Water and Sand Exploration
To explore the properties of natural materials through sensory play.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Understanding the World
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Explores water and sand with hands
- Notices differences between materials
- Experiments with pouring and scooping
- Shows curiosity about cause and effect (splashing)
Materials
- Shallow water tray with warm water
- Sand tray with clean play sand
- Pouring and scooping tools
- Waterproof aprons and towels
- Floating and sinking objects
Instructions
Set up shallow trays at an appropriate height for babies to sit or stand at safely. Fill the water tray with warm (not hot) water and add a few drops of baby-safe bubble bath for sensory interest. Place the sand tray nearby with dry, clean sand.
Support the baby to explore the water first, as most babies find water familiar from bath time. 'Feel the water! It's warm and wet.' Let them splash, poke, and explore with their hands. Model pouring and dripping water.
Introduce simple tools like cups and spoons for scooping. 'Scoop the water up. Now pour it out—splish splash!' Allow plenty of time for free exploration before introducing new tools.
Move to sand exploration, noticing how it feels different from water. 'This is sand. It's dry and grainy.' Let the baby feel dry sand running through their fingers. Add a little water to some sand to show how it changes: 'Now it sticks together!'
Add floating and sinking objects to the water. 'Look, the duck floats on top. The stone sinks down.' Encourage the baby to experiment with dropping objects in and observing what happens.
Throughout the exploration, narrate what you observe and respond to the baby's actions. Follow their lead—if they're fascinated by splashing, stay with splashing rather than rushing to introduce new elements.