Sand and sandpit play

Sand

Sand play is the ultimate early childhood experience. Babies and toddlers can indulge in sensory explorations while learning the social boundaries of eating and throwing sand. Preschool children can use their large muscles to build elaborate structures while experimenting with maths and science.

Sandpits that combine sand and water are a fundamental feature of Australian childcare centres. This educational experience can also be found in nature, at a river or beach.

EYLF learning outcomes

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) supports children connecting with natural materials (4.4) that teach respect for the environment (2.4) and provoke curiosity, imagination, creativity (4.1), problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).

Learning experiences

Manipulate sand

Children can manipulate sand in a variety of ways:

  • Digging holes, trenches and tunnels. 
  • Pushing objects into sand (e.g. sticks and feet).
  • Scooping sand into containers. Pouring sand from one container into another. 
  • Packing sand tightly and moulding wet sand into shapes.
  • Sifting through strainers and sprinkling with fingers.
  • Smoothing sand to create flat surfaces.
  • Mark making with fingers, sticks or other tools.
  • Throwing balls of wet sand to see them splat.
  • Mixing sand with water or mud.

Use sand in art

  • Layer coloured sand in bottles. Dye your own sand, experimenting with materials and methods
  • Sprinkle sand over wet paint for texture or mix sand with paint for a unique medium.
  • Build sand sculptures and take photos of them.
  • Draw or write in sand, by scratching into it.

Investigate sand storms

Even if children have never experienced a sand storm or dust storm, they will be mesmerised by the idea. These natural occurances are common in Australia and involve sand and dirt being lifted high into the air. 

Would you like to be in a dust storm? Should we start a research project to learn more about them?

Learning environments

Add items to your sandpit

  • Natural materials you find in your playground. 
  • Wooden logs, tree stumps, planks of timber, timber pallets, ladders, tyres, boxes and crates for building and stacking.
  • Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows and buckets.
  • Funnels, tubing and plastic pipes for pouring and transferring liquids.
  • Cooking utensils like pots, sieves, strainers, bowls, containers, measuring cups, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. Children always love teaspoons!
  • Small toys such as animals, cars, trucks and people.
  • A treasure chest with a surprise inside for whoever digs deep enough to find it!
  • And of course... water.

Consider your sandpit to be a meeting point

Sandpits in early learning environments are special places where children come to meet. They are like campfires, group time mats, and yarning circles. The space is not just for digging, it is a place to share stories and belong.

Educators who relate to this, may reflect on how their sandpits are used and respected. Gain inspiration from Liang Peng Kindergarten in China. They shared photos on Facebook of their sandpit with 420 children in attendance.

Discussions

Chris Speldewinde suggests asking children what is the difference between wet sand and dry sand? 

“You can explain how the water in the sand actually acts like glue, making the sand grains stick together. This lets us talk to young children about chemistry and how different materials interact with each other.”

Initiate conversations with these questions:

  • What colour is sand? Can it be different colours?
  • Do you think all sand is the same? Why or why not?
  • How do you think sand is made?
  • Can sand float in water? Why or why not?
  • What is the smallest piece of sand you can find?

Resources

Websites