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As the temperatures rise and children are ending their daily school routines, parents everywhere are looking for ways to entertain their preschoolers. What can be a better summer activity than playing in sand?! Whether at the beach or in your very own sand table, sand play can provide hours of fun for children of all ages. We all know that building sand castles and finding “buried treasure” in sand can be fun, but did you know that sand also offers great sensory benefits to help your child learn and develop?
Sensory learning is just as important as academic learning since each and every child registers & interprets information through their senses, allowing them to give meaning & organization to their surroundings. Without proper sensory integration, young children have difficulty self-regulating, focusing on activities, or functioning like their peers in social settings. That’s why including sensory play, such as sand play, into their daily lives is a great way to encourage proper development while giving them a ton of entertainment at the same time.
Here are a few ideas for sand play that are great for sensory development:
1) Sand Writing
Spread sand on a smooth flat surface such as a table, board, or sidewalk and let your child write alphabet letters, spell out words, or even draw animals just like they would on a chalkboard. Once they are done, they simply swipe their hand over their masterpiece to “erase” it and start again.
2) Sand Science
Mixing sand with water opens up a whole new level of sand play for children. Combining the two elements in one play session is also a great way to teach the science of displacement. Take a large water tub (1/2 way full) out to your nearest sand table, sandbox, or beach and let the fun begin! Have children begin to fill the water tub with sand and note the changes in the level of water. Pour the sand in different locations and see if it makes a difference as to where the water spills out. Attempt to build a dam either at one end of the tub or on the outside of the tub to stop the water from spilling out and discuss with your child the principles of dam building and how dams work. After the learning is complete, use the new sand & water mixture to build an amazing sandcastle or sand sculpture.
3) Scenes in the Sand
Sand allows & encourages the creation of imaginary worlds & stories. One of the best ways to develop imaginative play is to create sand scenes using stuff you have around your house & yard. Gather up tiny toys, miniature dolls, recycled items, cars, Legos, sticks, leaves, and other useful bits and pieces that you find and place them in a bin and head to your nearest sand box or beach. Encourage your child to set up a scene in the sand with the gathered materials and then have them tell you the story of what’s going on. From cars racing through toilet paper roll tunnels to dolls having tea, the possibilities are endless as children learn from imaginative play & developing stories.
4) Painting with Sand
Sand play doesn’t always have to take place outside! Bring the fun inside on stormy days and still get the fun experience of sand play. You will need salt and pepper shakers filled with sand. It can be regular sand or colored sand from your art store. Gather some paint & paint brushes and a large piece of paper where your preschooler can create their artwork. Have your child paint one of their “favorites”, i.e. favorite animal, favorite food, favorite activity, favorite character, etc. While the paint is still wet, have them sprinkle sand all over the painting. Once enough sand has been added, tap the paper over the trashcan to remove loose granules and set flat to dry. Voila! Fun with sand right in the comfort of your kitchen (or garage).
If you are looking for more summer activities to try, sign up for this year’s Kids ‘R’ Kids Summer Camp! Our summer camp programs are a great way to extend learning and fun into the summer months when school is not in session. This year’s theme is American Road Trip and participants get to enjoy field trips, water days, and tons of sensory learning activities. Call us today for more information.