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At just about every fair and carnival, you will find a sand art stand. The kids will then plead and beg to make one. The excitement in their eyes brings u back to your childhood when you loved making your own sand art creations. After much contemplation, you finally give in. You hand over that $10, yes it is that expensive at some places, and the creations begin.
I’m here to tell you, parents, don’t feel bad about giving in because sand art can actually be quite educational!! It may be messy and your kids may choose a bottle you can’t even imagine putting out in their room, but it can have some great academic benefits.
Academic and Cognitive Benefits of Playing with Sand Art
Enhances Color Recognition
Playing with sand art is a great way to increase a child’s ability to label colors. It also helps children understand what happens when certain colors are mixed together.
Increases Fine Motor Skills
Playing with sand art requires a certain amount of fine motor control and manipulation. The child has to hold the bottle steady while carefully adding the sand. For some, this may take time and be a little messy, but once done, they have improved their skills in this area.
Enhances Hand-Eye Coordination
When making a sand art creation, children have to be able to carefully pour the sand into the small spout so it enters the bottle neatly. This requires hand-eye coordination which can be difficult for young children. The more they practice, the better they will be at it.
Sand art enhances both fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination!
Involves Planning and Organization
Creating the perfect sand art master piece takes planning as the child has to decide how much of one color to use before beginning the next color. They also have to decide what type of pattern or design they want to use. This involves thinking and reasoning skills as well.
Boosts Creativity and Imagination
The creativity begins when the child chooses the bottle they want to use. Then they choose what kind color sand they will use and what pattern to make. Will it be a pink and purple striped zebra or a rainbow rocket? No matter what they decide, they are using their imagination to decide!
Allows Kids to Make Choices
Sand art involves so many decisions and choices. Making these decisions allows kids to become more independent while also discovering their likes and dislikes.
Did you know that you can make beautiful sand art at home as well?
Making sand art at home not only saves money, but it’s also a great rainy day activity with the kids. Better yet, it’s a great way to boost your child’s skills without them even knowing!
At my sons 5th birthday party at Kidville in Denville, one of the favors was the Melissa and Doug sand art kit. We recently pulled it out, and the boys had a blast. In order to decrease the mess, I had them work outside on the deck, and used household items to hold and catch the sand. They had such a great time planning out their creations and carefully putting the sand in the bottle.
My boys had a blast making their sand art creations out on the deck!
Want to create your own sand art creation? Here are some great at-home sand art kits:
Have fun making your Sand Art creations! When you are done, post your pictures to our Facebook page!