Imagine the perfect Outer Banks beach day: spotting dolphins at sunrise, climbing a lighthouse, strolling trails where red wolves roam. That spirit is now captured in a new card game — SOUND to SEA™, created by Outer Banks local Margie Farmer and brought to life through the watercolor illustrations of artist Jessica Lily.
More than just a game, SOUND to SEA™ is a celebration of the Outer Banks. The cards showcase landmarks, wildlife and experiences that make these barrier islands beloved by so many.
Image: Each card features a Jessica Lily watercolor painting of local flora, wildlife, activities or historic landmarks.
The game offers multiple ways to dive in. Players can test their memory by matching pairs or play a point-driven game while keeping an eye out for Blackbeard, who lurks in the deck. An add-on map turns it into SOUND to SEA™ Match & Move, expanding the fun even further.
For Farmer, who splits her time between Sanderling and Maryland and beyond, the idea came naturally. As a lifelong game lover, mother of two sons and grandmother of four grandsons — all self-described “game freaks” — creating a game was a natural next move. Her family loves games and often invents their own.
“We have a million pictures and started making memory and ecology games about the natural world at the beach,” Farmer says. “That’s how this all came about.”
Farmer’s career as a teacher, choir director and music management entrepreneur (she is the founder of Class Acts on Tour) gave her the tools to launch Beautiful World Games, the company behind SOUND to SEA™. Still, it took more than two years to bring the project from idea to reality. She chose to keep production local, working with Adam Baldwin at Access Design & Print in Kill Devil Hills to produce the game instead of going the typical overseas production route.
Her mission is simple: create locally inspired games that spark joy while deepening connections to the environment.
Graphic designer and watercolor artist Jessica Lily gave the deck its soul. Known for her vibrant watercolor style, Lily captured everything from lighthouses and seashells to wild ponies and red wolves. Each card is a miniature painting that celebrates the magic of the Outer Banks. The collaboration also opened new doors for Lily, who shifted her focus to watercolor only a few years ago. She’s now winning awards for her art — and helping families experience the OBX in a whole new way.
Image: A roll-out map can be purchased separately to play a Match & Move game.
Compact, waterproof and family-friendly, SOUND to SEA™ fits easily into a beach bag or suitcase. It doubles as an educational tool, teaching players about the coastal environment and history.
“It’s the perfect gift for renters, visitors and locals,” Farmer says. “Kids love it, and when they play it later they’ll remember all the fun they had here.”
Farmer made an effort to keep the price affordable so that more people can play it. One game is $25, and if you buy more than one, the price is discounted ($65 for three, $200 for ten) and shipping is included. With that low price, the game would make a nice hostess gift, renter gift or party favor.
While SOUND to SEA™ is the first release, Farmer is already working on more games for Beautiful World Games — including a music-themed collaboration with artist Steve Parke. Beautiful World Games also offers Outer Banks-inspired coloring books, another way to carry a piece of the islands home.
Image: Beautiful World Games also produces Outer Banks-inspired coloring books.
For now, SOUND to SEA™ captures it all: the beauty, culture and magic of the Outer Banks. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, this little deck lets you keep the OBX spirit alive, long after the beach day ends.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
