If you’re headed to the beach this summer (or anytime of the year in fact), you have to try this easy, creative, and completely free activity: DIY Sand Tattoos! It’s one of those beach crafts that doesn’t require a ton of prep or supplies—but ends up being one of the biggest hits of the day.
We brought this to Sandbanks Provincial Park in Ontario (which seriously looks like the Caribbean, I’m not even kidding). The water is crystal clear and shallow forever, the sand is soft and fine, and the views are stunning. Even my son, who usually shrugs off “pretty views,” was like, “Whoa.” We had just finished building a few sandy castles and jumping waves when my daughter decided to open her own “tattoo shop” right on the beach blanket. She made designs on me, her brother, and herself—over and over again. It kept her happily creating for ages.
Why You’ll Love DIY Sand Tattoos
- No special supplies needed—just sand, water, and skin!
- Encourages creative thinking and fine motor skills.
- Totally washable and safe for all ages.
- Makes for adorable photo ops (trust me, you’re going to want a picture).
- Great way to slow down and enjoy some calm time after swimming or building sand castles.
Materials You’ll Need
- A clean, dry arm, leg, or back (best done after swimming and before reapplying sunscreen)
- Dry, fine sand (bonus if it’s soft and powdery)
- A small water bottle (or a friend with a wet finger)
That’s it!!
How to Make DIY Sand Tattoos
This activity is basically a fun, beachy version of temporary tattoos—but using nothing but sand and water. Here’s how to do it step by step:
1. Pick Your “Canvas”
Start with a clean, dry patch of skin—like an arm, leg, or even a back. We found that legs worked best because you can keep them flat and still while the tattoo is being made.
2. Draw a Design
Using a water bottle, gently sprinkle water on your a finger. Now here’s the fun part—use your finger or a small stick to gently “draw” into the sand, creating a shape or pattern. We drew, fish, seaweed, hearts, snakes, names and letters. Anything your child’s imagination can come up with works! You could try hearts, stars, stripes, numbers, or swirls—whatever your kids can imagine. Simple object are better and you don’t want your picture to be soaking wet and dripping.
3. Sprinkle On the Sand
Once you’ve designed your tattoos, grab a handful of dry sand and sprinkle it over the damp drawing. Try now to pat or touch the picture. Once its completely covered, simply shake the sand off or give it a quick blow.
4. Another Option
Another way to create a tattoo is to water the entire canvas (part of a leg, arm or back) and then cover it with sand. Then use your finger or a popsicle stick to gently “draw” into the sand, creating a shape or pattern. You could try hearts, stars, stripes, letters, or swirls—whatever your kids can imagine. You’ll be removing sand in specific areas to make the design stand out.
5. Dust Off the Extra Sand
Carefully blow or brush away any extra loose sand that hasn’t stuck. What’s left behind is a super cool design made from sand—your very own beach tattoo!
Tips & Variations
- Let the kids take turns being the tattoo artist and the canvas.
- Add shells, pebbles, or tiny beach treasures to decorate the edges of your design.
- Bring along a small paintbrush to “carve” more detailed shapes into the sand.
- Try layering different thicknesses of water to see how that changes the sand’s texture.
DIY Sand Tattoos were one of our favorite surprises from our Sandbanks beach day. No toys, no screens, no rules—just sandy creativity under the sun. It’s one of those sweet, simple memories your kids will remember all summer long. Plus, it’s a perfect break from wave-jumping and castle-building while still keeping the fun going.
So next time you’re headed to the beach, grab your towel, sunscreen, and water bottle—and don’t forget to set up your very own Sand Tattoo Studio. Your kids are going to love it!
Want more fun beach ideas? Check out our other favorite easy outdoor activities for kids and subscribe for even more creative play inspiration sent straight to your inbox!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
