Sand Art for Kids

Kids love sand. In school or on the beach, you will always find them playing with sand, making sand castles, or forts or tiny figures using wet sand, and various other things. I remember the time when I was a kid and used to visit the beach, I loved making sandcastles instead of playing in the water with my family. If you want to know more about sand art for kids, here are some ideas which your kids will love.

Simple Craft Using Sand

Here are some simple craft and art for kids using sand, which your children will enjoy doing. It might also become their hobby.

Sand Art

Things Required

• Sand
• A tray (You can even use an old cookie sheet or a large, flat bowl)
• Plaster of Paris
• Tempra paints of any colors
• Paintbrush

Directions

• Put wet sand on the tray, and using your imagination, make any design on it with your fingers, or the paint brushes.
• Next, put in the plaster on your design using a spoon.
• Spread the plaster properly over your design.
• Be careful while spreading the plaster. Don't destroy your design.
• Keep your tray aside and let the plaster dry. This might take hours. So be patient.
• After your plaster dries up, remove the mold.
• Any loose pieces of sand, has to be brushed away.
• Now, paint the mold in any color you want to.

Sand Candles

Things Required

• Dry sand
• Empty juice container
• Wicks
• Colored or natural wax
• Pan (In which you can heat the wax)
• 1 pencil (For holding the wick)

Directions

• Put in sand inside the juice container. The sand should be approximately 5 inches deep.
• Scoop out some sand from the center, but make sure that you have a sand layer around the edge of the container.
• Heat the wax in the pan and pour it into the mold that you have created in the container.
• Pour in the wax carefully, so that the sand around the edges do not collapse into it.
• Tie one end of your wick to your pencil and insert the other end in the molten wax.
• Keep it like this overnight.
• Next day, carefully remove the candle from the container and brush off the excess sand.
• You now have your own sand candle. You can even use a toothpick and carve out your name or some designs on your candle.

Sand Picture

Things Required

• Construction paper
• White glue
• Sand
• Color used in food
• Spoon

Directions

• First you color the sand with the food color and leave it to dry. You can learn more about how to color sand and get better ideas for your sand picture.
• Ask your child to draw a picture using glue. The picture can be anything like a house, or an animal, etc.
• Using the spoon, sprinkle the colored sand on the glue, as per your choice. e.g. if you have drawn a tree, then use the green colored sand for the leaves, the brown maybe for the trunk, etc.
• Paint one item at a time, otherwise the glue may dry off.
• Leave your picture aside to dry.
• Now shake or brush away the loose sands and voila! Your first sand picture.

Sand Castle

I remember the time when I had built a sand castle with great effort. Had spent nearly a couple of hours behind it. But, to my misfortune, minutes later, the tide came and washed it away. I am sure this a similar situation with many of you. So here are some sand art ideas for building a sand castle and getting it to keep it forever. Amazing! And all you need is just some sand and some Elmer's glue.

Procedure

• Mix at least ¾ parts sand with ¼ part glue, in a container.
• Keep mixing this until you have with you a sticky dough like consistency.
• If you want your castle to be colorful you can even add food coloring in the mixture.
• Now using your sand buckets and spades, make your sandcastle. You can use shells, twigs, or anything to make it more attractive.
• Now let your sand castle dry for a day or two. Even the strongest tide cannot break down this castle. Wish I had thought of it when I was a kid.

These easy craft ideas for children will keep them occupied for hours. Teach them these simple sand art, instead of making them sit in front of the TV. It's messy, but at the same time fun. Even you can help your kid make some sand art and craft, and maybe, together you can come up with something innovative and even more fun to make. If you do, then don't forget to share your views with us.