Instructions
Questions You May Ask
Bring children to a sandbox or bin filled with sand. If the sand is dry, add a little bit of water so sand will stick together. Let children build their sandcastles, providing suggestions or help as needed but without interrupting the children’s problem-solving process.
⚙ What else can we use as a mold?
⚙ How can we make this sandcastle taller/bigger/larger?
⚙ How can we decorate this sandcastle?
⚙ What else can we use instead of sand?
Age
⚙ 1.5 years and up
Time and Place
⚙ Any time of day
⚙ Any time of year (indoors); when weather permits (outdoors)
⚙ Indoors or outdoors
Materials
⚙ Sand (in a sandbox or bin - or at the beach)
⚙ Water
⚙ Molds or containers of different shapes
⚙ Shovel or other tool to scoop sand (e.g., spoon, ice cream scoop)
Safety
⚙ Supervise children at all times
⚙ Protect children from sun exposure (e.g., hats, sunscreen)
Play-based Context
An educator observed a toddler unsuccessfully attempting to make a sandcastle. The educator modeled putting wet sand in a mold and patting it down before turning it over. The child copied the process and successfully made her own sandcastles.
Related Children's Books
⚙ The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Maynor
⚙ The Sandcastle Contest by Robert Munsch
⚙ Super Sand Castle Saturday by Stuart J. Murphy
