Do you want to build a sandcastle?

A day at the beach is just a fun day. And learning can happen on a beach too.

Sure there are the standards like lessons about the ocean, water cycle, or even reading to the hypnotic waves. But, I found that doing she actually enjoyed doing math... such as drawing the math problems with our feet and racing to solve them before the water washed it away (timed math that was fun?).

And sometimes just running, walking, and dancing on the beach can inspire writing and creative learning. Plus, making dreams a temporary reality. I mean what little girl doesn't like becoming a mermaid?!?!

And it was a wonderful opportunity to explore engineering and shapes through sandcastle building. The lessons were only limited by a lack of trying. So, just be ready to learn while you make memories.

Sandcastle 101

The tips to building a good sandcastle...
1. imagination
2. a little hard work
3. any help you can get
4. have fun... there are no rules!

We made a new sandcastle, out of a different shape, each day. The trick was not the pail, but having water available. The sand needs to be wet (but not so wet it will not take shape... like a bucket full of overly wet sand... that doesn't work). It was just molding wet sand and adding dry sand until the right consistency. That and having a plastic shovel to smooth it with and cut it as needed.

However, the sandcastle is only as good and the creativity and help of your child. So, we added sea shells and washed up items into our castles... as well as a Littlest Pet Shop characters to actually play with their new homes while at the beach.

Mainly, it is just getting out and playing. It was rewarding and fun. It was also good to pass some serious skills of sand-sculpting to my daughter. By the last day, she was creating her own castles right and adding to these.

Good tips on how to build a sandcastle, Click Here