Seaside themed activities

Here is a good seaside activity to do using coloured sand to make an original artwork. Sand Painting is a fun and easy way to create something really worth treasuring. Have a look at the instructions below and I’ll bet you’ll be heading down to the beach for some sand really soon!

Sand Painting

You will need:

• sand
• powder paint
• disposable cups
• cardboard
• pencils

To colour the sand:

TIP:  Use about 1 teaspoon of paint powder per 1/2 cup of sand. Experiment with different amounts of paint and sand to make darker and lighter colours

1. Scoop some sand into a disposable cup.
2. Add some powdered paint to the sand and mix the two together with a plastic spoon.
3. Start by adding a teaspoon of water to the sand/paint mixture and stir.  You need the water to activate the paint but you don’t want to get the sand too wet or it will take longer to dry.  Add more water as needed to get an even colour in the sand.
4. Once the sand is coloured, spread it out on a disposable plate or on a piece of cardboard to to dry.  Let the sand dry thoroughly.  If it gets lumpy as it dries use the back of a spoon or your fingers to break up any lumps.
5. Place the coloured sand into seperate bowls
6. Give each child some cardboard and allow them to draw a picture or pattern using a pencil.
7. Give them glue (PVA works well) to fill in the picture/design and sprinkle the sand onto it.
8. Lift the design up between each colour before adding the glue to the next part of the picture to dislodge any loose sand.
9. Leave to dry. To prevent sand from falling off, spray the entire piece with hairspray or fixative spray.

If you don’t live near a beach, or would prefer to get clean dry sand for this project, then simply buy some sandpit sand from your local toy store.

Here is a simple and fun craft to do with your preschoolers, either upon returning from a beach holiday or take the ingredients with you and make it while at your holiday spot!

How to make your Seaside plaque

For your seaside plaque, you will need:

Salt Dough:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1/2 cup water
• PVA glue and brush
• Bowl
• Wooden spoon
• A collection of clean shells, twigs, driftwood, sand, feathers etc

What to do:

1. Combine the flour, salt, and water in a bowl.
2. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth.
3. Roll the dough into a ball and flatten it with your hands to make a circular disc or oval shape.
4. Make a small hole at the top of the shape (to thread a ribbon or string through to hang the plaque later)
5. Press the treasures that you have collected into the dough-either randomly or in patterns- and leave it to dry.
6. Glaze it with PVA glue when it has dried out to keep everything in place.  ( you could do this step at home to save you taking glue on holiday)
7. Once it has all dried, thread your ribbon or string through the hole and hang your plaque up as a keepsake from your holiday!

* The dough can be coloured by adding a little food colouring for an interesting alternative!

Have you ever tried to make a boat? Not a real one of course, but a simple playboat for your child. No? Well, here’s how to make a cute and easy boat for all your little sailors.

Make a Boat

What you’ll need:

• Small milk or juice carton- the cardboard sort
• Popsicle/lolly stick
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Stickers
• Tape (we used coloured electrical tape)
• Construction paper or lightweight cardboard
• Markers
• Scissors

How to make your Boat Craft:

1. Cut one side off of the carton. Paint the entire carton whatever color you would like. Make sure to do the inside too!
2. While the carton is drying, cut a triangle flag out of the cardboard or paper. Paint the flag and the popsicle stick the same color.
3. When the flag is dry, use markers and stickers to decorate the flag.
4. Once everything is dry, glue or tape the flag to the popsicle stick. Then tape the popsicle stick to the side of the boat.
5. Use the markers and stickers to decorate the rest of the boat.

Because this is made with tape and paint, it is not suitable for use in water, but rather as a craft to be looked at and enjoyed as a decoration. I hope you have as much fun when you make a boat as we did!

Carla

I am a preschool and primary school teacher and mum to 3 children. I have been involved in education since 1997 and have trained in a variety of educational specialist areas. It is with this expertise that I write articles to help parents and educators provide quality learning experiences for the children in their care.