutes. As far as beach desserts for kids go, this one is basically impossible to beat.
Beach Bear Dirt Cups
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Food processor or zip bag with rolling pin
- Clear plastic cups
- Spoon
Ingredients
Pudding Layer
- 1 package white chocolate instant pudding mix
- milk amount per package instructions
- blue food coloring a few drops
- ½ container whipped topping (Cool Whip)
Sandy Beach Layer
- 20 cookies golden Oreos or graham crackers crushed
Toppings
- 12 pieces teddy graham cookies about 2 per cup
- 6 pieces gummy life savers
- 6 cups clear plastic cups
- 6 pieces sunshine toppers with skewers optional decoration
Instructions
- Crush the golden Oreos or graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a sealed bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix and milk according to package directions until smooth.
- Add blue food coloring a few drops at a time, stirring until the pudding reaches a bright ocean-blue color.
- Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Chill for about 10 minutes if needed.
- Add a layer of crushed cookies to the bottom of each clear cup to form the sandy base.
- Spoon the blue pudding over the cookie layer and smooth the surface.
- Sprinkle additional cookie crumbs on half of the top to create a beach and ocean effect.
- Place teddy grahams into gummy life savers and position them on top of each cup, one on the sand and one on the ocean side.
- Add a decorative sunshine topper on a skewer into each cup and serve chilled.
Notes
Ingredients
For the Pudding Layer
| Ingredient | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 package white chocolate instant pudding mix | The instant kind — no cooking required |
| Milk | Amount called for on the pudding box |
| Blue food coloring | A few drops for that ocean vibe |
| ½ container Cool Whip or whipped cream | Folded in for a light, fluffy texture |
For the “Sandy Beach”
| Ingredient | Details |
|---|---|
| ~20 Golden Graham Oreos or graham crackers | Crushed into sandy crumbs |
For the Fun Toppings
| Ingredient | Details |
|---|---|
| Teddy Grahams | 2 per cup — these are your little beachgoers! |
| Gummy Life Savers | One per bear to use as a floatie |
| Clear plastic cups | So you can see all the beautiful layers |
| Free Sunshine Printable + wooden skewers | Adds that extra chef’s kiss detail |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Crush Your “Sand”
Add about 20 Golden Graham Oreos to a food processor and pulse until you get nice, crumbly “sand.” If you don’t have a food processor, no stress — just toss them in a large Ziploc bag and go at them with a rolling pin. It’s honestly a great stress reliever, and the kids love helping with this part.
Tip: You want the crumbs to be mostly fine, but a few chunky bits add texture and make it look even more like real sand.
Step 2: Mix Up the Pudding
In a large bowl, whisk together the white chocolate pudding mix with the milk according to the package directions. White chocolate pudding is the secret here — it gives you that creamy, slightly sweet base that the blue food coloring is going to transform into something magical.
Step 3: Make That Ocean Blue
Add blue food coloring to your pudding mixture, a few drops at a time, and stir until you’ve got a gorgeous, ocean-blue color. You’re going for that dreamy tropical water look — think turquoise, not “I accidentally dyed the sink.” Start slow and add more if needed!
Step 4: Fold in the Cool Whip
Gently fold in half a container of Cool Whip until everything is combined and fluffy. The Cool Whip lightens up the pudding and gives it a mousse-like texture that kids absolutely love. Add a bit more if you want it lighter — totally up to you.
“I usually taste-test here. You know, for quality control.”
Step 5: Build Your Layers
Grab your clear plastic cups and add a medium-thick layer of golden Oreo crumbs to the bottom. This is your ocean floor — or sandy beach base, depending on how you look at it. Don’t be shy with the crumbs!
Step 6: Add the Ocean
Spoon the blue pudding over the Oreo layer and smooth it out. The clear cups are key here because you can actually see those gorgeous layers stacking up — golden sand on the bottom, bright blue ocean in the middle. It looks SO cool, especially for a beach theme snack for preschool parties.
Step 7: Add the Sandy Shoreline
Sprinkle another layer of golden Oreo crumbs on top of the pudding, but only on half of the cup. This half is the beach and the other half is the ocean — pure genius, right? It creates that perfect shoreline effect without any artistic talent required (thank goodness).
Step 8: Set Up Your Teddy Bears
Here comes the cutest part. Take a Gummy Life Saver and slide a Teddy Graham through the hole so he’s “wearing” it like a floatie ring. If you have the dual-color gummy rings, turn them sideways so you can see both colors — it looks even more fun. Place two bears per cup, one on the “ocean” side and one on the “sand” side if you like.
Tip: If the bears won’t stand up, push them in slightly so they’re leaning against the cup edge — looks like they’re really sunbathing!
Step 9: Add the Sunshine
Print off the free sunshine clip art, cut it out, and tape it to a wooden skewer that you’ve trimmed down to cup height. Stick the sunshine into the pudding and there you have it — a beach scene in a cup. These little details are what take beach treats for kids from cute to absolutely unforgettable.
Expert Tips, Variations & Troubleshooting
Getting the Layers Right
The key to gorgeous-looking Beach Bear Dirt Cups is using clear plastic cups — you really do need to see those layers to get the full effect. Also, make sure your pudding is well set before adding the top layer of crumbs, otherwise it’ll sink in. A quick 10-minute fridge rest after step 4 helps a lot.
Variations Worth Trying
Want to mix it up? Use chocolate pudding dyed blue instead of white chocolate, or add a drop of green food coloring to make it more tropical. You can also swap the Teddy Grahams for animal crackers or mini gummy sharks for an under-the-sea vibe. For older kids, mini gummy fish scattered on the “ocean” layer look amazing. If you love fun no-bake treats like this, you’ll also love these no-bake Cheerio and peanut butter bars — another easy crowd-pleaser.
Troubleshooting
Pudding too runny? Let it chill in the fridge for 5–10 minutes before assembling. Oreo crumbs sinking? Make sure you’re folding the Cool Whip gently — over-mixing can make the pudding thin. Bears falling over? A tiny dab of extra crumbs around their base acts as a support system. Engineering, but make it cute.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (covered) | Up to 2 days | Cover with plastic wrap to keep crumbs crispy |
| Make-ahead (separate) | Up to 1 day | Store layers separately, assemble before serving |
| Freezer | Not recommended | Pudding texture changes when frozen |
Reheating & No-Waste Ideas
These are served cold, so no reheating needed! If you end up with leftover pudding, layer it into a bowl with extra Oreo crumbs for a quick dirt cup snack for yourself — because you deserve it. Leftover Teddy Grahams are also excellent in fluffy strawberry shortcake puppy chow if you want to get creative with your extras.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Based on approximate values. Actual nutrition may vary based on specific brands used.
| Nutrient | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~280 kcal |
| Total Fat | ~9g |
| Saturated Fat | ~4g |
| Carbohydrates | ~44g |
| Sugar | ~28g |
| Protein | ~3g |
| Sodium | ~230mg |
Beach Bear Dirt Cups FAQs
Can I make Beach Bear Dirt Cups ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the pudding and crush the Oreos the night before and store them separately. Assemble the cups the morning of your event and pop them in the fridge until serving. Just add the Teddy Bear decorations right before you serve so they stay crisp and cute.
What can I use instead of Golden Graham Oreos?
Regular Golden Oreos work great, and so do plain graham crackers — they actually give you the most realistic sand look! Nilla Wafers or digestive biscuits are also excellent substitutes. Basically anything buttery and golden that crumbles nicely will do the trick.
Are these a good beach theme snack for preschool parties?
Absolutely — these are one of the best beach theme snacks for preschool because they’re totally no-bake, easy to customize in bulk, and kids go wild for the little teddy bear details. Set up a little assembly station and let the kids build their own cups. It doubles as a craft and a snack, which is basically the preschool party jackpot.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
Yes, you can! Use about 1 cup of freshly whipped cream in place of the Cool Whip. Just note that homemade whipped cream can deflate a little faster, so these are best served the same day if you go that route. For a make-ahead version, Cool Whip is the more reliable choice.
What other fun summer treats pair well with these cups?
If you’re doing a full beach or summer party spread, these go great alongside Kool-Aid grapes for a fun fruity snack. For something more filling, you could do a Hawaiian chicken with coconut rice as a main — tropical vibes all the way through!
Time to Hit the Beach (From Your Kitchen)
That’s all there is to it — super simple, impossibly cute, and guaranteed to get oohs and ahhs from every kid (and honestly, every adult) at the table. Whether you’re making these for a summer party, a preschool class treat, or just a random Tuesday because life needs more teddy bear floaties, these Beach Bear Dirt Cups deliver every single time.
Give them a try and let me know how they turn out! Drop a comment below with your experience, and if you made any fun tweaks I’d love to hear about them. And if your cups turned out adorable — which they will — please share a photo on Pinterest and tag your creation! These beach desserts for kids deserve to be seen by the world.
