Swimming, digging and exploring. Sand, waves, rock pools and creeks. Ahh the serenity 🙂
Just last week we were on our annual beach camp to Hastings Point, New South Wales (already feels like months ago, bummer). This year, we’ve managed to stretch out the beach vibes using the shell collection that is inevitably bought home by the kids. Now don’t get me wrong, I love combing the beach just as much as the kids do and I love their excitement when they find “the one” over and over again! But what are you supposed to do with the shells when you get home?
Open play and natural materials is a perfect combination. Not only does it strengthen creativity, imagination and important motor skills, it provides us with an invaluable opportunity to teach our children about the natural environments around them. Especially the adaptions of animals and plants. This is the bit that fascinates me the most! How do tiny animals know how to change their bodies and behaviour in order to survive? Blows my mind.
SHELLY ARTY LEARNING WHEN YOU GET HOME:
Playdough Fossils
Playdough, the forever faithful old favourite. Let the children use their finger muscles to push shells into the playdough. Check out the patterns left behind.
Playdough Faces
All you need is playdough and a collection of shells (and a few small rocks in our case). The kids tend to do the rest.
Kinetic Sand
Another one of my favourites. This is awesome stuff for calming little bodies. Let the children push shells into the sand, recreate a beach scene or simply for open ended play.
Painting
This was a complete winner! Using a paintbrush, paint any part of the shell then press and roll onto paper, canvas or aluminum foil.
The possibilities are endless. All of these activities are suitable for home, school, kindy and home schooling. If a beach visit is not in your near future, or you are an early years educator, you can also team these activities with a picture book reading. Here are some of my recommended titles:
I would love to see what creations you made, send me your photos via our Facebook page or messenger. Happy Nature Play and Nature Learning!
Education Environment Explore 