Sand Box Painting
Level 1 builds observation and motor skills.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Gross Motor
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Create sand designs
- observe sand properties.
Instructions
Materials
- Large, clean sandbox or plastic sensory bin filled with sand
- Spray bottles filled with water mixed with a few drops of food colouring
- Small plastic rakes and shovels
- Stencils made from durable plastic or cardboard
- Large paintbrushes with thick handles
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate control of wrist and arm muscles through the use of spray bottles.
- Observe how liquid interacts with dry sand to create texture and colour.
- Practise spatial awareness by creating patterns within the boundaries of the sandbox.
- Follow multi-step directions to complete an outdoor creative task.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the sandbox by smoothing the surface of the sand so it is flat and even.
2. Gather children in a circle around the sandbox to explain the safety rules, specifically focusing on not spraying the water near faces.
3. Demonstrate how to hold the spray bottle with two hands to trigger the nozzle.
4. Show the children how to place a stencil on the sand and spray over it to create a shape.
5. Invite children to take turns using the spray bottles to create colorful patterns on the sand surface.
6. Encourage students to use their rakes or fingers to draw lines through the wet, coloured sand to see how the colours blend.
7. Ask open-ended questions about how the sand feels when it is dry versus when it is wet.
8. Allow children to experiment with different spraying distances to observe how the mist changes the sand texture.
9. Provide brushes for children to sweep away their designs and start fresh.
Educator Tip
If children struggle with the spray bottle trigger, provide bottles with larger, easier-to-press levers. You can also offer sponges soaked in coloured water for children to press into the sand, which builds different hand muscles while achieving the same sensory goal.
Assessment
- Note if the child can successfully operate the spray bottle mechanism independently.
- Observe the child describing the change in sand texture when water is added.
- Record the child's ability to stay within the designated sandbox area during the activity.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Checklist: observation, design creation.