noun
seashore foraging; gathering shellfish and crabs on the shore
Refers to the activity of collecting shellfish, crabs, and other small sea creatures along the rocky shore, often done for fun or as a family outing.
子供のころ、よく家族で磯遊びに行った。
When I was a child, I often went seashore foraging with my family.
磯遊びで小さなカニをたくさん見つけた。
We found many small crabs while exploring the shore.
潮干狩り specifically refers to clam digging on sandy tidal flats, while 磯遊び is a broader activity on rocky shores that includes catching crabs and other creatures.
Compound of 磯 (iso, 'rocky shore') and 遊び (asobi, 'play'). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the word naturally describes playing and exploring on the seashore.