After a fairly unsuccessful trip to the beach (weather!) we came home with a bucket of shells and a bag of sand for the sand pit in the garden; Jake was looking for things to do so I got out the yellow playdough, added some sand, some shells, pebbles, and also some soft brown sugar (because its like damp sand and different to the fine dry stuff we'd just got from the beach). I wanted to play just as much as Jake did; I love the feeling of sand in my hands (and feet!).
The sand gave the playdough an interesting texture, the shells were perfect for printing in the playdough (hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, shape recognition), they were also good for scooping the sand and sugar. The whole activity was a texture fest; feeling the rough jagged shells and the smooth pebbles, the grainy dry sand and the soft damp sugar, the squishy playdough, and mixing them up to get in betweens, and figuring out that some don't mix; so learning about object manipulation, malleable and non malleable materials, and recognising differences.
This would also work really well for a small world: beach activity, which we'll definitely be trying soon!
Love this idea. So simple and so much fun. Will try this with my little guy. Oh, and I might just have to help a bit. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is lush to play with, doesnt matter how old you are!
DeleteI've not thought of putting sand in our playdough but perhaps when I'm thinking it's getting time to make a new batch we can have a play around with the old playdough and then when the play is over just throw it out. Thanks for another way to play :)
ReplyDelete:) No problem.
DeleteGreat idea, we love playdough in our house!
ReplyDeletethanks Ellie
DeleteI would have never thought to mix sand and playdough. Brilliant! We have plenty of sand and play dough so this will definitely be an activity we do!
ReplyDelete:) thanks rebekah! its a lot of fun!
DeleteThat is fab! I bet the texture is really unusual!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Science sparks xx
:-) Thanks for coming to see! Love your link up.. need to get a button *goes to find one* xx
DeleteThank you SO much for sharing your post with me! What a cute idea!
ReplyDelete...danielle
Thanks for coming to see us Danielle. :)
DeleteOh I love the sand and shells. Definitely adding this to my to do list. Great for a rainy day when you can't get out too.
ReplyDeleteWe just got some more shells from the beach, including one of those beautiful big circular ones with the squared off point. It will be great for printing in the playdough and scooping sand! Definitely good for a rainy day. Thanks for commenting :-)
DeleteVisiting from the Sunday Showcase. This looks like too much fun! We've added shells to playdough before, but I never thought to add sand. I'm pinning for future use!
ReplyDelete