Sand play and why we love it!
Explore sand play with us!
SAND, we simply love it!
This week at Little Learners South Colchester I had sand on offer and was reminded about how versatile this material is – so much so that I just had to share! Read on to find out what makes it so special!
What is Play Sand?
I buy play sand whenever it is on offer, usually in supermarkets. My friends and family all know to keep an eye out. Play sand is a finer blend than builders’ sand and doesn’t have any of those jagged bits that you can get at the beach – ideal for sand play and perfect for younger children to explore.
What I particularly like about sand is that it can be used wet or dry, and children just automatically KNOW what to do with it! Even the smallest of babies learn that they can pat and press the squishy material… and as they get older, scooping, building and of course creating sandcastles comes into their play.
How can I use Play Sand?
Aside from buckets and spades, what else can be added to make it different and keep little ones interested? Take a look below, I have listed some of my favourites. Or check out our images for some play inspiration!
• Water sprayers – these are low cost and brilliant for developing hand strength! Wet sand can provide hours of fun and can always be dried out (or moved out to the garden!) when it has run it’s course.
• Treasure box and coins or gems – create a treasure island shape with your sand, add some coins, play necklaces or giant gems and see where your little ones’ imagination takes them. Don’t forget the all important X marks the spot!
• Characters – choose some of your child’s favourite plastic toys (or laminate some and stick onto lolly sticks) and add them to the tray for a desert adventure. Alternatively you could add some desert animals.
• Choose a colour and gather a collection of tools and containers of that colour – simple and open-ended, you’ll be surprised at how much enjoyment your little one can get from this sort of play.
• Letter or number moulds – can they spell out simple words with fingers? Can they find THEIR special letter?
• Vehicles – pushing a vehicle through sand is a lot harder than you’d think! Creating tracks is great for children to see the impact their movements can make on a material. Don’t just think diggers – try trains, planes and cars too.
You will often find this activity on offer at a Little Learners session near you and I’m sure there will be even more inspiration there – why not book a class and see?
Have fun!
Anita
