Shop
02620

8 Sandpit play ideas for toddlers & preschoolers

 
Toddlers and preschoolers LOVE to dig and play in sandpits! Have a go at some of these fun sandpit activities. Creative ways to engage your toddler and preschooler in sandpit play.
Toddlers and preschoolers LOVE to dig and play in sandpits!

Playing in sand is an awesome sensory experience and provides a great opportunity for them to use their imagination and to enjoy some unstructured playtime.

Sandpit play comes with many benefits for toddlers and preschoolers too.

They learn about the properties of sand by feeling, digging, patting and shaping it, playing with sand helps to develop their fine motor skills and it promotes creativity and imagination, amongst many other benefits.

Have a go at some of these fun sandpit ideas from our friends at Mud Mates. Creative ways to engage your toddler and preschooler in sandpit play.
 

8 Sandpit play ideas for toddlers & preschoolers


1. Build a river


If your toddler or preschooler becomes frustrated when their moats and streams disappear into the sand before their eyes, have a go at building this river instead.

Dig the trench in the sandpit as normal, and then line it with tinfoil to stop the water from soaking into the sand. Instead, the water will flow down the river and provide hours of entertainment!


2. Create a small world safari park


Transform the sandpit into a small world safari park using safari toys such as tigers, lions, elephants and zebras.

Then add in some rocks, sticks, flowers and leaves to help set the scene.

It’s a great way to spark your toddler's or preschooler's imagination and to encourage independent play.
 

3. Make a construction zone


Bring out the trucks and tools to create your own city-scape and construction site.

Get your toddler or preschooler to pop on a hard hat and florescent vest and become the site manager!
 

4. Make sand mud-pies


Get your toddler or preschooler to make sand mud-pies in the sandpit.

Add some props like pebbles and dried pasta and create a sand-restaurant.
 

5. Make some sand foam


To make your sand foam get a bucket and mix sand and shaving foam together to create sand foam and let your toddler or preschooler enjoy the foamy experience with their hands, feet and sandpit toys.
 

6. Make your own sand volcanoes


Make a volcano shape with the sand then push an old plastic cup into the top.

Pop in some baking soda and food colouring then pour in vinegar and watch the explosion! Toddlers and preschoolers will love it!
 

7. Organise a treasure hunt


Keep your toddler or preschooler busy for hours digging for treasure.

Simply hide a few items such as small toys or ‘dinosaur bones’ and give them a treasure map plotting the general location of each treasure.


8. Sandpit engineer for the day


Toddlers and preschoolers love water and sand, so why not combine the two!

As well as water, provide a range of equipment such as pipes, pourers, bowls and turning wheels to test out and build creations with.

More kids play activities to try:
Source: This article was written by Mud Mates - Taking care of messy kids with protective over-garments, perfect for dirty, messy play, indoors and out.
Enquire

You might also be interested in ...

Sand and water sensory play activity

Sand and water sensory play activity

No time to go to the beach? This sand and water sensory play activity is easy to set up at home and provides hours of imaginative play for young kids. Whether it’s shaping the sand into castles or splashing in the water, it offers endless opportunities for fun and learning as your kids explore these different natural textures
What's all the fuss about heuristic play?

What's all the fuss about heuristic play?

Heuristic play is about playing with real-life, everyday objects and providing kids with an opportunity for open-ended discovery. When children are involved in heuristic play, they are using familiar objects in different ways. It is the process of exploring the different ways to use the objects that is important in the play.

join us

Join us on social media for all our latest news.
facebook  pinterest
 

sign up

Sign up and receive our latest newsletters.
First/Last Name*
Email*
Town/City*
 

contact us

mailinfo@under5s.co.nz
 
advertise with us