The sea is the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence
Jules Verne
If you could associate summer with a couple of textures, sand would surely be one of them. Synonymous with the beach, with rest, with salt, with crabs and shells, with waves and marine glow, with dreams and enjoyment, sand is a natural material that allows children to develop their imagination , both on summer days at the seaside and at home.
There are numerous sand crafts your kids can do, right on the beach but also during the fall and winter. But first, let's briefly review the benefits of sand.
Health properties of sand
- Walking on sand strengthens children's bones and muscles , while improving joint health and flexibility.
- Improves the cardiovascular system , since contact with the skin favors venous return and renewal of blood flow.
- Being outdoors improves self-esteem, mental health and mood . In addition, the beach promotes healthy sun exposure and optimal levels of vitamin D , a deficiency of which is associated with multiple diseases.
- It is a natural exfoliant that also massages feet and ankles, facilitating the elimination of toxins and impurities.
- It facilitates sensory stimulation , since the sea allows the development of the sense of smell, sound, sight, touch and taste.
Sand crafts: from traditional castles to gift bottles
Sand boasts versatility, flexibility and virtually endless possibilities for unleashing creativity, improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, training vision, enjoying the sound of touch and getting back in touch with nature.
These are just a few of the many ideas that children can do with sand.
- Castles, sculptures and moats : since time immemorial, the little ones in the house have been able to create wonders with a bucket and a spade . Apache forts, pirate ships, enchanted moats, castles with battlements or dream houses can appear on the shore with the work of hands and imagination.
- Drawing – sand drawing competitions, giant graffiti, riddles or guessing tests can all be great fun. The day can end with finding shapes in the clouds, watching marine life or learning more about the tides.
- Coloured sand : an ideal craft for a fun afternoon at home. You can use a sieve to sift the sand, pigments or special dyes and use the sand for pictures and cards. Depending on the age of the children, these can be animals, pyramids, flowers or other elements of nature. You will find many examples on YouTube . It is also possible to use it on light tables or tablets .
- Decorative bottle : On social media you will also find a source of inspiration for recycling glass bottles or small bottles by filling them with sand, drawing different pictures and giving them a decorative function. Children can create everything from colourful rainbows and geometric shapes to simple landscapes. You can browse Pinterest boards.
- Gift jars : you can make small beach souvenir jars filled with sand and pebbles, seaweed or shells. You can use old empty tin cans as containers.
- Sand clay : if you are looking for easy modelling, a grainy texture and bright, powerful colours, you can make sand clay at home with beach sand, salt, flour, cream of tartar, vegetable oil and boiling water. On the Decopeques blog they explain how to prepare it step by step. Let's get kneading!
There are many more options available to you: let your imagination fly, recycle objects, think about the sea and enjoy the sand together.
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