Create a complex version of sand bottle art.
Bring the fun of playing in sand at the beach home with arts and crafts projects for kids. Take inspiration from beach activities-drawing in the sand, making sandcastles and collecting shells-and incorporate the theme into all kinds of craft projects. Collect some sand from the beach, purchase play sand from a hardware store or choose some colorful arts-and-crafts sand from a toy store.
Beach Scene
Use sand and glue to make works of art in the same way that you would use glitter. A beach scene is ideal because it is easy enough for children to create and it matches the theme of sand art. Take some construction paper, white glue, a handful or two of sand and other art supplies. If you use colored sand, you can use some for the sea as well as the sand in your picture. Otherwise, use paint or crayons to draw the sea and waves, then glue sand to the lower part of the picture to represent the beach. After applying glue where you want the sand to stick, cover it with sand then shake off the excess. You could paint or draw other images such as birds, children playing and buckets and spades. A paper cocktail umbrella adds to the details when glued into the sandy scene.
Bottle Art
If you collect sand from the beach, along with small shells and other items during a vacation, your bottle art will encapsulate your fun memories. Collect clear glass or plastic bottles and make your own bottle art instead of purchasing similar sand art bottles from a souvenir store. To make a bottle with different layers of colorful sand, either purchase colored sand from a toy or craft store, or make your own by rubbing regular sand with a piece of colored chalk held on its side. The chalk dust will mix with the sand and make it appear colorful. To aid you with getting the sand into the bottle, either use a small plastic kitchen funnel or fashion a funnel from sturdy paper by twisting it into a cone shape, stapling it into shape, then trimming the end off with scissors.
Sand Sculptures
If your children enjoy making sand castles with wet sand at the beach, they will also love to make sand sculptures at home. Using regular wet sand, however, means their sculptures will collapse when they dry. Mix up some sand with cornstarch and water, however, and it will hold whatever solid shape you mold it into when it dries. Mix two parts of sand with one part each of cornstarch and water and use an old bowl and kitchen utensils to mix it all thoroughly. Cover the play area with newspaper and turn out the sand mixture. Children can use it like clay to make models, shapes and sculptures by hand or using beach toys. While it is wet, the sand remains mold-able, but let it dry out thoroughly and it becomes solid. You can, however, revitalize the dried-out sand mixture with a little cold water. Store any leftover sand in a sealed container.
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