
Summer Crafts
Summer is all about getting outside and making the most of the sunny long days. But every once in a while I like to break up the days with a little art or craft. Nothing crazy something to refocus my crew when they start to get a little crazy or are driving me a little crazy! I really like this craft because it helps to inspire them to create bigger and more detailed sandcastles when we are at the beach!
The Best Sensory Play Kits for Kids
Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enoumous positive impact on brain development.
Our Sensory Play Kits are a fun and easy way to keep your child engaged while at the same time capitalizing on the benefits of sensory play to nurture their mind!
Shop our ready made sensory play kits here.

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How to Create a Sandpaper Sandcastle
Your toddler and preschooler will be able to do the painting but you will need to prepare the sandcastle shapes for them. For older kids have them try and cut out the sandcastle shapes, windows, and flags on their own.
- Grab your white card stock, draw a line lightly in pencil half way up the page all the way across. Pour the blue and tan paint on to a paper plate. Use a sponge to paint the top half of the picture blue and the bottom half tan. Let it draw.
- Cut out a square, two long rectangles and one short one and three triangles out of the sandpaper.
- Cut out a door, three windows and the tower detail out of brown construction paper.
- Use scissor to cut three small flags out of the green, yellow and blue construction paper.
- Cut the straw into three section about 5cm of 3 inches long.
- Once the background is draw glue sandcastle down.
- Next, add the windows, door and tower details. TIP: you will need a bit more glue than normal to makes sure the construction paper sticks to the sandpaper.
- Glue the straws down on top of the towers.
- Attached a flag to each pole using the glue.





The Best Book of Sensory Bins
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.

Supplies
(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)
- Sandpaper
- White card stock
- Two sponges
- Blue and tan washable paints
- scissors
- Cut straws
- Brown construction paper
- Blue, yellow and green construction paper
- School glue
Age Suitability
This activity is good for kids 2.5 years and up . My kids are 3, 3, and 6 year old.
Looking for more summer and outdoor activity ideas? Check out of these other round-ups for more ways to keep your toddler or preschooler busy this summer:
- 25+ Outdoor Water Activities to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
- 40+ Awesome Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids
- 30+ Easy Outdoor Art Projects for Kids
- 60+ Awesome Outdoor Activities for Kids
- 45+ Awesome Water Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- 40+ Water Table Activities for Toddlers
- 21+ Spray Bottle Activities for Toddler
- 20 Amazing Backyard Obstacle Courses
- 21+ Amazing Summer Sensory Bins
- 25+ Adorable Summer Crafts for Toddlers
- 40+ Ice Sensory Play
- 12 Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Toddlers + Kids
WILL YOU TRY SANDPAPER SANDCASTLE CRAFT WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? PIN IT FOR LATER!
