Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Screen your own sand and gravel using a self-made screen. You don’t need to pay for commercially screened materials when they are sitting in your own backyard. The only difference between these natural materials is their size so sifting separates the gravel from sand and further sifting separates fine sand from coarse sand. There are many uses for the different grades of sand and gravel around the yard, from walkways to sanded blocks to sand art with the kids.
A sand digger is used to dig deep holes in sandy and beachfront locations. It is a cylindrical steel tube with a swirl-cut running halfway around and down the tube to its end. When the tube is pounded down into the sand and then twisted clockwise, the sand is driven into the tube. The digger is then lifted from the hole and pounded on a hard surface to release the sand.
The Shoshone is an American Indian tribe of the western United States. Because Shoshone were nomadic people, the women learned to construct tepees. Shoshone tepees are made with animal skins, sticks and rope, and are easy to construct, take down and transport. Though many Shoshone tepees have smoke flaps and other more complicated parts, a simple tepee is easy to make.
Sandblasting is a hobby with many practical uses. You can use a sandblaster to clean off coatings, sand before coatings or to add decorative elements to glass. Equipment for sandblasting can be expensive, but there are some parts you can make yourself. A sandblasting pot contains the abrasive for sandblasting and mixes it with pressurized air. All that is needed for a sandblasting pot is a tough, secure container. You can make your own sandblasting pot using an empty propane tank, such as the type used for barbeques. However, the best method of building a sandblaster requires some experience with…
An aquarium sand fountain pushes sand through a length of tubing, creating the illusion of an underwater waterfall. If you have access to woodworking supplies, you can create your own sand fountain with Plexiglas and common supplies found in pet and aquarium stores.
A zen garden with components of sand, a few stones and a rake can bring an air of tranquility to the yard. These gardens are used to destress and bring peace -- simply rake the sand in patterns, focusing on the sand, and stresses wash away. You can build a zen sand garden in your yard with light-colored sand or fine gravel, a few large stones and a rake.
The sand rail is a special type of lightweight vehicle, designed to run on off-road terrains and specifically on sand. Normal vehicles would normally plunge into the sand, unable to move, whereas the light sand rail with its relatively large wheels can move freely. Sand rails have a simplistic design to minimize the vehicle's weight, making them easy to recreate on a miniature scale.
Golf is a sport where regular practice is the key to improving your game. A great way to practice one of the more difficult shots in the game is to build a bunker, or sand trap, in your backyard. This technique can also be used if designing a full golf hole or even a course. It is a time-consuming task, but with some care and attention, the finished article will improve your game and last a long time.
A freshwater fish tank is a miniature ecosystem that needs to be constantly maintained in order to promote proper health for fish. One way to keep a tank properly maintained and fish healthy is to set up a sand-filtration system in addition to a regular water-filtration system.
Bird food trays can cost upwards of $30, but you can make your own for less than $5. The homemade feeder will work just as well as a store-bought one, and it will have the same advantages. You will only occasionally need to pull off the lid and refill it with feed, and there will be enough room to accommodate many birds. A few tools and 2 items are all that is needed to make your own chicken food tray.
The sand at the bottom of an aquarium is called the substrate. The substrate, once thought to be simply cosmetic, has become an important factor in the filtration of water and the maintenance of the ecological balance of the aquarium. Lining the tank bottom with a 3- to 5-inch sand substrate provides a place for animals to burrow, as well as a perpetual biological filtration system through which animal waste and other detritus is removed and harmful nitrate is converted to beneficial nitrogen gas.
Summer at the beach wouldn't be complete without playing in the sand, building sand castles or sculpting even more complicated creations. When summer is over you can bring the fun home with a virtual sand building game. Make castles that can't be ruined by the tide or rain. Dig and build to your heart's content until it is summer once again.
Sand and water tables allow children to learn to measure and mold sand or other similar substances and engage in sensory stimulation activities. Sand tables have been used to encourage communication and imaginative play in therapeutic situations. The addition of water allows children to see the effects of erosion and study the water cycle first-hand.
Bring the beach into your home, classroom or program by building a sand tray. Sand trays encourage people of all ages to touch, sift, pour, push and mold. Sand play is an ice breaker that can spark quiet, introverted children and adults to share thoughts and emotions without fear. Sand play also encourages people with sensory integration challenges to give and receive touch. Sand tables can even be used as party games, in place of water-based games such as apple bobbing.
Teach children and students about rotation, geometric forms and patterns with a sand pendulum. A cone-shaped container filled with sand swings in a circle or back and forth suspended on a string. Sand pours out a small hole in the container and spills in a regular pattern on the ground. You can use this project to teach children about inertia, and change the length of the string to make different patterns. Discuss why different string lengths create different patterns and when and why the pendulum swings faster or slower. Ask why the pendulum may change directions and change sand colors…
Using a layer of sand to filter water through is nothing new. This method has been used since antiquity for removing many of the solid impurities in water that ancient peoples used for drinking. This is a very simple and fun experiment for you to conduct with your kids. They'll be fascinated by seeing how such ordinary materials can clean a sample of dirty water. Collecting some of the materials from the outdoors for this project will make for a great outing with them, as well.
The Mayan culture is well known for their breathtaking and beautiful temples built on huge pyramids. The temples were constructed of elaborately carved stones and adored with carved decorations and murals. Although Mayan temples are very intricate, you can make a simple replica out of sand.
Small or large, a natural tide pool is an area of seawater formed in the rocky places near the ocean. Tide pools offer habitats for sea creatures and plants during low tide and fill when the tide is high. Build your own version of a tide pool following simple techniques.
The sphinx is a creature with a human head and the body of a lion. Rooted in Egyptian mythology, it has been depicted throughout history in a variety of forms. Creating a sand sculpture of this famous icon is a great way to challenge your skills while spending a day at the beach.
