Build a Spring Sand Castle
[30 Minutes]
Pick a warm sunny day and head to the beach with your pails and shovels. It's finally time to put those muscles to work digging and shoveling and carrying sand to build the best and the biggest sand castle ever! Don't forget a sweat shirt or jacket in case there is still a chill in the air.
You'll need:
• 2 pails and shovels • towels • snacks and water • sunscreen • hats • jacket or sweatshirt
What to do:
- Together, gather everything you’ll need.
- Explain to your child that you'll be headed to the beach to challenge yourselves to build the best sand castle ever! Also explain that he should be prepared to dig holes and move some sand! Building castles isn't easy, but it certainly is fun!
How to play:
- With your child, pick your favorite sandy beach spot and head out after you have packed your gear and applied sunscreen.
- Lay out your towels and gear. Scout the beach for the best sand castle area. If there are tides - check to see if the tide is coming in or going out. Start your excavating by smoothing out the area.
- Dig your holes and build your hills. Fill your buckets with moist, but not wet, sand and make your castle structure.
- Decorate by dripping wet sand to form peaks. Search the immediate beach for shells and drift wood to create paths and bridges.
- When your castle's complete, (usually when your body is tired from all of the hard work!), go back to your towels, dig out your snacks and enjoy the view. You've earned it!
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.
- What did you notice about your body as you were building the sand castle?
- How could we make the castle taller? Would it be fun to build a whole kingdom? How would we build a kingdom? What else could we use to decorate it?
Useful information:
While you are having fun together, your child is developing upper body strength.
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