Sand Dough Art

[30 Minutes]

Bring a bit of the beach home and use it to make play dough that hardens in the sun. Work together as you shape the play dough into summertime sculptures.

You'll need:

• measuring cup • 1 cup sand • saucepan • bowl • 1/2 cup cornstarch • 3/4 cup water • cookie sheet or tray • shells or pebbles • leaves

What to do:

1. Let your child help you pour the ingredients into a saucepan.
2. Cook until very thick.
3. Let mixture cool and then put it into a bowl.
4. Let your child knead the cooled mixture for a few minutes.
5. Together with your child form the dough into shapes or free form "sculptures." Press in shells or pebbles, if you wish.
6. Carefully lift the finished sculptures onto a tray or cookie sheet.
7. Place the tray of sculptures out in the sun to bake for 1-2 days until hard.
8. Cover any remaining mixture in bowl with plastic wrap for later use.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• How does the dough feel when it is soft? When it is hard?
• Tell me about your sculpture.

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop eye/hand coordination, small muscle skills, and an understanding of cause and effect.